UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For thefiscal year ended December 31, 2019
OR
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                                    to                                   
Commission file number 001-14157
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TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware36-2669023
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)(IRS Employer Identification No.)
30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 4000, Chicago, Illinois60602
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (312) 630-1900
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For thefiscal year ended December 31, 2022
OR
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                                    to                                   
Commission file number 001-14157
tds-20221231_g1.jpg
TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware36-2669023
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)(IRS Employer Identification No.)
30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 4000, Chicago, Illinois 60602
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (312) 630-1900
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading SymbolName of each exchange on which registered
Common Shares, $.01 par valueTDSNew York Stock Exchange
Depository Shares each representing a 1/1000th interest in a share of 6.625% Senior Notes due 2045Series UU Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock $.01 par valueTDITDSPrUNew York Stock Exchange
6.875% Senior Notes due 2059Depository Shares each representing a 1/1000th interest in a share of 6.000% Series VV Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock $.01 par valueTDETDSPrVNew York Stock Exchange
7.000% Senior Notes due 2060TDJNew York Stock Exchange
5.875% Senior Notes due 2061TDANew York Stock Exchange
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.YesNo
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.YesNo
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.YesNo
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).YesNo




Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filerAccelerated filer
Non-accelerated filerSmaller reporting company
Non-accelerated filerSmaller reportingEmerging growth company
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management's assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.
If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements.
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b).
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).YesNo
As of June 28, 2019,30, 2022, the aggregate market values of the registrant’s Common Shares and Series A Common Shares held by non-affiliates were approximately $3$2 billion and $3less than $1 million, respectively. For purposes hereof, it was assumed that each director, executive officer and holder of 10% or more of any class of voting equity security of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (TDS) has assumed that each director and executive officer is an affiliate, and no party who has filed a Schedule 13G is an affiliate. The June 28, 2019,30, 2022 closing price of the Common Shares was $30.40$15.79 as reported by the New York Stock Exchange. Because trading in the Series A Common Shares is infrequent, the registrant has assumed for purposes hereof that each Series A Common Share has a market value equal to one Common Share because the Series A Common Shares are convertible on a share-for-share basis into Common Shares.
The number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of January 31, 2020,2023, is 107,543,600105,050,300 Common Shares, $.01 par value, and 7,233,8007,411,300 Series A Common Shares, $.01 par value.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Those sections or portions of the registrant's 2019 Annual Report to Shareholders (Annual Report), filed as Exhibit 13 hereto, and of the registrant’s Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement (Proxy Statement) to be filed prior to April 30, 2020,2023, for the 20202023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders scheduled to be held May 21, 2020,18, 2023, are herein incorporated by reference into Parts II and III of this report.



Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.
Annual Report on Form 10-K
For the Period Ended December 31, 2019
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page No.


Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.
30 NORTH LASALLE STREET, SUITE 4000,
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60602
TELEPHONE (312) 603-1900Signatures
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Table of Contents
PART I
Item 1. Business
Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (TDS) provides high-quality communications services to customers with 4.94.7 million retail wireless connections and 1.2 million wirelinebroadband, video and cablevoice connections at December 31, 2019.2022. TDS conducts all of its wireless operations through its majority-owned subsidiary, United States Cellular Corporation (U.S. Cellular)(UScellular). As of December 31, 2019,2022, TDS owned 82%84% of the combined total of the outstanding Common Shares and Series A Common Shares of U.S. CellularUScellular and controlled 96% of the combined voting power of both classes of U.S. CellularUScellular common stock. TDS provides broadband, video and voice services through its wholly-owned subsidiary TDS Telecommunications LLC (TDS Telecom). TDS was incorporated in 1968 and is incorporated in Delaware. TDS Common Shares trade under the ticker symbol “TDS” on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). U.S. CellularUScellular Common Shares trade on the NYSE under the ticker symbol “USM.”
Under listing standards of the NYSE, TDS is a “controlled company” as such term is defined by the NYSE. TDS is a controlled company because over 50% of the voting power for the election of directors of TDS is held by the trustees of the TDS Voting Trust.
TDS has threetwo business segments: U.S. CellularUScellular and TDS Telecom’s Wireline and Cable.Telecom. TDS operations also include the operations of its wholly-owned hosted and managed services (HMS) subsidiary, which operates under the OneNeck IT Solutions brand, and its wholly-owned printing subsidiary Suttle-Straus, Inc. (Suttle-Straus). HMS' and Suttle-Straus’ financial results were not significant to TDS’ operations. TDS’ segments operateTDS operates entirely in the United States. Additional information about TDS’ segments is incorporated herein by reference fromSee Note 2019 — Business Segment Information in TDS’ Annual Reportthe Notes to Shareholders, filed as Exhibit 13 hereto.Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information about TDS' segments.
The map below highlights TDS’ consolidated areas of operations:
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U.S. CELLULAR

Table of Contents
UScellular OPERATIONS
General
U.S. Cellular, incorporated under the state laws of Delaware in 1983,UScellular provides wireless telecommunications services to customers with 4.94.7 million retail connections in 20portions of 21 states collectively representing a total population of 3132 million. U.S. CellularUScellular operates in one reportable segment, and all of its wireless operating markets are in the United States. U.S. Cellular’s
Operating Strategy and Community Focus
UScellular’s strategy is to attract and retain wireless customers through a value proposition comprised ofby providing a high-quality network, outstanding customer service, and competitive devices, plans and pricing - all provided with a community focus.
UScellular operates a regional wireless network. UScellular’s interests in wireless spectrum licenses include both direct interests whereby UScellular is the licensee and investment interests in entities which are licensees; together, these direct and investment interests involve operating and non-operating wireless spectrum licenses covering portions of 30 states and a total population of approximately 51 million at December 31, 2022.
As part of its business development strategy, UScellular may periodically be engaged in negotiations relating to strategic partnerships and/or the acquisition, exchange or disposition of companies, strategic properties, investment interests or wireless spectrum, including through Federal Communications Commission (FCC) auctions. The FCC conducts auctions through which additional spectrum is made available for the provision of wireless services. Historically, UScellular has participated in certain FCC auctions both directly and indirectly through its limited partnership interests.
UScellular has a longstanding commitment to supporting its local focus.communities through donations and volunteerism. UScellular focuses its Corporate Social Responsibility program on addressing gaps in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education and connecting tomorrow’s innovators with the resources they need today to help shape their future opportunities. UScellular serves its local communities through exclusive partnerships with acclaimed national nonprofit partners. In 2022, UScellular continued exploring ways to leverage its assets, brand, partnerships, and resources to close the digital divide with a focus on helping to ensure youth in its markets have reliable and fast internet access in school and at home through the After School Access Project. In addition, UScellular continues to contribute to the TDS Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) program. UScellular believes in serving as a good steward of the environment and enacting governance practices that align with its corporate values and commitment to its customers, associates and its communities.
Customers, Services, Products and ProductsSeasonality
Customers. U.S. Cellular provides service to postpaid and prepaid customers from a variety of demographic segments. U.S. CellularUScellular focuses on retail consumers,consumer, business and government entities, and business customers located in its service territories.operating markets. These customers are served primarily through U.S. Cellular’sUScellular’s retail, digital platform, as well as its direct and directindirect sales channels. U.S. Cellular builds customer loyalty by offering high-quality network services, outstanding customer-focused support services, competitive pricing, and other benefits as discussed further in “Marketing, Customer Service, and Sales and Distribution Channels” below.
Services.U.S. Cellular’s customers are able to choose from UScellular provides a wide variety of wireless services accessible on a broad range of devices. Customers can obtain wireless services on a postpaid or prepaid basis. A single account may include monthly wireless services for a variety of nationalhandsets, connected devices and IoT Solutions. A postpaid connection represents an individual line of service for a device for which a customer is generally billed one month in advance for a monthly access charge in return for access to and usage of network services. UScellular’s prepaid service enables individuals to obtain services without credit verification by paying for all services in advance. Approximately 90% of retail connections were postpaid connections as of December 31, 2022.
UScellular offers various service plans with nationwide coverage tailored to the needs of customers. Depending on those needs, service plans may include features related to, among other items: unlimited or metered voice messaging and data; high definition video features; the ability to use a device as a Wi-Fi hotspot; international voice, text, and data; and varying data rates depending on the plan and usage options and pricingon that are designedplan. Service offerings vary from time to fit differenttime based on customer needs, usage patternstechnology changes and budgets. Helpingmarket conditions - and may be provided as standard plans or as part of limited time promotional offers.
UScellular offers home and business internet throughout the footprint via fixed wireless access. Options include an in-home self-installed device and externally-mounted professionally-installed equipment with an internal router. Additional routers are available for a customer find the right plan is an important element of U.S. Cellular’s brand positioning. U.S. Cellular’s national plans price all domestic calls as local calls, regardless of where they are made or received in the United States,whole-home Wi-Fi experience. In addition to selling direct to businesses and residential homes, UScellular works with no long distance or roaming charges, made possible by roaming agreements with other wireless carriers. See “Network Technology, Roaming, and System Design” section below for further discussion relatedseveral municipalities to roaming.bring broadband internet to underserved communities.
U.S. CellularUScellular offers advanced wireless solutions to consumers and business and government customers including "home and business internet", a growingfast-growing and expansive suite of connected machine-to-machine (M2M)Internet of things (IoT) solutions and software applications across the categories of monitor and control (e.g., sensors and cameras), business automation/operations (e.g., e-forms)e-forms, office solutions), communication (e.g., enterprise messaging, primary and back-up routerinternet connectivity for business continuity services)continuity), fleet and asset management, (e.g., navigation system, fleet management). U.S. Cellularsmart water solutions, private cellular networks and custom, bespoke end-to-end IoT solutions et al. Additionally, for first responders, UScellular offers a suite of critical connectivity solutions that includes Wireless Priority Services (WPS) and Quality Priority and Preemption (QPP) options. UScellular intends to continue to further enhance these offerings for customers in 20202023 and beyond.
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Devices and Table of Contents
Products. U.S. CellularUScellular offers a comprehensive range of wireless devices such as smartphones and other handsets, tablets, wearables, mobile hotspots, fixed wireless home phonesinternet, and routers for use by its customers. U.S. Cellular offers wireless devices that are compatible with its 4G LTE and third generation (3G) networks and are compliant with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) enhanced wireless 911 requirements.IoT devices. In addition, U.S. CellularUScellular also offers a wide range of accessories, including wireless essentials such as cases, screen protectors, chargers, and memory cards as well as an assortment ofand consumer electronics such as headphones, smart speakers, wearables andaudio, home automation products (e.g., cameras, sensors, and thermostats).
New postpaid handset salesnetworking products. UScellular allows customers to retail consumers are made primarily under equipmentpurchase certain devices and accessories on installment plans, (EIP); business and governmentallowing for customers may continue to purchase equipment under alternative plans subject to a service contract. For certain installment plans, afterpay over a specified period of time or number of payments, the customer may have the right to upgrade to a new device prior to reaching the end of the installment term, thus enablingtime.
UScellular also offers services that enable customers to accessreplace or repair their devices, including the latest smartphones and provide a better overall customer experience.
U.S. Cellular also offers accessories for purchase on installment plans. These plans allow new and existing postpaid customers to purchase certain accessories payable over a specified time period.
U.S. Cellular offers its Device Protection+ program, which includes overnightprovides as soon as next-day delivery of a replacement device for damaged, lost and stolen devices, and AppleCare services for Apple iOS customers. ItsUScellular's Device Protection+ Advanced program also includes local or on-demand repair for eligible devices. In addition, U.S. CellularUScellular offers a Trade-In program through which U.S. CellularUScellular buys customers' used equipment.
U.S. Cellular offers a full array of iconic smartphones with options for both Android and iOS customers. U.S. Cellular continues to bolster its expanding smartphone portfolio with the Samsung Galaxy S® 10e and Note10/Note10+, the iPhone® 11/11 Pro/11 Pro Max, the Google Pixel 4, and the Motorola Moto e6. Along with the iconic devices, U.S. Cellular supports the larger ecosystem of Samsung and Apple devices, such as the Samsung Galaxy Watch, the Samsung Gear Sport and the Apple Watch Series 5. For tablets, U.S. Cellular offers the full complement of iPads and the Samsung Galaxy Tab series. U.S. Cellular’s smartphone offerings play a significant role in attracting customers and driving data service usage and revenues. U.S. Cellular also offers additional services and products that utilize U.S. Cellular's network, including feature phones, mobile hotspots, LTE home internet, LTE wireless routers, LTE wireless cameras, and home phones.
U.S. CellularUScellular purchases wireless devices and accessory products from a number of original equipment manufacturers and distributors, including Samsung, Apple, Google, Motorola, LG, Inseego, Tessco, Voicecomm and Superior. U.S. Cellulardistributors. UScellular manages relationships with its suppliers to ensure its customers have access to the industry's latest devices, to obtain best possible pricing, and identifiesto identify opportunities for promotional support. U.S. Cellular does not own significant product warehousing and distribution infrastructure; rather, itsupport from its suppliers. UScellular contracts with third party providers for the majority of its product warehousing, distribution and direct customer fulfillment activities. U.S. CellularUScellular also contracts with third party providers for services related to its device service programs.

Seasonality. Seasonality in operating expenses may cause operating income to vary from quarter to quarter. UScellular’s operating expenses tend to be higher in the fourth quarter due to increased marketing and promotional activities during the holiday season.
U.S. Cellular continuously monitors the financial condition of its wireless device and accessory suppliers. Since U.S. Cellular has a diversified portfolio of products from more than one supplier, U.S. Cellular does not expect the financial condition of any single supplier to affect its ability to offer a competitive portfolio of wireless devices and accessories for sale to customers.
Marketing, Customer Service, and Sales and Distribution Channels
Marketing and Advertising. U.S. Cellular’s marketing plan is focused on acquiring, retaining and enhancing customer relationships by maintaining a high-quality wireless network, providing outstanding customer service, and offering a comprehensive portfolio of services and products built around customer needs at fair prices with a local focus. U.S. Cellular believes that creating positive relationships with its customers enhances their wireless experience and builds customer loyalty. In 2019, U.S. Cellular completed a brand refresh centered around its brand promise of doing what is right for customers, which is expressed through a new marketing campaign, 'Bringing Fairness to Wireless'. U.S. Cellular also introduced new Basic, Everyday and Even Better Unlimited plans. These plans allow customers to choose and customize plans to match their needs and lifestyles.
To attract new customers and retain existing customers, and increase their usage of U.S. Cellular’s services, U.S. Cellular’s advertising is directed at increasing the public awareness of the U.S. Cellular brand, knowledge of the outstanding network that works in places where other carriers do not have coverage, and understanding of the wireless services it offers. U.S. Cellular supplements its advertising with a focused public relations program that seeks to improve overall brand sentiment and awareness, encourages engagement, supports sales of services and products, and builds preference and loyalty for the U.S. Cellular brand. The approach combines national and local media relations in mainstream and social media channels with market-specific activities, events, and sponsorships.
U.S Cellular focuses its philanthropic and volunteer activities on K-12 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) for youth in the communities U.S. Cellular serves. U.S Cellular also collaborates with organizations such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and JASON Learning. Since 2015, U.S. Cellular's The Future of Good program has demonstrated the commitment to fairness by highlighting and supporting young humanitarians that have taken extraordinary actions to make their communities a better place.
Customer Service. U.S. Cellular manages customer retention by focusing on outstanding customer service through the development of processes that are customer-friendly, extensive training of frontline sales and support associates and the implementation of retention programs.
U.S. Cellular operates four regional customer care centers in its operating markets with personnel who are responsible for customer service activities, and a national financial services center with personnel who perform credit and other customer payment activities. U.S. Cellular also contracts with third parties that provide additional customer care and financial services support.
Sales and Distribution Channels. U.S. CellularUScellular supports a multi-faceted distribution program, including retail sales, direct sales, telesales, ecommerce, indirect sales, independent agents and third-party national retailers, and independent agents, plus a website and telesales.retailers.
Company retail store locations are designed to market wireless services and products to the consumer and small business segments in a setting familiar to these types of customers. As of December 31, 2019, retail sales associates work in 262 U.S. Cellular-operated retail stores and kiosks. Direct sales representatives and the indirect channel sell traditional wireless services as well as Internet of Things (IoT)IoT and M2Mother specialized products and solutions to medium-medium and large-sized businesses and governmentgovernmental entities. Additionally, the U.S. Cellular website enablestelesales and ecommerce channels enable customers to purchase wireless services and devices online.via phone and online, respectively.
U.S. Cellular maintains an ongoing training program to improve the effectiveness of retail sales associates and direct sales representatives by focusing their efforts on obtaining customers by facilitating the sale of appropriate packages for the customer’s expected usage and value-added services that meet the individual needs of the customer.
U.S. CellularUScellular has relationships with exclusive and non-exclusive agents (collectively “agents”), which are independent businesses that obtain customers for U.S. CellularUScellular on a commission basis. At December 31, 2019, U.S. Cellular had contracts with these businesses aggregating 448 locations. U.S. CellularUScellular’s agents are generally in the business of selling wireless devices, wireless service plans and other related products. UScellular provides support and training to its agents to increase customer satisfaction and to ensure a consistent customer experience. U.S. Cellular’s agents are generally in the business of selling wireless devices, wireless service plans and other related products. No single agent accounted for 10% or more of U.S. Cellular’s operating revenues during the past three years.
U.S. Cellular services and productsIn order to expand its retail presence, UScellular also are offered through third-party national and on-line retailers. Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, Cashland, Family Dollar and Dollar General offer U.S. Cellular services and products at select retail locations in U.S. Cellular’s service areas. U.S. Cellular continues to explore newmaintains relationships with additional third-partynational retailers, as part of its strategy to expand distribution.
Seasonality. Seasonality in operating expenses may cause operating income to vary from quarter to quarter. U.S. Cellular’s operating expenses tend to be higher in the fourth quarter due to increased marketing and promotional activities during the holiday season.primarily selling prepaid devices.
Competition
The wireless telecommunication industry is highly competitive. U.S. CellularUScellular competes directly with several wireless service providers in each of its markets. In general, there are between twothree and fivefour competitors in each wireless market in which U.S. CellularUScellular provides service, excluding resellers and mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs). In its footprint, U.S. CellularUScellular competes to varying degrees against each of the national wireless companies: Verizon, Wireless, AT&T, Mobility, Sprint,T-Mobile USA, and T-Mobile USA,an emerging Dish as the fourth national carrier, in addition to a few smaller regional carriers, cable and cable providers such as Comcast and Charterother MVNOs in specific areas of its footprint. All of the national competitors have substantially greater financial and other resources than U.S. Cellular. In addition, U.S. CellularUScellular competes with other companies that use alternative communication technology and services to provide similar services and products.

Since each of these wireless competitors operates on systems using spectrum licensed by the FCC and has comparable technology and facilities, competition among wireless service providers for customers is principally on the basis of types of services and products, price, brand, size of area covered, network quality, network speed and responsiveness of customer service. Types of services and products include non–wireless related services such as content offerings that are bundled with wireless services. U.S. Cellular employs a customer satisfaction strategy that includes maintaining an outstanding wireless network throughout its markets. U.S. Cellular owns and operates low-band spectrum (less than 1 GHz) that covers the majority of its footprint and enables more efficient coverage in rural areas (compared to spectrum above 1 GHz), which strengthens its network quality positioning. To the extent existing competitors or new entrants hold or acquire such spectrum in U.S. Cellular markets, U.S. Cellular could face increased competition over time. In addition, fifth generation (5G) technology will likely introduce increased competition from industry participants on bases such as network speed and new product offerings.
The use of national advertising and promotional programs by the top four wireless service providers and certain cable providers is a source of additional competitive and pricing pressures in all U.S. Cellular markets, even if those operators do not provide direct service in a particular market. Over the past year, competition among top carriers has continued to be robust, with the top four carriers and certain cable providers offering rich promotions related to both service plans and devices. In addition, in the current wireless environment, U.S. Cellular’s ability to compete depends on its ability to continue to offer national voice and data plans. U.S. Cellular provides wireless services comparable to the national competitors, but the national wireless companies operate in a wider geographic area and are able to provide such services over a wider area on their own networks than U.S. Cellular can offer on its network. Although U.S. Cellular offers similar coverage area as these competitors, U.S. Cellular incurs roaming charges for data sessions and calls made in portions of the coverage area which are not part of its network, thereby increasing its cost of operations. U.S. Cellular depends on roaming agreements with other wireless carriers to provide voice and data roaming capabilities in areas not covered by U.S. Cellular’s network. Similarly, U.S. Cellular provides roaming services on its network to other wireless carriers’ customers who travel within U.S. Cellular’s coverage areas and receives revenue from other carriers for the provision of these services.
Convergence of connectivity is taking place on many levels, including wireless devices that can act as wireless or wireline replacement devices and the incorporation of wireless “hot spot” technology in wireless devices making internet access seamless regardless of location. Although less directly a substitute for other wireless services, wireless data services such as Wi-Fi may be adequate for those who do not need mobile wide-area roaming or full two-way voice services. If the trend toward convergence continues, U.S. Cellular is at a competitive disadvantage to larger competitors, including the national wireless carriers, traditional cable companies, MVNOs and other potential large new entrants with much greater financial and other resources in adapting to such convergence. Cable companies compete in the wireless market; most notably, Comcast and Charter currently offer wireless services.
U.S. Cellular’s approach in 2020 and in future years will be to focus on the unique needs and attitudes of its customers towards wireless service. U.S. Cellular will deliver high-quality services and products at competitive prices and intends to continue to differentiate itself by seeking to provide an overall outstanding customer experience, founded on a high-quality network. U.S. Cellular’s ability to compete successfully in the future will depend upon its ability to anticipate and respond to changes related to new service offerings, consumer preferences, competitors’ pricing strategies and new product offerings, technology, demographic trends, economic conditions and its access to adequate spectrum resources.
Network Technology, Roaming, and System Design
Network Technology. Wireless telecommunication systems transmit voice and data signals over networks of radio towers using radio spectrum licensed by the FCC. Access to local, regional, national and worldwide telecommunications networks is provided through system interconnections. A high-quality network, supported by continued investments in that network, will remainis an important factor for U.S. CellularUScellular to remain competitive.
5G technology helps address customers’ growing demand for data services and enhances services, including high-speed fixed wireless home internet services, requiring high speed and reliability as well as low latency. UScellular's low-band and high-band spectrum is currently supporting mobility and fixed wireless services. UScellular has acquired mid-band spectrum which it will deploy in the future to further enable the delivery of 5G services. UScellular has launched commercial 5G services in portions of substantially all of its markets and will continue to launch in additional areas in the coming years.
UScellular also operates a VoLTE network. VoLTE technology allows customers to utilize a 4G LTE and 5G network for both voice and 4G LTE data services andwhich offers enhanced services such as high definition voice and simultaneous voice and data sessions. VoLTE technology is now available to nearly 70% of U.S Cellular's subscribers, and deployments in additional operating markets are expected in 2020 and 2021.
5G technology is expected to help address customers’ growing demand for data services as well as create opportunities for new services requiring high speed, reliability and low latency. U.S. Cellular is working with leading companies in the wireless infrastructure and handset ecosystem to provide rich 5G experiences for customers, initially focused on mobility services and using its low band spectrum. At the same time, U.S. Cellular has begun acquiring high band spectrum to further enable the delivery of additional 5G services in the future. U.S. Cellular has begun to deploy 5G technology in its network and expects to launch commercial 5G services in selected markets in 2020. In addition, in the markets in which U.S. Cellular is deploying 5G technology, customers using U.S. Cellular's 4G LTE network will experience faster network speeds due to the network modernization efforts.
Roaming. Inter-carrier roaming agreements are negotiated between wireless operators to enable customers who are in a wireless service area other than the customer’s home service area to use wireless services in thatoutside of their home service area. U.S. CellularUScellular has entered into 4G LTE and VoLTE roaming agreements with nationala number of wireless companies in order to offer its customers nationwide services, including 4G LTE, VoLTE and 5G, as a result, a majority of customers currently have access to these services on a nationwide basis. In addition, U.S. Cellular offerswell as a variety of international roaming options.

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Table of Contents
System DesignTowers. UScellular owns and Construction. U.S. Cellular designs and constructs its systems in a manner it believes will permit itleases cell towers to provide high-quality service to substantially all typesits customers throughout its footprint. In addition, UScellular receives tower rental revenues when another carrier leases tower space on a UScellular owned tower. As of compatible wireless devices. Designs are based on engineering studies which relate to specific markets, in support of the larger network. Network reliability is given careful consideration and extensive backup redundancy is employed in many aspects of U.S. Cellular’s network design. Route diversity, redundant equipment, ring topology and extensive use of emergency standby power also are used to enhance network reliability and minimize service disruption from any particular network element failure.
U.S. Cellular has selected high-capacity, carrier-class digital wireless switching systems that are capable of serving multiple markets through a single mobile telephone switching office. Centralized equipment, used for network and data management, is located in high-availability facilities supported by multiple levels of power and network redundancy. U.S. Cellular’s systems are designed to incorporate Internet Protocol (IP) packet-based Ethernet technology, which allows for increased data capacity and a more efficient network. Interconnection between the mobile telephone switching office and theDecember 31, 2022, there were 6,945 cell sites utilizes Ethernet technology for nearly all 4G LTE sites, over fiber or microwave links.in service and UScellular owned 4,336 towers.
Construction
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Table of wireless systems is capital-intensive, requiring substantial investment for land and improvements, buildings, towers, mobile telephone switching offices, cell site equipment, transport equipment, engineering and installation. U.S. Cellular primarily uses its own personnel to engineer each wireless system it owns and operates, and engages contractors to construct the facilities.Contents
As a result of increasing demand for high–speed data and the deployment of 5G technology, U.S. Cellular expects to acquire additional wireless spectrum licenses and to make significant investments in its network to provide sufficient capacity and throughput.
The costs to develop the systems which U.S. Cellular operates (including the costs to acquire wireless spectrum licenses) have historically been financed primarily through proceeds from debt offerings, with cash generated by operations, and proceeds from the sales of wireless interests and other non-strategic assets.
Business Development Strategy
U.S. Cellular operates a regional wireless network. U.S. Cellular’s interests in wireless spectrum licenses include both direct interests whereby U.S. Cellular is the licensee and investment interests in entities which are licensees; together, these direct and investment interests involve operating and non-operating wireless spectrum licenses covering 30 states and a total population of approximately 52 million at December 31, 2019.
U.S. Cellular’s business development strategy is to obtain interests in or access to wireless spectrum licenses in its current operating markets and in areas that are adjacent to or in close proximity to its other wireless spectrum licenses, thereby building larger geographic operating market areas. U.S. Cellular believes that the acquisition of additional wireless spectrum licenses within its current operating markets will enhance its network capacity and speed to meet its customers’ growing demand for data services. From time to time, U.S. Cellular has divested outright or included in exchanges for other wireless interests certain consolidated and investment interests that were considered less essential to its current and expected future operations. As part of its business development strategy, U.S. Cellular may periodically be engaged in negotiations relating to the acquisition, exchange or disposition of companies, strategic properties, investment interests or wireless spectrum.
The FCC conducts auctions through which additional spectrum is made available for the provision of wireless services. Historically, U.S. Cellular has participated in certain FCC auctions both directly and indirectly through its limited partnership interests. During 2018 and 2019, the FCC conducted two auctions of wireless spectrum licenses in the 28 GHz and 24 GHz bands. The 28 GHz auction (Auction 101) offered two 425 MHz wireless spectrum licenses in the 28 GHz band over portions of the United States that do not have incumbent licensees. The 24 GHz auction (Auction 102) offered up to seven 100 MHz wireless spectrum licenses in the 24 GHz band in Partial Economic Areas covering most of the United States. On June 3, 2019, the FCC announced by way of public notice that U.S. Cellular was the provisional winning bidder for 408 wireless spectrum licenses in Auction 101 and 282 wireless spectrum licenses in Auction 102 for an aggregate purchase price of $256 million. The wireless spectrum licenses from Auction 101 were granted by the FCC on October 2, 2019, and the wireless spectrum licenses from Auction 102 were granted by the FCC on December 11, 2019.
On July 11, 2019, the FCC released a Public Notice establishing procedures for an auction offering wireless spectrum licenses in the 37, 39 and 47 GHz bands (Auction 103). Auction 103 is offering 34 100 MHz blocks in the Upper 37 GHz, 39 GHz, and 47 GHz bands in all Partial Economic Areas. On September 9, 2019, U.S. Cellular filed an application to participate in Auction 103 and was announced as a qualified bidder on October 31, 2019. Bidding in this auction commenced on December 10, 2019. The initial phase of this auction closed on January 30, 2020 and the assignment phase commenced on February 18, 2020.

TDS TELECOM OPERATIONS
General
TDS Telecom operates Wireline and Cable subsidiaries that provideprovides communications services to 1.2 million connections. connections in 32 states through its high-quality fiber, coaxial and copper networks. TDS Telecom operates in one reportable segment, and its operating markets are located in a mix of rural and suburban communities throughout the United States.
Operating Strategy and Community Focus
TDS Telecom’s business objectivestrategic goal is to providebe the preferred broadband provider in the markets it serves. TDS Telecom invests in high-quality networks, services and products, with the constant focus on delivering a wide range of communications servicesbest-in-class customer experience. Through its investments, TDS Telecom intends to both residential and commercial customers. 
Growth Strategy
Both Wireline and Cable share a common growth strategy to provide high-speedgrow its broadband services bundledin its incumbent markets and by extending its footprint into new expansion markets. TDS Telecom will augment that broadband growth by bundling with video, entertainmentvoice and voiceother value-added services.
A key strategic initiative for TDS Telecom is investing in fiber in new and existing markets to provide broadband speeds of up to 1 Gigabit8 Gigabits per second (Gbps).
Increased fiber deployment provides the opportunity Fiber builds in strategically selected locations allow TDS Telecom to deliver more robust residential and commercial products which drives future growth. Fiber builds in locations outside of its currentincumbent markets allows TDS Telecomthat have historically utilized copper and coaxial cable technologies and to target growth in attractive, growing markets to increase its total footprint. TDS Telecom has scaledcontinues to scale up its out-of-territory fiber builds beginning with a trial market expansions in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin in 2017.
Construction is nearly complete in six additional communities around TDS Telecom’s headquarters in Madison, Wisconsin which are a natural extension to Sun Prairie and existing ILEC markets. Eight additional communities create a Central Wisconsin cluster, also adjacent to existing ILEC markets. Coeur d’Alene, Idaho is the first out-of-territory in a new geographic region which is intended to be an anchor build for future markets and consists of four communities.

Similarly, in its Cable markets, TDS Telecom is focused on providing high-speed broadband services, offering up to 1 Gbps data speeds utilizing DOCSIS 3.1 network upgrades to its DOCSIS 3.0 network, and investing in fiber-to-the-home construction in new housing developments in these fast-growing communities.
Pacific Northwest. TDS Telecom may also seek to grow its operations through the acquisition of and/or partnership with businesses that support and complement its existing markets or createby creating entirely new clusters of markets where in attractive locations.
TDS Telecom can succeed.believes that being a good corporate citizen is fundamental to its long-term success. TDS Telecom intendsis committed to avoid markets servedgrowing with its communities and meeting the needs of customers through great products and services, sponsorships, fundraising, and volunteering. TDS Telecom serves its local communities by other fiber overbuilders or municipalities which have constructed their ownfinancially supporting local projects to serve those in need and by providing TDS Telecom associates with paid time off each year to volunteer. TDS Telecom believes serving its local communities through donations and volunteerism aligns with its corporate values and commitments to its customers, associates, and communities.
Technology
TDS Telecom continues to upgrade and enhance its networks with fiberby utilizing various technologies to improve levels of performance and provide additional speed and security to increase value for its customers. The TDS network consists of a highly reliable IP-based broadband network to facilitate the home.
On December 31, 2019, TDS acquired substantially allintegration of the assets of MI Connection Communications System, dba Continuum, for $80 million in cash, subject to working capital adjustments. Continuum is a cable company that passes approximately 40,000 service addresses in North Carolina and offers broadband, video and voice services, which complement the TDS Telecom portfolio of products.
Core Networkservices.
In order to provide IP-based services, TDS Telecom has developed and deployed an inter-regional data routing infrastructure using owned and leased fiber capacity which allows it to leverage its multi-terabit100-gigabit core network in both Wireline and Cable operations.network. This configuration, along with the continued development of an IP network that interconnects substantially all the existing service territories, provides redundancy and allows for next generation IP service offerings.
The TDS Telecom utilizes centralized monitoring and management of its core network to reduce costs and improve service reliability. TDS Telecom continues to standardize equipment and processes to increase efficiency in maintaining its network. TDS Telecom utilizes centralized monitoring and management of its network to reduce costs and improve service reliability. Network standardization has aided TDS Telecom in operating its 24-hours-a-day / 24-hours-a-day/7-days-per-week Network Management Centers, which continuously monitor the network in an effort to proactively identify, minimize, and correct network faults prior to any customer impact.
Customers, Services and Products
Residential. TDS Telecom residential customer operations provide high-speed broadband, video, and voice services. These services are bundled at competitive prices to encourage cross-selling within the customer base and to attract new customers. Approximately 60% of residential customers have at least two services.
Broadband: TDS Telecom offers reliable high-speed internet connections and all-home Wi-Fi. Fiber technology is being deployed to select markets to provide internet speeds of up to 8 Gbps. In certain non-fiber markets, TDS Telecom is deploying fiber-to-the-node and copper-based vectoring/pair bonding technology to increase data speeds reaching up to 100 Mbps. DOCSIS 3.1 technology is utilized across nearly all cable markets and offers speeds of up to 1 Gbps. Premium Wi-Fi security and support services are available to enhance customers’ high-speed internet experience.
Video: TDS Telecom provides advanced home TV entertainment that includes basic channels and premium programming available in high-definition television combined with a digital video recording (DVR) service. TDS Telecom offers an integrated cloud television platform called TDS TV+ which enhances the customer experience by combining linear and non-linear programming, adding interfaces to mobile devices, personalized content recommendations, and network-based DVR functionality. TDS TV+ offers video content and features not available on existing TDS platforms. In certain markets, TDS Telecom partners with a satellite TV provider to offer digital television.
Voice: Call plans include local and long-distance telephone service, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and enhanced services like Find-Me/Follow-Me, collaboration, instant messaging and more. Many features are bundled with calling plans to give customers the best value. Voice offerings continue to be impacted by the industry-wide decline in access lines and TDS Telecom expects to continue to experience erosion in voice connections due to competition from alternative technologies.
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Commercial. TDS Telecom commercial customer operations provide secure and reliable broadband, IP-based services, and hosted voice and video collaboration services to small- and medium-sized businesses. TDS Telecom's commercial service focus is to lead with broadband bundled with a voice product and video solution.
Wholesale. TDS Telecom’s wholesale operations include carrying data and voice traffic on TDS Telecom's networks from other interexchange carriers. Federal Connect America Fund (CAF), including A-CAM, and state Universal Service Fund (USF) revenues, which support the cost of providing communication services in underserved high- cost areas, are also included in wholesale service revenues.
Marketing, Customer Service, and Sales and Distribution Channels and Customer Service
Marketing. TDS Telecom’s marketing plan is focused on acquiring, retaining and growing customer relationships by maintaining a high-quality network, providing outstanding customer service, and offering a comprehensive portfolio of services and products built around customer needs at fair prices with a local focus. TDS Telecom uses door-to-door selling, digital marketing, targeted mailings and mass advertising to market services and products. TDS Telecom differentiates itself from competitors using a hyper-localized and community-based sales and marketing effort to maximize broadband penetration.
Sales and Distribution Channels. TDS Telecom operates and uses sales contact centers, direct sales forces, retail stores, and sales agents and an online platform to sell services and products to consumers and small business customers.  Additionally, the TDS Telecom website enables customers to purchase services online.  TDS Telecom is increasing its efforts to move more consumer transactions to the web.products.
Customer Service. TDS Telecom manages customer retention by focusing on outstanding customer service through the development of processes that are customer-friendly, and extensive training of front-line sales and support associates.
Methods of Competition
The competitive environment in the telecommunications industry has changed significantly as a result of technological advances, customer expectations,TDS Telecom faces broadband, video, and changes to regulation. voice competition from wireline providers, cable providers, fiber overbuilders, VoIP providers, satellite providers, wireless providers and providers using other emerging technologies.
TDS Telecom continues to develop and maintain an efficient cost structure to ensure that it can compete with price-based initiatives from competitors. In addition to price, TDS Telecom competes based on a variety of factors including the reliability of its network, faster broadband speeds, the diversity and range of its product offerings and its exceptional customer service. In addition,Finally, TDS Telecom is selecting expansion markets in order to grow in areas where it has determined customers are underserved in terms of these criteria.

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Wireline

Operations
TDS Telecom is a broadband-centric telecommunications company that operates as an Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier (ILEC) in 25 states and as a Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC) in Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. TDS Telecom also is bringing the futureTable of fiber Internet, TV, and phone service to new out-of-territory markets through the operation of facilities-based ("overbuild") fiber-optic local networks. Wireline operations provide communications services to both residential and commercial customers. Wireline also provides services to wholesale customers, which are primarily interexchange carriers (companies that provide long-distance telephone and data services between local exchange areas) and wireless carriers that compensate TDS Telecom for the use of its facilities to originate and terminate their voice and data transmissions. Wireline operations are located across nearly 900 rural, suburban, and metropolitan communities within the U.S, with the largest concentrations of customers in the Upper Midwest and the Southeast.
Wireline focuses on broadband as the core component of its service offerings. Wireline believes that both residential and business customers have a strong preference to purchase complementary communications services from a single provider. The Wireline strategy is to focus on broadband bundled with video and voice services where it can build customer loyalty and promote growth.
Customers, Services and Products
Residential. Wireline residential customer operations provide high-speed broadband, video and voice services. These services are bundled at competitive prices to encourage cross-selling within Wireline's customer base and to attract new customers. Approximately 78% of residential customers have at least two services.Contents
Broadband: TDS Telecom offers reliable high-speed internet connections and all-home WI-FI. Fiber technology is being deployed to select markets to provide internet speeds of up to 1 Gbps. In certain non-fiber markets, TDS Telecom is deploying fiber-to-the-node and copper-based vectoring / pair bonding technology to increase data speeds reaching up to 100 Mbps. Premium security and support services are available to enhance the customers’ high-speed internet experience.
Video: TDS Telecom offers advanced home TV entertainment powered by IPTV technology with crystal-clear picture and sound and robust options featuring popular digital cable channels and local favorites. TDS TV is a company branded all-digital TV service available in select TDS markets that provides customers with connected-home digital video recorders (DVR), video-on-demand, TV Everywhere and other enhanced applications and features. Where TDS TV is not available, TDS Telecom partners with a satellite TV provider to offer digital television.
Voice: Call plans include local and long-distance telephone service, VoIP and enhanced services like find me follow me, collaboration, instant messaging and more. Many features are bundled with calling plans to give customers the best value.
Commercial. Wireline commercial customer operations provide broadband, IP-based services, and hosted voice and collaboration services to small- and medium-sized businesses. Wireline operations provide commercial customers with secure and reliable internet access, data connections and advanced voice service with VoIP features. TDS Telecom's commercial service focus is to lead with broadband bundled with a voice product from a suite of solutions and TDS TV for business.
Wholesale. Wireline operations continue to provide a high level of service to traditional interexchange and wireless carriers. Wireline’s wholesale market focus is on access revenues, which is the compensation received from the interexchange carriers for carrying data and voice traffic on TDS Telecom’s networks. Federal Connect America Fund (CAF) and state Universal Service Fund (USF) revenues, which support the cost of providing communication services in underserved high cost areas, are also included in wholesale service revenues.
To attract and retain customers in the video business, TDS Telecom is developing a next generation video platform called TDS TV+ which will enhance the customer experience by adding interfaces to mobile devices, personalized content recommendations, and network-based DVR functionality. TDS TV+ will be offered in its Wireline and Cable operations and will offer video content and features not available on existing TDS platforms.
In 2017, TDS began receiving $75 million per year for 10 years (with incremental funding for transition in the early years for certain states) for operating and maintaining its network along with the obligation to provide broadband service at various speeds to about 160,000 locations. In 2018 and 2019, the FCC increased annual support to $82 million, extended the term by two years through 2028 and required additional speed requirements. Continuing regulatory changes may affect the amounts of future Wireline wholesale revenues. See additional information in Risk Factors and information incorporated by reference from Exhibit 13 to this Form 10-K, Annual Report section “Regulatory Matters”.

Access Technology and System Design
Wireline operates an integrated, highly reliable network that consists of central office host and remote sites, primarily equipped with digital and IP switches. Fiber optic and copper cable connect the host central offices with remote switches and ultimately with end customers. Wireline continues to upgrade and expand its telecommunications network to respond to the needs of its customers for greater bandwidth and advanced technologies. The network is transitioning from its legacy circuit-switched network to a highly reliable IP-based broadband network to facilitate the integration of broadband, video and voice services. 
Wireline pursues a plan to deploy fiber-to-the-home technology, which enables significantly greater broadband speeds to selected residential subdivisions and to commercial customers, when the investment is economically justified. Fiber technology is deployed to provide internet speeds of up to 1 Gbps. In addition, in non-fiber markets, data speeds are increased using fiber-to-the-node and copper bonding / vectoring technology, providing speeds of 10 to 100 Mbps.
Competition
Wireline faces significant challenges, including competition from cable, low-cost voice providers, other wireline and wireless providers as well as decreases in compensation received for the use of TDS Telecom’s networks.
Wireline has experienced customer connection and access minute declines due to competition from wireless carriers offering local and nationwide voice and data plans, from cable providers offering voice and data services via cable modems, from fiber overbuilders, and from other low-cost voice providers. 
Cable companies have developed technological improvements that have allowed them to extend their competitive operations beyond major markets and have enabled them to provide a broader range of data and voice services over their cable networks. Cable companies have aggressively pursued the bundling of internet, video, voice and mobile service at discounted prices to attract customers from traditional telephone companies. In addition, cable companies continue to add value to their internet offerings by increasing speeds at little to no additional cost to the customer. Wireline estimates that 80% of its ILEC service addresses face active competition from cable providers at December 31, 2019. Cable companies are increasingly targeting commercial customers.
Wireless telephone service providers offering feature-rich wireless devices and improved networks including the latest 5G technology may constitute a significant source of voice and broadband competition. A growing segment of customers have chosen to completely forego the use of traditional wireline telephone service and instead rely solely on wireless service for voice communications services. This trend is more pronounced among residential customers, where voice connections comprise approximately 47% of total residential Wireline connections as of December 31, 2019. However, the majority of these voice connections bundle with other products, reducing the risk of churn. Some small businesses have followed the residential path by choosing wireless service and disconnecting wireline voice service. 
While TDS Telecom positions itself as a high-quality telecommunications provider, it is also experiencing competition from Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOCs) in areas where TDS Telecom competes as a CLEC using the incumbent carriers’ infrastructure through access to unbundled network elements and resale. Approximately 17% of TDS Telecom's Wireline connections are within CLEC operations using leased facilities. The RBOCs are continuing to implement technological changes that could impede TDS Telecom’s access to facilities used to provide CLEC communications services. In addition, the FCC has issued an order that eliminates the requirements that allow CLECs to access that infrastructure at wholesale rates. To mitigate these risks, TDS Telecom has refocused the business on serving customers who do not require leased facilities. See additional information in Risk Factors and information incorporated by reference from Exhibit 13 to this Form 10-K, Annual Report section “Regulatory Matters”.

Cable
Operations
TDS Telecom entered the cable business with TDS' acquisition of Baja Broadband in 2013. Subsequently, in 2014, TDS acquired substantially all of the assets of a group of companies operating as BendBroadband, headquartered in Bend, Oregon. TDS Telecom’s cable business leverages its Wireline core competencies in network management and customer focus, and operates under two brand names: TDS Cable in Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah; and BendBroadband in Oregon.
On December 31, 2019, TDS acquired substantially all of the assets of MI Connection Communications System, dba Continuum, for $80 million in cash, subject to working capital adjustments. Continuum is a cable company that passes approximately 40,000 service addresses in North Carolina and offers broadband, video and voice services, which complement the TDS Telecom portfolio of products.
Similar to Wireline, the Cable strategy is to expand its broadband services and leverage that growth by bundling with video and voice services. Through investment in plant upgrades and improvements in programming and customer service levels, TDS Telecom intends to strengthen its markets and continue to grow its revenue base.
Customers, Services and Products
Residential. Cable offers advanced broadband, video and voice services. These services are actively bundled at competitive prices to encourage cross-selling within Cable’s customer base and to attract new customers. Approximately 54% of residential customers subscribe to a bundle of services.
Broadband: DOCSIS 3.0 technology is deployed to nearly all of Cable’s service addresses which allows it to offer enhanced transmission speeds. TDS Telecom is offering 600 Mbps in almost all its markets with up to 1 Gbps service available in select markets. Access to 24/7 technical support and security features is also provided to broadband customers. In addition, DOCSIS 3.1 technology has been launched in certain markets and offers significantly higher speeds of up to 1 Gbps.
Video: Customers have access to basic service, premium programming and high-definition television combined with DVR service. Cable introduced “CatchTV,” a branded whole-home DVR solution. TDS Telecom is developing a next generation video platform called TDS TV+ which will enhance the customer experience by adding interfaces to mobile devices, personalized content recommendations and network-based DVR functionality.
Voice: Telephony service uses IP to transport digitized voice signals over the same private network that brings cable television and broadband services to customers. All residential voice service customers have access to direct international calling and can subscribe to various long distance-plans.
Commercial. Business services are delivered over a robust network to provide broadband products, multi-line phone solutions and video. Cable provides advanced business services, including data networking, Ethernet, broadband access and VoIP services, to small- and medium-sized businesses.
Access Technology and System Design
Cable’s telecommunication systems are designed to transmit broadband, video and voice services using a hybrid fiber-coaxial network that consists of optical fiber transport from a headend facility to nodes where coaxial cable is then used to reach residential and business customers. In certain markets, Cable has an all-fiber network to the home or business. These fiber-rich networks offer substantial bandwidth capacity and, using DOCSIS 3.0 and next generation DOCSIS 3.1 technology, enable Cable to offer robust broadband and voice services as well as traditional and two-way video services. All Cable markets are connected to TDS Telecom’s core network. This allows Cable to leverage existing internet connectivity, voice services, and support systems, which enhances reliability and redundancy and builds greater dependability as a service provider.
Competition
The strategy of the Cable segment is focused on broadband to capitalize on the data needs of consumers. Cable seeks to be the leading provider of broadband and video services in its targeted markets. From a broadband perspective, Cable competes against the incumbent local telephone providers which primarily offer DSL-based services. Cable offers a superior, higher bandwidth data product using DOCSIS technology. Video competition is primarily from satellite providers, and on a limited basis, telephone companies that offer video services and compete for broadband and voice customers. Other telecommunications providers, including internet-based VoIP providers, fiber companies and wireless providers may compete directly for both residential and commercial voice and broadband service customers. Changes in consumer behavior or new technologies or both could cause consumers to reduce or cancel their cable video services and instead seek to obtain video on demand over the internet or through new technologies. Cable systems are operated under non-exclusive franchises; therefore, competing cable systems may be built in the same area.

TDS — REGULATION
TDS’ operations are subject to federal, state and local regulation. Key regulatory considerations are discussed below.
U.S. CellularUScellular
TDS provides various wireless services, including voice and data services, pursuant to wireless spectrum licenses granted by the FCC. The construction, operation and transfer of wireless systems in the United States are regulated to varying degrees by the FCC pursuant to the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (Communications Act). The FCC currently does not require wireless carriers to comply with a number of statutory provisions otherwise applicable to common carriers that provide, originate or terminate interstate or international telecommunications. However, the FCC has enacted regulations governing construction and operation of wireless systems, licensing (including renewal of wireless spectrum licenses) and technical standards for the provision of wireless services under the Communications Act.
Wireless spectrum licenses segmented by geographic areas are granted by the FCC. The completion of acquisitions, involving the transfer of control of all or a portion of a wireless system, requires prior FCC approval. The FCC determines on a case-by-case basis whether an acquisition of wireless spectrum licenses is in the public interest. Wireless spectrum licenses are granted generally for a ten-year term or, in some cases, for a twelve-year or fifteen-year term. The FCC establishes the standards for conducting comparative renewal proceedings between a wireless license holder seeking renewal of its license and challengers filing competing applications. All of U.S. Cellular’sUScellular’s wireless spectrum licenses for which it applied for renewal since 1995 have been renewed. U.S. CellularUScellular expects to continue to meet the criteria of the FCC’s license renewal process.
As part of its data services, U.S. CellularUScellular provides internet access. Such internet access services may be subject to different regulatory requirements than other wireless services.
Although the Communications Act generally pre-empts state and local governments from regulating the entry of, or the rates charged by wireless carriers, certain state and local governments regulate other terms and conditions of wireless services, including billing, termination of service arrangements, imposition of early termination fees, advertising, network outages, the use of handsets while driving, zoning, land use, privacy, data security and consumer protection. Further, the Federal Aviation Administration also regulates the siting, lighting and construction of transmitter towers and antennae.
WirelineTDS Telecom
The FCC generally exercises jurisdiction over all facilities of, and services offered by, TDS Telecom’s ILECsIncumbent Local Exchange Carriers (ILEC) as telecommunications common carriers, to the extent they provide, originate or terminate interstate or international telecommunications. State public utility commissions generally exercise jurisdiction over intrastate telecommunications facilities and services. In addition, the Wireline business isILECs are subject to various other state and local laws, including laws relating to privacy, data security and consumer protection.
The Communications Act requires, among other things, that telecommunications common carriers offer interstate services when requested at just and reasonable rates at terms and conditions that are non-discriminatory. Maximum rates for regulated interstate services are prescribed by the FCC. In many states, local rates paid by end user customers and intrastate access charges paid by carriers continue to be subject to state commission approval.
TDS Telecom’s CLEC and out-of-territory fiber operations are subject to similar but reduced regulation compared to ILECs.
In addition to traditional circuit-switched voice service that is fully regulated as a telecommunications common carrier service, TDS Telecom The FCC regulations also provides interconnected VoIP, which is currently subject to less regulation.
Cable
As a cable multiple systems operator (MSO), Cable is subject to regulation by the FCC, coveringcover matters such as technical operations, administrative requirements, consumer protection, access by people with disabilities, customer privacy and content. The operation of
TDS Telecom’s Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLEC), expansion and cable systemsoperations are subject to similar but reduced regulation compared to ILECs.
Providing video services requires the MSOTDS Telecom to obtain franchises from state or local governmental authorities to occupy public rights of way with network facilities. These franchises typically are nonexclusive and typically limited in time, contain various conditions and limitations, and provide for the payment of fees to the local authority, determined generally as a standard percentage of revenues.
TDS’ Cable operations also provide interconnected VoIP and broadband services, including internet access. The interconnected VoIP and internet regulatory matters and issues described above under “Wireline” are substantially similar for cable providers. TDS Telecom expects to continue to meet the criteria of the state or local government authorities' franchise renewal process.
General
Reference is made to Exhibit 13 toItem 7 of this Form 10-K under “Regulatory Matters” for information regarding any other significant recent developments and proposals relating to the foregoing regulatory matters.

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HUMAN CAPITAL RESOURCES
TDS had approximately 9,300 full-time and part-time associates as of December 31, 2022. The culture at TDS is based upon the fundamental belief that TDS’ long-term success is inextricably tied to associate engagement and high ethical standards. TDS’ Code of Conduct sets forth expectations for ethical behavior across the enterprise and provides the guiding principles by which all associates must abide in all business activities. TDS provides a competitive wage and benefits package, a safe workplace, and an environment where associates feel engaged and included. TDS regularly surveys its associates - those surveys have consistently shown that associates have strong engagement and high overall job satisfaction.
TDS strives to build a diverse and inclusive workforce, which leads to broader diversity of thoughts, ideas and the innovation needed to move the business forward. TDS wants its associates to feel supported without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, genetic information, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable federal, state or local law. TDS is committed to demonstrating equity and fairness through the inclusion of diverse associates, customers, and suppliers. Additionally, TDS supports numerous associate resource groups to promote diverse and inclusive experiences that align with TDS’ vision and values, increase associate engagement and empowerment, and support professional development.
Since its founding, TDS has been committed to associate development, which is critical to its success. TDS provides job specific, diversity and inclusion, safety, and fraud awareness training for all associates – and also offers programs to further develop its associates including educational assistance, developmental assignments, and mentoring programs.
TDS is committed to supporting and enhancing the communities it serves through local and philanthropic initiatives that enrich the lives of those living where it operates and where its associates live, work and play. TDS encourages associates to volunteer and support local organizations and community groups. Local communities are at the center of TDS’ businesses, and it takes great pride in giving back to the people and places that contribute to its sustainability and long-term success.
TDS — OTHER ITEMS
Employees
TDS had approximately 9,400 full-time and part-time employees as of December 31, 2019, less than 1% of whom were represented by labor organizations. 
Location and Company Information
TDS executive offices are located at 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 4000, Chicago, Illinois 60602. TDS’ telephone number is 312-630-1900. TDS’ website address is www.tdsinc.com. TDS files with, or furnishes to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, as well as various other information. Investors may access, free of charge, through the Investor Relations portion of the website, TDS' annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to such reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act), as soon as reasonably practical after such material is filed electronically with the SEC. The public may also view electronic filings of TDS by accessing SEC filings at www.sec.gov.
U.S. Cellular executive offices are located at 8410 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60631. U.S. Cellular’s telephone number is 773-399-8900. U.S. Cellular’sUScellular’s website address is www.uscellular.com. U.S. CellularUScellular files with, or furnishes to, the SEC annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, as well as various other information. Investors may access, free of charge, through the Investor Relations portion of the website, U.S. Cellular’sUScellular’s annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to such reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practical after such material is filed electronically with the SEC. The public may also view electronic filings of U.S. CellularUScellular by accessing SEC filings at www.sec.gov.

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Item 1A. Risk Factors
PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995
SAFE HARBOR CAUTIONARY STATEMENT

This Annual Report on Form 10-K, including exhibits, contains statements that are not based on historical facts and represent forward-looking statements, as this term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, that address activities, events or developments that TDS intends, expects, projects, believes, estimates, plans or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. The words “believes,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “projects” and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifying them. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, events or developments to be significantly different from any future results, events or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include those set forth below under “Risk Factors” in this Form 10-K. Each of the following risks could have a material adverse effect on TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations. However, such factors are not necessarily all of the important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements contained in this document. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could have material adverse effects on future results, performance or achievements. TDS undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. YouThe reader should carefully consider the following risk factors and other information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this Form 10-K to understand the material risks relating to TDS’ business.
Operational Risk Factors
1)
Intense competition in the markets in which TDS operates
1)Intense competition involving products, services, pricing, promotions and network speed and technologies could adversely affect TDS’ revenues or increase its costs to compete.
Competition in the wireless industry is intense and is expected to intensifyremain intense in the future due to multiple factors such as increasing market penetration, introduction of new products, new competitors, increasing promotional aggressiveness and changing prices. There is competition in service plan pricing; handsets and other devices; promotional discounts; network quality, coverage, speed and technologies, including 5G technology; distribution; new entrants; bundled services and products, such as content; and other categories. In particular, wireless competition includes aggressive service plan and device pricing, including pricing for unlimited plans, which could result in switching activity and churn.churn and limit TDS’ ability to monetize future growth in data usage. In addition, competition based on network speed may increase as customer demand for higher speeds increases. TDS’ ability to compete effectively will depend, in part, on its ability to anticipate and respond to various competitive factors affecting the telecommunications industry. In addition, unlimited plans and other data pricing constructs across the industry may limit TDS’ ability to monetize future growth in data usage. TDS anticipates that these competitive factors may continue to result in losses of retail connections, and may cause the prices for services and products to decline and the costs to compete to increase.
TDS’ primary wireless competitors are national or global telecommunications and cable companies that are larger than TDS, possess greater financial and other resources, possess more extensive coverage areas and more spectrum within their coverage areas, and market other services with their communications services that TDS does not offer. TDS'TDS and its competitors are actively marketing their deployment of 5G and, as a result, are raising consumer awareness of the technology. If TDS cannot keep pace with its competitors in deploying 5G or other comparable offerings, or if TDS' deployment of 5G technology does not result in significant incremental revenues, TDS' financial condition, results of operations or ability to do business could continue to be adversely affected. Further, other companies that currently are less competitive may also add more efficient low-band spectrum to become more competitive in TDS’ primary markets. In particular, to the extent that existing competitors or new entrants acquire low-band (e.g., 600 MHz) spectrum or deploy newer wireless technologies in TDS markets, TDS could face increased competition over time. In addition, TDS may face competition from technologies that may be introduced in the future. Newnew technologies, services and products that are more commercially effective than the technologies, services and products offered by TDS may be developed.developed and create new sources of competition. Further, new technologies may be proprietary such that TDS is not able to adopt such technologies. There can be no assurance that TDS will be able to compete successfully in this environment.
Sources of competition to TDS’ wireless business typically include twothree to fivefour competing wireless telecommunications service providers in each market, wireline telecommunications service providers, cable companies, resellers (including MVNOs), and providers of other alternatealternative telecommunications services. Competition from cable companies has increased in recent periods, as they have continued to expand their presence in the wireless industry and have offered more competitive pricing. Many of TDS’ wireless competitors and other competitors have substantially greater financial, technical, marketing, sales, purchasing and distribution resources than TDS.
Competition in the wireline industry is intensified with the increasing deployment of broadband technologies and enhanced video services. Incumbent carriers are upgrading existing networks with higher speed broadband services and overbuilders are deploying broadband to compete with legacy incumbent carriers. Overbuilding activity is increasing with investments by venture capital and private equity and with additional access to state and federal funding. Sources of competition to TDS’ Wireline businesswireline and cable businesses include, but are not limited to, resellers of local exchange services, interexchange carriers, RBOCs, direct broadcastincumbent carriers, satellite broadband providers, wireless communications providers, other cable companies, access providers, CLECs, fiber overbuilders, VoIP providers and providers using other emerging technologies. The Wireline CLECCustomers may choose to substitute their wireline services using satellite, wireless and out-of-territory business sources of competition include the sources identified above as well as the ILEC in each market,other technologies, which enjoys competitive advantages, including its wireline connection to virtually all of the customers and potential customers of Wireline’s CLEC business, its established brand name and its substantial financial resources. Wireline’s CLEC business is typically required to discount services to win potential customers. Further, this business may be negatively impacted if itpreferred to technologies offered by TDS. Customers may demand the bundling of wireline and wireless services. If TDS cannot provide levels of bandwidth prospective customers demand duekeep pace with its competition in large part to lack of availability of IP-based wholesaledeploying higher speed technologies, offering competitive products and services at competitive prices. In the future, TDS expects the numberprices and providing attractive video content options, TDS' financial condition, results of its physical access lines servedoperations or ability to continue to be adversely affected by wireless voice and broadband substitution, by cable company competition, and potentially by fiber overbuilders.

Some of the specific risks presented by certain Wireline competitors include:
Cable companies - continued deployment of broadband technologies such as DOCSIS 3.0 and 3.1 and their further evolution that substantially increase broadband speeds, and offering these speeds to customers at relatively low prices, including speed upgrades for no additional charge, competition for video services, and bundling of wireless services.
Wireless - the trend of customers “substituting” their wireline voice and broadband connections with a wireless device and wireless voice and broadband services continues.
RBOCs - continue to be formidable competitors given their full suite of services, experience and strong financial resources.
VoIP providers - are able to offer voice service at a very low price point.
Fiber overbuilders - municipalities, neighboring ILECs, or other providers offering the same or higher data speeds at similar or lower price points.
Other providers - competition to IPTV and broadband from broadcast television, satellite providers and on-line video services.
TDS’ Cable business also provides broadband, video and voice services. Cable’s business faces sources of competition similar to the Wireline business, but with some differences. In particular, Cable does not typically compete against another cable company for broadband services, but competes against fiber overbuilders and ILECs that primarily offer DSL-based services and may also offer fiber-based and other premium and enhanced data services. Cable provides VoIP services rather than traditional wireline voice connections and faces competition from other VoIP providers, but also faces competition from ILECs providing traditional wireline voice connections. With respect to video, Cable also competes against broadcast television, direct broadcast satellite providers, on-line video services, and wireline providers which have begun to upgrade their networks to provide video services in addition to voice and high-speed internet access services.
Sources of competition for HMS’ business primarily include large technology companies, as well as smaller independent firms that focus on mid-market companies. In addition, new entrants may emerge and grow rapidly creating additional sources of competition or companies may choose to insource their IT services. The IT services market is large and complex, with a diverse array of segments in which performance and market dynamics vary considerably. As a result of these dynamics the IT services market is a highly competitive environment. Due to the competitive environment, in order to win new customer engagements, HMS may be required to assume greater potential contractual risk obligations, such as risks relating to the consequences of data breaches or unauthorized disclosure of confidential customer information. In the event of such incidents, the HMSdo business could be materially adversely affected.
If
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2)Changes in roaming practices or other factors could cause TDS’ roaming revenues to decline from current levels, roaming expenses to increase from current levels and/or impact TDS’ ability to service its customers in geographic areas where TDS does not adapt to compete effectively in such a highly competitive environment, such competitive factors could result in product, service, pricing or cost disadvantages andhave its own network, which could have an adverse effect on TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.
2)
A failure by TDS to successfully execute its business strategy (including planned acquisitions, spectrum acquisitions, fiber builds, divestitures and exchanges) or allocate resources or capital effectively could have an adverse effect on TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.
The successful execution of business strategies, the optimal allocation within TDS’ portfolio of assets and optimal capital allocation decisions depend on various factors, many of which are not in TDS’ control. TDS’ ability to achieve projected financial results by implementing and executing its business strategies and optimally allocating its assets and capital could be affected by such factors. Such factors include but are not limited to pricing practices by competitors, relative scale, purchasing power, roaming and other strategic agreements, wireless device availability, timing of introduction of wireless devices, access to spectrum, emerging technologies, programming and retransmission costs, mid-market demand for cloud and hosted services, changes in tax or import tariff regulations and other factors. In addition, there is no assurance that U.S. Cellular’s, TDS Telecom’s or HMS' strategies will be successful. Even if TDS executes its business strategies as intended, such strategies may not be successful in the long term at achieving growth in customers, revenues, net income, or generating portfolio returns greater than TDS’ cost of capital. In addition, if at some point a change in asset allocation is desired, TDS may be unable to alter asset allocation to meet growth and return goals in a timely and efficient manner. In such case, there would be an adverse effect on TDS’ business, financial condition and results of operations. TDS’ current forecast indicates that TDS will not achieve a return on capital that exceeds its cost of capital in the foreseeable future. See Item 1. Business for additional information on TDS’ business strategy.
U.S. Cellular is a regional wireless carrier, but competes primarily against much larger national wireless carriers with much greater resources. Its business strategy in attempting to attract and retain wireless customers through a value proposition comprised of a high-quality network, outstanding customer service, and competitive devices, plans and pricing, all provided with a local focus has not resulted in, and in the future may not result in, performance that achieves returns in line with or above its cost of capital. U.S. Cellular’s current forecast indicates that U.S. Cellular will not achieve a return on capital that exceeds its cost of capital in the foreseeable future. U.S. Cellular also might be unable to adopt technologies, services and products as fast as its larger competitors. As a result, consumers who are eager to adopt new technologies, services and products more quickly may select U.S. Cellular’s competitors rather than U.S. Cellular as their service provider. To the extent that U.S. Cellular does not attract or retain these types of customers, U.S. Cellular could be at a competitive disadvantage and have a customer base that generates lower profit margins relative to its competition.

Wireline and Cable each provide broadband, video and voice services and, as a result, have certain risks in common, but also have certain risks that are specific to that segment. Both Wireline and Cable strive to offer the most competitive broadband connection in its markets in order to capitalize on data growth and the customers’ need for higher broadband speeds. Wireline’s DSL-based services have several limitations compared to DOCSIS technologies employed by cable companies. Where it is cost-effective, Wireline is deploying fiber technology which offers advantages over cable to provide broadband. Wireline is also faced with other significant challenges, including customer connection and access minute declines in traditional wireline voice services as well as decreases in intercarrier compensation received for the use of its networks. Wireline must continually adjust its cost structure as a result of these challenges. A failure to develop and maintain an efficient cost structure would have an adverse effect on the Wireline and Cable businesses. The inability to execute timely on its fiber deployments could have an adverse effect on Wireline’s business. In addition, failure to deploy plant upgrades and new technology could result in opportunities for overbuilders to move into Wireline and Cable territories that are not upgraded and build similar or superior networks, which could have an adverse effect on TDS’ business. Wireline and Cable’s current forecasts indicate that Wireline and Cable will not achieve returns on capital that exceed their costs of capital in the foreseeable future.
Wireline’s IPTV product and Cable’s video service have significant costs and risks relating to programming and retransmission. Such costs have been increasing and these costs may not be able to be fully passed on to customers. In addition, both businesses are limited in their ability to obtain programming at favorable costs and terms due to their small scale. If Wireline or Cable fails to negotiate agreeable costs or terms with certain broadcast TV stations and cable networks, any resulting service interruptions could have an adverse effect on TDS' business. Further, changes in consumer behavior and/or new technologies are causing consumers to reduce or cancel their video services and instead seek to obtain video on demand over the internet or through new technologies. A wide range of regulatory or other issues also affect both businesses, including matters pertaining to set-top boxes, equipment connectivity, content regulation, closed captioning, pole attachments, privacy, copyright, technical standards, and municipal entry into video and broadband.
Although Cable’s business development strategy includes evaluating opportunities for possible further acquisitions of desirable cable companies on attractive terms to increase the scale of its business, there is no assurance that such acquisitions will be available, or that this strategy will be successful.
HMS provides a wide range of IT services and has risks that are not shared with the other business segments. HMS’ business strategy is to create, deliver and support a platform of IT products and services tailored for mid-sized business customers. HMS’ current forecast indicates that it will not achieve a return on capital that exceeds its cost of capital in the foreseeable future. The HMS business is faced with a number of risks in its pursuit of its strategy, including: the rate of outsourcing IT needs and moving to the cloud by mid-sized business customers; the ability to sell recurring revenue services; the ability to attract new or retain existing customers; whether potential customers ascribe sufficient value to HMS’ more customized cloud and hosted services compared to more commodity based offerings of larger competitors; HMS’ limited scale when competing with larger competitors; and the impact of IT wage inflation.
A failure by TDS to execute its business strategies successfully or to allocate resources or capital optimally could have an adverse effect on TDS’ businesses, financial condition or results of operations.
3)
Uncertainty in TDS’ future cash flow and liquidity or the inability to access capital, deterioration in the capital markets, other changes in TDS’ performance or market conditions, changes in TDS’ credit ratings or other factors could limit or restrict the availability of financing on terms and prices acceptable to TDS, which could require TDS to reduce its construction, development or acquisition programs, reduce the amount of wireless spectrum licenses acquired, and/or reduce or cease share repurchases and/or the payment of dividends.
TDS and its subsidiaries operate capital-intensive businesses. Historically, TDS has used internally-generated funds and also has obtained substantial funds from external sources for general corporate purposes. In the past, TDS’ existing cash and investment balances, funds available under its revolving credit and receivables securitization agreements, funds from other financing sources, including term loans and other long-term debt, and cash flows from operating and certain investing and financing activities, including sales of assets or businesses, provided sufficient liquidity and financial flexibility for TDS to meet its normal day-to-day operating needs and debt service requirements, to finance the build-out and enhancement of markets and to fund acquisitions. There is no assurance that this will be the case in the future. It may be necessary from time to time to increase the amount of permissible borrowings under the existing revolving credit and receivables securitization agreements, to put in place new credit agreements, or to obtain other forms of financing in order to fund potential expenditures. TDS’ liquidity would be adversely affected if, among other things, TDS is unable to obtain short or long-term financing on acceptable terms, TDS makes significant spectrum license purchases, TDS makes significant capital investments, TDS makes significant business acquisitions, the Los Angeles SMSA Limited Partnership (LA Partnership) discontinues or significantly reduces distributions compared to historical levels, or Federal USF and/or other regulatory support payments decline.

TDS’ credit rating currently is sub-investment grade. TDS has incurred negative free cash flow (defined as Cash flows from operating activities less Cash paid for additions to property, plant and equipment) at times in the past and this could occur in the future. TDS may require substantial additional capital for, among other uses, funding day-to-day operating needs including working capital, acquisitions of providers of cable, wireless or wireline telecommunications services, IT services or other businesses, spectrum license or system acquisitions, capital expenditures, debt service requirements, the repurchase of shares, the payment of dividends, or making additional investments. There can be no assurance that sufficient funds will continue to be available to TDS or its subsidiaries on terms or at prices acceptable to TDS. Insufficient cash flows from operating activities, changes in TDS' credit ratings, defaults of the terms of debt or credit agreements, uncertainty of access to capital, deterioration in the capital markets, reduced regulatory capital at banks which in turn limits their ability to borrow and lend, other changes in the performance of TDS or 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 acquisition, capital expenditure and business development programs, reduce the acquisition of wireless spectrum licenses, and/or reduce or cease share repurchases and/or the payment of dividends. TDS cannot provide assurance that circumstances that could have a material adverse effect on its liquidity or capital resources will not occur. Any of the foregoing would have an adverse impact on TDS’ businesses, financial condition or results of operations.
4)
TDS has a significant amount of indebtedness which could adversely affect its financial performance and in turn adversely affect its ability to make payments on its indebtedness, comply with terms of debt covenants and incur additional debt.
TDS has a significant amount of indebtedness and may need to incur additional indebtedness. TDS’ level of indebtedness could have important consequences. For example, it (i) may limit TDS’ ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures or general corporate purposes, particularly if the ratings assigned to its debt securities by rating organizations are revised downward; (ii) will require TDS to dedicate a substantial portion of its cash flow from operations to the payment of interest and principal on its debt, thereby reducing the funds available to TDS for other purposes including expansion through acquisitions, capital expenditures, marketing spending and expansion of its business; and (iii) may limit TDS’ flexibility to adjust to changing business and market conditions and make TDS more vulnerable to a downturn in general economic conditions as compared to TDS’ competitors. TDS’ ability to make scheduled payments on its indebtedness or to refinance it will depend on its financial and operating performance which, in turn, is subject to prevailing economic and competitive conditions and other factors beyond its control. In addition, TDS’ leverage may put it at a competitive disadvantage to some of its competitors that are not as leveraged.
The TDS and U.S. Cellular revolving credit agreements, the TDS and U.S. Cellular term loan agreements and the U.S. Cellular receivables securitization agreement require TDS or U.S. Cellular, as applicable, to comply with certain affirmative and negative covenants, including certain financial covenants. Depending on the actual financial performance of TDS and U.S. Cellular, there is a risk that TDS and/or U.S. Cellular could fail to satisfy the required financial covenants. If TDS or U.S. Cellular breach a financial or other covenant of any of these agreements, it would result in a default under that agreement, and could involve a cross-default under other debt instruments. This could in turn cause the affected lenders to accelerate the repayment of principal and accrued interest on any outstanding debt under such agreements and, if they choose, terminate the agreement. If appropriate, TDS and U.S. Cellular may request the applicable lenders for an amendment of financial covenants in the TDS and/or U.S. Cellular agreements, in order to provide additional financial flexibility to TDS and U.S. Cellular, and may also seek other changes to such agreements. There is no assurance that the lenders will agree to any amendments. If the lenders agree to amendments, this may result in additional payments or higher interest rates payable to the lenders and/or additional restrictions. Restrictions in such debt instruments may limit TDS’ operating and financial flexibility.
As a result, TDS’ level of indebtedness, restrictions contained in debt instruments and/or possible breaches of covenants, defaults, and acceleration of indebtedness could have an adverse effect on TDS’ business, financial condition, revenues, results of operations and cash flows.
5)
Changes in roaming practices or other factors could cause TDS’ roaming revenues to decline from current levels, roaming expenses to increase from current levels and/or impact TDS’ ability to service its customers in geographic areas where TDS does not have its own network, which could have an adverse effect on TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.
TDS’ revenues include roaming revenues related to the use of TDS’ network by other wireless carriers’ customers who travel within TDS’ coverage areas. Changes in FCC rules or actions, industry practices or the network footprints of carriers due to mergers, acquisitions or network expansions could have an adverse effect on TDS’ roaming revenues. For example, consolidation among other carriers which have network footprints that currently overlap TDS’ network, couldthe expansion of other carriers' network coverage in TDS' footprint, and/or lower roaming rates with other carriers are expected to continue to decrease the amount offuture roaming revenues for TDS.
Similarly, TDS’ wireless customers can access another carrier’s network automatically only if the other carrier allows TDS’ customers to roam on its network. TDS relies on roaming agreements with other carriers to provide roaming capability to its customers and expand its product offerings in areas of the U.S. and internationally outside of its service areas and to improve coverage within selected areas of TDS’ network footprint. Such agreements cover traditional voice services as well as data services. Although TDS currently has long-term roaming agreements with certain other carriers, these agreements generally are subject to renewal and termination if certain events occur. FCC rules and orders impose certain requirements on wireless carriers to offer certain roaming arrangements to other carriers. However, carriers frequently disagree on what is required. Although TDS has entered into roaming agreements with national carriers, there is no assurance that TDS will be able to maintain these agreements and/or enter into new agreements with other carriers to provide roaming services or that it will be able to do so on reasonable or cost-effective terms.

Some competitors may be able to obtain lower roaming rates than TDS is able to obtain because they have larger data usage or call volumes or may be able to reduce roaming charges by providing service principally over their own networks. In addition, the quality and availability of serviceservices that a wireless carrier delivers to a TDS customer while roaming may be inferior or limited in comparison to the quality of service TDS provides, the price charged by TDS for an international roaming call may not be competitive with prices other wireless carriers charge for such call, TDS’ customers may not be able to use some of the advanced features that TDS customers enjoy when making calls on TDS’ network (e.g., voicemail notification or data applications), and TDS customers’ service experience may be negatively impacted, particularly when accessing data services, upon reaching a defined allotment of high-speed usage.provides. TDS’ rate of adoption of new technologies, such as those enabling high-speed data and voice services, could affect its ability to enter into or maintain roaming agreements with other carriers. In addition, TDS’ wireless technology may not be compatible with technologies used by other carriers, which may limit the ability of TDS to enter into voice or data roaming agreements with such other carriers. Carriers whose customers roam on TDS’ network could switch their business to new operators, limit their high-speed usage or, over time, move traffic to their own networks. Changes in roaming usage patterns, rates for roaming usage, or roaming relationships with other carriers could continue to have an adverse effect on TDS’ roaming revenues and/or expenses.
To the extent that other carriers expand their networks in TDS’ service areas, the roaming arrangements between TDS and these other carriers could become less strategic for them. That is, these other carriers will have fewer or less extensive geographic areas where roaming services are required by their customers and, as a result, the roaming arrangements could become less critical to serving their customer base. This presents a risk to TDS in that, to the extent TDS is not able to enter into economically viable roaming arrangements with these other carriers, this could impact TDS’ ability to service its customers in geographic areas where TDS does not have its own network.
If TDS’ roaming revenues decline, or its roaming expenses increase, or if3)A failure by TDS is unable to obtain access to adequate radio spectrum to meet current or maintain roaming agreements with other carriers that contain pricing and other terms that are competitive and acceptableanticipated future needs and/or to TDS and that satisfyaccurately predict future needs for radio spectrum could have an adverse effect on TDS’ quality and interoperability requirements, its business, financial condition or results of operations could be adversely affected.
6)
A failure by TDS to obtain access to adequate radio spectrum to meet current or anticipated future needs and/or to accurately predict future needs for radio spectrum could have an adverse effect on TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.
TDS’ wireless business depends on the ability to use portions of the radio spectrum licensed by the FCC. TDS could fail to obtain access to sufficient spectrum capacity, including spectrum needed to support 5G technology, in new or existing markets, whether through FCC auctions or other transactions, in order to meet the anticipated spectrum requirements associated with increased demand for existing services, especially increases in customer demand for data services and network speed, and to enable deployment of next-generation services. TDS believes that this increased demand for data services and network speed reflects a trend that will continue for the foreseeable future. Data usage, including usage under unlimited plans, could exceed current forecasts resulting in a need for increased investment in spectrum or network.other network components. TDS could fail to accurately forecast its future spectrum requirements considering changes in plan offerings, customer usage patterns, technology requirements and the expanded demands of new services. Such a failure could have an adverse impact on the quality of TDS’ services or TDS’ ability to roll out such future services in some markets, or could require that TDS curtail existing services in order to make spectrum available for next-generation services. Spectrum constrained providersservices, or TDS could be effectively capped in increasing market share. As spectrum constrained providers gain customers, they use up their network capacity. Since they lack spectrum, they can respond to demand only by adding cell sites, which is capital intensive, adds fixed operating costs, is limited by zoning considerations, and ultimately may not be cost effective. Further, a spectrum constrained provider will generally not be able to achieve the data speeds that other competitors with more spectrum are able to provide.
TDS may acquire access to spectrum through a number of alternatives, including acquisitions, exchanges and participation in spectrum auctions. TDS may participate in spectrum auctions conducted by the FCC in the future. As required by law, the FCC has conducted auctions for wireless spectrum licenses to use some parts of the radio spectrum. The decision to conduct auctions, and the determination of what spectrum frequencies will be made available for auction and the determination of geographic size of wireless spectrum licenses, are made by the FCC pursuant to laws that it administers. The FCC may not be able to allocate spectrum sufficient to meet the demands of all those wishing to obtain wireless spectrum licenses for new market entry or to expand their spectrum holdings to meet the expanding demand for data services or to address other spectrum constraints. Due to factors such as geographic size of wireless spectrum licenses and auction bidders that may raise prices beyond acceptable levels, TDS may not be successful in FCC auctions in obtaining access to the spectrum that it believes is necessary to implement its business and technology strategies.
In addition, newly auctioned spectrum may not be compatible with existing spectrum, and vendors may not create suitable products to use such spectrum. Further, access
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Access to wireless spectrum licenses won in FCC auctions may not be available on a timely basis. Such access is dependent upon the FCC actually granting wireless spectrum licenses won, which can be rescinded or delayed for various reasons.reasons, including but not limited to exceeding spectrum ownership and attribution limits, and safety concerns due to interference with other spectrum bands. Furthermore, newly licensed spectrum may not be available for immediate use since the radio operations of incumbent users, including in some cases government agencies, may need to be relocated to other portions of the radio spectrum, and/or the newly licensed spectrum may be subject to sharing and coordination obligations. TDS also may seek to acquire radio spectrum through purchases and exchanges with other spectrum licensees. However, TDS may not be able to acquire sufficient spectrum through these types of transactions, and TDS may not be able to complete any of these transactions on favorable terms.

7)
To the extent conducted by the FCC, TDS may participate in FCC auctions for additional spectrum or for funding in certain Universal Service programs in the future directly or indirectly and, during certain periods, will be subject to the FCC’s anti-collusion rules, which could have an adverse effect on TDS.
From time4)An inability to time,attract diverse people of outstanding talent throughout all levels of the FCC has conducted auctionsorganization, to develop their potential through which additional spectrum is made available for the provision of wireless services, or through which universal service support funding is dispersed. TDS has participated in such auctions in the pasteducation and may participate in other auctions conductedassignments, and to retain them by the FCC in the future. FCC anti-collusion rules place certain restrictions on business communicationskeeping them engaged, challenged and disclosures by participants in an FCC auction. These anti-collusion rules may restrict the normal conduct of TDS’ business, TDS’ acquisition, divestiture, exchange and other corporate development activity and/or disclosures by TDS relating to an FCC auction. The restrictionsproperly rewarded could have an adverse effect on TDS’TDS' business, financial condition or results of operations.
8)
Failure by TDS to timely or fully comply with any existing applicable legislative and/or regulatory requirements or changes thereto could adversely affect TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.
TDS’ operations are subject to varying degrees of regulation by the FCC, state public utility commissions and other federal, state and local regulatory agencies and legislative bodies. Changes in the administration of the various regulatory agencies and legislative bodies could result in different policies with respect to many federal laws and regulations, including but not limited to changes to fiscal and tax policies, trade policies and tariffs on import goods. New or amended regulatory requirements could increase TDS’ costs and divert resources from other initiatives. Adverse decisions, increased regulation, or changes to existing regulation by regulatory bodies could negatively impact TDS’ operations by, among other things, permitting greater competition or limiting TDS’ ability to engage in certain sales or marketing activities, or retention and recruitment of skilled resources. New regulatory mandates or enforcement may require unexpected or increased capital expenditures, lost revenues, higher operating expenses or other changes. Court decisions and rulemakings could have a substantial impact on TDS’ operations, including rulemakings on broadband access to the internet, intercarrier access compensation, state and federal support funding, and treatment of VoIP traffic or unbundled network elements. Litigation and different objectives among federal and state regulators could create uncertainty and delay TDS’ ability to respond to new regulations. Further, wireless spectrum licenses are subject to renewal by the FCC and could be revoked in the event of a violation of applicable laws or regulatory requirements. Also, although FCC rules relating to net neutrality have been repealed, some state legislators and regulators are seeking to or have already enacted state laws to reinstate net neutrality regulations and other rules. Interpretation and application of these rules, including conflicts between federal and state laws, may result in additional costs for compliance and may limit opportunities to derive profits from certain business practices or resources. For additional information related to TDS’ regulatory environment, see Risk Factor Number 15 below and “Regulatory Matters” in Exhibit 13 to this Form 10-K.
TDS attempts to timely and fully comply with all regulatory requirements. However, TDS is unable to predict the future actions of the various legislative and regulatory bodies that govern TDS, but such actions could have adverse effects on TDS’ business. Any failure by TDS to timely or fully comply with any regulatory requirements could adversely affect TDS’ financial condition, results of operations or ability to do business.
9)
An inability to attract people of outstanding talent throughout all levels of the organization, to develop their potential through education and assignments, and to retain them by keeping them engaged, challenged and properly rewarded could have an adverse effect on TDS' business, financial condition or results of operations.
TDS’ businesses are highly technical and competition for skilled talent in the telecommunications and IT services industriesindustry is intense. Due to competition, limited supply, and/or limited supplyrising wage levels for qualified management, technical, sales and other personnel, there can be no assurance that TDS will be able to continue to attract and/or retain people of outstanding potential for the development of its business. In addition, a remote or hybrid working model and applicability of health protocols could negatively affect talent acquisition and retention. The loss of the services of existing key personnel due to competition, wage levels and/or retirements, as well as the failure to recruit additional qualifiedhighly skilled and diverse personnel in a timely and cost-effective manner, the inability to foster and maintain a diverse and inclusive work environment, or failure to maintain its commitment to environmental and social responsibility could have an adverse effect on TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.
The market for highly skilled leaders in the telecommunications industry also is extremely competitive. The future success of TDS and its businesses depends in substantial part on TDS’ ability to recruit, hire, motivate, develop, and retain talented and highly skilled leaders for all areas of its organization. The loss of any of TDS’ key leaders could have an adverse effect on its business, financial condition or results of operations. Effective succession planning is also important to TDS’ long-term success. Failure to ensure effective transfer of knowledge and smooth transition involving key employees could also adversely affect TDS’ business, financial condition and results of operations.
10)
TDS’ assets and revenue are concentrated primarily in the U.S. telecommunications industry. Consequently, its operating results may fluctuate based on factors related primarily to conditions in this industry.
5)
The U.S. telecommunications industry is facing significant change and an uncertain operating environment. TDS’ focus on the U.S. telecommunications industry, together with its positioningsmaller scale relative to larger competitors withthat may have greater financial and other resources within the industry, may represent increased risk for investors duethan TDS could cause TDS to the lack of diversification. Thisbe unable to compete successfully, which could have an adverse effect on TDS’ ability to attain and sustain long-term, profitable revenue growth and could have an adverse effect onadversely affect its business, financial condition or results of operations.

11)
TDS’ smaller scale relative to larger competitors that may have greater financial and other resources than TDS could cause TDS to be unable to compete successfully, which could adversely affect its business, financial condition or results of operations.
There has been a trend in the telecommunications IT services and related industries towards consolidation of service providers through acquisitions, reorganizations and joint ventures. This trend could continue, leading to larger competitors over time. TDS has smaller scale efficiencies compared to larger competitors. TDS may be unable to compete successfully with larger companies that have substantially greater financial, technical, marketing, sales, purchasing and distribution resources or that offer more services than TDS, which could adversely affect TDS’ revenues and costs of doing business. Specifically, TDS’ smaller scale relative to most of its competitors could have the following impacts, among others:
Low profit margins and returns on investment that are below TDS’ cost of capital;
Increased operating costs due to lack of leverage with vendors;
Inability to successfully deploy 5G or other wireless technologies, or to realize significant incremental revenues from their deployment;
Limited opportunities for strategic partnerships as potential partners are focused on wireless, wireline, cable and IT services companies with greater scale and scope;
Limited access to content, as well as limited ability to obtain acceptably priced content and programming;
Limited ability to influence industry standards;
Reduced ability to invest in research and development of new services and products;
Vendors may deem TDS non-strategic and not develop or sell services and products to TDS, particularly where technical requirements differ from those of larger companies;
Limited access to intellectual property; and
Other limited opportunities such as for software development or third party distribution.
Low profit margins and returns on investment that are below TDS’ cost of capital;
Increased operating costs due to lack of leverage with vendors;
Inability to timely and successfully deploy 5G or other wireless technologies, execute on fiber expansion plans, or to realize significant incremental revenues from their deployment;
Limited opportunities for strategic partnerships as potential partners are focused on wireless, wireline and cable companies with greater scale and scope;
Limited access to content, as well as limited ability to obtain acceptably priced content and programming;
Limited access to devices as larger competitors enter into exclusive device arrangements;
Consumer expectations that TDS provides lower-priced wireless offerings relative to larger competitors;
Limited ability to influence industry standards;
Reduced ability to invest in research and development of new services and products;
Lower risk tolerance when evaluating new markets;
Vendors may deem TDS non-strategic and not develop or sell services and products to TDS, particularly where technical requirements differ from those of larger companies;
Limited access to intellectual property; and
Other limited opportunities such as for software development or third-party distribution.
TDS’ telecommunications businesses increasingly depend on access to content for data and access to new wireless devices being developed by vendors. TDS’ ability to obtain such access depends in part on other parties. If TDS is unable to obtain timely access to new content or wireless devices being developed by vendors, its business, financial condition or results of operations could be adversely affected.
As a result of the foregoing, TDS’ smaller scale relative to larger competitors6)Changes in various business factors, including changes in demand, consumer preferences and perceptions, price competition, churn from customer switching activity and other factors, could adversely affecthave an adverse effect on TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.
12)
Changes in various business factors, including changes in demand, consumer preferences and perceptions, price competition, churn from customer switching activity and other factors, could have an adverse effect on TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.
Changes in any of several factors could have an adverse effect on TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations. These factors include, but are not limited to:
Demand for or usage of services, particularly data services;
Consumer preferences, including internet speed and type of wireless devices;
Consumer perceptions of network quality and performance;
Consumer expectations for self-service options through digital means;
The pricing of services, including an increase in price-based competition;
Access to and cost of programming;
The overall size and growth rate of TDS’ customer base;
Penetration rates;
Churn rates;
Selling expenses;
Net customer acquisition and retention costs;
Customers’ ability to pay for services and the potential impact on bad debts expense;
Roaming agreements and rates;
Third-party vendor support;
Capacity constraints;
The mix of services and products offered by TDS and purchased by customers;
The costs of providing services and products; and
Mid-market demand for cloud and hosted services.

Demand for or usage of services, particularly data services;
13)
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Consumer preferences, including internet speed and type of wireless devices;
Consumer perceptions of network quality and performance;
Consumer expectations for self-service options through digital means;
Competitive pressure to deliver higher speed;
Competitive pressure from promotional activity;
The pricing of services, including an increase in price-based competition;
Inflationary pressures on costs without corresponding price increases for TDS' services;
Access to and cost of programming;
The overall size and growth rate of TDS’ customer base;
Penetration rates;
Churn rates;
Selling expenses;
Net customer acquisition and retention costs;
Customers’ ability to pay for services and the potential impact on bad debts expense;
Roaming agreements and rates;
Third-party vendor support;
Capacity constraints;
The mix of services and products offered by TDS and purchased by customers; and
The costs of providing services and products.
7)Advances or changes in technology could render certain technologies used by TDS obsolete, could put TDS at a competitive disadvantage, could reduce TDS’ revenues or could increase its costs of doing business.
The telecommunications and IT services industries areindustry is experiencing significant changes in technologies and services expected by customers. In the telecommunications industry, this iscustomers, as evidenced by evolving industry standards, ongoing improvements in the capacity and quality of digital technology, shorter development cycles for new services and products, and enhancements and changes in end-user requirements and preferences. Widespread deployment of new technologies, including 5G and VoLTE technology, could cause the technology used on TDS’ wireless networks and devices, including CDMA technology, traditional circuit-switched or IP-based networks, and cable networks to become less competitive or obsolete. Also, high-speed wireless networks (wireless broadband) represent a product offering and opportunity for TDS’ wireless business, but also represent a risk for TDS’ Wirelinewireline and Cablecable businesses as customers may elect to substitute their wireline or cable broadband connection with wireless broadband. Further, fixed-mobile convergence services that combine wireline broadband services with mobile services represent a competitive threat. If the trend toward convergence continues, TDS is at a competitive disadvantage to larger competitors, including cable companies, the national wireless carriers and other potential large new entrants with much greater financial and other resources in adapting to such convergence. In addition, the IT services market is characterized by rapidly changing technology and services. Future technological changes or advancements may enable other technologies to equal or exceed TDS’ current levels of service and render its system infrastructure obsolete. TDS may not be able to respond to such changes and implement new technology on a timely or cost-effective basis, which could reduce its revenues or increase its costs of doing business. If
8)Complexities associated with deploying new technologies present substantial risk and TDS’ investments in unproven technologies may not produce the benefits that TDS cannot keep pace with these technological changes or other changes in the telecommunications or IT services industries over time, its financial condition, results of operations or ability to do business could be adversely affected.expects.
14)
Complexities associated with deploying new technologies present substantial risk and TDS’ investments in unproven technologies may not produce the benefits that TDS expects.
TDS’ wireless business has completed the transition to 4G LTE and has implemented 4G LTE as well as VoLTE roaming agreements with national carriers. VoLTE technology is now available to nearly 70% of U.S. Cellular's subscribers, and deployments in additional operating markets are expected in 2020 and 2021. In addition, TDS' wireless business has begun to deployis deploying 5G technology in its network and expects to launchhas launched commercial 5G services in selected markets in 2020.portions of substantially all of its markets. The continued deployment of 5G technology will require substantial additional investments in TDS' wireless networks to remain competitive in the industry. Transition to 5G or other new technologies involves significant time, cost and risk, and anticipated products and revenues may not be realized. Furthermore, the wireless business experiences rapid technology changes and new services and products. If TDS fails to effectively deploy new wireless technologies, services or products on a timely basis, this could have an adverse impact on TDS’ business, financial condition and results of operations.
TDS’ Wireline business is deploying fiber-to-the-home technology, advanced wireline, broadband, and TDS TV+ services through fiber-to-the-node, copper bonding and vectoring technology. A significant amount of the product development and integration risks are borne by TDS. Further, the simultaneous rollout of these advanced services and technologies increases the execution risk. If TDS fails to effectively deploy new technologies and products on a timely basis, this could have an adverse impact on TDS’ business, financial condition and results of operations.
Cable’s business is also subject to complexities associated with deploying new technologies, such as DOCSIS 3.1, and involves substantial risk, including rapid technology changes. If Cable’s business does not respond appropriately to technology changes, its competitive position may be adversely affected.
The HMS business is also continuously evaluating and deploying advances in technology relating to IT services. If HMS fails to effectively deploy new technologies and products on a timely basis, this could have an adverse impact on its business, financial condition and results of operations.
Furthermore, it is not certain that TDS’ investments in various new, unproven technologies and the related service and product offerings will be effective. The markets for some of these services, products and solutions may still be emerging and the overall potential for these markets, including revenues to be realized, may be uncertain. If customer demand for these new services, products and solutions does not develop as expected, TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations could be adversely affected.
15)
TDS receives regulatory support and is subject to numerous surcharges and fees from federal, state and local governments,
9)Costs, integration problems or other factors associated with acquisitions, divestitures or exchanges of properties or wireless spectrum licenses and/or expansion of TDS’ businesses could have an adverse effect on TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.
As part of TDS’ operating strategy, TDS from time to time may be engaged in the acquisition, divestiture or exchange of companies, businesses, strategic properties, wireless spectrum or other assets. TDS may change the markets in which it operates and the services that it provides through such acquisitions, divestitures and/or exchanges. In general, TDS may not disclose the negotiation of such transactions until a definitive agreement has been reached. These transactions commonly involve a number of risks, including:
Identification of attractive companies, businesses, properties, spectrum or other assets for acquisition or exchange, and/or the selection of TDS’ businesses or assets for divestiture or exchange;
Competition for acquisition targets and the ability to acquire or exchange businesses at reasonable prices;
Inability to make acquisitions that would achieve sufficient scale to be competitive with competitors with greater scale;
Possible lack of buyers for businesses or assets that TDS desires to divest and the ability to divest or exchange such businesses or assets at reasonable prices;
Ability to negotiate favorable terms and conditions for acquisitions, divestitures and exchanges;
Significant expenditures associated with acquisitions, divestitures and exchanges;
Risks associated with integrating new businesses or markets, including risks relating to cybersecurity and privacy;
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Ability to enter markets in which TDS has limited or no direct prior experience and competitors have stronger positions;
Ability to integrate and manage TDS’ different business operations and services, including wireless services, traditional wireline services and cable businesses;
Uncertain revenues and expenses associated with acquisitions or the entry into new expansion markets, with the result that TDS may not realize the growth in revenues, anticipated cost structure, profitability, or return on investment that it expects;
Difficulty of integrating the technologies, services, products, operations and personnel of the acquired businesses, or of separating such matters for divested businesses or assets;
Diversion of management’s attention;
Disruption of ongoing business;
Impact on TDS’ cash and available credit lines for use in financing future growth and working capital needs;
Inability to retain key personnel;
Inability to successfully incorporate acquired assets and rights into TDS’ service offerings;
Inability to maintain uniform standards, controls, procedures and policies;
Possible conditions to approval by the FCC, the Federal Trade Commission and/or the Department of Justice; and
Impairment of relationships with employees, customers or vendors.
No assurance can be given that TDS will be successful with respect to its acquisition, divestiture or exchange strategies or initiatives.
10)A failure by TDS to complete significant network construction and systems implementation activities as part of its plans to improve the quality, coverage, capabilities and capacity of its network, support and other systems and infrastructure could have an adverse effect on its operations.
TDS’ business plan includes significant construction activities and enhancements to its network, support and other systems and infrastructure. Additionally, the deployment of new wireless technologies, including 5G, will require substantial investments in TDS' wireless network. As TDS deploys, expands and enhances its wireless network, it may need to acquire additional spectrum. Also, as TDS continues to build out and enhance its network, TDS must, among other things, continue to:
Lease, acquire or otherwise obtain rights to cell and switch sites, transport facilities or other facilities;
Obtain zoning variances or other local governmental or third-party approvals or permits for network construction;
Complete and update the radio frequency design, including cell site design, frequency planning and network optimization, for each of TDS’ wireless markets; and
Improve, expand and maintain customer care, network management, billing and other financial and management systems.
Any difficulties encountered in completing these activities, as well as problems in vendor equipment availability, labor availability, inflation or other pressures on costs, technical resources, system performance or system adequacy, could delay implementation and deployment of new technologies, delay expansion of operations and product capabilities in new or existing markets or result in increased costs. Failure to successfully deploy new technologies, including 5G, and/or build-out and enhance TDS’ network, support facilities and other systems and infrastructure in a cost-effective manner, and in a manner that satisfies consumers' expectations for quality and coverage, could have an adverse effect on TDS’ business, business prospects, financial condition or results of operations.
TDS’ wireline and cable businesses are devoting an increasing amount of capital for fiber overbuilds and expansion into new markets. TDS is often reliant on third parties for items such as construction, franchises, utility locates and easements, aerial attachments and other permits. Difficulties in gaining acceptance from new market communities or with third party performance could cause delays or additional costs. Any difficulties in supply chain constraints or labor shortages, as well as scaling up project management, engineering and construction resources could delay construction and expansion of operations in new or existing markets or result in increased costs. Failure to complete its implementation activities or successfully scale up resources could have an adverse effect on TDS’ business, business prospects, financial condition or results of operations.
11)Difficulties involving third parties with which TDS does business, including changes in TDS’ relationships with or financial or operational difficulties, including supply chain disruptions, of key suppliers or independent agents and third party national retailers who market TDS’ services, could adversely affect TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.
TDS has relationships with independent agents and third-party national retailers who market TDS’ services.
TDS depends upon certain vendors to provide it with equipment, services and content that meet its quality and cost requirements on a timely basis to continue its network construction and upgrades, and to operate its business. TDS depends upon certain vendors to provide it with wireless devices that meet its quality and cost requirements on a timely basis to support sales. TDS does not have operational or financial control over such key suppliers and has limited influence with respect to the manner in which these key suppliers conduct their businesses. Further, key suppliers may experience supply chain challenges beyond their control that result in difficulties providing the services and products typically requested by TDS on a timely basis. If these key suppliers (i) experience product availability shortages, (ii) require extended lead times to fulfill orders, (iii) experience financial difficulties or file for bankruptcy or experience other operational difficulties or (iv) deem TDS non-strategic and not develop or sell services and products to TDS, particularly where technical requirements differ from those of larger companies, they may not provide equipment, services or content to TDS on a timely basis, or at all, or they may otherwise fail to honor their obligations to TDS. Furthermore, consolidation among key suppliers may result in less competition, higher prices, the discontinuation of equipment and/or services typically purchased by TDS or the discontinuation of support for equipment owned by TDS.
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Operation of TDS’ supply chain and management of its device inventory and network equipment, including customer premise equipment, require accurate forecasting of customer growth and demand. If overall demand for devices and network equipment or the mix of demand for devices and network equipment is significantly different than TDS’ expectations, TDS could face inadequate or excess supplies of particular models of devices and network equipment. This could result in lost sales opportunities or an excess supply of device inventory or network equipment. If network equipment is not available or requires extended lead times due to supply chain challenges, or if overall demand for services or the mix of demand for services is significantly different than TDS' expectations, TDS may not be able to adequately maintain a network that supports customer demand. Further, TDS' supply chain could be disrupted unexpectedly by raw material shortages, wars, natural disasters, disease or other factors. Supply chain disruptions may result in limited component availability, constraints on certain devices and network equipment, extended lead times, delayed construction and additional uncertainty.
Also, TDS has other arrangements with third parties, including arrangements pursuant to which TDS outsources certain support functions to third-party vendors. Operational problems associated with such functions, including any failure by the vendor to provide the required level of service under the outsourcing arrangements, including possible cyber-attacks or other breaches of network or information technology security, data protection or privacy, could have adverse effects on TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.
12)A failure by TDS to maintain flexible and capable telecommunication networks or information technologies, or a material disruption thereof, could have an adverse effect on TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.
TDS relies extensively on its telecommunication networks and information technologies to operate and manage its businesses, process transactions and summarize and report results. These networks and technologies are subject to obsolescence and, consequently, must be upgraded, replaced and/or otherwise enhanced over time. Enhancements must be more flexible and dependable than ever before. All of this is capital intensive and challenging.
The increased provision of data services, including IPTV, has introduced significant demands on TDS’ network and also has increased complexities related to network management. As it relates to wireline networks, the transition to IP-based networks from well-established time-division multiplexing networks requires support tools and technician skills. Further, this transition requires the use of more leased facilities and partnerships which require enhanced network monitoring and controls. The IP-based networks also generally require more electronics on customers’ premises which introduces more technical risks and makes diagnostics and repairs more difficult.
Further, the increased provision of data services on TDS’ networks has created an increased level of risk related to quality of service and data speeds. This is due to the fact that many customers increasingly rely on data communications to execute and validate transactions. As a result, redundancy and geographical diversity of TDS’ network facilities are critical to providing uninterrupted service. Also, the speed of repair and maintenance procedures in the event of network interruptions is critical to maintaining customer satisfaction. TDS’ ability to maintain high-quality, uninterrupted service to its customers is critical, particularly given the increasingly competitive environment and customers’ ability to choose other service providers.
In addition, TDS’ networks and information technologies and the networks and information technologies of vendors on which TDS relies are subject to damage or interruption due to various events, including power outages, computer, network and telecommunications failures, computer viruses, security breaches, hackers and other cyber security risks, catastrophic events, natural disasters, severe weather, adverse climate changes, errors or unauthorized actions by employees and vendors, flawed conversion of systems, disruptive technologies and technology changes.
Financial Risk Factors
13)Uncertainty in TDS’ future cash flow and liquidity or the inability to access capital, deterioration in the capital markets, changes in interest rates, other changes in TDS’ performance or market conditions, changes in TDS’ credit ratings or other factors could limit or restrict the availability of financing on terms and prices acceptable to TDS, which could require TDS to reduce its construction, development or acquisition programs, reduce the amount of wireless spectrum licenses acquired, and/or reduce or cease share repurchases and/or the payment of dividends.
TDS and its subsidiaries operate capital-intensive businesses. Historically, TDS has used internally-generated funds and also has obtained substantial funds from external sources for general corporate purposes. In the past, TDS’ existing cash and investment balances, funds available under its financing agreements, and cash flows from operating and certain investing and financing activities, including sales of assets or businesses, provided sufficient liquidity and financial flexibility for TDS to meet its normal day-to-day operating needs and debt service requirements, to finance the build-out and enhancement of markets and to fund acquisitions. There is no assurance that this will be the case in the future. It may be necessary from time to time to increase the amount of permissible borrowings under its financing agreements, to put in place new credit agreements, or to obtain other forms of financing in order to fund potential expenditures. TDS’ liquidity would be adversely affected if, among other things, TDS is unable to obtain short or long-term financing on acceptable terms, interest rates increase, TDS makes significant spectrum license purchases, TDS makes significant capital investments, TDS makes significant business acquisitions, the Los Angeles SMSA Limited Partnership (LA Partnership) discontinues or significantly reduces distributions compared to historical levels, or Federal USF and/or other regulatory support payments decline.
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TDS’ credit rating currently is sub-investment grade. TDS has incurred negative free cash flow (defined as Cash flows from operating activities less Cash paid for additions to property, plant and equipment and less Cash paid for software license agreements) at times in the past and this could occur in the future. TDS may require substantial additional capital for, among other uses, funding day-to-day operating needs including working capital, acquisitions of providers of cable, wireless or wireline telecommunications services, or other businesses, spectrum license or system acquisitions, capital expenditures, debt service requirements, the repurchase of shares, the payment of dividends, or making additional investments. There can be no assurance that sufficient funds will continue to be available to TDS or its subsidiaries on terms or at prices acceptable to TDS. Insufficient cash flows from operating activities, changes in TDS' credit ratings, defaults of the terms of debt or credit agreements, uncertainty of access to capital, deterioration in the capital markets, reduced regulatory capital at banks which in turn limits their ability to borrow and lend, other changes in the performance of TDS or 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 acquisition, capital expenditure and business development programs, reduce the acquisition of wireless spectrum licenses, reduce or cease share repurchases and/or the payment of dividends. TDS cannot provide assurance that circumstances that could have a material adverse effect on its liquidity or capital resources will not occur.
14)TDS has a significant amount of indebtedness which could adversely affect its financial performance and in turn adversely affect its ability to make payments on its indebtedness, comply with terms of debt covenants and incur additional debt.
TDS has a significant amount of indebtedness and may need to incur additional indebtedness. TDS’ level of indebtedness could have important consequences. For example, it (i) may limit TDS’ ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures or general corporate purposes, particularly if the ratings assigned to its debt securities by rating organizations are revised downward; (ii) will require TDS to dedicate a substantial portion of its cash flow from operations to the payment of interest and principal on its debt, thereby reducing the funds available to TDS for other purposes including expansion through acquisitions, capital expenditures, acquisition of wireless spectrum licenses, payment of dividends, marketing spending and expansion of its business; and (iii) may limit TDS’ flexibility to adjust to changing business and market conditions and make TDS more vulnerable to a downturn in general economic conditions as compared to TDS’ competitors. TDS’ ability to make scheduled payments on its indebtedness or to refinance it will depend on its financial and operating performance which, in turn, is subject to prevailing economic and competitive conditions and other factors beyond its control. A substantial portion of TDS' debt is subject to variable interest rates, which has increased interest expense in recent periods and TDS will continue to be vulnerable to unfavorable changes in market interest rates.
The TDS and UScellular revolving credit agreements, the TDS and UScellular term loan agreements, the TDS and UScellular export credit financing agreements and the UScellular receivables securitization agreement require TDS or UScellular, as applicable, to comply with certain affirmative and negative covenants, including certain financial covenants. Depending on the actual financial performance of TDS and UScellular, there is a risk that TDS and/or UScellular could fail to satisfy the required financial covenants. This risk has increased with TDS' recent financial and operating performance. If TDS or UScellular breach a financial or other covenant of any of these agreements, it would result in a default under that agreement, and could involve a cross-default under other debt instruments. This could in turn cause the affected lenders to accelerate the repayment of principal and accrued interest on any outstanding debt under such agreements and, if they choose, terminate the agreement. If appropriate, TDS and UScellular may request an amendment to one or more credit agreements to adjust financial covenants in order to provide additional financial flexibility to TDS and UScellular, and may also seek other changes to such agreements. There is no assurance that the lenders will agree to any amendments. If the lenders agree to amendments, this may result in additional payments or higher interest rates payable to the lenders and/or additional restrictions. Restrictions in such debt instruments may limit TDS’ operating and financial flexibility.
As a result, TDS’ level of indebtedness, restrictions contained in debt instruments and/or possible breaches of covenants, defaults, and acceleration of indebtedness could have an adverse effect on TDS’ business, financial condition, revenues, results of operations and cash flows.
15)TDS’ assets and revenue are concentrated primarily in the U.S. telecommunications industry. Consequently, its operating results may fluctuate based on factors related primarily to conditions in this industry.
The U.S. telecommunications industry is facing significant change and an uncertain operating environment. TDS’ focus on the U.S. telecommunications industry, together with its positioning relative to larger competitors with greater resources within the industry, may represent increased risk for investors due to the lack of diversification. This could have an adverse effect on TDS’ ability to attain and sustain long-term, profitable revenue growth and could have an adverse effect on its business, financial condition or results of operations.
16)TDS has significant investments in entities that it does not control. Losses in the value of such investments could have an adverse effect on TDS’ financial condition or results of operations.
TDS has significant investments in entities that it does not control, including equity investments and interests in certain variable interest entities. TDS’ interests in such entities do not provide TDS with control over the business strategy, financial goals, network build-out plans or other operational aspects of these entities. TDS cannot provide assurance that these entities will operate in a manner that will increase or maintain the value of TDS’ investments, that TDS’ proportionate share of income from these investments will continue at the current level in the future or that TDS will not incur losses from the holding of such investments. Losses in the values of such investments or a reduction in income from these investments could adversely affect TDS’ financial condition or results of operations. In addition, certain investments have historically contributed significant cash flows to TDS and a reduction or suspension of such cash flows could adversely affect TDS’ financial condition.
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Regulatory, Legal and Governance Risk Factors
17)Failure by TDS to timely or fully comply with any existing applicable legislative and/or regulatory requirements or changes thereto could adversely affect TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.
TDS’ operations are subject to varying degrees of regulation by the FCC, state public utility commissions and other federal, state and local regulatory agencies and legislative bodies. Changes in the administration of the various regulatory agencies and legislative bodies could result in different policies with respect to many federal laws and regulations, including but not limited to changes to fiscal and tax policies, trade policies, tariffs on import goods and climate change. New or amended regulatory requirements could increase TDS’ costs and divert resources from other initiatives. Adverse decisions, increased regulation, or changes to existing regulation by regulatory bodies could negatively impact TDS’ operations by, among other things, restricting energy consumption or access to grid electricity, permitting greater competition or limiting TDS’ ability to engage in certain sales or marketing activities, or retention and recruitment of skilled resources. New regulatory mandates or enforcement may require unexpected or increased capital expenditures, lost revenues, higher operating expenses or other changes. Court decisions and rulemakings could have a substantial impact on TDS’ operations, including rulemakings on broadband access to the internet, intercarrier access compensation, state and federal support funding, and treatment of VoIP traffic or unbundled network elements. Litigation and different objectives among federal and state regulators could create uncertainty and delay TDS’ ability to respond to new regulations. Further, wireless spectrum licenses and cable franchise rights are subject to renewal by a granting authority and could be revoked in the event of a violation of applicable laws or regulatory requirements. Also, although FCC rules relating to net neutrality have been repealed, the FCC, and federal and state legislators may seek to reinstate net neutrality in some form and some state legislators and regulators are seeking to or have already enacted state net neutrality laws and regulations. Interpretation and application of these rules, including conflicts between federal and state laws, may result in additional costs for compliance and may limit opportunities to derive profits from certain business practices or resources.
TDS attempts to timely and fully comply with all regulatory requirements. However, TDS is unable to predict the future actions of the various legislative and regulatory bodies that govern TDS, and such actions could have adverse effects on TDS’ business.
18)TDS receives significant regulatory support, and is also subject to numerous surcharges and fees from federal, state and local governments – the applicability and the amount of the support and fees are subject to great uncertainty, including the ability to pass through certain fees to customers, and this uncertainty which could have an adverse effect on TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.
Telecommunications companies may be designated by states, or in some cases by the FCC, as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) to receive universal service support payments if they provide specified services in “high cost”“high-cost” areas. U.S. CellularUScellular has been designated as an ETC in certain states and received $92 million in high costhigh-cost support for service to high costhigh-cost areas in 2019.2022. While there is uncertainty, UScellular expects that regulatory support payments will likely decline in future periods, and there is no assurance that UScellular will qualify for future regulatory support programs. TDS Telecom also received support under the Connect America Fund support program. The A-CAM program has build-out requirements that if not met, would result in penalties and loss of support. In 2019,2022, TDS Telecom received $86$111 million under all federal regulatory support programs.
In 2011, the FCC released an order (USF Order) to: reform its universal service and intercarrier compensation mechanisms; establish a new, broadband-focused support mechanism; and propose further rules to advance reform. For a discussion of the USF Order and risks to such There is no assurance that regulatory support see “Regulatory Matters - FCC Mobility Fund/5G Fund” in Exhibit 13 to this Form 10-K, which is incorporated by reference herein.payments will continue for TDS Telecom, and no assurance that TDS Telecom will qualify for future regulatory support programs. If the foregoing regulatory support is discontinued or reduced from current levels, or if receipt of future regulatory support is contingent upon making certain network-related expenditures, this could have an adverse effect on TDS’ business, financial condition or operating results.

In 2016, the FCC released an order modifying the existing USF program under which TDS Telecom receives annual support revenue in exchange for meeting defined build-out obligations. Build-out obligations under this program will require capital expenditures which are expected to be significant. There is no assurance that these build-outs will be fully funded by the support revenue received under the program. In addition, failure to meet the defined build-out obligations could result in reduced support revenue. For developments that will result in changes to the FCC’s Alternative Connect America Cost Model (A-CAM) program see “Regulatory Matters - FCC Connect America Fund,” in Exhibit 13 to this Form 10-K, which is incorporated by reference herein.
Telecommunications providers pay a variety of surcharges and fees on their gross revenues from interstate and intrastate services, including USF fees and common carrier regulatory fees.
The division of services between interstate services and intrastate services, including the divisions associated with Federal USF fees, is a matter of interpretation and in the future may be contested by the FCC or state authorities. The FCC in the future also may change the basis on which Federal USF fees are charged. The Federal government and many states also apply transaction-based taxes to sales of telecommunications services and products and to purchases of telecommunications services from various carriers. In addition, state regulators and local governments have imposed and may continue to impose various surcharges, taxes and fees on telecommunications services. The applicability of these surcharges and fees to TDS’ services is uncertain in many cases and jurisdictions may contest whether TDS has assessed and remitted those monies correctly. Periodically, state and federal regulators may increase or change the surcharges and fees TDS currently pays. In some instances, TDS passes through these charges to its customers. However, Congress, the FCC, state regulatory agencies or state legislatures may limit the ability to pass through transaction-based tax liabilities, regulatory surcharges and regulatory fees imposed on TDS to customers. TDS may or may not be able to recover some or all of those taxes from its customers and the amount of taxes may deter demand for its services or increase its cost to provide service which could have an adverse effectservice.
19)Settlements, judgments, restraints on its business, financial conditioncurrent or operating results.
16)
Changes in TDS’ enterprise value, changes in the market supply or demand for wireless spectrum licenses, wireline or cable markets or IT service providers, adverse developments in the businesses or the industries in which TDS is involved and/or other factors could require TDS to recognize impairments in the carrying value of its wireless spectrum licenses, goodwill, franchise rights and/or physical assets or require re-evaluation of the indefinite-lived nature of such assets.
A large portion of TDS’ assets consists of indefinite-lived intangible assets in the form of wireless spectrum licenses and goodwill. TDS also has substantial investments in long-lived assets such as property, plant and equipment and franchise rights. TDS reviews its wireless spectrum licenses, goodwill and other long-lived assets for impairment annually or whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be fully recoverable. An impairment loss may need to be recognized to the extent the carrying value of the assets exceeds the fair value of such assets. The amount of any such impairment loss could be significant and could have an adverse effect on TDS’ reported financial results for the period in which the loss is recognized. The estimation of fair values requires assumptions by management about factors that are uncertain. Different assumptions for these factors could create materially different results.
17)
Costs, integration problems or other factors associated with acquisitions, divestitures or exchanges of properties or wireless spectrum licenses and/or expansion of TDS’ businesses could have an adverse effect on TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.
As part of TDS’ operating strategy, TDS from time to time may be engaged in the acquisition, divestiture or exchange of companies, businesses, strategic properties, wireless spectrum or other assets. TDS may change the markets in which it operates and the services that it provides through such acquisitions, divestitures and/or exchanges. In general, TDS may not disclose the negotiation of such transactions until a definitive agreement has been reached. These transactions commonly involve a number of risks, including:
Identification of attractive companies, businesses, properties, spectrum or other assets for acquisition or exchange, and/or the selection of TDS’ businesses or assets for divestiture or exchange;
Competition for acquisition targets and the ability to acquire or exchange businesses at reasonable prices;
Inability to make acquisitions that would achieve sufficient scale to be competitive with competitors with greater scale;
Possible lack of buyers for businesses or assets that TDS desires to divest and the ability to divest or exchange such businesses or assets at reasonable prices;
Ability to negotiate favorable terms and conditions for acquisitions, divestitures and exchanges;
Significant expenditures associated with acquisitions, divestitures and exchanges;
Risks associated with integrating new businesses or markets, including risks relating to cybersecurity and privacy;
Ability to enter markets in which TDS has limited or no direct prior experience and competitors have stronger positions;
Ability to integrate and manage TDS’ different business operations and services, including wireless services, traditional wireline services, cable businesses and hosted and managed services businesses;
Uncertain revenues and expenses associated with acquisitions, with the result that TDS may not realize the growth in revenues, anticipated cost structure, profitability, or return on investment that it expects;
Difficulty of integrating the technologies, services, products, operations and personnel of the acquired businesses, or of separating such matters for divested businesses or assets;
Diversion of management’s attention;
Disruption of ongoing business;
Impact on TDS’ cash and available credit lines for use in financing future growth and working capital needs;
Inability to retain key personnel;
Inability to successfully incorporate acquired assets and rights into TDS’ service offerings;
Inability to maintain uniform standards, controls, procedures and policies;

Possible conditions to approval by the FCC, the Federal Trade Commission and/or the Department of Justice; and
Impairment of relationships with employees, customers or vendors.
No assurance can be given that TDS will be successful with respect to its acquisition, divestiture or exchange strategies or initiatives. If TDS is not successful with respect to its acquisitions, divestitures or exchanges, its business, financial condition or results of operations could be adversely affected.
18)
A failure by TDS to complete significant network construction and systems implementation activities as part of its plans to improve the quality, coverage, capabilities and capacity of its network, support and other systems and infrastructure could have an adverse effect on its operations.
TDS’ business plan includes significant construction activities and enhancements to its network, support and other systems and infrastructure. Additionally, the deployment of new wireless technologies, including 5G, may require substantial investments in TDS' wireless network. As TDS deploys, expands and enhances its wireless network, it may need to acquire additional spectrum. Also, as TDS continues to build out and enhance its network, TDS must, among other things, continue to:
Lease, acquire or otherwise obtain rights to cell and switch sites, transport facilities, data centers relating to IT services or other facilities;
Obtain zoning variances or other local governmental or third-party approvals or permits for network construction;
Complete and update the radio frequency design, including cell site design, frequency planning and network optimization, for each of TDS’ wireless markets; and
Improve, expand and maintain customer care, network management, billing and other financial and management systems.
Any difficulties encountered in completing these activities, as well as problems in vendor equipment availability, technical resources, system performance or system adequacy, could delay implementation and deployment of new technologies, delay expansion of operations and product capabilities in new or existing markets or result in increased costs. Failure to successfully deploy new technologies, including 5G, and/or build-out and enhance TDS’ network, support facilities and other systems and infrastructure in a cost-effective manner and in a manner that satisfies consumers' expectations, could have an adverse effect on TDS’ business, business prospects, financial condition or results of operations.
TDS’ Wireline and Cable businesses are devoting an increasing amount of capital for fiber overbuilds and out of territory construction. Difficulties in gaining acceptance from new market communities could cause delays or additional costs. Any difficulties in scaling up project management, engineering and construction resources could delay construction and expansion of operations in new or existing markets or result in increased costs. Failure to gain acceptance in new communities and successfully scale up resources could have an adverse effect on TDS’ business, business prospects, financial condition or results of operations.
19)
Difficulties involving third parties with which TDS does business, including changes in TDS’ relationships with or financial or operational difficulties of key suppliers or independent agents and third party national retailers who market TDS’ services, could adversely affect TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.
TDS has relationships with independent agents and third party national retailers who market TDS’ services. If such relationships are seriously harmed or if such parties experience financial difficulties, including bankruptcy, TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations could be adversely affected.
TDS depends upon certain vendors to provide it with equipment (including wireless devices), services or content that meet its quality and cost requirements on a timely basis to continue its network construction and upgrades, and to operate its business. TDS does not have operational or financial control over such key suppliers and has limited influence with respect to the manner in which these key suppliers conduct their businesses. If these key suppliers (i) experience financial difficulties or file for bankruptcy or experience other operational difficulties or (ii) deem TDS non-strategic and not develop or sell services and products to TDS, particularly where technical requirements differ from those of larger companies, they may not provide equipment, services or content to TDS on a timely basis, or at all, or they may otherwise fail to honor their obligations to TDS. Furthermore, consolidation among key suppliers may result in less competition and higher prices or the discontinuation of support for equipment owned by TDS.
Operation of TDS’ supply chain and management of its inventory require accurate forecasting of customer growth and demand, which has become increasingly challenging. If overall demand for wireless devices or the mix of demand for wireless devices is significantly different than TDS’ expectations, TDS could face inadequate or excess supplies of particular models of wireless devices. This could result in lost sales opportunities or an excess supply of inventory. Further, TDS' supply chain could be disrupted unexpectedly by raw material shortages, wars, natural disasters, disease or other factors. Any of these situations could adversely affect TDS’ revenues, costs of doing business results of operations or financial condition.
Also, TDS has other arrangements with third parties, including arrangements pursuant to which TDS outsources certain support functions to third party vendors. Operational problems associated with such functions, including any failure by the vendor to provide the required level of service under the outsourcing arrangements, including possible cyber-attacks or other breaches of network or information technology security or privacy, could have adverse effects on TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.

20)
TDS has significant investments in entities that it does not control. Losses in the value of such investments could have an adverse effect on TDS’ financial condition or results of operations.
TDS has significant investments in entities that it does not control, including equity investments and interests in certain variable interest entities. TDS’ interests in such entities do not provide TDS with control over the business strategy, financial goals, network build-out plans or other operational aspects of these entities. TDS cannot provide assurance that these entities will operate in a manner that will increase or maintain the value of TDS’ investments, that TDS’ proportionate share of income from these investments will continue at the current level in the future or that TDS will not incur losses from the holding of such investments. Losses in the values of such investments or a reduction in income from these investments could adversely affect TDS’ financial condition or results of operations. In addition, certain investments have historically contributed significant cash flows to TDS and a reduction or suspension of such cash flows could adversely affect TDS’ financial condition.
21)
A failure by TDS to maintain flexible and capable telecommunication networks or information technology, or a material disruption thereof, could have an adverse effect on TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.
TDS relies extensively on its telecommunication networks and information technology to operate and manage its businesses, process transactions and summarize and report results. These networks and technology are subject to obsolescence and, consequently, must be upgraded, replaced and/or otherwise enhanced over time. Enhancements must be more flexiblelegal costs resulting from pending and dependable than ever before. All of this is capital intensive and challenging. A failure by TDS to maintain flexible and capable telecommunication networks or information technologyfuture litigation could have an adverse effect on TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.
The increased provision of data services, including IPTV, has introduced significant new demands on TDS’ network and also has increased complexities related to network management. As it relates to Wireline’s networks, the transition to new IP-based networks from well-established time-division multiplexing networks requires new support tools and technician skills. Further, this transition requires the use of more leased facilities and partnerships which require enhanced network monitoring and controls. The IP-based networks also generally require more electronics on customers’ premises which introduces more technical risks and makes diagnostics and repairs more difficult.
Further, the increased provision of data services on TDS’ networks has created an increased level of risk related to quality of service. This is due to the fact that many customers increasingly rely on data communications to execute and validate transactions. As a result, redundancy and geographical diversity of TDS’ network facilities are critical to providing uninterrupted service. Also, the speed of repair and maintenance procedures in the event of network interruptions is critical to maintaining customer satisfaction. TDS’ ability to maintain high-quality, uninterrupted service to its customers is critical, particularly given the increasingly competitive environment and customers’ ability to choose other service providers.
In addition, TDS’ networks and information technology and the networks and information technology of vendors on which TDS relies are subject to damage or interruption due to various events, including power outages, computer, network and telecommunications failures, computer viruses, security breaches, hackers and other cyber security risks, catastrophic events, natural disasters, errors or unauthorized actions by employees and vendors, flawed conversion of systems, disruptive technologies and technology changes.
22)
TDS has experienced, and in the future expects to experience, cyber-attacks or other breaches of network or information technology security of varying degrees on a regular basis, which could have an adverse effect on TDS' business, financial condition or results of operations.
TDS experiences cyber-attacks of varying degrees on a regular basis. These include cyber-attacks intended to wrongfully obtain private and valuable information, or cause other types of malicious events, including denial of service attacks which may cause TDS' services to be disrupted or unavailable to customers. TDS maintains administrative, technical and physical controls, as well as other preventative actions, to reduce the risk of security breaches. Although to date TDS has not discovered a material security breach, these efforts may be insufficient to prevent a material security breach stemming from future cyber-attacks. If TDS’ or its vendors’ networks and information technology are not adequately adapted to changes in technology or are damaged or fail to function properly, and/or if TDS’ or its vendors’ security is breached or otherwise compromised, TDS could suffer adverse consequences, including theft, destruction or other loss of critical and private data, including customer and/or employee data, interruptions or delays in its operations, inaccurate billings, inaccurate financial reporting, and significant costs to remedy the problems. If TDS’ or its vendors’ systems become unavailable or suffer a security breach of customer or other data, TDS may be required to expend significant resources and take various actions to address the problems, including notification under data privacy laws and regulations, may be subject to fines, sanctions and litigation, and its reputation and operating results could be adversely affected. Such events may also cause TDS to fail to satisfy service level commitments or trigger contractual obligations to customers of its IT services. TDS continues to experience denial of service attacks. Although TDS has implemented and continues to enhance its protection and recovery measures in response to such attacks, these efforts may be insufficient to prevent a material denial of service attack in the future. Any material disruption in TDS’ networks or information technology, including security breaches, could have an adverse effect on TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.

23)
Changes in facts or circumstances, including new or additional information, could require TDS to record adjustments to amounts reflected in the financial statements, which could have an adverse effect on TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.
The preparation of financial statements requires TDS to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. TDS 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. Changes in facts or circumstances, including new or additional information, could require TDS to record charges in excess of amounts accrued in the financial statements, if any, which could have an adverse effect on TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.
24)
Disruption in credit or other financial markets, a deterioration of U.S. or global economic conditions or other events could, among other things, impede TDS’ access to or increase the cost of financing its operating and investment activities and/or result in reduced revenues and lower operating income and cash flows, which would have an adverse effect on TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.
Disruptions in the credit and financial markets, declines in consumer confidence, increases in unemployment, declines in economic growth, increased tariffs on import goods and uncertainty about corporate earnings could have a significant negative impact on the U.S. and global financial and credit markets and the overall economy. Such events could have an adverse impact on financial institutions resulting in limited access to capital and credit for many companies. Furthermore, economic uncertainties make it very difficult to accurately forecast and plan future business activities. Changes in economic conditions, changes in financial markets, changes in U.S. trade policies, deterioration in the capital markets or other factors could have an adverse effect on TDS’ business, financial condition, revenues, results of operations and cash flows.
25)
Settlements, judgments, restraints on its current or future manner of doing business and/or legal costs resulting from pending and future litigation could have an adverse effect on TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.
TDS is regularly involved in a number of legal and policy proceedings before the FCC and various state and federal courts. Such legal and policy proceedings can be complex, costly, protracted and highly disruptive to business operations by diverting the attention and energies of management and other key personnel.
The assessment of legal and policy proceedings is a highly subjective process that requires judgments about future events. Additionally, amounts ultimately received or paid upon settlement or resolution of litigation and other contingencies may differ materially from amounts accrued in the financial statements. Depending on a range of factors, these or similar proceedings could impose restraints on TDS’ current or future manner of doing business. Such potential outcomes
16

20)The possible development of adverse precedent in litigation or conclusions in professional studies to the effect that radio frequency emissions from wireless devices and/or cell sites cause harmful health consequences, including cancer or tumors, or may interfere with various electronic medical devices or frequencies used by other industries, could have an adverse effect on TDS’ wireless business, financial condition or results of operations or ability to do business.
26)
The possible development of adverse precedent in litigation or conclusions in professional studies to the effect that radio frequency emissions from wireless devices and/or cell sites cause harmful health consequences, including cancer or tumors, or may interfere with various electronic medical devices such as pacemakers, could have an adverse effect on TDS’ wireless business, financial condition or results of operations.
Media reports and certain professional studies have suggested that certain radio frequency emissions from wireless devices may be linked to various health problems, including cancer or tumors, and may interfere with various electronic medical devices, including hearing aids and pacemakers. There may also be safety concerns related to frequencies used by wireless devices interfering with frequencies used by other industries, including but not limited to, the concerns of the Federal Aviation Administration regarding potential interference of 5G deployment with altimeters used by aircraft, which could impact deployment of certain wireless spectrum. TDS is a party to and may in the future be a party to lawsuits against wireless carriers and other parties claiming damages for alleged health effects, including cancer or tumors, arising from wireless phones or radio frequency transmitters. Concerns over radio frequency emissions may discourage use of wireless devices or expose TDS to potential litigation. In addition, the FCC or other regulatory authorities may adopt regulations in response to concerns about radio frequency emissions. Any resulting decrease in demand for wireless services, costs of litigation and damage awards or regulation could have an adverse effect on TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.
In addition, some studies have indicated that some aspects of using a wireless device while driving may impair a driver's attention in certain circumstances, making accidents more likely. These concerns could lead to potential litigation relating to accidents, deaths or serious bodily injuries, anyinjuries.
21)Claims of infringement of intellectual property and proprietary rights of others, primarily involving patent infringement claims, could prevent TDS from using necessary technology to provide products or services or subject TDS to expensive intellectual property litigation or monetary penalties, which could have an adverse effect on TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.

27)
Claims of infringement of intellectual property and proprietary rights of others, primarily involving patent infringement claims, could prevent TDS from using necessary technology to provide products or services or subject TDS to expensive intellectual property litigation or monetary penalties, which could have an adverse effect on TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.
TDS faces possible effects of industry litigation relating to patents, other intellectual property or otherwise, that may restrict TDS’ access to devices or network equipment critical to providing services to customers. If technology that TDS uses in products or services were determined by a court to infringe a patent or other intellectual property right held by another person, TDS could be precluded from using that technology and could be required to pay significant monetary damages. TDS also may be required to pay significant royalties to such person to continue to use such technology in the future. The successful enforcement of any intellectual property rights, or TDS’ inability to negotiate a license for such rights on acceptable terms, could force TDS to cease using the relevant technology and offering services incorporating the technology. Any litigation to determine the validity of claims that TDS’ products or services infringe or may infringe intellectual property rights of another, regardless of their merit or resolution, could be costly and divert the effort and attention of TDS’ management and technical personnel. Regardless of the merits of any specific claim, TDS cannot give assurance that it would prevail in litigation because of the complex technical issues and inherent uncertainties in intellectual property litigation. Although TDS generally seeks to obtain indemnification agreements from vendors that provide it with technology, there can be no assurance that any claim of infringement will be covered by an indemnity or that TDS will be able to recover all or any of its losses and costs under any available indemnity agreements. Any claims of infringement of intellectual property and proprietary rights of others could prevent TDS from using necessary technology to provide its services or subject TDS to expensive intellectual property litigation or monetary penalties, which couldpenalties.
22)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 or have an adverse effect on TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.
28)
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 or have other consequences.
The TDS Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the TDS bylaws contain provisions which may serve to discourage or make more difficult a change in control of TDS without the support of the TDS Voting Trust and the TDS Board of Directors or without meeting various other conditions.
The TDS Restated Certificate of Incorporation authorizes the issuance of different series of common stock, which have different voting rights. The TDS Series A Common Shares have the power to elect approximately 75% (less one) of the directors and have ten votes per share in matters other than the election of directors. The TDS Common Shares (with one vote per share) vote as a separate group only with respect to the election of 25% (plus one) of the directors. In addition, the total percentagepercentages of voting power in matters other than the election of directors of the Series A Common Shares and Common Shares are fixed, at 56.7% and 43.3%, respectively, subject to adjustment due to changes in the number of outstanding Series A Common Shares.
A substantial majority of the outstanding TDS Series A Common Shares are held in the TDS Voting Trust which expires on June 30, 2035. The TDS Voting Trust was created to facilitate the long-standing relationships among the trustees’ certificate holders. By virtue of the number of shares held by them, the voting trustees have the power to elect eight directors based on the current TDS Board of Directors’ size of twelve directors, and control a majority of the voting power of TDS with respect to matters other than the election of directors.
The existence of the TDS Voting Trust is likely to deter any potential unsolicited or hostile takeover attempts or other efforts to obtain control of TDS and may make it more difficult for shareholders to sell shares of TDS at higher than market prices. The trustees of the TDS Voting Trust have advised TDS that they intend to maintain the ability to keep or dispose of voting control of TDS.
17

The TDS Restated Certificate of Incorporation also authorizes the TDS Board of Directors to designate and issue TDS Undesignated Shares in one or more classes or series of preferred or common stock from time to time. Generally, no further action or authorization by the shareholders is necessary prior to the designation or issuance of the additional TDS Undesignated Shares authorized pursuant to the TDS Restated Certificate of Incorporation unless applicable laws or regulations would require such approval in a given instance. Such TDS Undesignated Shares could be issued in circumstances that would serve to preserve control of TDS’ then existing management.
In addition, the TDS Restated Certificate of Incorporation includes a provision which authorizes the TDS Board of Directors to consider various factors, including effects on customers, taxes, and the long-term and short-term interests of TDS, in the context of a proposal or offer to acquire or merge the corporation, or to sell its assets, and to reject such offer if the TDS Board of Directors determines that the proposal is not in the best interests of the corporation based on such factors.
The provisions of the TDS Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the TDS bylaws and the existence of various classes of capital stock could prevent shareholders from profiting from an increase in the market value of their shares as a result of a change in control of TDS by delaying or preventing such change in control.
The provisions of the TDS Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the existence of different classes of capital stock and voting rights could result in the exclusion of TDS Common Shares from certain major stock indices at some point in the future, unless TDS is grandfathered by such stock indices or qualifies for some other exception.

General Risk Factors
29)
The market price of TDS’ Common Shares is subject to fluctuations due to a variety of factors.
Factors that may affect23)TDS has experienced, and in the future market priceexpects to experience, cyber-attacks or other breaches of network or information technology security of varying degrees on a regular basis, which could have an adverse effect on TDS' business, financial condition or results of operations.
TDS experiences cyber-attacks of varying degrees on a regular basis. These include cyber-attacks intended to wrongfully obtain private and valuable information, or cause other types of malicious events, including denial of service attacks which may cause TDS' services to be disrupted or unavailable to customers. The increasing number of associates working remotely increases risks associated with data handling and vulnerability management. TDS maintains administrative, technical and physical controls, as well as other preventative actions, to reduce the risk of security breaches. Although to date TDS has not discovered a material security breach, these efforts may be insufficient to prevent a material security breach stemming from future cyber-attacks including ransomware. If TDS’ Common Shares include:
General economic conditions, including conditions in the credit and financial markets;
Industry conditions;
Fluctuations in TDS’ quarterly customer additions, churn rate, revenues, results of operations or cash flows;
Variations between TDS’ actual financial and operating results and those expected by analysts and investors; and
Announcements by TDS’ competitors.
Anyor its vendors’ networks and information technology are not adequately adapted to changes in technology or are damaged or fail to function properly, and/or if TDS’ or its vendors’ security is breached or otherwise compromised, TDS could suffer adverse consequences, including theft, destruction or other loss of critical and private data, including customer and/or employee data, interruptions or delays in its operations, inaccurate billings, inaccurate financial reporting, and significant costs to remedy the problems. If TDS’ or its vendors’ systems become unavailable or suffer a security breach of customer or other data, TDS may be required to expend significant resources and take various actions to address the problems, including notification under data privacy laws and regulations, may be subject to fines, sanctions and litigation, and its reputation and operating results could be adversely affected. TDS continues to experience denial of service attacks. Although TDS has implemented and continues to enhance its protection and recovery measures in response to such attacks, these efforts may be insufficient to prevent a material denial of service attack in the future.
24)Disruption in credit or other financial markets, a deterioration of U.S. or global economic conditions or other events could, among other things, impede TDS’ access to or increase the cost of financing its operating and investment activities and/or result in reduced revenues and lower operating income and cash flows, which would have an adverse effect on TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.
Disruptions in the credit and financial markets, declines in consumer confidence, increases in unemployment, declines in economic growth, increased tariffs on import goods, sudden increases in inflation and uncertainty about corporate earnings could have a significant negative impact on the U.S. and global financial and credit markets and the overall economy. Such events could have an adverse impact on financial institutions resulting in limited access to capital and credit for many companies. Furthermore, economic uncertainties make it very difficult to accurately forecast and plan future business activities. Changes in economic conditions, changes in financial markets, changes in U.S. trade policies, deterioration in the capital markets or other factors could adversely affecthave an adverse effect on TDS’ business, financial condition, revenues, results of operations and cash flows.
25)The impact of public health emergencies on TDS' business is uncertain, but depending on duration and severity could have a material adverse effect on TDS' business, financial condition or results of operations.
Public health emergencies pose the future market pricerisk that TDS or its associates, agents, partners and suppliers may be unable to conduct business activities for an extended period of TDS’ Common Shares, time and/or provide the level of service expected. TDS' ability to attract customers, maintain an adequate supply chain and execute on its business strategies and initiatives could be negatively impacted by public health emergencies. Additionally, public health emergencies could cause increased unemployment and an economic downturn, both of which could negatively impact TDS. The extent of the future market priceimpact of TDS’ Common Shares to fluctuate from time to time.public health emergencies on TDS' business, financial condition and results of operations will depend on the severity and duration of the emergency, actions taken by governmental authorities and other possible direct and indirect consequences, all of which are uncertain and cannot be predicted.
30)
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Any of the foregoing events or other events could cause revenues, earnings, capital expenditures and/or any other financial or statistical information to vary from TDS’ forward-looking estimates by a material amount.Table of Contents
From time to time, TDS may disclose forward-looking information, including estimates of future operating revenues; various measures of income before income taxes; and/or capital expenditures. Any such forward-looking information includes consideration of known or anticipated changes to the extent disclosed, but dynamic market conditions and/or other unknown or unanticipated events, including but not limited to the risks discussed above, could cause such estimates to differ materially from the actual amounts.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 2. Properties
TDS has properties located throughout the United States. As of December 31, 2019,2022, TDS’ gross investment in property, plant and equipment was as follows:
chart-0838806f6d75500f8a7.jpgtds-20221231_g3.jpg


U.S. Cellular’sUScellular’s local business offices, cell sites, cell site equipment, connectivity centers, data centers, call centers and retail stores are located primarily in U.S. Cellular’sUScellular’s operating markets. These properties are either owned or leased by U.S. Cellular,UScellular, one of its subsidiaries, or the partnership, limited liability company or corporation which holds the license issued by the FCC.
Wireline owns or leases its physical assets consisting of telephone distribution networks, network electronic equipment, customer premises equipment, land and buildings.
CableTDS Telecom owns or leases its physical assets consisting of cable and telephone distribution networks, headends, network electronic equipment, customer premises equipment, land and buildings.
Parent and Other fixed assets consist of assets, which are either owned or leased, at TDS Corporate, HMS, and Suttle-Straus.


As of December 31, 2019,2022, the gross investment in property, plant and equipment was $8,293$9,334 million at U.S. Cellular, $3,714UScellular, $5,312 million at Wireline, $507 million at Cable,TDS Telecom and $350$325 million at Parent & Other. See Note 109 — Property, Plant and Equipment in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings
TDS is involved or may be involved from time to time in legal proceedings before the FCC, other regulatory authorities, and/or various state and federal courts. If TDS believes that a loss arising from such legal proceedings is probable and can be reasonably estimated, an amount is accrued in the financial statements for the estimated loss. If only a range of loss can be determined, the best estimate within that range is accrued; if none of the estimates within that range is better than another, the low end of the range is accrued. The assessment of the expected outcomes of legal proceedings is a highly subjective process that requires judgments about future events. The legal proceedings are reviewed at least quarterly to determine the adequacy of accruals and related financial statement disclosures. The ultimate outcomes of legal proceedings could differ materially from amounts accrued in the financial statements. See Note 1514 — Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.

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PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Market, holder, dividend
Common Stock Information
TDS' Common Shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “TDS.” As of January 31, 2023, the last trading day of the month, TDS Common Shares were held by 1,599 record owners, and performance graph information is incorporatedthe Series A Common Shares were held by reference from Exhibit 13 to this Form 10-K Annual Report section entitled “Shareholder Information.”64 record owners.
TDS paid quarterly dividends per outstanding share of $0.165$0.180 in 2019, $0.1602022, $0.175 in 20182021 and $0.155$0.170 in 2017.2020. TDS increased the dividend per share to $0.170$0.185 in the first quarter of 2020.2023. TDS has no current plans to change its policy of paying dividends. TDS has paid cash dividends on its common stock since 1974.
Information relatingThe Common Shares of United States Cellular Corporation, an 84%-owned subsidiary of TDS, are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “USM.”
Stock Performance Graph
The following chart provides a comparison of TDS’ cumulative total return to shareholders (stock price appreciation plus dividends) during the previous five years to the returns of the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index and the Dow Jones U.S. Telecommunications Index.
tds-20221231_g4.jpg
Note: Cumulative total return assumes reinvestment of dividends.

 201720182019202020212022
TDS Common Shares (NYSE: TDS)$100 $119.58 $95.69 $72.43 $81.18 $44.43 
S&P 500 Index100 95.62 125.72 148.85 191.58 156.88 
Dow Jones U.S. Telecommunications Index100 93.27 119.28 112.22 102.50 96.60 
The comparison above assumes $100.00 invested at the close of trading on the last trading day of 2017, in TDS Common Shares, S&P 500 Index and the Dow Jones U.S. Telecommunications Index.
20

Dividend Reinvestment Plan
TDS’ dividend reinvestment plans provide its common shareholders with a convenient and economical way to participate in the future growth of TDS. Holders of record of ten (10) or more Common Shares may purchase Common Shares with their reinvested dividends at a five percent discount from market price. Common Shares may also be purchased on a monthly basis through optional cash payments by participants in this plan. 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. 
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities is set forth below.
On August 2, 2013, the Board of Directors of TDS authorized, and TDS announced by Form 8-K, a $250 million stock repurchase program for TDS Common Shares. Depending on market conditions, such shares may be repurchased in compliance with Rule 10b-18 of the Exchange Act, pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act, or pursuant to accelerated share repurchase arrangements, prepaid share repurchases, private transactions or as otherwise authorized. This authorization does not have an expiration date. TDS did not determine to terminate the foregoing Common Share repurchase program, or cease making further purchases thereunder, during the fourth quarter of 2019.2022.
TDS determines whether to repurchase shares from time to time based on many considerations, including cash needed for other known or possible requirements, the stock price, market conditions, debt rating considerations, business forecasts, business plans, macroeconomic conditions, share issuances under compensation plans, provisions in governing and legal documents and other legal requirements, and other facts and circumstances. Subject to these considerations, TDS may approve the repurchase of its shares from time to time when circumstances warrant.
The maximum dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased under this program was $199 million as of December 31, 2019. There were nofollowing table provides certain information with respect to all purchases made by or on behalf of TDS, and noany open market purchases made by any “affiliated purchaser”"affiliated purchaser" (as defined by the SEC) of TDS, of TDS Common Shares during the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2019.of 2022.
PeriodTotal Number of Shares PurchasedAverage Price Paid per ShareTotal Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or ProgramsMaximum Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
October 1 - 31, 2022279,255$14.32 279,255$147,541,711 
November 1 - 30, 2022527,894$12.03 527,894$141,191,278 
December 1 - 31, 2022351,897$10.37 351,897$137,541,726 
Total for or as of the end of the quarter ended December 31, 20221,159,046$12.08 1,159,046$137,541,726 
Item 6. Selected Financial Data[Reserved]
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 13 to this Form 10-K Annual Report section entitled “Selected Consolidated Financial Data.”
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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Incorporated
Index to Management's Discussions and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A)Page No.
22

tds-20221231_g5.jpg
Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis ofFinancial Condition
and Results of Operations
Executive Overview
The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (TDS) for the year ended December 31, 2022, and with the description of TDS’ business included herein. Certain numbers included herein are rounded to millions for ease of presentation; however, certain calculated amounts and percentages are determined using the unrounded numbers.
This report contains statements that are not based on historical facts, including the words “believes,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “projects” and similar expressions. These statements constitute and represent “forward looking statements” as this term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, events or developments to be significantly different from any future results, events or developments expressed or implied by reference from Exhibit 13such forward looking statements. See Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 Safe Harbor Cautionary Statement for additional information.
TDS uses certain “non-GAAP financial measures” and each such measure is identified in the MD&A. A discussion of the reason TDS determines these metrics to be useful and reconciliations of these measures to their most directly comparable measures determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) are included in the Supplemental Information Relating to Non-GAAP Financial Measures section within the MD&A of this Form 10-K Annual Report section entitled “Management’sReport.

The following MD&A omits discussion of 2021 compared to 2020. Refer to Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”Operations in TDS' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the SEC on February 17, 2022, for that discussion.

General
TDS is a diversified telecommunications company that provides high-quality communications services to approximately 6 million connections nationwide. TDS provides wireless services through its 84%-owned subsidiary, United States Cellular Corporation (UScellular). TDS also provides broadband, video and voice services through its wholly-owned subsidiary, TDS Telecommunications LLC (TDS Telecom). TDS operates entirely in the United States. See Note 19 — Business Segment Information in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information about TDS' segments.

2022 Operating Revenues by Segment
tds-20221231_g6.jpg

23

TDS Mission and Strategy
TDS’ mission is to provide outstanding communications services to its customers and meet the needs of its shareholders, its people, and its communities. In pursuing this mission, TDS seeks to grow its businesses, create opportunities for its associates, support the communities it serves, and build value over the long term for its shareholders. Across all of its businesses, TDS is focused on providing exceptional customer experiences through best-in-class services and products and superior customer service. Since its founding, TDS has been committed to bringing high-quality communications services to rural and underserved communities. TDS continues to make progress on developing and enhancing its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) program, including the publication of the most recent TDS ESG Report in September 2022.
TDS’ long-term strategy calls for the majority of its operating capital to be reinvested in its businesses to strengthen their competitive positions and financial performance, while also returning value to TDS shareholders primarily through the payment of a regular quarterly cash dividend.
TDS plans to build shareholder value by continuing to execute on its strategies to build strong, competitive businesses providing high-quality, data-focused services and products.
During 2022, TDS paid regular quarterly cash dividends to common and preferred shareholders of $82 million and $69 million, respectively. TDS increased the dividend per Common Share paid to its investors by 3% in 2022 and in February 2023, TDS increased its quarterly dividend per Common Share another 3%, which marks the 49th consecutive year of dividend increases. During 2022, TDS repurchased 2,754,339 Common Shares for $40 million at an average cost per share of $14.46. As of December 31, 2022, the maximum dollar value of TDS Common Shares that may yet be purchased under TDS' program was $138 million. There is no assurance that TDS will continue to increase the dividend rate or pay dividends and no assurance that TDS will make any significant amount of share repurchases in the future.
tds-20221231_g7.jpg
24

Terms Used by TDS
The following is a list of definitions of certain industry terms that are used throughout this document:
4G LTE – fourth generation Long-Term Evolution, which is a wireless technology that enables more network capacity for more data per user as well as faster access to data compared to third generation (3G) technology.
5G – fifth generation wireless technology that helps address customers’ growing demand for data services and creates opportunities for new services requiring high speed and reliability as well as low latency.
Account – represents an individual or business financially responsible for one or multiple associated connections. An account may include a variety of types of connections such as handsets and connected devices.
Alternative Connect America Cost Model (A-CAM) – a USF support mechanism for certain carriers, which provides revenue support through 2028. This support comes with an obligation to build defined broadband speeds to a certain number of locations.
Auctions 105, 107, 108 and 110 – Auction 105 was an FCC auction of 3.5 GHz wireless spectrum licenses that started in July 2020 and concluded in September 2020. Auction 107 was an FCC auction of 3.7-3.98 GHz wireless spectrum licenses that started in December 2020 and concluded in February 2021. Auction 110 was an FCC auction of 3.45-3.55 GHz wireless spectrum licenses that started in October 2021 and concluded in January 2022. Auction 108 is an FCC auction of 2.5 GHz wireless spectrum licenses that started in July 2022 and concluded in August 2022.
Broadband Connections – refers to the individual customers provided internet access through various transmission technologies, including fiber, coaxial and copper.
Broadband Penetration – metric which is calculated by dividing total broadband connections by total service addresses.
Churn Rate – represents the percentage of the connections that disconnect service each month. These rates represent the average monthly churn rate for each respective period.
Connected Devices – non-handset devices that connect directly to the UScellular network. Connected devices include products such as tablets, wearables, modems, and hotspots.
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act – economic relief package signed into law on March 27, 2020 to address the public health and economic impacts of COVID-19, including a variety of tax provisions.
DOCSIS – Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification is an international telecommunications standard that permits the addition of high-bandwidth data transfer to an existing cable TV (CATV) system. DOCSIS 3.1 is a system specification that increases data transmission rates.
EBITDA – refers to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and accretion and is used in the non-GAAP metric Adjusted EBITDA throughout this document. See Supplemental Information Relating to Non-GAAP Financial Measures within this MD&A for additional information.
Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) – designation by states for providing specified services in “high cost” areas which enables participation in universal service support mechanisms.
Expansion Markets – markets utilizing fiber networks in areas where TDS does not serve as the incumbent service provider.
Free Cash Flow – non-GAAP metric defined as Cash flows from operating activities less Cash paid for additions to property, plant and equipment and less Cash paid for software license agreements. See Supplemental Information Relating to Non-GAAP Financial Measures within this MD&A for additional information.
Gross Additions – represents the total number of new connections added during the period, without regard to connections that were terminated during that period.
Incumbent Markets – markets where TDS is positioned as the traditional local telephone or cable company.
IPTV – internet protocol television.
Net Additions (Losses) – represents the total number of new connections added during the period, net of connections that were terminated during that period.
OIBDA – refers to operating income before depreciation, amortization and accretion and is used in the non-GAAP metric Adjusted OIBDA throughout this document. See Supplemental Information Relating to Non-GAAP Financial Measures within this MD&A for additional information.
Postpaid Average Revenue per Account (Postpaid ARPA) – metric which is calculated by dividing total postpaid service revenues by the average number of postpaid accounts and by the number of months in the period.
Postpaid Average Revenue per User (Postpaid ARPU) – metric which is calculated by dividing total postpaid service revenues by the average number of postpaid connections and by the number of months in the period.
Residential Revenue per Connection – metric which is calculated by dividing total residential revenue by the average number of residential connections and by the number of months in the period.
Retail Connections – individual lines of service associated with each device activated by a postpaid or prepaid customer. Connections are associated with all types of devices that connect directly to the UScellular network.
Service Addresses – number of single residence homes, multi-dwelling units, and business locations that are capable of being connected to the TDS network, based on best available information.
Universal Service Fund (USF) – a system of telecommunications collected fees and support payments managed by the FCC intended to promote universal access to telecommunications services in the United States.
Video Connections – represents the individual customers provided video services.
Voice Connections – refers to the individual circuits connecting a customer to TDS’ central office facilities that provide voice services or the billable number of lines into a building for voice services. 
VoLTE – Voice over Long-Term Evolution is a technology specification that defines the standards and procedures for delivering voice communications and related services over 4G LTE networks.
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Results of Operations — TDS Consolidated
Year Ended December 31,202220212022 vs. 2021
(Dollars in millions)
Operating revenues   
UScellular$4,169 $4,122 %
TDS Telecom1,020 1,006 %
All other1
224 201 11 %
Total operating revenues5,413 5,329 %
Operating expenses   
UScellular4,100 3,952 %
TDS Telecom954 896 %
All other1
237 220 %
Total operating expenses5,291 5,068 %
Operating income (loss)
   
UScellular69 170 (59)%
TDS Telecom66 110 (40)%
All other1
(13)(19)27 %
Total operating income122 261 (53)%
Investment and other income (expense)   
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities159 182 (12)%
Interest and dividend income17 11 45 %
Interest expense(174)(232)25 %
Other, net1 (1)N/M
Total investment and other income3 (40)N/M
Income before income taxes125 221 (44)%
Income tax expense53 33 59 %
Net income72 188 (62)%
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax10 32 (69)%
Net income attributable to TDS shareholders62 156 (61)%
TDS Preferred Share dividends69 39 79 %
Net income (loss) attributable to TDS common shareholders$(7)$117 N/M
Adjusted OIBDA (Non-GAAP)2
$1,080 $1,180 (8)%
Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP)2
$1,257 $1,372 (8)%
Capital expenditures3
$1,285 $1,201 %
N/M - Percentage change not meaningful
1    Consists of corporate and other operations and intercompany eliminations.
2    Refer to Supplemental Information Relating to Non-GAAP Financial Measures within this MD&A for a reconciliation of this measure.
3    Refer to Liquidity and Capital Resources within this MD&A for additional information on Capital expenditures.
Refer to individual segment discussions in this MD&A for additional details on operating revenues and expenses at the segment level.
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Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities represents TDS’ share of net income from entities in which it has a noncontrolling interest and that are accounted for using the equity method or the net asset value practical expedient. TDS’ investment in the Los Angeles SMSA Limited Partnership (LA Partnership) contributed pre-tax income of $65 million and $82 million for 2022 and 2021, respectively. See Note 8 — Investments in Unconsolidated Entities in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Interest expense
Interest expense decreased in 2022 due primarily to $57 million of unamortized debt issuance costs written off during 2021 related to the redemption of Senior Notes. This was partially offset by an increase in interest expense due to additional borrowings and interest rate increases.
Income tax expense
Income tax expense increased in 2022 due primarily to the 2021 reduction of tax accruals resulting from expiration of state statutes of limitations of prior tax years, which did not recur in 2022. This was partially offset by the tax effect of the decrease in Income before income taxes.
In early 2022, TDS received a federal income tax refund of $125 million related to the 2020 net operating loss carryback enabled by the CARES Act.
See Note 5 — Income Taxes in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax
Year Ended December 31,20222021
(Dollars in millions)  
UScellular noncontrolling public shareholders’$6 $28 
Noncontrolling shareholders’ or partners’4 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax$10 $32 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax includes the noncontrolling public shareholders’ share of UScellular’s net income, the noncontrolling shareholders’ or partners’ share of certain UScellular subsidiaries’ net income and other TDS noncontrolling interests.
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Earnings
(Dollars in millions)
tds-20221231_g8.jpg







Net income decreased in 2022 due primarily to higher operating and income tax expenses, partially offset by higher operating revenues and lower interest expense. Adjusted EBITDA decreased in 2022 due primarily to higher operating expenses, partially offset by higher operating revenues.
*Represents a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to Supplemental Information Relating to Non-GAAP Financial Measures within this MD&A for a reconciliation of this measure.
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tds-20221231_g9.jpg
UScellular OPERATIONS
Business Overview
UScellular owns, operates, and invests in wireless markets throughout the United States. UScellular is an 84%-owned subsidiary of TDS. UScellular’s strategy is to attract and retain customers by providing a high-quality network, outstanding customer service, and competitive devices, plans and pricing - all provided with a community focus.
OPERATIONS
tds-20221231_g10.jpg


Serves customers with 4.7 million retail connections including 4.2 million postpaid and 0.5 million prepaid connections
Operates in 21 states
Employs approximately 4,900 associates
4,336 owned towers
6,945 cell sites in service
29

UScellular Mission and Strategy
UScellular’s mission is to connect its customers to what matters most to them. This includes providing exceptional wireless communication services which enhance consumers’ lives, increase the competitiveness of local businesses, and improve the efficiency of government operations in the markets UScellular serves.
UScellular’s strategy is to attract and retain customers by providing a high-quality network, outstanding customer service, and competitive devices, plans and pricing - all provided with a community focus. Strategic efforts include:
UScellular offers economical and competitively priced service plans and devices to its customers and is focused on increasing revenues from sales of related products such as device protection plans and from new services such as fixed wireless home internet. In addition, UScellular is focused on increasing revenues from prepaid plans, tower rent revenues and expanding its solutions available to business and government customers.
UScellular continues to enhance its network capabilities, including by deploying 5G technology. 5G technology helps address customers’ growing demand for data services and creates opportunities for new services requiring high speed and reliability as well as low latency. UScellular's 5G deployment is initially focused on mobility services using its low band spectrum. UScellular has acquired high-band and mid-band spectrum, deployed high-band spectrum on a limited basis, and will further deploy high-band and mid-band in the future to further enable the delivery of 5G services. UScellular has launched 5G services in portions of substantially all of its markets and will continue to expand to additional areas in the coming years.
UScellular assesses its existing wireless interests on an ongoing basis with a goal of improving the competitiveness of its operations and maximizing its long-term return on capital. As part of this strategy, UScellular actively seeks attractive opportunities to acquire wireless spectrum, including pursuant to FCC auctions.
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Operational Overview — UScellular
tds-20221231_g11.jpg



As of December 31,20222021
Retail Connections – End of Period
Postpaid4,247,0004,380,000
Prepaid493,000513,000
Total4,740,0004,893,000

Year Ended December 31,202220212022 vs. 2021
Postpaid Activity and Churn
Gross Additions
Handsets397,000434,000(9)%
Connected Devices162,000159,000%
Total Gross Additions559,000593,000(6)%
Net Additions (Losses)
Handsets(110,000)(11,000)N/M
Connected Devices(23,000)(21,000)(10)%
Total Net Additions (Losses)(133,000)(32,000)N/M
Churn
Handsets1.12 %0.96 %
Connected Devices2.95 %2.72 %
Total Churn1.34 %1.18 %
N/M - Percentage change not meaningful
Total postpaid handset net losses increased in 2022 due to lower gross additions and higher defections resulting from aggressive industry-wide competition and an increase in non-pay customers.
Total postpaid connected device net losses in 2022 were largely in-line with prior year, as lower demand for connected watches and tablets were offset by an increase in home internet net additions.
Postpaid Revenue
Year Ended December 31,202220212022 vs. 2021
Average Revenue Per User (ARPU)$50.14 $48.03 4%
Average Revenue Per Account (ARPA)$130.39 $125.92 4%
Postpaid ARPU and Postpaid ARPA increased in 2022, due primarily to (i) favorable plan and product offering mix, (ii) an increase in cost recovery surcharges and (iii) an increase in device protection plan revenues. These increases were partially offset by an increase in promotional discounts. The higher ARPU plan mix in 2022 relative to 2021 was partially driven by device promotions that included requirements for customers to adopt higher rate plans that offer enhanced services and features. UScellular expects the future growth rate of Postpaid ARPU and Postpaid ARPA to decline relative to the growth rate experienced in 2022 due to the impact of pricing and promotions in the continued highly competitive wireless services environment.
2021 Postpaid ARPU and ARPA amounts exclude $9 million of postpaid revenue related to an out-of-period error recorded in the third quarter of 2021. See Note 2 — Revenue Recognition in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
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Financial Overview — UScellular
Year Ended December 31,
202220212022 vs. 2021
(Dollars in millions)   
Retail service1
$2,793 $2,757 %
Inbound roaming67 110 (39)%
Other1
265 248 %
Service revenues3,125 3,115 
Equipment sales1,044 1,007 %
Total operating revenues4,169 4,122 %
System operations (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below)755 790 (4)%
Cost of equipment sold1,216 1,118 %
Selling, general and administrative1,408 1,345 %
Depreciation, amortization and accretion700 678 %
Loss on impairment of licenses3 — N/M
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net19 23 (18)%
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net(1)(2)52 %
Total operating expenses4,100 3,952 %
Operating income$69 $170 (59)%
Net income$35 $160 (78)%
Adjusted OIBDA (Non-GAAP)2
$790 $869 (9)%
Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP)2
$956 $1,054 (9)%
Capital expenditures3
$717 $780 (8)%
N/M - Percentage change not meaningful
1    For 2021, amounts have been adjusted to reclassify $8 million of Internet of Things (IoT) and Reseller revenues from Retail service to Other service.
2    Refer to Supplemental Information Relating to Non-GAAP Financial Measures within this MD&A for a reconciliation of this measure.
3    Refer to Liquidity and Capital Resources within this MD&A for additional information on Capital expenditures.
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Operating Revenues
(Dollars in millions)
tds-20221231_g12.jpg


Service revenues consist of: 
Retail Service – Postpaid and prepaid charges for voice, data and value-added services and cost recovery surcharges
Inbound Roaming – Consideration from other wireless carriers whose customers use UScellular’s wireless systems when roaming
Other Service – Amounts received from the Federal USF, tower rental revenues, miscellaneous other service revenues and Internet of Things (IoT)
Equipment revenues consist of:
Sales of wireless devices and related accessories to new and existing customers, agents, and third-party distributors
Key components of changes in the statement of operations line items were as follows:
Total operating revenues
Retail service revenues increased in 2022 primarily as a result of an increase in Postpaid ARPU, partially offset by a decrease in average postpaid connections, as well as a $9 million out-of-period error that increased revenue recognized in 2021. See Note 2 - Revenue Recognition in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Inbound roaming revenues decreased in 2022, primarily driven by lower data revenues resulting from lower rates and lower usage. UScellular expects inbound roaming revenue to continue to decline during 2023 relative to prior year levels.
Other service revenues increased in 2022, resulting from increases in tower rental revenues, miscellaneous revenues, and IoT revenues.
Equipment sales revenues increased in 2022, due primarily to increased customer upgrades driven by more promotional activity, combined with a higher average price of new smartphone sales.
In recent periods, wireless service providers have increased promotional aggressiveness to attract new customers and retain existing customers. This has included both traditional carriers and cable companies operating through mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs). This increased aggressiveness has contributed to the loss of 133,000 postpaid connections in 2022. It has also led to increased promotional spending, which negatively impacts both Equipment revenues and Retail service revenues. UScellular expects promotional aggressiveness by its competitors to continue during 2023. Operating revenues and Operating income may be negatively impacted by the competitive need to continue to offer significant promotional discounts and lower priced plan offerings to new and existing customers.
System operations expenses
System operations expenses decreased in 2022, due primarily to decreases in roaming and customer usage expenses, partially offset by an increase in maintenance, utility, and cell site expenses. The decrease in roaming expense was driven by a decrease in roaming rates partially offset by an increase in usage.
Cost of equipment sold
Cost of equipment sold increased in 2022, due primarily to increased customer upgrades driven by more promotional activity, combined with higher average cost per unit sold.
33

Selling, general and administrative expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased in 2022, due primarily to increases in bad debts expense partially offset by a decrease in advertising expense.
Bad debts expense increased $76 million in 2022 as customer payment behavior and the corresponding rate of involuntary churn returned to pre-COVID-19 pandemic trends in 2022. Involuntary churn had been favorable in the prior year due to the impacts of the pandemic which included government stimulus payments and higher consumer savings rates. In addition, customers have purchased higher priced devices in recent periods, which has resulted in higher write-off amounts per uncollectible account in 2022 relative to 2021.
34

tds-20221231_g13.jpg
TDS TELECOM OPERATIONS
Business Overview
TDS Telecom owns, operates and invests in communications services in a mix of rural and suburban communities throughout the United States. TDS Telecom is a wholly-owned subsidiary of TDS and provides a wide range of broadband, video and voice communications services to residential, commercial and wholesale customers. TDS Telecom's strategic goal is to be the preferred broadband provider in the markets it serves. TDS Telecom invests in high-quality networks, services and products, with the constant focus on delivering a best-in-class customer experience.
OPERATIONS
tds-20221231_g14.jpg
Serves 1.2 million connections in 32 states.
Employs approximately 3,400 associates.
35

TDS Telecom Mission and Strategy
TDS Telecom's mission is to create a better world by providing high-quality communications services to connect people and businesses, support education, and strengthen communities.
TDS Telecom's strategic efforts include:
TDS Telecom strives to be the preferred broadband provider in its markets with the ability to provide value-added bundling with video and voice service options. TDS Telecom focuses on driving growth by investing in fiber deployment in its expansion markets and in its incumbent markets that have historically utilized copper and coaxial cable technologies.
TDS Telecom seeks to grow its operations and expand its total footprint by creating new clusters of markets in attractive, growing locations and may seek to acquire businesses that support and complement its existing markets.
36

Operational Overview — TDS Telecom
Total Service Address Mix
As of December 31,
tds-20221231_g15.jpg
*2021 Fiber addresses in cable markets are included in Coaxial.





TDS Telecom increased its service addresses 9% from a year ago to 1.5 million as of December 31, 2022, through network expansion.
TDS Telecom offers 1Gig service to 66% of its total footprint as of December 31, 2022, compared to 58% a year ago.
In 2022, TDS Telecom began measuring fiber service addresses in its cable markets. Including cable, 39% of service addresses are served by fiber.
As of December 31,202220212022 vs. 2021
Residential connections   
Broadband   
Wireline, Incumbent249,100250,200
Wireline, Expansion56,10036,90052 %
Cable204,800203,200%
Total Broadband510,000490,300%
Video135,300141,500(4)%
Voice291,600303,700(4)%
Total Residential Connections936,900935,600
Commercial connections236,000264,300(11)%
Total connections1,173,0001,199,900(2)%
Numbers may not foot due to rounding.
Total connections decreased due to legacy voice, video, and competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC) connections declines, partially offset by broadband connection growth.
A majority of TDS Telecom's residential customers take advantage of bundling options as 60% of customers subscribe to more than one service.
37


Residential Broadband Connections by Speed
As of December 31,
tds-20221231_g16.jpg

Residential broadband customers continue to choose higher speeds with 72% taking speeds of 100 Mbps or greater and 11% choosing 1Gig.

Residential Revenue per Connection
For the year ended December 31,
tds-20221231_g17.jpg





Total residential revenue per connection increased 3% for 2022, due to a higher concentration of broadband connections as well as an increase in broadband speeds and price increases, partially offset by increased promotional activity.
38

Financial Overview — TDS Telecom
Year Ended December 31,202220212022 vs. 2021
(Dollars in millions)   
Residential   
Wireline, Incumbent$350 $345 %
Wireline, Expansion49 34 46 %
Cable270 263 %
Total residential669 641 %
Commercial173 183 (5)%
Wholesale177 181 (2)%
Total service revenues1,019 1,005 %
Equipment revenues1 (5)%
Total operating revenues1,020 1,006 %
Cost of services (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below)418 404 %
Cost of equipment and products1 (2)%
Selling, general and administrative313 291 %
Depreciation, amortization and accretion215 198 %
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net7 N/M
Total operating expenses954 896 %
Operating income$66 $110 (40)%
Net income$53 $90 (41)%
Adjusted OIBDA (Non-GAAP)1
$288 $310 (7)%
Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP)1
$291 $310 (6)%
Capital expenditures2
$556 $411 35 %
Numbers may not foot due to rounding.
N/M - Percentage change not meaningful.
1    Refer to Supplemental Information Relating to Non-GAAP Financial Measures within this MD&A for a reconciliation of this measure.
2    Refer to Liquidity and Capital Resources within this MD&A for additional information on Capital expenditures.
39

Operating Revenues
(Dollars in millions)
tds-20221231_g18.jpg



Residential revenues consist of:
Broadband services, including security and support services
Video services, including IPTV, traditional cable programming and satellite offerings
Voice services
Commercial revenues consist of:
High-speed and dedicated business internet services
Video services
Voice services
Wholesale revenues consist of:
Network access services primarily to interexchange and wireless carriers for carrying data and voice traffic on TDS Telecom's networks
Federal and state regulatory support, including A-CAM
Key components of changes in the statement of operations items were as follows:
Total operating revenues
Residential revenues increased for 2022 due primarily to price increases and growth in broadband connections, partially offset by a decline in voice and video connections and federal universal service charges.

Commercial revenues decreased for 2022 due primarily to declining connections in CLEC markets, partially offset by an increase in broadband connections.

Cost of services
Cost of services increased for 2022 due primarily to higher employee-related expenses, video programming costs and vehicle maintenance and fuel costs.

Selling, general and administrative
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased for 2022 due primarily to increases to support current and future growth, including employee-related expenses and advertising and marketing expenses, partially offset by decreases to federal universal service charges.

Depreciation, amortization and accretion
Depreciation, amortization and accretion increased for 2022 due primarily to increased capital expenditures on new fiber assets and customer-related equipment.
40

Liquidity and Capital Resources
Sources of Liquidity
TDS and its subsidiaries operate capital-intensive businesses. In the past, TDS’ existing cash and investment balances, funds available under its financing agreements, preferred share offerings, and cash flows from operating and certain investing and financing activities, including sales of assets or businesses, provided sufficient liquidity and financial flexibility for TDS to meet its normal day-to-day operating needs and debt service requirements, to finance the build-out and enhancement of markets and to fund acquisitions. There is no assurance that this will be the case in the future. See Market Risk for additional information regarding maturities of long-term debt.
TDS has incurred negative free cash flow at times in the past and this could occur in the future. However, TDS believes that existing cash and investment balances, funds available under its financing agreements, expected future tax refunds and expected cash flows from operating and investing activities will provide sufficient liquidity for TDS to meet its normal day-to-day operating needs and debt service requirements for the next several years. TDS will continue to monitor the rapidly changing business and market conditions and plans to take appropriate actions, as necessary, to meet its liquidity needs.
TDS may require substantial additional capital for, among other uses, funding day-to-day operating needs including working capital, acquisitions of providers of telecommunications services, wireless spectrum license acquisitions, capital expenditures, agreements to purchase goods or services, leases, debt service requirements, repurchases of shares, payment of dividends, or making additional investments, including new technologies and fiber deployments. It may be necessary from time to time to increase the size of the existing credit facilities, to amend existing or put in place new credit agreements, or to obtain other forms of financing in order to fund potential expenditures.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash and money market investments. The primary objective of TDS’ Cash and cash equivalents investment activities is to preserve principal. TDS does not have direct access to UScellular cash.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
(Dollars in millions)
tds-20221231_g19.jpg




The majority of TDS’ Cash and cash equivalents are held in bank deposit accounts and in money market funds that purchase only debt issued by the U.S. Treasury or U.S. government agencies. Refer to the Consolidated Cash Flow Analysis for additional information related to changes in Cash and cash equivalents.

41

In addition to Cash and cash equivalents, TDS and UScellular had undrawn borrowing capacity from the following debt facilities at December 31, 2022. See the Financing section below for further details.
TDSUScellular
(Dollars in millions)
Revolving Credit Agreement$399 $300 
Export Credit Financing Agreement100 — 
Receivables Securitization Agreement— 175 
Repurchase Agreement— 140 
Total undrawn borrowing capacity$499 $615 
Financing
Revolving Credit Agreements
TDS and UScellular have unsecured revolving credit agreements with maximum borrowing capacities of $400 million and $300 million, respectively. Amounts under the revolving credit agreements may be borrowed, repaid and reborrowed from time to time until maturity in July 2026. During 2022, UScellular borrowed and repaid $75 million under its revolving credit agreement. As of December 31, 2022, there were no outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit agreements, except for letters of credit, and TDS' and UScellular’s unused borrowing capacity was $399 million and $300 million, respectively.
Term Loan Agreements
TDS and UScellular have term loan agreements with maximum borrowing capacities of $500 million and $800 million, respectively. The maturity dates for the term loan agreements range from July 2026 to July 2031. During 2022, TDS borrowed an incremental $300 million under its term loan credit agreements and UScellular borrowed an incremental $500 million under its term loan credit agreements. As of December 31, 2022, TDS and UScellular have borrowed the full amounts available under the agreements and the outstanding borrowings were $497 million and $796 million, respectively.
Export Credit Financing Agreements
In November 2022, TDS entered into a $150 million term loan credit facility with Export Development Canada to finance (or refinance) imported equipment, including equipment purchased prior to entering the term loan credit facility agreement. The agreement may be drawn in one or more advances by the five-month anniversary of the date of the agreement which is April 9, 2023; amounts not drawn by that time will cease to be available. The maturity date of the agreement is the five-year anniversary of the first borrowing, which is in December 2027. During 2022, TDS borrowed $50 million under the agreement. As of December 31, 2022, the outstanding borrowings under the agreement were $50 million and the unused borrowing capacity was $100 million.
TDS borrowed $50 million under its export credit financing agreement in both January and February 2023.
In December 2021, UScellular entered into a $150 million term loan credit facility with Export Development Canada to finance (or refinance) imported equipment, including equipment purchased prior to entering the term loan credit facility agreement. During 2022, UScellular borrowed $150 million, which is the full amount available under the agreement and is due in January 2027.
Receivables Securitization Agreement
UScellular, through its subsidiaries, has a receivables securitization agreement to permit securitized borrowings using its equipment installment plan receivables. In March 2022, UScellular amended the agreement to extend the maturity date to March 2024. Amounts under the agreement may be borrowed, repaid and reborrowed from time to time until the maturity date. During 2022, UScellular repaid $250 million and borrowed $75 million under the agreement. As of December 31, 2022, the outstanding borrowings under the agreement were $275 million and the unused borrowing capacity was $175 million, subject to sufficient collateral to satisfy the asset borrowing base provisions of the agreement.
In February 2023, UScellular borrowed $25 million under the receivables securitization agreement.
Repurchase Agreement
In January 2022, UScellular, through a subsidiary (the repo subsidiary), entered into a repurchase agreement to borrow up to $200 million, subject to the availability of eligible equipment installment plan receivables and the agreement of the lender. The transaction is accounted for as a one-month secured borrowing. During 2022, the repo subsidiary borrowed $110 million and repaid $50 million under the repurchase agreement. As of December 31, 2022, the outstanding borrowings under the agreement were $60 million and the unused borrowing capacity was $140 million.
In January 2023, UScellular amended the repurchase agreement to extend the expiration date to January 2024. The outstanding borrowings will bear interest at a rate of the lender's cost of funds (which has historically tracked closely to SOFR) plus 1.35%. There were no significant changes to other terms of the repurchase agreement.
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FinancialCovenants
The TDS and UScellular revolving credit agreements, term loan agreements, export credit financing agreements and the UScellular receivables securitization agreement require TDS or UScellular, as applicable, to comply with certain affirmative and negative covenants, which include certain financial covenants. In particular, under these agreements, TDS and UScellular are required to maintain the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio at a level not lower than 3.00 to 1.00 as of the end of any fiscal quarter. TDS and UScellular also are required to maintain the Consolidated Leverage Ratio at a level not to exceed 3.75 to 1.00 as of the end of any fiscal quarter. TDS and UScellular believe they were in compliance as of December 31, 2022 with all such financial covenants. 
OtherLong-TermFinancing
TDS and UScellular each have an effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 to issue senior or subordinated debt securities, preferred shares and depositary shares. The proceeds from any such issuances may be used for general corporate purposes, including the possible reduction of other short-term or long-term debt; spectrum purchases; capital expenditures; acquisition, construction and development programs; working capital; additional investments in subsidiaries; or the repurchase of shares. The TDS shelf registration permits TDS to issue at any time and from time to time senior or subordinated debt securities, preferred shares and depositary shares in one or more offerings in an indeterminate amount. The UScellular shelf registration statement permits UScellular to issue at any time and from time to time senior or subordinated debt securities, preferred shares and depositary shares in one or more offerings, up to the amount registered, which is currently $1 billion. The ability of TDS or UScellular to complete an offering pursuant to such shelf registration statements is subject to market conditions and other factors at the time.
TDS believes that it and/or its subsidiaries were in compliance as of December 31, 2022, with all covenants and other requirements set forth in the TDS and UScellular long-term debt indentures. TDS and UScellular have not failed to make nor do they expect to fail to make any scheduled payment of principal or interest under such indentures.
Refer to Market Risk — Long-Term Debt for additional information regarding required principal payments and the weighted average interest rates related to TDS’ Long-term debt.
TDS and UScellular, at their discretion, may from time to time seek to retire or purchase their outstanding debt through cash purchases and/or exchanges for other securities, in open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, tender offers, exchange offers or otherwise. Such repurchases or exchanges, if any, will depend on prevailing market conditions, liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors. The amounts involved may be material.
See Note 12 — Debt in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the revolving credit agreements, senior term loan agreements, export credit financing agreements, UScellular's receivables securitization agreement, UScellular's Senior Notes and other long-term financing.
Credit Ratings
In certain circumstances, TDS’ and UScellular’s interest cost on their various agreements may be subject to increase if their current credit ratings from nationally recognized credit rating agencies are lowered, and may be subject to decrease if the ratings are raised. The agreements do not cease to be available nor do the maturity dates accelerate solely as a result of a downgrade in TDS’ or UScellular’s credit rating. However, downgrades in TDS’ or UScellular’s credit rating could adversely affect their ability to renew the agreements or obtain access to other credit agreements in the future.
TDS and UScellular are rated as sub-investment grade issuers. The TDS and UScellular issuer credit ratings as of December 31, 2022, and the dates such ratings were re-affirmed were as follows:
Rating AgencyRatingOutlook
Moody's (re-affirmed October 2022)Ba1stable outlook
Standard & Poor's (re-affirmed October 2022)BBstable outlook
Fitch Ratings (re-affirmed February 2022)BB+stable outlook
Capital Requirements
The discussion below is intended to highlight some of the significant cash outlays expected during 2023 and beyond and to highlight the spending incurred in current and prior years for these items. This discussion does not include cash required to fund normal operations, and is not a comprehensive list of capital requirements. Significant cash requirements that are not routine or in the normal course of business could arise from time to time.
CapitalExpenditures
TDS makes substantial investments to acquire, construct and upgrade telecommunications networks and facilities to remain competitive and as a basis for creating long-term value for shareholders. In recent years, rapid changes in technology and new opportunities (such as 5G and VoLTE technology for UScellular and fiber for TDS Telecom) have required substantial investments in potentially revenue-enhancing and cost-saving upgrades to TDS’ networks to remain competitive; this is expected to continue in 2023 and future years with the continued deployment of 5G technology for UScellular, and the continued deployment of fiber for TDS Telecom.
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Capital expenditures (i.e., additions to property, plant and equipment and system development expenditures; excludes wireless spectrum license additions), which include the effects of accruals and capitalized interest, in 2022 and 2021, were as follows:

Capital Expenditures
(Dollars in millions)
tds-20221231_g20.jpg



UScellular’s capital expenditures in 2022 were $717 million compared to $780 million in 2021. In 2022, UScellular's capital expenditures were used for the following purposes:

Continue network modernization and 5G deployment;
Enhance and maintain UScellular's network coverage, including providing additional speed and capacity to accommodate increased data usage by current customers; and
Invest in information technology to support existing and new services and products.

Capital expenditures for 2023 are expected to be between $600 million and $700 million. These expenditures are expected to be used for similar purposes as those listed above.
TDS Telecom’s capital expenditures in 2022 were $556 million compared to $411 million in 2021. In 2022, these capital expenditures were used for the following purposes:
Continue to expand fiber deployment in incumbent and expansion markets;
Maintain and enhance existing infrastructure including build-out requirements to meet state broadband and A-CAM programs;
Upgrade broadband capacity and speeds; and
Support success-based spending for broadband growth.

Capital expenditures for 2023 are expected to be between $500 million and $550 million. These expenditures are expected to be used for similar purposes as those listed above.
Macroeconomic factors may impact the acquisition or cost of products and materials as well as contribute to internal and external labor shortages.
TDS intends to finance its capital expenditures for 2023 using primarily Cash flows from operating activities, existing cash balances and, as required, additional debt financing from its existing agreements and/or other forms of financing. 
Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges
TDS may be engaged from time to time in negotiations (subject to all applicable regulations) relating to the acquisition, divestiture or exchange of companies, properties, wireless spectrum licenses (including pursuant to FCC auctions) and other possible businesses. In general, TDS may not disclose such transactions until there is a definitive agreement.
Other Obligations
TDS will require capital for future spending on existing contractual obligations, including long-term debt obligations; dividend obligations; lease commitments; commitments for device purchases, network facilities and transport services; agreements for software licensing; long-term marketing programs; commitments for wireless spectrum licenses acquired through FCC auctions; and other agreements to purchase goods or services.
Variable Interest Entities
TDS consolidates certain “variable interest entities” as defined under GAAP. See Note 15 — Variable Interest Entities in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to these variable interest entities. TDS may elect to make additional capital contributions and/or advances to these variable interest entities in future periods in order to fund their operations. 
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CommonShare Repurchase Programs
During 2022, TDS repurchased 2,754,339 Common Shares for $40 million at an average cost per share of $14.46. As of December 31, 2022, the maximum dollar value of TDS Common Shares that may yet be purchased under TDS' program was $138 million.
During 2022, UScellular repurchased 1,589,784 Common Shares for $43 million at an average cost per share of $26.78. At December 31, 2022, the total cumulative amount of UScellular Common Shares authorized to be repurchased is 1,927,000.
Depending on its future financial performance, construction, development and acquisition programs, and available sources of financing, TDS and UScellular may not have sufficient liquidity or capital resources to make share repurchases. Therefore, there is no assurance that TDS and UScellular will make any share repurchases in the future. 
For additional information related to the current TDS and UScellular repurchase authorizations, see Note 17 — Shareholders’ Equity in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Dividends
TDS paid quarterly dividends per outstanding Common Share of $0.180 in 2022 and $0.175 in 2021. TDS increased the dividend per share to $0.185 in the first quarter of 2023. TDS has no current plans to change its policy of paying dividends.
TDS paid quarterly dividends per outstanding Series UU depositary share (each representing 1/1,000th of a Preferred Share) of $0.414 in 2022, $0.552 in June 2021, $0.414 in September 2021 and $0.414 in December 2021.
TDS paid quarterly dividends per outstanding Series VV depositary share (each representing 1/1,000th of a Preferred Share) of $0.375 in 2022, $0.183 in September 2021 and $0.375 in December 2021.
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Consolidated Cash Flow Analysis
TDS operates a capital-intensive business. TDS makes substantial investments to acquire wireless spectrum licenses and properties and to construct and upgrade communications networks and facilities as a basis for creating long-term value for shareholders. In recent years, rapid changes in technology and new opportunities have required substantial investments in potentially revenue‑enhancing and cost-saving upgrades to TDS’ networks. Cash flows may fluctuate from quarter to quarter and year to year due to seasonality, timing and other factors. The following discussion summarizes TDS’ cash flow activities in 2022 and 2021.
2022 Commentary
TDS’ Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash decreased $15 million. Net cash provided by operating activities was $1,155 million due to net income of $72 million adjusted for non-cash items of $1,036 million and distributions received from unconsolidated entities of $145 million, including $59 million in distributions from the LA Partnership. This was partially offset by changes in working capital items which decreased net cash by $98 million. The working capital changes were primarily influenced by an increase in customer and agent receivables and increases in inventory purchases, partially offset by a federal income tax refund of $125 million received during the first quarter. The increase in customer receivables was driven by a high volume of equipment upgrades due to promotional activities and a longer contract term for equipment installment plans.
Cash flows used for investing activities were $1,783 million, which included payments for property, plant and equipment of $1,161 million and payments for wireless spectrum licenses of $585 million. Cash payments for property, plant and equipment are lower than the total capital expenditures in 2022 due primarily to future obligations of certain software license agreements that are recorded as current year capital expenditures but are paid over time.
Cash flows provided by financing activities were $613 million, due primarily to $800 million borrowed under the term loan facilities, $200 million borrowed under the export credit financing agreements, $110 million borrowed under the UScellular EIP receivables repurchase agreement, $75 million borrowed under the UScellular revolving credit agreement, and $75 million borrowed under the UScellular receivables securitization agreement. These were partially offset by $250 million of repayments on the UScellular receivables securitization agreement, a $75 million repayment on the UScellular revolving credit agreement, a $50 million repayment on the UScellular EIP receivables repurchase agreement, the payment of dividends totaling $151 million, the repurchase of TDS and UScellular Common Shares totaling $83 million and cash paid for software license agreements of $23 million.
2021 Commentary
TDS’ Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash decreased $1,038 million. Net cash provided by operating activities was $1,103 million due to net income of $188 million adjusted for non-cash items of $959 million and distributions received from unconsolidated entities of $180 million, including $76 million in distributions from the LA Partnership. This was partially offset by changes in working capital items which decreased net cash by $224 million. The working capital changes were primarily influenced by an increase in customer and agent receivables, a decrease to accrued taxes and the timing of vendor payments.
Cash flows used for investing activities were $2,462 million, which included payments for wireless spectrum licenses of $1,322 million and payments for property, plant and equipment of $1,131 million.
Cash flows provided by financing activities were $321 million, reflecting the issuance of $1,110 million of TDS Preferred Shares, the issuance of $500 million of 5.5% UScellular Senior Notes, $625 million borrowed under the UScellular receivables securitization agreement, $217 million borrowed under the UScellular term loan, $125 million borrowed under the TDS revolving credit agreement, and $76 million borrowed under the TDS term loan. These were partially offset by the redemption of $836 million of TDS Senior Notes, $917 million of UScellular Senior Notes, a $200 million repayment on the receivables securitization agreement, a $125 million repayment on the TDS revolving credit agreement, the payment of dividends totaling $119 million, the payment of debt and equity issuance costs of $62 million, and the repurchase of TDS and UScellular Common Shares.
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Consolidated Balance Sheet Analysis
The following discussion addresses certain captions in the consolidated balance sheet and changes therein. This discussion is intended to highlight the significant changes and is not intended to fully reconcile the changes. Notable balance sheet changes during 2022 were as follows:
Inventory, net
Inventory, net increased $90 million due primarily to increased inventory levels to support promotions and ensure adequate device supply.
Income taxes receivable
Income taxes receivable decreased $125 million due primarily to a federal income tax refund received related to the 2020 net operating loss carryback enabled by the CARES Act.
Customer deposits and deferred revenues
Customer deposits and deferred revenues increased $49 million due primarily to an increase in contract liabilities resulting from higher promotional activity in the current year.
Other current liabilities
Other current liabilities increased $232 million due primarily to an increase in the short-term accrual for Auction 107 relocation fees, net borrowings under the EIP receivables repurchase agreement and accruals related to software license agreements. See Note 7 — Intangible Assets in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the Auction 107 accrual.
Long-term debt, net
The following table presents the components of the $803 million increase in Long-term debt, net:
Long-term debt, net
(Dollars in millions)
Balance at December 31, 2021$2,928 
Borrowings under Revolving Credit Agreements75 
Borrowings under Term Loan Agreements800 
Borrowings under Export Credit Financing Agreements200 
Borrowings under Receivables Securitization Agreement75 
Repayments under Revolving Credit Agreements(75)
Repayments under Receivables Securitization Agreement(250)
Other(22)
Balance at December 31, 2022$3,731 
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Application of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
TDS prepares its consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP. TDS’ significant accounting policies are discussed in detail in Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Note 2 — Revenue Recognition and Note 10 — Leases in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Management believes the application of the following critical accounting policies and the estimates required by such application reflect its most significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of TDS’ consolidated financial statements.
Intangible Asset Impairment
Licenses and Goodwill represent a significant component of TDS’ consolidated assets. These assets are considered to be indefinite-lived assets and, therefore, are not amortized but rather are tested at least annually for impairment. TDS performs annual impairment testing of Licenses and Goodwill as of November 1 of each year, or more frequently if triggering events occur. Significant negative events, such as changes in any of the assumptions described below or decreases in forecasted cash flows, could result in an impairment in future periods. Licenses are tested for impairment at the level of reporting referred to as a unit of accounting. Goodwill is tested for impairment at the level of reporting referred to as a reporting unit.
See Note 7 — Intangible Assets in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information related to Licenses and Goodwill activity in 2022 and 2021.
Wireless Spectrum Licenses – UScellular
For purposes of the 2022 impairment test, UScellular had one unit of accounting as a result of aggregating all developed operating market wireless spectrum licenses (built wireless spectrum licenses) and non-operating market wireless spectrum licenses (unbuilt wireless spectrum licenses), and for the 2021 test, UScellular had eight units of accounting, which consisted of one unit of accounting for built wireless spectrum licenses and seven unbuilt wireless spectrum licenses. UScellular believes this change in units of accounting assessed for impairment better reflects the integrated use of licenses as part of its national interdependent network. This change does not impact the results of the impairment assessment for the current or prior years.
A qualitative assessment of the license values was completed as of November 1, 2022 and November 1, 2021. The qualitative assessment considered several factors, including analyst estimates of wireless spectrum license values which contemplated recent spectrum auction results, recent UScellular and other market participant transactions, and other industry and market factors. Based on these assessments, UScellular concluded that it was more likely than not that the fair value of the unit of accounting exceeded its carrying value. Therefore, no quantitative impairment evaluation was completed.
Goodwill – TDS Telecom
TDS Telecom has recorded Goodwill as a result of past business acquisitions. For purposes of the 2022 and 2021 Goodwill impairment test, TDS Telecom had one reporting unit. 
A qualitative assessment of the reporting unit was completed as of November 1, 2022 and November 1, 2021. The qualitative assessment, which analyzed company, industry and economic trends, concluded that it was more likely than not that the fair value of this reporting unit exceeded its carrying value, and accordingly, no quantitative impairment evaluation was completed and no Goodwill impairment was recorded.
Income Taxes
The amounts of income tax assets and liabilities, the related income tax provision and the amount of unrecognized tax benefits are critical accounting estimates because such amounts are significant to TDS’ 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. These temporary differences result in deferred income tax assets and liabilities which are included on a net basis in TDS’ Consolidated Balance Sheet. TDS must then assess the likelihood that deferred income tax assets will be realized based on future taxable income and, to the extent management 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 that is established for deferred income tax assets.
TDS recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position are measured based on management’s judgment as to the possible outcome that has a greater than 50% cumulative likelihood of being realized upon ultimate resolution.
See Note 5 — Income Taxes in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
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Regulatory Matters
5G Fund
On October 27, 2020, the FCC adopted rules creating the 5G Fund for Rural America, which will distribute up to $9 billion over ten years to bring 5G wireless broadband connectivity to rural America. The 5G Fund will be implemented through a two-phase competitive process, using multi-round auctions to award support. The winning bidders will be required to meet certain minimum speed requirements and interim and final deployment milestones. The order provides that the 5G Fund be in lieu of the previously proposed fund (the Phase II Connect America Mobility Fund) for the development of 4G LTE. The order also provides that over time a growing percentage of the legacy support a carrier receives must be used for 5G deployment.
UScellular cannot predict at this time when the 5G fund auction will occur, when the phase down period for its existing legacy support from the Federal USF will commence, or whether the 5G fund auction will provide opportunities to UScellular to offset any loss in existing support.
Spectrum Auctions
On March 2, 2020, the FCC released a Public Notice establishing procedures for an auction offering wireless spectrum licenses in the 3.5 GHz band (Auction 105). On September 2, 2020, the FCC announced by way of public notice that UScellular was the provisional winning bidder for 243 wireless spectrum licenses for a purchase price of $14 million. On July 15, 2022, the FCC released a Consent Decree related to its spectrum aggregation and ownership attribution rules in which UScellular agreed to relinquish its rights to 27 wireless spectrum licenses awarded in Auction 105 and subsequently received a full refund of $2 million. The remaining 216 wireless spectrum licenses were granted by the FCC on July 26, 2022.
On August 7, 2020, the FCC released a Public Notice establishing procedures for an auction offering wireless spectrum licenses in the 3.7-3.98 GHz bands (Auction 107). On February 24, 2021, the FCC announced by way of public notice that UScellular was the provisional winning bidder for 254 wireless spectrum licenses for $1,283 million. UScellular paid $30 million of this amount in 2020 and the remainder in March 2021. The wireless spectrum licenses from Auction 107 were granted by the FCC in July 2021. Additionally, UScellular expects to be obligated to pay approximately $185 million in total from 2021 through 2024 related to relocation costs and accelerated relocation incentive payments. Such additional costs were accrued and capitalized at the time the licenses were granted, and are adjusted as necessary as the estimated obligation changes. UScellular paid $36 million and $8 million related to the additional costs in October 2021 and September 2022, respectively. The spectrum must be cleared by incumbent providers before UScellular can access it. UScellular does not expect to have access to this spectrum until late 2023.
On June 9, 2021, the FCC released a Public Notice establishing procedures for an auction offering wireless spectrum licenses in the 3.45-3.55 GHz band (Auction 110). On January 14, 2022, the FCC announced by way of public notice that UScellular was the provisional winning bidder for 380 wireless spectrum licenses for $580 million. UScellular paid $20 million of this amount in 2021 and the remainder in January and February 2022. The wireless spectrum licenses from Auction 110 were granted by the FCC on May 4, 2022.
On March 21, 2022, the FCC released a Public Notice establishing procedures for an auction offering wireless spectrum licenses in the 2.5 GHz band (Auction 108). On September 1, 2022, the FCC announced by way of public notice that UScellular was the provisional winning bidder for 34 wireless spectrum licenses for $3 million. The wireless spectrum licenses from Auction 108 were granted by the FCC on December 1, 2022.
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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 facts and represent forward-looking statements, as this term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, that address activities, events or developments that TDS intends, expects, projects, believes, estimates, plans or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. The words "believes," "anticipates," "estimates," "expects," "plans," "intends," "projects" and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifying them. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, events or developments to be significantly different from any future results, events or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, those set forth below. See "Risk Factors" in this Form 10-K for a further discussion of these risks. Each of the following risks could have a material adverse effect on TDS' business, financial condition or results of operations. However, such factors are not necessarily all of the important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements contained in this document. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could have material adverse effects on future results, performance or achievements. TDS undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Readers should evaluate any statements in light of these important factors.
Operational Risk Factors
Intense competition involving products, services, pricing, promotions and network speed and technologies could adversely affect TDS’ revenues or increase its costs to compete.
Changes in roaming practices or other factors could cause TDS’ roaming revenues to decline from current levels, roaming expenses to increase from current levels and/or impact TDS’ ability to service its customers in geographic areas where TDS does not have its own network, which could have an adverse effect on TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.
A failure by TDS to obtain access to adequate radio spectrum to meet current or anticipated future needs and/or to accurately predict future needs for radio spectrum could have an adverse effect on TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.
An inability to attract diverse people of outstanding talent throughout all levels of the organization, to develop their potential through education and assignments, and to retain them by keeping them engaged, challenged and properly rewarded could have an adverse effect on TDS' business, financial condition or results of operations.
TDS’ smaller scale relative to larger competitors that may have greater financial and other resources than TDS could cause TDS to be unable to compete successfully, which could adversely affect its business, financial condition or results of operations.
Changes in various business factors, including changes in demand, consumer preferences and perceptions, price competition, churn from customer switching activity and other factors, could have an adverse effect on TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.
Advances or changes in technology could render certain technologies used by TDS obsolete, could put TDS at a competitive disadvantage, could reduce TDS’ revenues or could increase its costs of doing business.
Complexities associated with deploying new technologies present substantial risk and TDS’ investments in unproven technologies may not produce the benefits that TDS expects.
Costs, integration problems or other factors associated with acquisitions, divestitures or exchanges of properties or wireless spectrum licenses and/or expansion of TDS’ businesses could have an adverse effect on TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.
A failure by TDS to complete significant network construction and systems implementation activities as part of its plans to improve the quality, coverage, capabilities and capacity of its network, support and other systems and infrastructure could have an adverse effect on its operations.
Difficulties involving third parties with which TDS does business, including changes in TDS’ relationships with or financial or operational difficulties, including supply chain disruptions, of key suppliers or independent agents and third party national retailers who market TDS’ services, could adversely affect TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.
A failure by TDS to maintain flexible and capable telecommunication networks or information technologies, or a material disruption thereof, could have an adverse effect on TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.
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Financial Risk Factors
Uncertainty in TDS’ future cash flow and liquidity or the inability to access capital, deterioration in the capital markets, changes in interest rates, other changes in TDS’ performance or market conditions, changes in TDS’ credit ratings or other factors could limit or restrict the availability of financing on terms and prices acceptable to TDS, which could require TDS to reduce its construction, development or acquisition programs, reduce the amount of wireless spectrum licenses acquired, and/or reduce or cease share repurchases and/or the payment of dividends.
TDS has a significant amount of indebtedness which could adversely affect its financial performance and in turn adversely affect its ability to make payments on its indebtedness, comply with terms of debt covenants and incur additional debt.
TDS’ assets and revenue are concentrated primarily in the U.S. telecommunications industry. Consequently, its operating results may fluctuate based on factors related primarily to conditions in this industry.
TDS has significant investments in entities that it does not control. Losses in the value of such investments could have an adverse effect on TDS’ financial condition or results of operations.
Regulatory, Legal and Governance Risk Factors
Failure by TDS to timely or fully comply with any existing applicable legislative and/or regulatory requirements or changes thereto could adversely affect TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.
TDS receives significant regulatory support, and is also subject to numerous surcharges and fees from federal, state and local governments – the applicability and the amount of the support and fees are subject to great uncertainty, including the ability to pass through certain fees to customers, and this uncertainty could have an adverse effect on TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.
Settlements, judgments, restraints on its current or future manner of doing business and/or legal costs resulting from pending and future litigation could have an adverse effect on TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.
The possible development of adverse precedent in litigation or conclusions in professional studies to the effect that radio frequency emissions from wireless devices and/or cell sites cause harmful health consequences, including cancer or tumors, or may interfere with various electronic medical devices or frequencies used by other industries, could have an adverse effect on TDS’ wireless business, financial condition or results of operations.
Claims of infringement of intellectual property and proprietary rights of others, primarily involving patent infringement claims, could prevent TDS from using necessary technology to provide products or services or subject TDS to expensive intellectual property litigation or monetary penalties, which could have an adverse effect on TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.
Certain matters, such as control by the TDS Voting Trust and provisions in the TDS Restated Certificate of Incorporation, may serve to discourage or make more difficult a change in control of TDS or have other consequences.
General Risk Factors
TDS has experienced, and in the future expects to experience, cyber-attacks or other breaches of network or information technology security of varying degrees on a regular basis, which could have an adverse effect on TDS' business, financial condition or results of operations.
Disruption in credit or other financial markets, a deterioration of U.S. or global economic conditions or other events could, among other things, impede TDS’ access to or increase the cost of financing its operating and investment activities and/or result in reduced revenues and lower operating income and cash flows, which would have an adverse effect on TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.
The impact of public health emergencies on TDS' business is uncertain, but depending on duration and severity could have a material adverse effect on TDS' business, financial condition or results of operations.
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Market Risk
Long-Term Debt
As of December 31, 2022, approximately 50% of TDS' long-term debt was in fixed-rate senior notes and approximately 50% in variable-rate debt. Fluctuations in market interest rates can lead to volatility in the fair value of fixed-rate notes and interest expense on variable-rate debt.
The following table presents the scheduled principal payments on long-term debt, lease obligations and the related weighted average interest rates by maturity dates at December 31, 2022:
 Principal Payments Due by Period
 
Long-Term Debt Obligations1
Weighted-Avg. Interest Rates on Long-Term Debt Obligations2
(Dollars in millions)  
2023$19 6.3 %
202426 6.2 %
202526 6.2 %
2026275 5.9 %
2027218 6.0 %
Thereafter2,983 6.2 %
Total$3,547 6.2 %
1The total long-term debt obligation differs from Long-term debt in the Consolidated Balance Sheet due to unamortized debt issuance costs on all non-revolving debt instruments, unamortized discounts related to the UScellular's 6.7% Senior Notes, and outstanding borrowings under the receivables securitization agreement, which principal repayments are not scheduled but are instead based on actual receivable collections. See Note 12 — Debt in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
2Represents the weighted average stated interest rates at December 31, 2022, for debt maturing in the respective periods.
Fair Value of Long-Term Debt
At December 31, 2022 and 2021, the estimated fair value of long-term debt obligations, excluding lease obligations, the current portion of such long-term debt and debt financing costs, was $3,047 million and $3,197 million, respectively, and the book value was $3,789 million and $2,979 million, respectively. See Note 3 — Fair Value Measurements in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
52

Supplemental Information Relating to Non-GAAP Financial Measures
TDS sometimes uses information derived from consolidated financial information but not presented in its financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP to evaluate the performance of its business. Certain of these measures are considered “non-GAAP financial measures” under U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Rules. Specifically, TDS has referred to the following measures in this Form 10-K Report:
EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted OIBDA
Free cash flow

Following are explanations of each of these measures:
EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted OIBDA
EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted OIBDA are defined as net income adjusted for the items set forth in the reconciliation below. EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted OIBDA are not measures of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as alternatives to Net income or Cash flows from operating activities, as indicators of cash flows or as measures of liquidity. TDS does not intend to imply that any such items set forth in the reconciliation below are non-recurring, infrequent or unusual; such items may occur in the future.
Adjusted EBITDA is a segment measure reported to the chief operating decision maker for purposes of assessing the segments' performance. See Note 19 — Business Segment Information in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Management uses Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted OIBDA as measurements of profitability, and therefore, reconciliations to applicable GAAP income measures are deemed appropriate. Management believes Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted OIBDA are useful measures of TDS’ operating results before significant recurring non-cash charges, gains and losses, and other items as presented below as they provide additional relevant and useful information to investors and other users of TDS’ financial data in evaluating the effectiveness of its operations and underlying business trends in a manner that is consistent with management’s evaluation of business performance. Adjusted EBITDA shows adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and accretion, and gains and losses, while Adjusted OIBDA reduces this measure further to exclude Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities and Interest and dividend income in order to more effectively show the performance of operating activities excluding investment activities. The following tables reconcile EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted OIBDA to the corresponding GAAP measures, Net income and Operating income. 
TDS - CONSOLIDATED20222021
(Dollars in millions)  
Net income (GAAP)$72 $188 
Add back:
Income tax expense53 33 
Interest expense174 232 
Depreciation, amortization and accretion929 895 
EBITDA (Non-GAAP)1,228 1,348 
Add back or deduct:
Loss on impairment of licenses3 — 
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net27 26 
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net(1)(2)
Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP)1,257 1,372 
Deduct:
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities159 182 
Interest and dividend income17 11 
Other, net1 (1)
Adjusted OIBDA (Non-GAAP)1,080 1,180 
Deduct:
Depreciation, amortization and accretion929 895 
Loss on impairment of licenses3 — 
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net27 26 
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net(1)(2)
Operating income (GAAP)$122 $261 
53

UScellular2022 2021
(Dollars in millions)  
Net income (GAAP)$35 $160 
Add back:
Income tax expense37 20 
Interest expense163 175 
Depreciation, amortization and accretion700 678 
EBITDA (Non-GAAP)935 1,033 
Add back or deduct:
Loss on impairment of licenses3 — 
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net19 23 
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net(1)(2)
Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP)956 1,054 
Deduct:
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities158 179 
Interest and dividend income8 
Adjusted OIBDA (Non-GAAP)790 869 
Deduct:
Depreciation, amortization and accretion700 678 
Loss on impairment of licenses3 — 
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net19 23 
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net(1)(2)
Operating income (GAAP)$69 $170 
TDS TELECOM20222021
(Dollars in millions)  
Net income (GAAP)$53 $90 
Add back or deduct:
Income tax expense23 24 
Interest expense(7)(5)
Depreciation, amortization and accretion215 198 
EBITDA (Non-GAAP)284 308 
Add back or deduct:
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net7 
Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP)291 310 
Deduct:  
Interest and dividend income2 
Other, net1 (1)
Adjusted OIBDA (Non-GAAP)288 310 
Deduct:
Depreciation, amortization and accretion215 198 
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net7 
Operating income (GAAP)$66 $110 
Numbers may not foot due to rounding.
54

Free Cash Flow
The following table presents Free cash flow, which is defined as Cash flows from operating activities less Cash paid for additions to property, plant and equipment and Cash paid for software license agreements. Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure which TDS believes may be useful to investors and other users of its financial information in evaluating liquidity, specifically, the amount of net cash generated by business operations after deducting Cash paid for additions to property, plant and equipment and Cash paid for software license agreements.
 20222021
(Dollars in millions)
Cash flows from operating activities (GAAP)$1,155 $1,103 
Cash paid for additions to property, plant and equipment(1,161)(1,131)
Cash paid for software license agreements(23)(9)
Free cash flow (Non-GAAP)$(29)$(37)
55

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 13 toSee section entitled "Market Risk" in Item 7 of this Form 10-K Annual Report section entitled “Market Risk.”10-K.
56

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 13
Index to Financial Statements and Supplementary DataPage No.
57

Financial Statements
Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Operations” “Consolidated
Year Ended December 31,202220212020
(Dollars and shares in millions, except per share amounts)   
Operating revenues   
Service$4,240 $4,216 $4,136 
Equipment and product sales1,173 1,113 1,089 
Total operating revenues5,413 5,329 5,225 
Operating expenses
Cost of services (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below)1,245 1,267 1,244 
Cost of equipment and products1,320 1,205 1,110 
Selling, general and administrative1,768 1,677 1,681 
Depreciation, amortization and accretion929 895 909 
Loss on impairment of licenses3 — — 
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net27 26 27 
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net(1)(2)— 
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net — (5)
Total operating expenses5,291 5,068 4,966 
Operating income122 261 259 
Investment and other income (expense)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities159 182 181 
Interest and dividend income17 11 15 
Gain (loss) on investments — 
Interest expense(174)(232)(168)
Other, net1 (1)(1)
Total investment and other income (expense)3 (40)29 
Income before income taxes125 221 288 
Income tax expense53 33 19 
Net income72 188 269 
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax10 32 43 
Net income attributable to TDS shareholders62 156 226 
TDS Preferred Share dividends69 39 — 
Net income (loss) attributable to TDS common shareholders$(7)$117 $226 
Basic weighted average shares outstanding114 115 114 
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to TDS common shareholders$(0.07)$1.03 $1.97 
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding114 116 115 
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to TDS common shareholders$(0.07)$1.00 $1.93 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
58

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income” “Consolidated
Year Ended December 31,202220212020
(Dollars in millions)   
Net income$72 $188 $269 
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive income
Change related to retirement plan
Amounts included in net periodic benefit cost for the period
Net actuarial gains (losses)(4)
Amortization of prior service cost and unrecognized net gain4 
  13 
Change in deferred income taxes (4)(1)
Change related to retirement plan, net of tax 
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive income 
Comprehensive income72 197 274 
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax10 32 43 
Comprehensive income attributable to TDS shareholders$62 $165 $231 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
59

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows” “Consolidated
Year Ended December 31,202220212020
(Dollars in millions)   
Cash flows from operating activities   
Net income$72 $188 $269 
Add (deduct) adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities
Depreciation, amortization and accretion929 895 909 
Bad debts expense138 60 77 
Stock-based compensation expense42 49 53 
Deferred income taxes, net47 52 190 
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities(159)(182)(181)
Distributions from unconsolidated entities145 180 189 
Loss on impairment of licenses3 — — 
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net27 26 27 
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net(1)(2)— 
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net — (5)
(Gain) loss on investments — (2)
Other operating activities10 61 
Changes in assets and liabilities from operations
Accounts receivable(69)(22)(16)
Equipment installment plans receivable(199)(116)(54)
Inventory(90)(25)12 
Accounts payable32 (69)173 
Customer deposits and deferred revenues48 43 
Accrued taxes127 (49)(120)
Other assets and liabilities53 14 
Net cash provided by operating activities1,155 1,103 1,532 
Cash flows from investing activities
Cash paid for additions to property, plant and equipment(1,161)(1,131)(1,338)
Cash paid for acquisitions, licenses and other intangible assets(614)(1,308)(172)
Cash received from divestitures and exchanges8 26 
Advance payments for license acquisitions (20)(30)
Other investing activities(16)(6)
Net cash used in investing activities(1,783)(2,462)(1,511)
Cash flows from financing activities
Issuance of long-term debt1,154 1,543 1,250 
Repayment of long-term debt(332)(2,081)(110)
Issuance of short-term debt110 — — 
Repayment of short-term debt(50)— — 
Issuance of TDS Preferred Shares 1,110 — 
TDS Common Shares reissued for benefit plans, net of tax payments(4)(5)(3)
UScellular Common Shares reissued for benefit plans, net of tax payments(5)(16)(11)
Repurchase of TDS Common Shares(40)(8)(14)
Repurchase of UScellular Common Shares(43)(31)(23)
Dividends paid to TDS shareholders(151)(119)(78)
Payment of debt and equity issuance costs(2)(62)(41)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests(3)(3)(2)
Payments to acquire additional interest in subsidiaries — (11)
Cash paid for software license agreements(23)(9)(2)
Other financing activities2 
Net cash provided by financing activities613 321 957 
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash(15)(1,038)978 
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
Beginning of period414 1,452 474 
End of period$399 $414 $1,452 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
60

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheet” “Consolidated — Assets
December 31,20222021
(Dollars in millions)  
Current assets  
Cash and cash equivalents$360 $367 
Accounts receivable
Customers and agents, less allowances of $74 and $60, respectively1,069 1,058 
Other, less allowances of $3 and $2, respectively112 93 
Inventory, net268 178 
Prepaid expenses102 103 
Income taxes receivable59 184 
Other current assets58 61 
Total current assets2,028 2,044 
Assets held for sale26 18 
Licenses4,699 4,097 
Goodwill547 547 
Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $112 and $91, respectively204 197 
Investments in unconsolidated entities495 479 
Property, plant and equipment
In service and under construction14,971 14,265 
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization10,211 9,904 
Property, plant and equipment, net4,760 4,361 
Operating lease right-of-use assets995 1,040 
Other assets and deferred charges796 710 
Total assets1
$14,550 $13,493 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
61

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheet — Liabilities and Equity
December 31,20222021
(Dollars and shares in millions, except per share amounts)  
Current liabilities  
Current portion of long-term debt$19 $
Accounts payable506 481 
Customer deposits and deferred revenues285 236 
Accrued interest12 10 
Accrued taxes46 45 
Accrued compensation144 137 
Short-term operating lease liabilities146 141 
Other current liabilities356 124 
Total current liabilities1,514 1,180 
 
Deferred liabilities and credits
Deferred income tax liability, net969 921 
Long-term operating lease liabilities908 960 
Other deferred liabilities and credits813 759 
 
Long-term debt, net3,731 2,928 
 
Commitments and contingencies
 
Noncontrolling interests with redemption features12 11 
 
Equity
TDS shareholders’ equity
Series A Common and Common Shares
Authorized 290 shares (25 Series A Common and 265 Common Shares)
Issued 133 shares (7 Series A Common and 126 Common Shares)
Outstanding 112 shares (7 Series A Common and 105 Common Shares) and 115 shares (7 Series A Common and 108 Common Shares), respectively
Par Value ($0.01 per share)1 
Capital in excess of par value2,551 2,496 
Preferred Shares, .279 shares authorized, par value $0.01 per share, .0444 shares outstanding (.0168 Series UU and .0276 Series VV)1,074 1,074 
Treasury shares, at cost, 21 and 18 Common Shares, respectively(481)(461)
Accumulated other comprehensive income5 
Retained earnings2,699 2,812 
Total TDS shareholders’ equity5,849 5,927 
 
Noncontrolling interests754 807 
 
Total equity6,603 6,734 
 
Total liabilities and equity1
$14,550 $13,493 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
1The consolidated total assets as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, include assets held by consolidated variable interest entities (VIEs) of $1,236 million and $1,456 million, respectively, which are not available to be used to settle the obligations of TDS. The consolidated total liabilities as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, include certain liabilities of consolidated VIEs of $23 million and $21 million, respectively, for which the creditors of the VIEs have no recourse to the general credit of TDS. See Note 15 — Variable Interest Entities for additional information.
62

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity” “Notes

 TDS Shareholders  
 
Series A
Common and
Common
shares
Capital in
excess of
par value
Preferred Shares
Treasury
shares
Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income (loss)
Retained
earnings
Total TDS
shareholders'
equity
Noncontrolling
interests
Total equity
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)       
December 31, 2021$1 $2,496 $1,074 $(461)$5 $2,812 $5,927 $807 $6,734 
Net income attributable to TDS shareholders— — — — — 62 62 — 62 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests classified as equity— — — — — — — 
TDS Common and Series A Common share dividends ($0.72 per share)— — — — — (82)(82)— (82)
TDS Preferred share dividends ($1,656 per Series UU share and $1,500 per Series VV share)— — — — — (69)(69)— (69)
Repurchase of Common Shares— — — (40)— — (40)— (40)
Dividend reinvestment plan— — — (3)— 
Incentive and compensation plans— 18 — 17 — (21)14 — 14 
Adjust investment in subsidiaries for repurchases, issuances and other compensation plans— 35 — — — — 35 (59)(24)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests— — — — — — — (3)(3)
December 31, 2022$1 $2,551 $1,074 $(481)$5 $2,699 $5,849 $754 $6,603 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 
63

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
 TDS Shareholders  
 
Series A
Common and
Common
shares
Capital in
excess of
par value
Preferred Shares
Treasury
shares
Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income (loss)
Retained
earnings
Total TDS
shareholders'
equity
Noncontrolling
interests
Total equity
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)       
December 31, 2020$1 $2,482  $(477)$(4)$2,802 $4,804 $789 $5,593 
Net income attributable to TDS shareholders— — — — — 156 156 — 156 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests classified as equity— — — — — — — 32 32 
Other comprehensive income— — — — — — 
TDS Common and Series A Common Share dividends ($0.70 per share)— — — — — (80)(80)— (80)
Issuance of Preferred Shares, net of costs— — 1,074 — — — 1,074 — 1,074 
TDS Preferred share dividends ($1,380 per Series UU share and $558 per Series VV share)— — — — — (39)(39)— (39)
Repurchase of Common Shares— — — (8)— — (8)— (8)
Dividend reinvestment plan— — — — (1)— 
Incentive and compensation plans— 22 — 21 — (26)17 — 17 
Adjust investment in subsidiaries for repurchases, issuances and other compensation plans— (8)— — — — (8)(11)(19)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests— — — — — — — (3)(3)
December 31, 2021$1 $2,496 $1,074 $(461)$5 $2,812 $5,927 $807 $6,734 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 
64

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
 TDS Shareholders  
 
Series A
Common and
Common
shares
Capital in
excess of
par value
Treasury
shares
Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income (loss)
Retained
earnings
Total TDS
shareholders'
equity
Noncontrolling
interests
Total equity
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)       
December 31, 2019$1 $2,468 $(479)$(9)$2,672 $4,653 $751 $5,404 
Cumulative effect of accounting changes— — — — (2)(2)— (2)
Net income attributable to TDS shareholders— — — — 226 226 — 226 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests classified as equity— — — — — — 43 43 
Other comprehensive income— — — — — 
TDS Common and Series A Common Share dividends ($0.68 per share)— — — — (78)(78)— (78)
Repurchase of Common Shares— — (14)— — (14)— (14)
Dividend reinvestment plan— — — — — 
Incentive and compensation plans— 21 13 — (16)18 — 18 
Adjust investment in subsidiaries for repurchases, issuances and other compensation plans— (7)— — — (7)(3)(10)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests— — — — — — (2)(2)
December 31, 2020$1 $2,482 $(477)$(4)$2,802 $4,804 $789 $5,593 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
65

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” “Management’s

Note 1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Nature of Operations
Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (TDS) is a diversified telecommunications company providing high-quality communications services to customers with 4.7 million retail wireless connections and 1.2 million broadband, video and voice connections at December 31, 2022. TDS conducts all of its wireless operations through its 84%-owned subsidiary, United States Cellular Corporation (UScellular). TDS provides broadband, video and voice services through its wholly-owned subsidiary, TDS Telecommunications LLC (TDS Telecom). 
TDS has the following reportable segments: UScellular and TDS Telecom. TDS’ non-reportable other business activities are presented as “Corporate, Eliminations and Other”, which includes the operations of TDS' wholly-owned hosted and managed services (HMS) subsidiary, which operates under the OneNeck IT Solutions brand, and its wholly-owned subsidiary Suttle-Straus, Inc. (Suttle-Straus). HMS' and Suttle-Straus' financial results were not significant to TDS' operations. All of TDS’ segments operate only in the United States. See Note 19 — Business Segment Information for summary financial information on each business segment.
Principles of Consolidation
The accounting policies of TDS conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) as set forth in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC). Unless otherwise specified, references to accounting provisions and GAAP in these notes refer to the requirements of the FASB ASC. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of TDS and subsidiaries in which it has a controlling financial interest, including UScellular and TDS Telecom. In addition, the consolidated financial statements include certain entities in which TDS has a variable interest that requires consolidation under GAAP. See Note 15 — Variable Interest Entities for additional information relating to TDS’ VIEs. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with 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 reported period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
Cash and cash equivalents include cash and highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. Cash and cash equivalents subject to contractual restrictions are classified as restricted cash. Restricted cash primarily consists of balances required under the receivables securitization agreement. See Note 12 — Debt for additional information related to the receivables securitization agreement. The following table provides a reconciliation of Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheet to the total of the amounts in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.
December 31,20222021
(Dollars in millions)  
Cash and cash equivalents$360 $367 
Restricted cash included in Other current assets39 47 
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash in the statement of cash flows$399 $414 
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses
UScellular’s accounts receivable consist primarily of amounts owed by customers for wireless services and equipment sales, including sales of certain devices and accessories under installment plans, by agents and third-party distributors for sales of equipment to them and by other wireless carriers whose customers have used UScellular’s wireless systems.
TDS Telecom’s accounts receivable primarily consist of amounts owed by customers for services and products provided, by state and federal governments for grants and support funds, and by interexchange carriers for long-distance and data traffic, which TDS Telecom carries on its network.
TDS estimates expected credit losses related to accounts receivable balances based on a review of available and relevant information including current economic conditions, projected economic conditions, historical loss experience, account aging, and other factors that could affect collectability. Expected credit losses are determined for each pool of accounts receivable balances that share similar risk characteristics. The allowance for credit losses is the best estimate of the amount of expected credit losses related to existing accounts receivable. TDS does not have any off-balance sheet credit exposure related to its customers.
66

Inventory
Inventory consists primarily of wireless devices stated at the lower of cost, which approximates cost determined on a first-in first-out basis, or net realizable value. Net realizable value is determined by reference to the stand-alone selling price.
Cloud-Hosted Arrangements
TDS' cloud-hosted arrangements that are service contracts consist primarily of software used to perform administrative functions. Implementation costs related to TDS' cloud-hosted arrangements, which are recorded in Prepaid expenses and Other assets and deferred charges in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, were as follows:
December 31,20222021
(Dollars in millions)
Implementation costs, gross$109 $87 
Accumulated amortization(49)(30)
Implementation costs, net$60 $57 
These costs are amortized over the period of the service contract, which is generally three to five years. Amortization of implementation costs was $19 million, $17 million and $11 million for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and was included in Selling, general and administrative expenses.
Licenses
Licenses consist of direct and incremental costs incurred in acquiring Federal Communications Commission (FCC) wireless spectrum licenses that generally provide UScellular with the exclusive right to utilize designated radio spectrum within specific geographic service areas to provide wireless service. Although wireless spectrum licenses are issued for a fixed period of time, generally ten years, or in some cases twelve or fifteen years, the FCC has granted license renewals routinely and at a nominal cost. The wireless spectrum licenses held by UScellular expire at various dates. UScellular believes that it is probable that its future wireless spectrum license renewal applications will be granted. UScellular determined that there are currently no legal, regulatory, contractual, competitive, economic or other factors that limit the useful lives of the wireless spectrum licenses. Therefore, UScellular has determined that wireless spectrum licenses are indefinite-lived intangible assets.
UScellular performs its annual impairment assessment of wireless spectrum licenses as of November 1 of each year or more frequently if there are events or circumstances that cause UScellular to believe it is more likely than not that the carrying value of wireless spectrum licenses exceeds fair value. For purposes of the 2022 impairment test, UScellular had one unit of accounting as a result of aggregating all developed operating market wireless spectrum licenses (built wireless spectrum licenses) and non-operating market wireless spectrum licenses (unbuilt wireless spectrum licenses), and for the 2021 test, UScellular had eight units of accounting, which consisted of one unit of accounting for built wireless spectrum licenses and seven unbuilt wireless spectrum licenses. UScellular believes this change in units of accounting assessed for impairment better reflects the integrated use of licenses as part of its national interdependent network. This change does not impact the results of the impairment assessment for the current or prior years.
UScellular performed a qualitative impairment assessment to determine whether the wireless spectrum licenses were impaired. In 2022 and 2021, UScellular considered several qualitative factors, including analyst estimates of wireless spectrum license values which contemplated recent spectrum auction results, recent UScellular and other market participant transactions, and other industry and market factors. Based on these assessments, UScellular concluded that it was more likely than not that the fair value of the unit of accounting exceeded its carrying value. Therefore, no quantitative impairment evaluation was completed. See Note 7 — Intangible Assets for additional details related to wireless spectrum licenses.
Goodwill
TDS has Goodwill as a result of past business acquisitions. TDS performs its annual impairment assessment of Goodwill as of November 1 of each year or more frequently if there are events or circumstances that cause TDS to believe it is more likely than not that the carrying value of individual reporting units exceeds their respective fair values. Goodwill impairment loss will be measured as the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value. The loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.
For purposes of conducting its Goodwill impairment test, TDS Telecom has one reporting unit. TDS Telecom performed a qualitative impairment assessment in 2022 and 2021. Based on the annual impairment assessments performed, TDS Telecom did not have an impairment of its Goodwill in 2022 or 2021. 
See Note 7 — Intangible Assets for additional details related to Goodwill.
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Franchise Rights
TDS Telecom has franchise rights as a result of past acquisitions of cable businesses. Franchise rights are intangible assets that provide their holder with the right to operate a business in a certain geographical location as sanctioned by the franchiser, usually a government agency. Franchise rights are generally granted for ten years and may be renewed for additional terms upon approval by the granting authority. TDS anticipates that future renewals of its franchise rights will be granted. TDS reviews franchise rights for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired. TDS re-evaluates the useful life of franchise rights each year to determine if changes in technology or other business changes would warrant a revision of its remaining useful life. Franchise rights are included in Other intangible assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
See Note 7 — Intangible Assets for additional details related to franchise rights.
Investments in Unconsolidated Entities
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 a one quarter lag basis.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment is stated at the original cost of construction or purchase including capitalized costs of certain taxes, payroll-related expenses, interest and estimated costs to remove the assets.
Expenditures that enhance the productive capacity of assets in service or extend their useful lives are capitalized and depreciated. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs of assets in service are charged to Cost of services or Selling, general and administrative expense, as applicable. Retirements and disposals of assets are recorded by removing the original cost of the asset (along with the related accumulated depreciation) from plant in service and recording it, together with proceeds, if any, and net removal costs (removal costs less an applicable accrued asset retirement obligation and salvage value realized), as a gain or loss, as appropriate. Certain TDS Telecom segment assets use the group depreciation method. Accordingly, when a group method asset is retired in the ordinary course of business, the original cost of the asset and accumulated depreciation in the same amount are removed, with no gain or loss recognized on the disposition.
Software licenses that qualify for capitalization as an asset are accounted for as the acquisition of a fixed asset and the incurrence of a liability to the extent that the license fees are not fully paid at acquisition.  
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the related asset, except for certain TDS Telecom segment assets, which use the group depreciation method. The group depreciation method develops a depreciation rate based on the average useful life of a specific group of assets, rather than each asset individually. TDS depreciates leasehold improvement assets over periods ranging from one year to thirty years; such periods approximate the shorter of the assets’ economic lives or the specific lease terms.
Useful lives of specific assets are reviewed throughout the year to determine if changes in technology or other business changes would warrant accelerating the depreciation of those specific assets. There were no material changes to the assigned useful lives of the various categories of property, plant and equipment in 2022, 2021 or 2020. However, in 2022, 2021 and 2020, depreciation for certain specific assets was accelerated due to changes in technology. See Note 9 — Property, Plant and Equipment for additional details related to useful lives.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
TDS reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired. UScellular and TDS Telecom each have one asset group for purposes of assessing property, plant and equipment for impairment based on the integrated nature of its network, assets and operations. The cash flows generated by each of these groups is the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets and liabilities.
Leases
A lease is generally present in a contract if the lessee controls the use of identified property, plant or equipment for a period of time in exchange for consideration. See Note 10 — Leases for additional details related to leases.
Agent Liabilities
UScellular has relationships with agents, which are independent businesses that obtain customers for UScellular. At December 31, 2022 and 2021, UScellular had accrued $53 million and $51 million, respectively, in agent related liabilities. These amounts are included in Other current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
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Debt Issuance Costs
Debt issuance costs include underwriters’ and legal fees and other charges related to issuing and renewing various borrowing instruments and other long-term agreements and are amortized over the respective term of each instrument. Debt issuance costs related to TDS’ and UScellular's revolving credit agreements and UScellular's receivables securitization agreement are recorded in Other assets and deferred charges in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. All other debt issuance costs are presented as an offset to the related debt obligation in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Asset Retirement Obligations
TDS records asset retirement obligations for the fair value of legal obligations associated with asset retirements and a corresponding increase in the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset in the period in which the obligations are incurred. In periods subsequent to initial measurement, TDS recognizes changes in the liability resulting from the passage of time and updates to the timing or the amount of the original estimates. The liability is accreted to its estimated settlement date value over the period to the estimated settlement date. The change in the carrying amount of the long-lived asset is depreciated over the average remaining life of the related asset. See Note 11 — Asset Retirement Obligations for additional information.
Treasury Shares
Common Shares repurchased by TDS are recorded at cost as treasury shares and result in a reduction of equity. When treasury shares are reissued, TDS determines the cost using the first-in, first-out cost method. The difference between the cost of the treasury shares and reissuance price is included in Capital in excess of par value or Retained earnings. 
Revenue Recognition
Revenues from sales of equipment and products are recognized when control has transferred to the customer, agent or third-party distributor. Service revenues are recognized as the related service is provided. See Note 2 — Revenue Recognition for additional information on TDS' policies related to Revenues.
Advertising Costs
TDS expenses advertising costs as incurred. Advertising costs totaled $196 million, $203 million and $213 million in 2022, 2021 and 2020, 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 future deductible temporary differences and operating loss carryforwards, and deferred tax liabilities are recognized for future taxable temporary differences. Both deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the enacted tax rates in effect when the temporary differences are expected to 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. TDS evaluates income tax uncertainties, assesses the probability of the ultimate settlement with the applicable taxing authority and records an amount based on that assessment. Deferred taxes are reported as a net non-current asset or liability by jurisdiction. Any corresponding valuation allowance to reduce the amount of deferred tax assets is also recorded as non-current. See Note 5 — Income Taxes for additional information.
Stock-Based Compensation and Other Plans
TDS has established long-term incentive plans, dividend reinvestment plans, and a non-employee director compensation plan. The dividend reinvestment plan of TDS is not considered a compensatory plan and, therefore, recognition of compensation costs for grants made under this plan is not required. All other plans are considered compensatory plans; therefore, recognition of costs for grants made under these plans is required.
TDS recognizes stock compensation expense based upon the fair value of the specific awards granted using established valuation methodologies. The amount of stock compensation cost recognized on either a straight-line basis or graded attribution method is based on the portion of the award that is expected to vest over the requisite service period, which generally represents the vesting period. Stock-based compensation cost recognized has been reduced for estimated forfeitures. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. See Note 18 — Stock-Based Compensation for additional information.
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Note 2 Revenue Recognition
Nature of goods and services
The following is a description of principal activities from which TDS generates its revenues.
Services and productsNature, timing of satisfaction of performance obligations, and significant payment terms 
Wireless servicesWireless service includes voice, messaging and data services. Revenue is recognized in Service revenues as wireless service is provided to the customer. Wireless services generally are billed and paid in advance on a monthly basis.
Wireless devices and accessoriesUScellular offers a comprehensive range of wireless devices such as handsets, tablets, mobile hotspots, home phones and routers for use by its customers, as well as accessories. UScellular also sells wireless devices to agents and other third-party distributors for resale. UScellular frequently discounts wireless devices sold to new and current customers. UScellular also offers customers the option to purchase certain devices and accessories under installment contracts over a specified time period. For certain equipment installment plans, after a specified period of time, the customer may have the right to upgrade to a new device. Such upgrades require the customer to enter into an equipment installment contract for the new device, and transfer the existing device to UScellular. UScellular recognizes revenue in Equipment and product sales revenues when control of the device or accessory is transferred to the customer, agent or third-party distributor, which is generally upon delivery.
Wireless roamingUScellular receives roaming revenues when other wireless carriers’ customers use UScellular’s wireless systems. UScellular recognizes revenue in Service revenues when the roaming service is provided.
Wireless Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) RevenuesTelecommunications companies may be designated by states, or in some cases by the FCC, as an ETC to receive support payments from the Universal Service Fund if they provide specified services in “high cost” areas. ETC revenues recognized in the reporting period represent the amounts which UScellular is entitled to receive for such period, as determined and approved in connection with UScellular’s designation as an ETC in various states.
Wireless tower rentsUScellular receives tower rental revenues when another carrier leases tower space on a UScellular owned tower. UScellular recognizes revenue in Service revenues in the period during which the services are provided.
Activation feesTDS charges its end customers activation fees in connection with the sale of certain services and equipment. Activation fees are deferred and recognized over the period benefitted.
Wireline and cable servicesWireline and cable services include broadband, video and voice services. Revenue is recognized in Service revenues as service is provided to the customer. Wireline and cable services are generally billed and paid in advance on a monthly basis.
Wholesale revenuesWholesale revenues include network access services primarily to interexchange and wireless carriers for carrying data and voice traffic on TDS Telecom’s network, special access services and state and federal support payments, including A-CAM. Wholesale revenues are recorded as the related service is provided.
IT hardware salesTDS recognizes equipment revenue when it no longer has any requirements to perform, when title has passed and when the products are accepted by the customer.
Hosted and managed servicesHMS Service revenues consist of cloud and hosting solutions, managed services, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) application management, colocation services, and IT hardware and related maintenance and professional services. Revenues related to these services are recognized as services are provided.

Significant Judgments
As a practical expedient, TDS groups similar contracts or similar performance obligations together into portfolios of contracts or performance obligations if doing so does not result in a significant difference from accounting for the individual contracts discretely. TDS applies this grouping method for the following types of transactions: device activation fees, contract acquisition costs, contract fulfillment costs, and certain customer promotions. Contract portfolios are recognized over the respective expected customer lives or terms of the contracts.
Services are deemed to be highly interrelated when the method and timing of transfer and performance risk are the same. Highly interrelated services that are determined to not be distinct have been grouped into a single performance obligation. Each month of services promised is a performance obligation. The series of monthly service performance obligations promised over the course of the contract are combined into a single performance obligation for purposes of the revenue allocation.
TDS has made judgments regarding transaction price, including but not limited to issues relating to variable consideration, time value of money, returns and non-cash consideration. When determined to be significant in the context of the contract, these items are considered in the valuation of transaction price at contract inception or modification, as appropriate.
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Multiple Performance Obligations
UScellular and TDS Telecom each sell bundled service and equipment offerings. In these instances, TDS recognizes its revenue based on the relative standalone selling prices for each distinct service or equipment performance obligation, or bundles thereof. TDS estimates the standalone selling price of the device or accessory to be its retail price excluding discounts. TDS estimates the standalone selling price of wireless service to be the price offered to customers on month-to-month contracts.
Incentives
Discounts, incentives, and rebates to agents and end customers that are deemed cash are recognized as a reduction of Operating revenues concurrently with the associated revenue. 
From time to time, UScellular may offer certain promotions to incentivize customers to switch to, or to purchase additional services from, UScellular. Under these types of promotions, an eligible customer may receive an incentive in the form of a discount off additional services purchased shown as a credit to the customer’s monthly bill. UScellular accounts for the future discounts as material rights at the time of the initial transaction by allocating and deferring revenue based on the relative proportion of the future discounts in comparison to the aggregate initial purchase. The deferred revenue will be recognized as service revenue in future periods. 
Amounts Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities
TDS records amounts collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities on a net basis within a liability account if the amount is assessed upon the customer and TDS merely acts as an agent in collecting the amount on behalf of the imposing governmental authority. If the amount is assessed upon TDS, then amounts collected from customers are recorded in Service revenues and amounts remitted to governmental authorities are recorded in Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. The amounts recorded gross in revenues that are billed to customers and remitted to governmental authorities totaled $88 million, $95 million and $82 million for 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Disaggregation of Revenue
In the following table, TDS' revenues are disaggregated by type of service, which represents the relevant categorization of revenues for TDS' reportable segments, and timing of recognition. Service revenues are recognized over time and Equipment and product sales are recognized at a point in time.
Year Ended December 31, 2022UScellularTDS TelecomCorporate, Eliminations and OtherTotal
(Dollars in millions)    
Revenues from contracts with customers:    
Type of service:    
Retail service$2,793 $— $— $2,793 
Inbound roaming67 — — 67 
Residential— 669 — 669 
Commercial— 173 — 173 
Wholesale— 173 — 173 
Other service172 — 73 245 
Service revenues from contracts with customers3,032 1,015 73 4,120 
Equipment and product sales1,044 128 1,173 
Total revenues from contracts with customers1
$4,076 $1,016 $201 $5,293 
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Year Ended December 31, 2021UScellularTDS TelecomCorporate, Eliminations and OtherTotal
(Dollars in millions)    
Revenues from contracts with customers:    
Type of service:    
Retail service2,3
$2,757 $— $— $2,757 
Inbound roaming110 — — 110 
Residential— 641 — 641 
Commercial— 183 — 183 
Wholesale— 178 — 178 
Other service2
165 — 73 238 
Service revenues from contracts with customers3,032 1,002 73 4,107 
Equipment and product sales1,007 105 1,113 
Total revenues from contracts with customers1
$4,039 $1,003 $178 $5,220 
Year Ended December 31, 2020UScellularTDS TelecomCorporate, Eliminations and OtherTotal
(Dollars in millions)    
Revenues from contracts with customers:    
Type of service:    
Retail service2
$2,681 $— $— $2,681 
Inbound roaming152 — — 152 
Residential— 594 — 594 
Commercial— 194 — 194 
Wholesale— 184 — 184 
Other service2
157 — 69 226 
Service revenues from contracts with customers2,990 972 69 4,031 
Equipment and product sales970 118 1,089 
Total revenues from contracts with customers1
$3,960 $973 $187 $5,120 
Numbers may not foot due to rounding.
1Revenue line items in this table will not agree to amounts presented in the Consolidated Statement of Operations as the amounts in this table only include revenue resulting from contracts with customers
2For 2021 and 2020, amounts have been adjusted to reclassify $8 million and $5 million, respectively, of Internet of Things (IoT) and Reseller revenues from Retail service to Other service.
3During the third quarter of 2021, UScellular recorded a $9 million out-of-period error related to the timing of recognition of regulatory fee billings. This adjustment had the impact of increasing Service revenue by $9 million in 2021. UScellular determined that this adjustment was not material to any of the periods impacted.
Contract Balances
For contracts that involve multiple element service and equipment offerings, the transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price. When consideration is received in advance of delivery of goods or services, a contract liability is recorded. A contract asset is recorded when revenue is recognized in advance of TDS’ right to receive consideration. Once there is an unconditional right to receive the consideration, TDS records such amounts as receivables, and then bills the customer under the terms of the respective contract.
TDS recognizes Equipment and product sales revenue when the equipment is delivered to the customer and a corresponding contract asset or liability is recorded for the difference between the amount of revenue recognized and the amount billed to the customer in cases where discounts are offered. The contract asset or liability is reduced over the contract term as service is provided and billed to the customer.
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The following table provides balances for contract assets from contracts with customers, which are recorded in Other current assets and Other assets and deferred charges in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, and contract liabilities from contracts with customers, which are recorded in Customer deposits and deferred revenues and Other deferred liabilities and credits in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
December 31,20222021
(Dollars in millions) 
Contract assets$12 $10 
Contract liabilities$395 $289 

Revenue recognized related to contract liabilities existing at January 1, 2022 was $216 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Transaction price allocated to the remaining performance obligations
The following table includes estimated service revenues expected to be recognized related to performance obligations that are unsatisfied (or partially unsatisfied) at the end of the reporting period. These estimates represent service revenues to be recognized when services are delivered to customers pursuant to service plan contracts and under certain roaming agreements with other carriers. These estimates are based on contracts in place as of December 31, 2022, and may vary from actual results. As practical expedients, revenue related to contracts of less than one year, generally month-to-month contracts, and contracts with a fixed per-unit price and variable quantity, are excluded from these estimates.
 Service Revenues
(Dollars in millions) 
2023$412 
2024169 
Thereafter108 
Total$689 
Contract Cost Assets
TDS expects that commission fees paid as a result of obtaining contracts are recoverable and therefore TDS defers and amortizes these costs. As a practical expedient, costs with an amortization period of one year or less are expensed as incurred. TDS also incurs fulfillment costs, such as installation costs, where there is an expectation that a future benefit will be realized. Deferred commission fees and fulfillment costs are amortized based on the timing of transfer of the goods or services to which the assets relate, typically the contract term. Contract cost asset balances, which are recorded in Other assets and deferred charges in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, were as follows:
December 31,20222021
(Dollars in millions) 
Costs to obtain contracts 
Sales commissions$144 $139 
Fulfillment costs
Installation costs8 10 
Total contract cost assets$152 $149 
Amortization of contract cost assets was $113 million, $116 million and $120 million for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and was included in Selling, general and administrative expenses and Cost of services expenses.
Note 3 Fair Value Measurements
As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, TDS did not have any material financial or nonfinancial assets or liabilities that were required to be recorded at fair value in its Consolidated Balance Sheet in accordance with GAAP.
The provisions of GAAP establish a fair value hierarchy that contains three levels for inputs used in fair value measurements. Level 1 inputs include quoted market prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. Level 2 inputs include quoted market prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or quoted market prices for identical assets and liabilities in inactive markets. Level 3 inputs are unobservable. A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is not representative of its expected performance or its overall risk profile and, therefore, Level 3 assets are not necessarily higher risk than Level 2 assets or Level 1 assets.
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TDS has applied the provisions of fair value accounting for purposes of computing the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes as displayed below.
 Level within the Fair Value HierarchyDecember 31, 2022December 31, 2021
 Book ValueFair ValueBook ValueFair Value
(Dollars in millions)     
Long-term debt 
Retail2$1,500 $899 $1,500 $1,594 
Institutional2536 395 535 659 
Other21,753 1,753 944 944 
Long-term debt excludes lease obligations, the current portion of Long-term debt and debt financing costs. The fair value of “Retail” Long-term debt was estimated using market prices for UScellular Senior Notes, which are traded on the New York Stock Exchange. TDS’ “Institutional” debt consists of UScellular’s 6.7% Senior Notes which are traded over the counter. TDS’ “Other” debt consists of term loan credit agreements, receivables securitization agreement and in 2022, an export credit financing agreement. TDS estimated the fair value of its Institutional and Other debt through a discounted cash flow analysis using the interest rates or estimated yield to maturity for each borrowing, which ranged from 3.52% to 8.28% and 1.31% to 4.40% at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
The fair values of Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term debt approximate their book values due to the short-term nature of these financial instruments.
Note 4 Equipment Installment Plans
UScellular sells devices to customers under equipment installment plans over a specified time period. For certain equipment installment plans, after a specified period of time or amount of payments, the customer may have the right to upgrade to a new device and have the remaining unpaid equipment installment contract balance waived, subject to certain conditions, including trading in the original device in good working condition and signing a new equipment installment contract.
The following table summarizes equipment installment plan receivables.

December 31,20222021
(Dollars in millions)  
Equipment installment plan receivables, gross$1,211 $1,085 
Allowance for credit losses(96)(72)
Equipment installment plan receivables, net$1,115 $1,013 
Net balance presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as:
Accounts receivable — Customers and agents (Current portion)$646 $639 
Other assets and deferred charges (Non-current portion)469 374 
Equipment installment plan receivables, net$1,115 $1,013 
UScellular uses various inputs, including internal data, information from credit bureaus and other sources, to evaluate the credit profiles of its customers. From this evaluation, a credit class is assigned to the customer that determines the number of eligible lines, the amount of credit available, and the down payment requirement, if any. These credit classes are grouped into four credit categories: lowest risk, lower risk, slight risk and higher risk. A customer's assigned credit class is reviewed periodically and a change is made, if appropriate. An equipment installment plan billed amount is considered past due if not paid within 30 days.
The balance and aging of the equipment installment plan receivables on a gross basis by credit category were as follows:
December 31, 2022December 31, 2021
Lowest RiskLower RiskSlight RiskHigher RiskTotalLowest RiskLower RiskSlight RiskHigher RiskTotal
(Dollars in millions)
Unbilled$1,016 $98 $22 $5 $1,141 $896 $94 $24 $$1,019 
Billed — current41 5 2  48 40 47 
Billed — past due13 6 2 1 22 10 19 
Total$1,070 $109 $26 $6 $1,211 $946 $105 $27 $$1,085 
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The balance of the equipment installment plan receivables as of December 31, 2022 on a gross basis by year of origination were as follows:
202020212022Total
(Dollars in millions)
Lowest Risk$43 $303 $724 $1,070 
Lower Risk28 78 109 
Slight Risk— 22 26 
Higher Risk— 6 
Total$46 $336 $829 $1,211 
Activity for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, in the allowance for credit losses for equipment installment plan receivables was as follows:
 20222021
(Dollars in millions)  
Allowance for credit losses, beginning of year$72 $78 
Bad debts expense100 38 
Write-offs, net of recoveries1
(76)(44)
Allowance for credit losses, end of year$96 $72 
1Write-offs increased in 2022 as customer payment behavior returned to pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels.
Note 5 Income Taxes
TDS’ current income taxes balances at December 31, 2022 and 2021, were as follows:
December 31,20222021
(Dollars in millions)  
Federal income taxes receivable$56 $179 
Net state income taxes receivable3 
Income tax expense (benefit) is summarized as follows:
Year Ended December 31,202220212020
(Dollars in millions)   
Current   
Federal$1 $$(175)
State5 (21)
Deferred
Federal32 59 179 
State15 (7)11 
Total income tax expense (benefit)$53 $33 $19 
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A reconciliation of TDS’ income tax expense computed at the statutory rate to the reported income tax expense, and the statutory federal income tax rate to TDS’ effective income tax rate is as follows:
Year Ended December 31,202220212020
 AmountRateAmountRateAmountRate
(Dollars in millions)      
Statutory federal income tax expense and rate$26 21.0 %$47 21.0 %$60 21.0 %
State income taxes, net of federal benefit1
16 12.8 (23)(10.3)11 4.0 
Change in federal valuation allowance2
7 5.7 3.1 — — 
Loss carryback benefit of CARES Act3
  — — (60)(21.0)
Nondeductible compensation7 5.6 2.9 3.0 
Tax credits(2)(1.9)(2)(0.8)(2)(0.6)
Other differences, net(1)(0.6)(2)(0.8)— 
Total income tax expense (benefit) and rate$53 42.6 %$33 15.1 %$19 6.4 %
1State income taxes, net of federal benefit, include changes in unrecognized tax benefits as well as adjustments to state valuation allowances. State taxes increased in 2022 due primarily to valuation allowance adjustments. State taxes in 2021 are a net benefit due primarily to the reduction of tax accruals resulting from expirations of state statute of limitations for prior tax years.
2Change in federal valuation allowance is due primarily to current year interest expense from partnership investments that carryforward but may not be realized.
3The CARES Act provided a 5-year carryback of net operating losses generated in years 2018-2020. As the statutory federal tax rate applicable to certain years within the carryback period is 35%, carryback to those years provided a tax benefit in excess of the current federal statutory rate of 21%.
Significant components of TDS’ deferred income tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2022 and 2021, were as follows:
December 31,2022
20211
(Dollars in millions)  
Deferred tax assets  
Net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards$250 $226 
Lease liabilities265 277 
Contract liabilities63 38 
Interest expense carryforwards74 31 
Asset retirement obligation116 101 
Other129 122 
Total deferred tax assets897 795 
Less valuation allowance(177)(149)
Net deferred tax assets720 646 
Deferred tax liabilities
Property, plant and equipment805 751 
Licenses/intangibles419 364 
Partnership investments173 155 
Lease assets245 255 
Other43 40 
Total deferred tax liabilities1,685 1,565 
Net deferred income tax liability$965 $919 
Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as:
Deferred income tax liability, net$969 $921 
Other assets and deferred charges(4)(2)
Net deferred income tax liability$965 $919 
1    Certain prior year deferred tax assets and liabilities have been reclassified to align with the current year presentation.
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At December 31, 2022, TDS and certain subsidiaries had $3,508 million of state NOL carryforwards (generating a $177 million deferred tax asset) available to offset future taxable income. The state NOL carryforwards expire between 2023 and 2042. TDS and certain subsidiaries had $344 million of federal NOL carryforwards (generating a $72 million deferred tax asset) available to offset future taxable income. The federal NOL carryforwards generally expire between 2023 and 2037, with the exception of federal NOLs generated after 2017, which do not expire. A valuation allowance was established for certain federal and state NOL carryforwards since it is more likely than not that a portion of such carryforwards will expire before they can be utilized. 
At December 31, 2022, TDS and certain subsidiaries had $384 million of state interest limitation carryforwards (generating a $16 million deferred tax asset) available to offset future taxable income. The state interest limitation carryforwards generally do not expire. TDS and certain subsidiaries had $277 million of federal interest limitation carryforwards (generating a $58 million deferred tax asset) available to offset future taxable income. The federal interest limitation carryforwards do not expire. A valuation allowance was established for certain federal and state interest limitation carryforwards since it is more likely than not that a portion of such carryforwards will not be utilized.
A summary of TDS' deferred tax asset valuation allowance is as follows:
 202220212020
(Dollars in millions)   
Balance at beginning of year$149 $158 $152 
Charged to Income tax expense28 (9)
Balance at end of year$177 $149 $158 
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
 202220212020
(Dollars in millions)   
Unrecognized tax benefits balance at beginning of year$37 $54 $49 
Additions for tax positions of current year6 
Additions for tax positions of prior years1 — 
Reductions for tax positions of prior years (3)(1)
Reductions for settlements of tax positions (2)— 
Reductions for lapses in statutes of limitations(6)(20)(5)
Unrecognized tax benefits balance at end of year$38 $37 $54 
Unrecognized tax benefits are included in Accrued taxes and Other deferred liabilities and credits in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. If these benefits were recognized at each respective year end period, they would have reduced income tax expense in 2022, 2021 and 2020 by $30 million, $30 million and $43 million, respectively, net of the federal benefit from state income taxes. 
TDS recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in Income tax expense (benefit). The amounts charged to income tax expense related to interest and penalties resulted in nominal expense in 2022, a benefit of $10 million in 2021, and an expense of $2 million in 2020. Net accrued liabilities for interest and penalties were $13 million at both December 31, 2022 and 2021, and are included in Other deferred liabilities and credits in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
TDS and its subsidiaries file federal and state income tax returns. With limited exceptions, TDS is no longer subject to federal and state income tax audits for the years prior to 2019.
Note 6 Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to TDS common shareholders is computed by dividing Net income (loss) attributable to TDS common shareholders by the weighted average number of Common Shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to TDS common shareholders is computed by dividing Net income (loss) attributable to TDS common shareholders by the weighted average number of Common Shares outstanding during the period adjusted to include the effects of potentially dilutive securities. Potentially dilutive securities primarily include incremental shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options and the vesting of performance and restricted stock units.
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The amounts used in computing basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to TDS common shareholders were as follows:
Year Ended December 31,202220212020
(Dollars and shares in millions, except per share amounts)   
Net income (loss) attributable to TDS common shareholders used in basic earnings (loss) per share$(7)$117 $226 
Adjustments to compute diluted earnings (loss):
Noncontrolling interest adjustment(1)(1)(3)
Net income (loss) attributable to TDS common shareholders used in diluted earnings (loss) per share$(8)$116 $223 
Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings (loss) per share:
Common Shares107 108 107 
Series A Common Shares7 
Total114 115 114 
Effects of dilutive securities 
Weighted average number of shares used in diluted earnings (loss) per share114 116 115 
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to TDS common shareholders$(0.07)$1.03 $1.97 
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to TDS common shareholders$(0.07)$1.00 $1.93 
Certain Common Shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options or vesting of performance and restricted stock units were not included in weighted average diluted shares outstanding for the calculation of Diluted earnings per share attributable to TDS common shareholders because their effects were antidilutive. The number of such Common Shares excluded was 5 million shares, 4 million shares and 5 million shares for 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. 
Note 7 Intangible Assets
Licenses
TDS reviews opportunities to acquire additional wireless spectrum, including pursuant to FCC auctions. TDS also may seek to divest outright or exchange wireless spectrum that is not strategic to its long-term success. Prior to 2009, TDS accounted for UScellular’s share repurchases as step acquisitions, allocating a portion of the share repurchase value to TDS’ Licenses. Consequently, UScellular's Licenses on a stand-alone basis do not equal the TDS consolidated Licenses related to UScellular. Activity related to TDS' Licenses is presented below.
 UScellularTDS TelecomTotal
(Dollars in millions)   
Balance at December 31, 2020$2,633 $$2,638 
Acquisitions1,464 — 1,464 
Transferred to Assets held for sale(18)— (18)
Capitalized interest13 — 13 
Balance at December 31, 20214,092 4,097 
Acquisitions595 — 595 
Impairment1
(3)— (3)
Transferred to Assets held for sale— 
Exchanges - Licenses received— 
Capitalized interest— 
Balance at December 31, 2022$4,694 $$4,699 
1Impairment charge relates to licenses in markets where UScellular no longer expects to meet FCC buildout requirements.
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Auction 107
In February 2021, the FCC announced by way of public notice that UScellular was the provisional winning bidder for 254 wireless spectrum licenses in the 3.7-3.98 GHz bands (Auction 107) for $1,283 million. UScellular paid $30 million of this amount in 2020 and the remainder in March 2021. The wireless spectrum licenses from Auction 107 were granted by the FCC in July 2021. Additionally, UScellular expects to be obligated to pay approximately $185 million in total from 2021 through 2024 related to relocation costs and accelerated relocation incentive payments. Such additional costs were accrued and capitalized at the time the licenses were granted, and are adjusted as necessary as the estimated obligation changes. UScellular paid $36 million and $8 million related to the additional costs in October 2021 and September 2022, respectively. At December 31, 2022, the remaining estimated payments of approximately $133 million and $8 million are included in Other current liabilities and Other deferred liabilities and credits, respectively, and at December 31, 2021, the remaining payments of approximately $17 million and $128 million are included in Other current liabilities and Other deferred liabilities and credits, respectively, in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The spectrum must be cleared by incumbent providers before UScellular can access it. UScellular does not expect to have access to this spectrum until late 2023.
Auction 110
In January 2022, the FCC announced by way of public notice that UScellular was the provisional winning bidder for 380 wireless spectrum licenses in the 3.45-3.55 GHz band (Auction 110) for $580 million. UScellular paid $20 million of this amount in 2021 and the remainder in January and February 2022. The advance payment was included in Other assets and deferred charges in the December 31, 2021 Consolidated Balance Sheet. The wireless spectrum licenses from Auction 110 were granted by the FCC on May 4, 2022.
Goodwill
The Goodwill balance of TDS Telecom was $547 million at both December 31, 2022 and 2021, net of accumulated impairment losses of $29 million recorded in prior periods.

Other intangible assets
Activity related to TDS' Other intangible assets is presented below.
December 31, 2022December 31, 2021
Gross AmountAccumulated AmortizationNet AmountGross AmountAccumulated AmortizationNet Amount
(Dollars in millions)
Franchise rights$255 $(85)$170 $255 $(68)$187 
Customer lists26 (25)1 27 (23)
Internet protocol addresses34 (2)32 — 
Other1  1 — 
Total$316 $(112)$204 $288 $(91)$197 
Amortization expense for intangible assets was $21 million, $21 million and $26 million for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Based on the current balance of finite-lived intangible assets, the estimated amortization expense is $22 million, $19 million, $19 million, $19 million and $19 million for the years 2023 through 2027, respectively.
Note 8 Investments in Unconsolidated Entities
Investments in unconsolidated entities consist of amounts invested in entities in which TDS holds a noncontrolling interest. TDS' Investments in unconsolidated entities are accounted for using the equity method, measurement alternative method or net asset value practical expedient method as shown in the table below. The carrying value of measurement alternative method investments represents cost minus any impairments plus or minus any observable price changes.
December 31,20222021
(Dollars in millions)  
Equity method investments:  
Capital contributions, loans, advances and adjustments$115 $115 
Cumulative share of income2,615 2,460 
Cumulative share of distributions(2,262)(2,118)
Total equity method investments468 457 
Measurement alternative method investments18 22 
Investments recorded using the net asset value practical expedient9 — 
Total investments in unconsolidated entities$495 $479 
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The following tables, which are based on unaudited information provided in part by third parties, summarize the combined assets, liabilities and equity, and results of operations of TDS’ equity method investments:
December 31,20222021
(Dollars in millions)  
Assets  
Current$1,106 $1,257 
Noncurrent6,486 6,189 
Total assets$7,592 $7,446 
Liabilities and Equity
Current liabilities$767 $710 
Noncurrent liabilities1,249 1,260 
Partners’ capital and shareholders’ equity5,576 5,476 
Total liabilities and equity$7,592 $7,446 
Year Ended December 31,202220212020
(Dollars in millions)   
Results of Operations   
Revenues$7,303 $7,127 $6,702 
Operating expenses5,684 5,152 4,753 
Operating income1,619 1,975 1,949 
Other income (expense), net(19)14 13 
Net income$1,600 $1,989 $1,962 
Note 9 Property, Plant and Equipment
TDS’ Property, plant and equipment in service and under construction, and related accumulated depreciation and amortization, as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, were as follows:
December 31,Useful Lives (Years)20222021
(Dollars in millions)   
LandN/A$63 $62 
Buildings5-40532 541 
Leasehold and land improvements1-301,538 1,476 
Cable and wire15-402,609 2,403 
Network and switching equipment3-102,706 2,671 
Cell site equipment7-254,248 4,150 
Office furniture and equipment3-10296 346 
Other operating assets and equipment1-12200 176 
System development1-72,070 1,864 
Work in processN/A709 576 
Total property, plant and equipment, gross 14,971 14,265 
Accumulated depreciation and amortization (10,211)(9,904)
Total property, plant and equipment, net $4,760 $4,361 
Depreciation and amortization expense totaled $882 million, $851 million and $862 million in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. In 2022, 2021 and 2020, (Gain) loss on asset disposals, net included charges of $27 million, $26 million and $27 million, respectively, related to disposals of assets from service in the normal course of business.
Note 10 Leases
Lessee Agreements
TDS’ most significant leases are for land and tower spaces, network facilities, retail spaces, and offices. Nearly all of TDS’ leases are classified as operating leases, although it does have a small number of finance leases.
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TDS has agreements with both lease and nonlease components, which are accounted for separately. As part of the present value calculation for the lease liabilities, TDS uses an incremental borrowing rate as the rates implicit in the leases are not readily determinable. The incremental borrowing rates used for lease accounting are based on TDS' unsecured rates, adjusted to approximate the rates at which TDS would be required to borrow on a collateralized basis over a term similar to the recognized lease term. TDS applies the incremental borrowing rates to lease components using a portfolio approach based upon the length of the lease term and the reporting entity in which the lease resides. The cost of nonlease components in TDS’ lease portfolio (e.g., utilities and common area maintenance) are not typically predetermined at lease commencement and are expensed as incurred at their relative standalone price.
Variable lease expense occurs when, subsequent to the lease commencement, lease payments are made that were not originally included in the lease liability calculation. TDS’ variable lease payments are primarily a result of leases with escalations that are tied to an index. The incremental changes due to the index changes are recorded as variable lease expense and are not included in the right-of-use assets or lease liabilities.
The identified lease term determines the periods to which expense is allocated and is also utilized in the right-of-use asset and liability calculations. Many of TDS’ leases include renewal and early termination options. At lease commencement, the lease terms include options to extend the lease when TDS is reasonably certain that it will exercise the options. The lease terms do not include early termination options unless TDS is reasonably certain to exercise the options. TDS has applied the portfolio approach in cases where asset classes have similar lease characteristics including tower space, retail, and certain ground lease asset classes.
The following table shows the components of lease cost included in the Consolidated Statement of Operations:
Year Ended December 31,202220212020
(Dollars in millions)
Operating lease cost$206 $198 $184 
Variable lease cost12 10 11 
Total$218 $208 $195 
The following table shows supplemental cash flow information related to lease activities:
Year Ended December 31,202220212020
(Dollars in millions)
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: 
Operating cash flows from operating leases$204 $204 $188 
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:
Operating leases$125 $188 $157 
The table below shows a weighted-average analysis for lease terms and discount rates for operating leases:
December 31,20222021
Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term12 years12 years
Weighted Average Discount Rate3.9 %3.8 %
The maturities of lease liabilities are as follows:
 Operating Leases
(Dollars in millions)
2023$182 
2024178 
2025150 
2026116 
202794 
Thereafter681 
Total lease payments1
$1,401 
Less: Imputed interest347 
Present value of lease liabilities$1,054 
1    Lease payments exclude $42 million of legally binding lease payments for leases signed but not yet commenced.
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Lessor Agreements
TDS’ most significant lessor leases are for tower space and colocation space. All of TDS’ lessor leases are classified as operating leases. A lease is generally present in a contract if the lessee controls the use of identified property, plant, or equipment for a period of time in exchange for consideration. TDS’ lessor agreements with lease and nonlease components are generally accounted for separately; however, certain service agreements with insignificant lease components are accounted for as nonlease transactions.
The identified lease term determines the periods to which revenue is allocated over the term of the lease. Many of TDS’ leases include renewal and early termination options. At lease commencement, lease terms include options to extend the lease when TDS is reasonably certain that lessees will exercise the options. Lease terms would not include periods after the date of a termination option that lessees are reasonably certain to exercise.
Variable lease income occurs when, subsequent to the lease commencement, lease payments are received that were not originally included in the lease receivable calculation. TDS’ variable lease income is primarily a result of leases with escalations that are tied to an index. The incremental increases due to the index changes are recorded as variable lease income.
The following table shows the components of lease income which are included in Service revenues in the Consolidated Statement of Operations:
Year Ended December 31,202220212020
(Dollars in millions)
Operating lease income$120 $109 $105 
The maturities of expected lease payments to be received are as follows:
 Operating Leases
(Dollars in millions)
2023$98 
202490 
202572 
202640 
202721 
Thereafter39 
Total future lease maturities$360 
Note 11 Asset Retirement Obligations
UScellular is subject to asset retirement obligations associated with its leased cell sites, switching office sites, retail store sites and office locations. Asset retirement obligations generally include obligations to restore leased land, towers, retail store and office premises to their pre-lease conditions.
TDS Telecom owns poles, cable and wire and certain buildings and also leases office space and property used for housing central office switching equipment and fiber cable. These assets and leases often have removal or remediation requirements. For example, TDS Telecom’s poles, cable and wire are often located on property that is not owned by TDS Telecom and may be subject to the provisions of easements, permits, or leasing arrangements. Pursuant to these terms, TDS Telecom is often required to remove these assets and return the property to its original condition at a future date.
Asset retirement obligations are included in Other deferred liabilities and credits in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. 
In 2022 and 2021, UScellular and TDS Telecom performed a review of the assumptions and estimated future costs related to asset retirement obligations. The results of the reviews and other changes in asset retirement obligations during 2022 and 2021, were as follows:
 20222021
(Dollars in millions)  
Balance at beginning of year$469 $377 
Additional liabilities accrued19 28 
Revisions in estimated cash outflows11 42 
Disposition of assets(1)(1)
Accretion expense26 23 
Balance at end of year$524 $469 
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Note 12 Debt
Revolving Credit Agreements
At December 31, 2022, TDS and UScellular had revolving credit agreements available for general corporate purposes. Amounts under the revolving credit agreements may be borrowed, repaid and reborrowed from time to time until maturity in July 2026. 
The following table summarizes the revolving credit agreements as of December 31, 2022:
 TDSUScellular
(Dollars in millions)  
Maximum borrowing capacity$400 $300 
Letters of credit outstanding$$— 
Amount borrowed$— $— 
Amount available for use$399 $300 
Borrowings under the TDS revolving credit agreement bear interest at a rate of London Inter-bank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus 1.50%. Borrowings under the UScellular revolving credit agreement bear interest at a rate of Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) plus 1.60%. TDS and UScellular may select a borrowing period of either one, two, three or six months (or other period of twelve months or less if requested by TDS or UScellular and approved by the lenders). TDS’ and UScellular’s credit spread and commitment fees on their revolving credit agreements may be subject to increase if their current credit ratings from nationally recognized credit rating agencies are lowered, and may be subject to decrease if the ratings are raised. 
During 2022, UScellular borrowed and repaid $75 million under its revolving credit agreement.
Term Loan Agreements
At December 31, 2022, TDS and UScellular had senior term loan credit agreements available for general corporate purposes.
The following tables summarizes the term loan credit agreements as of December 31, 2022:
TDS:Term Loan 1Term Loan 2Total
(Dollars in millions)
Maximum borrowing capacity$200 $300 $500 
Amount borrowed and outstanding$198 $299 $497 
Amount borrowed and repaid$$$
Amount available for use$— $— $— 
Interest rateLIBOR plus 2.00%LIBOR plus 2.50%
Maturity dateJuly 2028July 2031
Quarterly installments$0.5 million from December 2021 to maturity date$0.75 million from December 2022 to September 2026; $2 million from December 2026 to maturity date
UScellular:Term Loan 1Term Loan 2Term Loan 3Total
(Dollars in millions)
Maximum borrowing capacity$300 $300 $200 $800 
Amount borrowed and outstanding$300 $296 $200 $796 
Amount borrowed and repaid$— $$— $
Amount available for use$— $— $— $— 
Interest rateSOFR plus 1.60%SOFR plus 2.10%SOFR plus 2.60%
Maturity dateJuly 2026July 2028July 2031
Quarterly installments$2 million from March 2023 to December 2023; $4 million from March 2024 to December 2025; $8 million from March 2026 to maturity date$0.75 million from December 2021 to maturity date$0.5 million from December 2022 to September 2026; $1 million from December 2026 to maturity date
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In 2022, TDS borrowed $300 million and UScellular borrowed $500 million under the term loan agreements.
Export Credit Financing Agreements
In November 2022, TDS entered into a $150 million term loan credit facility with Export Development Canada to finance (or refinance) imported equipment, including equipment purchased prior to entering the term loan credit facility agreement. The agreement may be drawn in one or more advances by the five-month anniversary of the date of the agreement which is April 9, 2023; amounts not drawn by that time will cease to be available. Borrowings bear interest at a rate of SOFR plus 1.60% and are due and payable on the five-year anniversary of the first borrowing, which is in December 2027. During 2022, TDS borrowed $50 million under the agreement. As of December 31, 2022, the outstanding borrowings under the agreement were $50 million and the unused borrowing capacity was $100 million.
TDS borrowed $50 million under its export credit financing agreement in both January and February 2023.
In December 2021, UScellular entered into a $150 million term loan credit facility with Export Development Canada to finance (or refinance) imported equipment, including equipment purchased prior to entering the term loan credit facility agreement. Borrowings bear interest at a rate of SOFR plus 1.60% and are due and payable on the five-year anniversary of the first borrowing, which is in January 2027. During 2022, UScellular borrowed $150 million, which is the full amount available under the agreement.
Receivables Securitization Agreement
At December 31, 2022, UScellular, through its subsidiaries, had a $450 million receivables securitization agreement for securitized borrowings using its equipment installment receivables for general corporate purposes. Amounts under the receivables securitization agreement may be borrowed, repaid and reborrowed from time to time until maturity in March 2024. Unless the agreement is amended to extend the maturity date, repayments based on receivable collections commence in April 2024. The outstanding borrowings bear interest at floating rates. During 2022, UScellular repaid $250 million and borrowed $75 million under the agreement. As of December 31, 2022, the outstanding borrowings under the agreement were $275 million and the unused borrowing capacity under the agreement was $175 million, subject to sufficient collateral to satisfy the asset borrowing base provisions of the agreement. As of December 31, 2022, the USCC Master Note Trust held $447 million of assets pledged as collateral for the receivables securitization agreement.
In connection with entering into the receivables securitization agreement in 2017, UScellular formed a wholly-owned subsidiary, USCC Master Note Trust (Trust), which qualifies as a bankruptcy remote entity. Under the terms of the agreement, UScellular, through its subsidiaries, transfers eligible equipment installment receivables to the Trust. The Trust then utilizes the transferred assets as collateral for notes payables issued to third party financial institutions. Since UScellular retains effective control of the transferred assets in the Trust, any activity associated with this receivables securitization agreement will be treated as a secured borrowing. Therefore, TDS will continue to report equipment installment receivables and any related balances on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Cash received from borrowings under the receivables securitization agreement will be reported as Debt. Refer to Note 15 — Variable Interest Entities for additional information.
In February 2023, UScellular borrowed $25 million under the receivables securitization agreement.
Repurchase Agreement
In January 2022, UScellular, through a subsidiary (the repo subsidiary), entered into a repurchase agreement to borrow up to $200 million, subject to the availability of eligible equipment installment plan receivables and the agreement of the lender. The transaction form involves the sale of receivables by the repo subsidiary and the commitment to repurchase at the end of the applicable repurchase term, which may extend up to one month. The transaction is accounted for as a one-month secured borrowing. The outstanding borrowings bear interest at a rate of SOFR plus 1.25%. Although the lender holds a security interest in the receivables, the repo subsidiary retains effective control and collection risk of the receivables, and therefore, any activity associated with the repurchase agreement will be treated as a secured borrowing. UScellular will continue to report equipment installment plan receivables and any related balances on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. During 2022, the repo subsidiary borrowed $110 million and repaid $50 million under the repurchase agreement. As of December 31, 2022, the outstanding borrowings under the agreement were $60 million and the unused borrowing capacity was $140 million. The outstanding borrowings are included in Other current liabilities in the December 31, 2022 Consolidated Balance Sheet. As of December 31, 2022 UScellular held $524 million of assets available for inclusion in the repurchase facility; these assets are distinct from the assets held by the USCC Master Note Trust for UScellular's receivables securitization agreement.
In January 2023, UScellular amended the repurchase agreement to extend the expiration date to January 2024. The outstanding borrowings will bear interest at a rate of the lender's cost of funds (which has historically tracked closely to SOFR) plus 1.35%. There were no significant changes to other terms of the repurchase agreement.
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Financial Covenants and Other
The TDS and UScellular revolving credit agreements, term loan agreements, export credit financing agreements and the UScellular receivables securitization agreement require TDS or UScellular, as applicable, to comply with certain affirmative and negative covenants, which include certain financial covenants. In particular, under these agreements, TDS and UScellular are required to maintain the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio at a level not lower than 3.00 to 1.00 as of the end of any fiscal quarter. TDS and UScellular also are required to maintain the Consolidated Leverage Ratio at a level not to exceed 3.75 to 1.00 as of the end of any fiscal quarter. TDS and UScellular believe they were in compliance as of December 31, 2022 with all such financial covenants.
In connection with UScellular’s revolving credit agreements, UScellular term loan agreements and the UScellular export credit financing agreement TDS and UScellular entered into subordination agreements together with the administrative agents for the lenders under each agreement. Pursuant to these subordination agreements, (a) any consolidated funded indebtedness from UScellular to TDS will be unsecured and (b) any (i) consolidated funded indebtedness from UScellular to TDS (other than “refinancing indebtedness” as defined in the subordination agreements) in excess of $105 million and (ii) refinancing indebtedness in excess of $250 million will be subordinated and made junior in right of payment to the prior payment in full of obligations to the lenders under each agreement.As of December 31, 2022, UScellular had no outstanding consolidated funded indebtedness or refinancing indebtedness that was subordinated to each agreement pursuant to the subordination agreements.
Certain TDS and UScellular wholly-owned subsidiaries have jointly and severally unconditionally guaranteed the payment and performance of the obligations of TDS and UScellular under the revolving credit agreements, term loan agreements and export credit agreements. Other subsidiaries that meet certain criteria will be required to provide a similar guaranty in the future. UScellular entered into a performance guaranty whereby UScellular guarantees the performance of certain wholly-owned subsidiaries under the receivables securitization agreement and repurchase agreement.
Other Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, was as follows:
    December 31, 2022December 31, 2021
 
Issuance
date
Maturity
date
Call
date (any
time on
or after)
Principal
Amount
Less
Unamortized
discount
and debt
issuance
costs
Total
Principal
Amount
Less
Unamortized
discount
and debt
issuance
costs
Total
(Dollars in millions)        
UScellular Unsecured Senior Notes
6.70%Dec 2003
and
June 2004
Dec 2033Dec 2003
and
June 2004
$544 $11 $533 $544 $12 $532 
6.25%Aug 2020Sep 2069Sep 2025500 17 483 500 17 483 
5.50%Dec 2020Mar 2070Mar 2026500 17 483 500 17 483 
5.50%May 2021Jun 2070Jun 2026500 16 484 500 16 484 
UScellular Term Loans796 6 790 299 296 
TDS Term Loans497 4 493 200 198 
EIP Securitization275  275 450 — 450 
TDS Export Credit Financing50  50 — — — 
UScellular Export Credit Financing150 1 149 — — — 
Finance lease obligations7  7 — 
Other long-term notes 3  3 — 
Total long-term debt $3,822 $72 $3,750 $3,001 $67 $2,934 
Long-term debt, current $19 $
Long-term debt, noncurrent $3,731 $2,928 
In 2021, TDS redeemed $836 million of outstanding Senior Notes and UScellular redeemed $917 million of outstanding Senior Notes. At time of redemption, $57 million of interest expense was recorded related to unamortized debt issuance costs for the notes. The notes were redeemed at a price of 100% of the principal amount, including accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date.
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UScellular may redeem its 6.25% Senior Notes, 5.5% March 2070 Senior Notes and 5.5% June 2070 Senior Notes, in whole or in part at any time after the respective call date, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest. UScellular may redeem the 6.7% Senior 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 and 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.
Interest on the Senior Notes outstanding at December 31, 2022, is payable quarterly, with the exception of UScellular's 6.7% Senior Notes for which interest is payable semi-annually. 
The annual requirements for principal payments on long-term debt are approximately $19 million, $26 million, $26 million, $275 million and $218 million for the years 2023 through 2027, respectively. These amounts do not include payments on the $275 million of outstanding borrowings under the receivables securitization agreement. If the maturity date of the facility is not extended, principal repayments begin in April 2024. Principal repayments are not scheduled but are instead based on actual receivable collections.
The covenants associated with TDS and its subsidiaries’ long-term debt obligations, among other things, restrict TDS’ ability, subject to certain exclusions, to incur additional liens, enter into sale and leaseback transactions, and sell, consolidate or merge assets.
UScellular’s long-term debt notes do not contain any provisions resulting in acceleration of the maturities of outstanding debt in the event of a change in UScellular’s credit rating.
Note 13 Employee Benefit Plans
Defined Contribution Plans
TDS sponsors a qualified noncontributory defined contribution pension plan. The plan provides benefits for certain employees of TDS Corporate, TDS Telecom and UScellular. Under this plan, pension costs are calculated separately for each participant and are funded annually. Total pension costs were $17 million, $16 million and $16 million in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. In addition, TDS sponsors a defined contribution retirement savings plan (401(k) plan). Total costs incurred from TDS’ contributions to the 401(k) plan were $28 million, $27 million and $27 million in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
TDS also sponsors an unfunded nonqualified deferred supplemental executive retirement plan for certain employees to offset the reduction of benefits caused by the limitation on annual employee compensation under the tax laws.
Other Post-Retirement Benefits
TDS sponsors a defined benefit post-retirement plan that provides medical benefits to retirees and that covers certain employees of TDS Corporate and TDS Telecom, which is not significant to TDS’ financial position or operating results. The plan is contributory, with retiree contributions adjusted annually. TDS recognizes the funded status of the plan as a component of Other assets and deferred charges in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2022 and 2021. Changes in the funded status are included in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the Consolidated Balance Sheet before affecting such amounts for income taxes to the extent that such changes are not recognized in earnings as a component of net periodic benefit cost. 
The post-retirement benefit fund invests mainly in mutual funds that hold U.S. equities, international equities, and debt securities. The post-retirement benefit fund does not hold any debt or equity securities issued by TDS, UScellular or any related parties. The fair value of the plan assets of the post-retirement benefit fund was $66 million and $77 million as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The total plan benefit obligations were $44 million and $54 million as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Therefore, the total funded status was an asset of $22 million and $23 million as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
TDS is not required to set aside current funds for its future retiree health 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. In accordance with applicable income tax regulations, annual contributions to fund the costs of future retiree medical benefits may not exceed certain thresholds. TDS has not determined whether it will make a contribution to the plan in 2023.
Note 14 Commitments and Contingencies
Indemnifications
TDS enters into agreements in the normal course of business that provide for indemnification of counterparties. The terms of the indemnifications vary by agreement. The events or circumstances that would require TDS to perform under these indemnities are transaction specific; however, these agreements may require TDS to indemnify the counterparty for costs and losses incurred from litigation or claims arising from the underlying transaction. TDS is unable to estimate the maximum potential liability for these types of indemnifications as the amounts are dependent on the outcome of future events, the nature and likelihood of which cannot be determined at this time. Historically, TDS has not made any significant indemnification payments under such agreements.
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Legal Proceedings
TDS is involved or may be involved from time to time in legal proceedings before the FCC, other regulatory authorities, and/or various state and federal courts. If TDS believes that a loss arising from such legal proceedings is probable and can be reasonably estimated, an amount is accrued in the financial statements for the estimated loss. If only a range of loss can be determined, the best estimate within that range is accrued; if none of the estimates within that range is better than another, the low end of the range is accrued. The assessment of the expected outcomes of legal proceedings is a highly subjective process that requires judgments about future events. The legal proceedings are reviewed at least quarterly to determine the adequacy of accruals and related financial statement disclosures. The ultimate outcomes of legal proceedings could differ materially from amounts accrued in the financial statements.
TDS had no significant accruals with respect to legal proceedings and unasserted claims as of December 31, 2022 and 2021. TDS is unable to estimate any contingent loss in excess of the amounts accrued.
In April 2018, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) notified TDS that it was conducting inquiries of UScellular and TDS under the federal False Claims Act relating to UScellular’s participation in wireless spectrum license auctions 58, 66, 73 and 97 conducted by the FCC. UScellular is/was a limited partner in several limited partnerships which qualified for the 25% bid credit in each auction. The investigation arose from civil actions under the Federal False Claims Act brought by private parties in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma. In November and December 2019, following the DOJ’s investigation, the DOJ informed TDS and UScellular that it would not intervene in the above-referenced actions. Subsequently, the private party plaintiffs filed amended complaints in both actions in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma and are continuing the action on their own. In July 2020, these actions were transferred to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. TDS and UScellular believe that UScellular’s arrangements with the limited partnerships and the limited partnerships’ participation in the FCC auctions complied with applicable law and FCC rules. At this time, TDS cannot predict the outcome of any proceeding.
Note 15 Variable Interest Entities
Consolidated VIEs
TDS consolidates VIEs in which it has a controlling financial interest as defined by GAAP and is therefore deemed the primary beneficiary. TDS reviews the criteria for a controlling financial interest at the time it enters into agreements and subsequently when events warranting reconsideration occur. These VIEs have risks similar to those described in the “Risk Factors” in TDS’ Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.
UScellular formed USCC EIP LLC (Seller/Sub-Servicer), USCC Receivables Funding LLC (Transferor) and the Trust, collectively the special purpose entities (SPEs), to facilitate a securitized borrowing using its equipment installment plan receivables. Under a Receivables Sale Agreement, UScellular wholly-owned, majority-owned and unconsolidated entities, collectively referred to as “affiliated entities”, transfer device equipment installment plan contracts to the Seller/Sub-Servicer. The Seller/Sub-Servicer aggregates device equipment installment plan contracts, and performs servicing, collection and all other administrative activities related to accounting for the equipment installment plan contracts. The Seller/Sub-Servicer sells the eligible equipment installment plan receivables to the Transferor, a bankruptcy remote entity, which subsequently sells the receivables to the Trust. The Trust, which is bankruptcy remote and isolated from the creditors of UScellular, will be responsible for issuing asset-backed variable funding notes (Notes), which are collateralized by the equipment installment plan receivables owned by the Trust. Given that UScellular has the power to direct the activities of these SPEs, and that these SPEs lack sufficient equity to finance their activities, UScellular is deemed to have a controlling financial interest in the SPEs and, therefore, consolidates them. All transactions with third parties (e.g., issuance of the asset-backed variable funding notes) will be accounted for as a secured borrowing due to the pledging of equipment installment plan contracts as collateral, significant continuing involvement in the transferred assets, subordinated interests of the cash flows, and continued evidence of control of the receivables. Refer to Note 12 — Debt, Receivables Securitization Agreement for additional details regarding the securitization agreement for which these entities were established.    
The following VIEs were formed to participate in FCC auctions of wireless spectrum licenses and to fund, establish, and provide wireless service with respect to any FCC wireless spectrum licenses won in the auctions:
Advantage Spectrum, L.P. (Advantage Spectrum) and Sunshine Spectrum, Inc., the general partner of Advantage Spectrum; and
King Street Wireless, L.P. (King Street Wireless) and King Street Wireless, Inc., the general partner of King Street Wireless.

These particular VIEs are collectively referred to as designated entities. The power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of these VIEs is shared. Specifically, the general partner of these VIEs has the exclusive right to manage, operate and control the limited partnerships and make all decisions to carry on the business of the partnerships. The general partner of each partnership needs the consent of the limited partner, an indirect TDS subsidiary, to sell or lease certain wireless spectrum licenses, to make certain large expenditures, admit other partners or liquidate the limited partnerships. Although the power to direct the activities of these VIEs is shared, TDS has the most significant level of exposure to the variability associated with the economic performance of the VIEs, indicating that TDS is the primary beneficiary of the VIEs. Therefore, in accordance with GAAP, these VIEs are consolidated.
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TDS also consolidates other VIEs that are limited partnerships that provide wireless service. A limited partnership is a variable interest entity unless the limited partners hold substantive participating rights or kick-out rights over the general partner. For certain limited partnerships, UScellular is the general partner and manages the operations. In these partnerships, the limited partners do not have substantive kick-out or participating rights and, further, such limited partners do not have the authority to remove the general partner. Therefore, these limited partnerships also are recognized as VIEs and are consolidated under the variable interest model.
The following table presents the classification and balances of the consolidated VIEs’ assets and liabilities in TDS’ Consolidated Balance Sheet.

December 31,20222021
(Dollars in millions)  
Assets  
Cash and cash equivalents$29 $22 
Accounts receivable700 692 
Inventory, net4 
Other current assets36 44 
Licenses638 637 
Property, plant and equipment, net115 108 
Operating lease right-of-use assets41 42 
Other assets and deferred charges478 382 
Total assets$2,041 $1,929 
Liabilities
Current liabilities$92 $28 
Long-term operating lease liabilities36 37 
Other deferred liabilities and credits28 23 
Total liabilities1
$156 $88 
1Total liabilities does not include amounts borrowed under the receivables securitization agreement. See Note 12 Debt for additional information.
Unconsolidated VIEs
TDS manages the operations of and holds a variable interest in certain other limited partnerships, but is not the primary beneficiary of these entities and, therefore, does not consolidate them under the variable interest model.
TDS’ total investment in these unconsolidated entities was $4 million at both December 31, 2022 and 2021, and is included in Investments in unconsolidated entities in TDS’ Consolidated Balance Sheet. The maximum exposure from unconsolidated VIEs is limited to the investment held by TDS in those entities.
Other Related Matters
TDS made contributions, loans or advances to its VIEs totaling $282 million, $36 million and $111 million during 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively; of which $249 million in 2022 and $83 million in 2020 are related to USCC EIP LLC as discussed above. TDS may agree to make additional capital contributions and/or advances to these or other VIEs and/or to their general partners to provide additional funding for operations or the development of wireless spectrum licenses granted in various auctions. TDS may finance such amounts with a combination of cash on hand, borrowings under its revolving credit or receivables securitization agreements and/or other long-term debt. There is no assurance that TDS will be able to obtain additional financing on commercially reasonable terms or at all to provide such financial support.
The limited partnership agreement of Advantage Spectrum also provides the general partner with a put option whereby the general partner may require the limited partner, a subsidiary of UScellular, to purchase its interest in the limited partnership. In June 2022, the limited partnership agreement was amended and the general partner’s put option related to its interest in Advantage Spectrum will now be exercisable in the third quarter of 2023, and if not exercised at that time, will be exercisable in the third quarter of 2024. The greater of the carrying value of the general partner's investment or the value of the put option, net of any borrowings due to TDS, is recorded as Noncontrolling interests with redemption features in TDS’ Consolidated Balance Sheet. Also in accordance with GAAP, minority share of income or changes in the redemption value of the put option, net of interest accrued on the loans, are recorded as a component of Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax, in TDS’ Consolidated Statement of Operations.
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Note 16 Noncontrolling Interests
The following schedule discloses the effects of Net income attributable to TDS shareholders and changes in TDS’ ownership interest in UScellular on TDS’ equity:
Year Ended December 31,202220212020
(Dollars in millions)   
Net income attributable to TDS shareholders$62 $156 $226 
Transfers (to) from noncontrolling interests
Change in TDS’ Capital in excess of par value from UScellular's issuance of UScellular shares(19)(49)(38)
Change in TDS’ Capital in excess of par value from UScellular’s repurchases of UScellular shares35 17 14 
Purchase of ownership in subsidiaries from noncontrolling interests — (9)
Net transfers (to) from noncontrolling interests16 (32)(33)
Net income attributable to TDS shareholders after transfers (to) from noncontrolling interests$78 $124 $193 
Mandatorily Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests in Finite-Lived Subsidiaries
TDS’ consolidated financial statements include certain noncontrolling interests that meet the GAAP definition of mandatorily redeemable financial instruments. These mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests represent interests held by third parties in consolidated partnerships, where the terms of the underlying partnership agreement provide for a defined termination date at which time the assets of the subsidiary are to be sold, the liabilities are to be extinguished and the remaining net proceeds are to be distributed to the noncontrolling interest holders and TDS in accordance with the respective partnership agreements. The termination dates of these mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests range from 2085 to 2092.
The estimated aggregate amount that would be due and payable to settle all of these noncontrolling interests, assuming an orderly liquidation of the finite-lived consolidated partnerships on December 31, 2022, net of estimated liquidation costs, is $20 million. This amount excludes redemption amounts recorded in Noncontrolling interests with redemption features in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The estimate of settlement value was based on certain factors and assumptions which are subjective in nature. Changes in those factors and assumptions could result in a materially larger or smaller settlement amount. The corresponding carrying value of the mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests in finite-lived consolidated partnerships at December 31, 2022, was $6 million, and is included in Noncontrolling interests in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The excess of the aggregate settlement value over the aggregate carrying value of these mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests is due primarily to the unrecognized appreciation of the noncontrolling interest holders’ share of the underlying net assets in the consolidated partnerships. Neither the noncontrolling interest holders’ share, nor TDS’ share, of the appreciation of the underlying net assets of these subsidiaries is reflected in the consolidated financial statements.
Note 17 Shareholders’ Equity
Common Stock
Series A Common Shares are convertible on a share-for-share basis into Common Shares. In matters other than the election of directors, each Series A Common Share is entitled to ten votes per share, compared to one vote for each Common Share. The Series A Common Shares are entitled to elect eight directors, and the Common Shares elect four. TDS has reserved 7,411,000 Common Shares at December 31, 2022, for possible issuance upon conversion of Series A Common Shares.
On August 2, 2013, the Board of Directors of TDS authorized a $250 million stock repurchase program for the purchase of TDS Common Shares from time to time pursuant to open market purchases, block transactions, private purchases or otherwise, depending on market conditions. This authorization does not have an expiration date. As of December 31, 2022, the maximum dollar value of TDS Common Shares that may yet be purchased under TDS' program was $138 million.
In November 2009, UScellular announced by Form 8-K that the Board of Directors of UScellular authorized the repurchase of up to 1,300,000 Common Shares on an annual basis beginning in 2009 and continuing each year thereafter, on a cumulative basis. In December 2016, the UScellular Board amended this authorization to provide that, beginning on January 1, 2017, the authorized repurchase amount with respect to a particular year will be any amount from zero to 1,300,000 Common Shares, as determined by the Pricing Committee of the Board of Directors, and that if the Pricing Committee did not specify an amount for any year, such amount would be zero for such year. The Pricing Committee has not specified any increase in the authorization since that time. The Pricing Committee also was authorized to decrease the cumulative amount of the authorization at any time, but has not taken any action to do so at this time. As of December 31, 2022, the total cumulative amount of Common Shares authorized to be purchased is 1,927,000. The authorization provides that share repurchases will be made pursuant to open market purchases, block purchases, private purchases, or otherwise, depending on market prices and other conditions. This authorization does not have an expiration date.
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Preferred Stock
In March 2021, TDS issued 16,800 shares of TDS’ 6.625% Series UU Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock (Preferred Shares) for $25,000 per Preferred Share, for total gross proceeds of $420 million. The Preferred Shares were issued to a depositary to facilitate the issuance of 16,800,000 depositary shares (Depositary Shares), each representing 1/1,000th of a Preferred Share. TDS received net cash proceeds of $406 million after payment of issuance costs of $14 million. The proceeds were for general corporate purposes, including but not limited to, the funding of capital expenditures associated with TDS Telecom's fiber program and retirement of existing debt.
In August 2021, TDS issued 27,600 shares of TDS’ 6.000% Series VV Preferred Shares for $25,000 per Preferred Share, for total gross proceeds of $690 million. The Preferred Shares were issued to a depositary to facilitate the issuance of 27,600,000 Depositary Shares, each representing 1/1,000th of a Preferred Share. TDS received net cash proceeds of $668 million after payment of issuance costs of $22 million. The proceeds were for general corporate purposes, including but not limited to, the funding of capital expenditures associated with TDS Telecom's fiber program and retirement of existing debt.
Each holder of Depositary Shares is entitled to a proportional fractional interest in all rights and preferences of the Preferred Shares, including dividend, voting, redemption and liquidation rights. The Preferred Shares have no maturity or mandatory redemption date and are not redeemable at the option of the holders.
Dividends on the Preferred Shares, when declared, are payable quarterly at a rate equal to 6.625% per year for the Series UU Preferred Shares and 6.000% for the Series VV Preferred Shares. As of December 31, 2022, there were no dividends in arrears. The Preferred Shares rank senior to TDS’ Common Shares and junior to all of TDS’ existing and future indebtedness outstanding under TDS’ credit facilities and unsecured senior notes. The Series VV Preferred Shares rank on parity with the Series UU Preferred Shares. Upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation, holders of Preferred Shares are entitled to a liquidating distribution of $25,000 per Preferred Share after satisfaction of liabilities and obligations to creditors. The Preferred Shares have voting rights only if certain limited conditions are met.
TDS may, at its option, redeem the Series UU Preferred Shares (a) in whole or in part, on or after March 31, 2026 at a redemption price of $25,000 per Preferred Share, or (b) in whole but not in part, any time prior to March 31, 2026, within 120 days after a credit rating downgrade as specified in the offering prospectus, at a redemption price of $25,500 per Preferred Share, or (c) in whole or in part, within 120 days of the occurrence of a change in control as specified in the offering prospectus, at a redemption price of $25,000 per Preferred Share, plus, in each case, all accumulated and unpaid dividends (whether or not declared) up to the redemption date.
TDS may, at its option, redeem the Series VV Preferred Shares (a) in whole or in part, on or after September 30, 2026 at a redemption price of $25,000 per Preferred Share, or (b) in whole but not in part, any time prior to September 30, 2026, within 120 days after a credit rating downgrade as specified in the offering prospectus, at a redemption price of $25,500 per Preferred Share, or (c) in whole or in part, within 120 days of the occurrence of a change in control as specified in the offering prospectus, at a redemption price of $25,000 per Preferred Share, plus, in each case, all accumulated and unpaid dividends (whether or not declared) up to the redemption date.
The Preferred Shares are convertible, at the option of the holder, to shares of TDS Common Shares upon a change of control as specified in the offering prospectus. The conversion right is the lesser of (a) Common Shares equal to $25,000 per Preferred Share plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends, divided by the TDS Common Stock price, or (b) 2,773.200 Common Shares for each Series UU Preferred Share and 2,584.000 Common Shares for each Series VV Preferred Share, which represents one-half the conversion rate at the time of closing. In both cases, certain other adjustments and provisions may impact the conversion.
Tax-Deferred Savings Plan
At December 31, 2022, TDS has reserved 988,000 Common Shares 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’ contributions in a TDS Common Share fund, a UScellular Common Share fund or certain unaffiliated funds.
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Note 18 Stock-Based Compensation
TDS Consolidated
The following table summarizes stock-based compensation expense recognized during 2022, 2021 and 2020:

Year Ended December 31,202220212020
(Dollars in millions)   
Stock option awards$1 $$
Restricted stock unit awards28 29 30 
Performance share unit awards11 16 17 
Deferred compensation bonus and matching stock unit awards — 
Awards under Non-Employee Director compensation plan2 
Total stock-based compensation, before income taxes42 49 53 
Income tax benefit(11)(12)(13)
Total stock-based compensation expense, net of income taxes$31 $37 $40 
At December 31, 2022, unrecognized compensation cost for all stock‑based compensation awards was $54 million and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.9 years.
The following table provides a summary of the classification of stock-based compensation expense included in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the years ended:

December 31,202220212020
(Dollars in millions)   
Selling, general and administrative expense$36 $44 $48 
Cost of services expense6 
Total stock-based compensation expense$42 $49 $53 
TDS’ tax benefits realized from the exercise of stock options and the vesting of other awards totaled $7 million in 2022.
TDS (Excluding UScellular)
The information in this section relates to stock‑based compensation plans using the equity instruments of TDS. Participants in these plans are employees of TDS Corporate and TDS Telecom and Non-employee Directors of TDS. Information related to plans using the equity instruments of UScellular are shown in the UScellular section following the TDS section.
Under the TDS Long-Term Incentive Plans, 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 20,700,000 Common Shares at December 31, 2022, for equity awards granted and to be granted under the TDS Long-Term Incentive Plans in effect. At December 31, 2022, the only types of awards outstanding are fixed non-qualified stock option awards, restricted stock unit awards, performance share awards and deferred compensation stock unit awards.
TDS has also established a Non-Employee Directors’ compensation plan under which it has reserved 81,000 TDS Common Shares at December 31, 2022, for issuance as compensation to members of the Board of Directors who are not employees of TDS.
TDS uses treasury stock to satisfy requirements for shares issued pursuant to its various stock-based compensation plans.
Long-Term Incentive Plans – Restricted Stock Units
TDS grants restricted stock unit awards to key employees. Each outstanding restricted stock unit is convertible into one Common Share Award. The restricted stock unit awards currently outstanding were granted in 2020, 2021 and 2022 and will vest in 2023, 2024 and 2025, respectively.
TDS estimates the fair value of restricted stock units by reducing the grant-date price of TDS’ shares by the present value of the dividends expected to be paid on the underlying shares during the requisite service period, discounted at the appropriate risk-free interest rate, since employees are not entitled to dividends declared on the underlying shares while the restricted stock is unvested. 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. 
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A summary of TDS nonvested restricted stock units and changes during 2022 is presented in the table below:
Common Restricted Stock UnitsNumberWeighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Nonvested at December 31, 20211,592,000 $22.25 
Granted784,000 $15.34 
Vested(411,000)$27.91 
Forfeited(141,000)$20.23 
Nonvested at December 31, 20221,824,000 $18.16 
The total fair values as of the respective vesting dates of restricted stock units vested during 2022, 2021 and 2020 were $7 million, $11 million and $7 million, respectively. The weighted average grant date fair value per share of the restricted stock units granted in 2022, 2021 and 2020 was $15.34, $23.34 and $17.19, respectively.
Long-Term Incentive Plans – Performance Share Units
Beginning in 2016, TDS granted performance share units to certain TDS executive officers, and beginning in 2019, to certain key TDS Corporate and TDS Telecom employees. Each recipient may be entitled to shares of TDS common stock equal to 0% to 200% of a communicated target award depending on the achievement of predetermined performance-based and market-based operating targets over three years. Performance-based operating targets for the TDS awards include Total Revenue and Return on Capital. Market-based operating targets are measured against TDS’ total shareholder return relative to a defined peer group. Performance-based operating targets for the TDS Telecom employees' awards include Total Revenue, Return on Capital and Adjusted EBITDA. Performance shares accumulate dividend equivalents, which are forfeitable if the performance metrics are not achieved. If the predetermined performance-based and market-based operating targets are met, the units granted in 2020, 2021 and 2022 will vest in 2023, 2024 and 2025, respectively.
TDS estimates fair value of performance-based operating targets using TDS’ closing stock price on the date of grant. An estimate of the number of performance units expected to vest based upon achieving the performance-based operating targets is made and the fair value is expensed on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. Each reporting period these estimates are reviewed and stock compensation expense is adjusted accordingly to reflect the new estimates of total units expected to vest. If any part of the performance share units do not vest as a result of the established performance-based operating targets not being achieved, the related stock compensation expense is reversed.
TDS estimates the market-based operating target’s fair value using an internally developed valuation model. This estimated fair value approximated TDS’ closing stock price at the date of grant for market-based share units granted in 2022, 2021 and 2020. This market-based operating target value determined at the date of grant is expensed on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period and the stock compensation expense is not adjusted during the performance period for the subsequent changes in the value of the market-based unit awards and will not be reversed even if the market-based operating target is not achieved.
A summary of TDS nonvested performance share units and changes during 2022 is presented in the table below:
Common Performance Share UnitsNumberWeighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Nonvested at December 31, 20211,085,000 $23.46 
Granted522,000 $17.42 
Vested(227,000)$30.72 
Change in units based on approved performance factors63,000 $30.72 
Forfeited(156,000)$25.79 
Accumulated dividend equivalents62,000 $20.00 
Nonvested at December 31, 20221,349,000 $19.81 
The total fair value of performance share units that vested during 2022, 2021 and 2020 was $5 million, $3 million and $2 million, respectively. The weighted average grant date fair value per share of the performance share units granted in 2022, 2021 and 2020 was $17.42, $25.36 and $19.15, respectively.
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Long-Term Incentive Plan – Stock Options
TDS' last stock option grant occurred in 2021.
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 three years from the date of grant. Stock options outstanding at December 31, 2022, expire between 2023 and 2031. 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 options equals the market value of TDS common stock on the date of grant.
TDS estimated the fair value of stock options granted in 2021 and 2020 using the Black-Scholes valuation model and the assumptions shown in the table below:
 20212020
Expected life6.3 years6.2 years
Expected annual volatility rate36.6 %35.0 %
Dividend yield2.8 %3.6 %
Risk-free interest rate1.1 %0.5 %
Pre-vesting forfeitures and expected life are estimated based on historical experience related to similar awards, giving considerations to the contractual terms of the stock-based awards, vesting schedules and expectations of future employee behavior. TDS believes that its historical experience provides the best estimates of future pre-vesting forfeitures and future expected life. The expected volatility assumption is based on historical volatility of TDS’ common stock over a period commensurate with the expected life. The dividend yield assumption is equal to the dividends declared in the most recent year as a percentage of the share price on the date of grant. The risk-free interest rate assumption is determined using the U.S. Treasury Yield Curve Rate with a term length that approximates the expected life of the stock options.
A summary of TDS stock options (total and portion exercisable) and changes during 2022 is presented in the tables and narrative below.
Common Share Options
Number of OptionsWeighted Average Exercise Prices
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
(in millions)
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life
(in years)
Outstanding at December 31, 20214,088,000 $25.50 
Exercised(1,000)$19.15 
Forfeited(86,000)$22.42 
Expired(903,000)$22.82 
Outstanding at December 31, 20223,098,000 $26.37 $— 4.2
(2,539,000 exercisable)$27.34 $— 3.3
The weighted average grant date fair value per share of the TDS stock options granted in 2021 and 2020 was $6.86 and $4.24, respectively. TDS did not grant options in 2022. The aggregate intrinsic value of TDS stock options exercised in 2022 and 2021 was less than $1 million. There were no TDS stock options exercised in 2020. The aggregate intrinsic value at December 31, 2022, presented in the table above represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the difference between TDS’ closing stock prices and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options) that would have been received by option holders had all options been exercised on December 31, 2022.
Long-Term Incentive Plans – Deferred Compensation Stock Units
Certain TDS 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 TDS Common Share units. The amount of TDS’ matching contribution depends on the portion of the annual bonus that is deferred. 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; such matching contributions also are deemed to be invested in TDS Common Share units and vest over three years.
Compensation of Non-Employee Directors
TDS issued 51,000, 50,000 and 43,000 Common Shares under its Non-Employee Director plan in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
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Dividend Reinvestment Plans
TDS had reserved 2,234,000 Common Shares at December 31, 2022, for issuance under Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plans and 198,000 Series A Common Shares for issuance under the Series A Common Share Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan. These plans enabled holders of TDS’ Common Shares to reinvest cash dividends in 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’ Common Shares on the New York Stock Exchange for the ten trading days preceding the date on which the purchase is made. These plans are considered non-compensatory plans; therefore, no compensation expense is recognized for stock issued under these plans.
UScellular
The information in this section relates to stock‑based compensation plans using the equity instruments of UScellular. Participants in these plans are employees of UScellular and Non-employee Directors of UScellular. Information related to plans using the equity instruments of TDS are shown in the previous section.
UScellular has established the following stock‑based compensation plans: Long-Term Incentive Plans and a Non-Employee Director compensation plan.
Under the UScellular Long-Term Incentive Plans, UScellular 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, 2022, the only types of awards outstanding are fixed non-qualified stock option awards, restricted stock unit awards, performance share awards and deferred compensation stock unit awards.
Under the Non-Employee Director compensation plan, UScellular may grant Common Shares to members of the Board of Directors who are not employees of UScellular or TDS.
At December 31, 2022, UScellular had reserved 18,037,000 Common Shares for equity awards granted and to be granted under the Long-Term Incentive Plans and 62,000 Common Shares for issuance under the Non-Employee Director compensation plan.
UScellular uses treasury stock to satisfy requirements for Common Shares issued pursuant to its various stock-based compensation plans.
Long-TermIncentive PlansRestricted Stock Units
Restricted stock unit awards granted to key employees generally vest after three years. The restricted stock unit awards currently outstanding were granted in 2020, 2021 and 2022 and will vest in 2023, 2024 and 2025, respectively.
UScellular estimates the fair value of restricted stock units based on the closing market price of UScellular 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 UScellular nonvested restricted stock units and changes during 2022 is presented in the table below:
Common Restricted Stock UnitsNumberWeighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Nonvested at December 31, 20211,601,000 $35.57 
Granted881,000 $30.35 
Vested(321,000)$45.70 
Forfeited(161,000)$33.10 
Nonvested at December 31, 20222,000,000 $31.84 
The total fair value of restricted stock units that vested during 2022, 2021 and 2020 was $9 million, $22 million and $20 million, respectively. The weighted average grant date fair value per share of the restricted stock units granted in 2022, 2021 and 2020 was $30.35, $36.68 and $29.18, respectively.
Long-Term Incentive Plans – Performance Share Units
Beginning in 2017, UScellular granted performance share units to key employees. The performance share units generally vest after three years. Beginning with the 2021 grants, each recipient may be entitled to shares of UScellular common stock equal to 0% to 200% of a communicated target award depending on the achievement of a predetermined performance based operating target over the performance period, which is generally a three-year period beginning on January 1 in the year of grant to December 31 of the third year. The performance-based operating target for the 2021 and 2022 grants is Return on Capital.
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Prior to the 2021 grants, each recipient was entitled to shares of UScellular common stock equal to 50% to 200% of a communicated target award depending on the achievement of predetermined performance-based operating targets over the performance period, which was generally a one-year period beginning on January 1 in the year of grant to December 31 in the year of grant. The remaining time through the end of the vesting period is considered the “time-based period”. Performance-based operating targets for grants made in 2020 included Consolidated Total Service Revenues, Consolidated Operating Cash Flow, Consolidated Capital Expenditures and Postpaid Handset Voluntary Defections; and for grants made prior to 2020 included Simple Free Cash Flow, Consolidated Total Operating Revenues and Postpaid Handset Voluntary Defections. Grants made prior to 2021 are subject to vesting during the time-based period and their performance share unit award agreements provide that in no event shall the awards be less than 50% of the target opportunity as of their grant dates. The performance share units currently outstanding were granted in 2020, 2021 and 2022 and will vest in 2023, 2024 and 2025, respectively.
Additionally, UScellular granted performance share units during 2020 to a newly appointed President and Chief Executive Officer. The recipient may be entitled to shares of UScellular common stock equal to 100% of the communicated target award depending on the achievement of predetermined performance-based operating targets over the performance period, which is any two calendar-year period commencing no earlier than January 1, 2021 and ending no later than December 31, 2026. Performance-based operating targets include Average Total Revenue Growth and Average Annual Return on Capital. If one, or both, of the performance targets are not satisfied, the award will be forfeited.
UScellular estimates the fair value of performance share units using UScellular’s closing stock price on the date of grant. An estimate of the number of performance share units expected to vest based upon achieving the performance-based operating targets is made and the aggregate fair value is expensed on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. Each reporting period, during the performance period, the estimate of the number of performance share units expected to vest is reviewed and stock compensation expense is adjusted as appropriate to reflect the revised estimate of the aggregate fair value of the performance share units expected to vest. 
A summary of UScellular’s nonvested performance share units and changes during 2022 is presented in the table below:
Common Performance Share UnitsNumberWeighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Nonvested at December 31, 20211,049,000 $35.17 
Granted487,000 $31.35 
Vested(183,000)$44.44 
Forfeited(105,000)$32.99 
Nonvested at December 31, 20221,248,000 $32.51 
The total fair value of performance share units that vested during 2022, 2021 and 2020 was $6 million, $22 million and $11 million, respectively. The weighted average grant date fair value per share of the performance share units granted in 2022, 2021 and 2020 was $31.35, $37.67 and $29.71, respectively.
Long-Term Incentive PlansStock Options
UScellular's last stock option grant occurred in 2016.
Stock options outstanding, and the related weighted average exercise price, at December 31, 2022 and 2021 were 348,000 units at $42.41 and 378,000 units at $42.18, respectively. All stock options are exercisable and expire between 2023 and 2026.
The aggregate intrinsic value of UScellular stock options exercised in 2021 was less than $1 million. No stock options were exercised in 2022 or 2020.

Long-Term Incentive PlansDeferred CompensationStock Units
Certain UScellular 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 UScellular Common Share stock units. Beginning with the 2021 performance year, the amount of UScellular's matching contribution is a 33% match for the amount of their total annual bonus that is deferred into the program. Prior to the 2021 performance year, the amount of UScellular’s matching contribution was a 25% match for amounts deferred up to 50% of their total annual bonus and a 33% match for amounts that exceeded 50% of their total annual bonus. Matching contributions are also deemed to be invested in UScellular Common Share stock units and vest over three years.
Compensation of Non-Employee Directors
UScellular issued 22,000, 20,000 and 19,000 Common Shares in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively, under its Non-Employee Director compensation plan. 
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Note 19 Business Segment Information
UScellular and TDS Telecom are billed for services they receive from TDS, consisting primarily of information processing, accounting, finance, and general management services. Such billings are based on expenses specifically identified to UScellular 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 UScellular and TDS Telecom are reflected in the accompanying business segment information on a basis that is representative of what they would have been if UScellular and TDS Telecom operated on a stand-alone basis.
Financial data for TDS’ reportable segments for 2022, 2021 and 2020, is as follows. See Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for additional information.
Year ended or as of December 31, 2022UScellularTDS
Telecom
Corporate,
Eliminations
and Other
Total
(Dollars in millions)    
Operating revenues    
Service$3,125 $1,019 $96 $4,240 
Equipment and product sales1,044 128 1,173 
Total operating revenues4,169 1,020 224 5,413 
Cost of services (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below)755 418 72 1,245 
Cost of equipment and products1,216 103 1,320 
Selling, general and administrative1,408 313 47 1,768 
Depreciation, amortization and accretion700 215 14 929 
Loss on impairment of licenses— — 
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net19 27 
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net(1)— — (1)
Operating income (loss)69 66 (13)122 
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities158 — 159 
Interest and dividend income17 
Interest expense(163)(18)(174)
Other, net— — 
Income (loss) before income taxes72 76 (23)125 
Income tax expense (benefit)37 23 (7)53 
Net income (loss)35 53 (16)72 
Add back:
Depreciation, amortization and accretion700 215 14 929 
Loss on impairment of licenses— — 
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net19 27 
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net(1)— — (1)
Interest expense163 (7)18 174 
Income tax expense (benefit)37 23 (7)53 
Adjusted EBITDA1
$956 $291 $10 $1,257 
Investments in unconsolidated entities$452 $$39 $495 
Total assets$11,119 $3,056 $375 $14,550 
Capital expenditures$717 $556 $12 $1,285 
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Year Ended or as of December 31, 2021UScellularTDS
Telecom
Corporate,
Eliminations
and Other
Total
(Dollars in millions)    
Operating revenues    
Service$3,115 $1,005 $96 $4,216 
Equipment and product sales1,007 105 1,113 
Total operating revenues4,122 1,006 201 5,329 
Cost of services (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below)790 404 73 1,267 
Cost of equipment and products1,118 86 1,205 
Selling, general and administrative1,345 291 41 1,677 
Depreciation, amortization and accretion678 198 19 895 
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net23 26 
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net(2)— — (2)
Operating income (loss)170 110 (19)261 
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities179 — 182 
Interest and dividend income11 
Interest expense(175)(62)(232)
Other, net— (1)— (1)
Income (loss) before income taxes180 114 (73)221 
Income tax expense (benefit)20 24 (11)33 
Net income (loss)160 90 (62)188 
Add back:
Depreciation, amortization and accretion678 198 19 895 
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net23 26 
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net(2)— — (2)
Interest expense175 (5)62 232 
Income tax expense (benefit)20 24 (11)33 
Adjusted EBITDA1
$1,054 $310 $$1,372 
Investments in unconsolidated entities$439 $$36 $479 
Total assets$10,341 $2,645 $507 $13,493 
Capital expenditures$780 $411 $10 $1,201 
97

Year Ended or as of December 31, 2020UScellularTDS
Telecom
Corporate,
Eliminations
and Other
Total
(Dollars in millions)    
Operating revenues    
Service$3,067 $975 $94 $4,136 
Equipment and product sales970 118 1,089 
Total operating revenues4,037 976 212 5,225 
Cost of services (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below)782 392 70 1,244 
Cost of equipment and products1,011 98 1,110 
Selling, general and administrative1,368 270 43 1,681 
Depreciation, amortization and accretion683 203 23 909 
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net25 27 
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net(5)— — (5)
Operating income (loss)173 110 (24)259 
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities179 — 181 
Interest and dividend income15 
Gain (loss) on investments— — 
Interest expense(112)(60)(168)
Other, net— (1)— (1)
Income (loss) before income taxes250 117 (79)288 
Income tax expense (benefit)17 18 (16)19 
Net income (loss)233 100 (64)269 
Add back:
Depreciation, amortization and accretion683 203 23 909 
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net25 27 
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net(5)— — (5)
Gain (loss) on investments(2)— — (2)
Interest expense112 (4)60 168 
Income tax expense (benefit)17 18 (16)19 
Adjusted EBITDA1
$1,063 $317 $$1,385 
Investments in unconsolidated entities$435 $$38 $477 
Total assets$9,681 $2,359 $484 $12,525 
Capital expenditures$940 $368 $$1,317 
Numbers may not foot due to rounding.
1Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and accretion (Adjusted EBITDA) is a segment measure reported to the chief operating decision maker for purposes of assessing the segments' performance. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income, adjusted for the items set forth in the reconciliation above. TDS believes Adjusted EBITDA is a useful measure of TDS’ operating results before significant recurring non-cash charges, gains and losses, and other items as presented above as they provide additional relevant and useful information to investors and other users of TDS' financial data in evaluating the effectiveness of its operations and underlying business trends in a manner that is consistent with management's evaluation of business performance. 
Note 20 Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures
Following are supplemental cash flow disclosures regarding interest paid and income taxes paid.
Year Ended December 31,202220212020
(Dollars in millions)   
Interest paid$164 $177 $160 
Income taxes paid, net of (refunds received)(119)(23)
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Following are supplemental cash flow disclosures regarding transactions related to stock-based compensation awards. In certain situations, TDS and UScellular withhold shares that are issuable upon the exercise of stock options or the vesting of restricted shares to cover, and with a value equivalent to, the exercise price and/or the amount of taxes required to be withheld from the stock award holder at the time of the exercise or vesting. TDS and UScellular then pay the amount of the required tax withholdings to the taxing authorities in cash.
TDS:   
Year Ended December 31,202220212020
(Dollars in millions)   
Common Shares withheld225,000 223,000 153,000 
Aggregate value of Common Shares withheld$4 $$
Cash disbursements for payment of taxes$(4)$(5)$(3)
UScellular:   
Year Ended December 31,202220212020
(Dollars in millions)   
Common Shares withheld154,000 438,000 376,000 
Aggregate value of Common Shares withheld$5 $16 $11 
Cash disbursements for payment of taxes$(5)$(16)$(11)
Software License Agreements
Certain software licenses are recorded as acquisitions of property, plant and equipment and the incurrence of a liability to the extent that the license fees are not fully paid at acquisition, and are treated as non-cash activity in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. Such acquisitions of software licenses that are not reflected as Cash paid for additions to property, plant and equipment were $130 million, $22 million and $19 million for the years ended 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. At December 31, 2022, liabilities of $65 million and $76 million related to software license agreements were recorded to Other current liabilities and Other deferred liabilities and credits, respectively, and at December 31, 2021, liabilities of $18 million and $13 million related to software license agreements were recorded to Other current liabilities and Other deferred liabilities and credits, respectively.
Note 21 Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
Sidley Austin LLP is 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 non-executive Chair of the Board and member of the Board of Directors of TDS and a director of UScellular, a subsidiary of TDS is Senior Counsel at Sidley Austin LLP; and John P. Kelsh, the General Counsel and/or an Assistant Secretary of TDS and UScellular and certain other subsidiaries of TDS is a partner at Sidley Austin LLP. Walter C.D. Carlson does not provide legal services to TDS or its subsidiaries. TDS, UScellular and their subsidiaries incurred legal costs from Sidley Austin LLP of $8 million, $10 million and $11 million in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of TDS is responsible for the review and evaluation of all related-party transactions as such term is defined by the rules of the New York Stock Exchange.
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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, were fairly presented. The financial statements included amounts that were 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 (PCAOB ID 238), 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 its unqualified opinion on these financial statements.
100

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.
Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“the Company”)as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, and the related consolidated statements of operations, of comprehensive income, of changes in equity, and of cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2022, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”).We also have audited the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
In our opinion, the consolidatedfinancial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2022 and 2021,and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2022in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.
Basis for Opinions
The Company's management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting” “Report appearing under Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express opinions on the Company’s consolidatedfinancial statements and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm,”the Securities and “Consolidated Quarterly Information (Unaudited).”Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
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.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (i) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
101

Revenue Recognition - Retail Service and Equipment and Product Sales Revenue for the UScellular segment
As described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company generates revenues from retail services through the sale of wireless services including voice, messaging, and data services, as well as revenues from equipment and product sales through the sale of wireless devices and accessories. The Company recognizes wireless service revenue as the wireless service is provided to the customer. Wireless services are generally billed and paid in advance on a monthly basis. The Company offers a comprehensive range of wireless devices such as handsets, tablets, mobile hotspots, home phones, and routers for use by its customers. The Company also sells wireless devices to agents and other third-party distributors for resale. The Company also offers customers the option to purchase certain devices and accessories under installment contracts over a specified time period. The Company recognizes revenue in equipment and product sales revenues when control of the device or accessory is transferred to the customer, agent or third-party distributor, which is generally upon delivery. The UScellular segment’s retail service and equipment and product sales revenue was $2,793 million and $1,044 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2022.
The principal consideration for our determination that performing procedures relating to revenue recognition - retail service and equipment and product sales revenue for the UScellular segment is a critical audit matter is a high degree of auditor effort in performing procedures related to the Company’s revenue recognition.
Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to the retail service and equipment and product sales revenue recognition processes. These procedures also included, among others, (i) testing whether the criteria for recognition of retail service and equipment and product sales revenue had been met by obtaining and inspecting invoices, shipping documents, where applicable, and cash receipts from customers for a sample of revenue transactions, (ii) testing discounts and rebates for a sample of transactions, (iii) evaluating the allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations, where applicable, (iv) recalculating the appropriateness of the retail service and equipment and product sales revenue recognized based on the terms of each arrangement for a sample of transactions, and (v) confirming a sample of outstanding customer invoice balances as of December 31, 2022, and obtaining and inspecting source documents such as invoices, sales contracts, shipping documents, and subsequent cash receipts, for confirmations not returned.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chicago, Illinois
February 16, 2023
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2002.
102

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.

103

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures 
TDS maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in its reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is processed, recorded, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to TDS’ management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives.
As required by SEC Rule 13a-15(b), TDS carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of TDS’ disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report. Based on this evaluation, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that TDS’ disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2019,2022, at the reasonable assurance level. 
Management’s Report on Internal Control overOver 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’ 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’ 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 GAAP, and that receipts and expenditures of the issuer are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and, where required, the board of 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’ management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, TDS conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019,2022, based on the criteria established in the 2013 version of Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Management has concluded that TDS maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019,2022, based on criteria established in the 2013 version of Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the COSO.
The effectiveness of TDS’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019,2022, has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in the firm’s report which is incorporated by reference intoincluded in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K from Exhibit 13 filed herewith.10-K.
Changes in Internal Control overOver Financial Reporting
There were no changes in TDS’ internal control over financial reporting during the fourth quarter of 20192022 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, TDS’ internal control over financial reporting.
Item 9B. Other Information
The following information is being provided to update prior disclosures made pursuant to the requirementsNone.
Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections
Not applicable.
104

Neither TDS nor U.S. Cellular borrowed or repaid any cash amounts under their revolving credit facilities in the fourth quarter of 2019 or through the filing date of this Form 10-K, and had no cash borrowings outstanding under their revolving credit facilities as of December 31, 2019, or as of the filing date of this Form 10-K.
Further, U.S. Cellular did not borrow or repay any cash amounts under its receivables securitization facility in the fourth quarter of 2019 or through the filing date of this Form 10-K, and had no cash borrowings outstanding under its receivables securitization facility as of December 31, 2019, or as of the filing date of this Form 10-K.

PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
IncorporatedInformation required by this Item 10 is incorporated by reference from Proxy Statement sections entitled “Election of Directors,” “Corporate Governance”Governance,” “Executive Officers" and “Executive Officers.”"Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports."
Item 11. Executive Compensation
IncorporatedInformation required by this Item 11 is incorporated by reference from Proxy Statement section entitled “Executive and Director Compensation.”
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
IncorporatedInformation required by this Item 12 is incorporated by reference from Proxy Statement sections entitled “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” and “Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans.”
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
IncorporatedInformation required by this Item 13 is incorporated by reference from Proxy Statement sections entitled “Corporate Governance” and “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.”
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
IncorporatedInformation required by this Item 14 is incorporated by reference from Proxy Statement section entitled “Fees Paid to Principal Accountants.”

105

PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a)The following documents are filed as part of this report:
(1)Financial Statements
Annual Report*
Annual Report*
Annual Report*
Annual Report*
Annual Report*
Annual Report*
Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial ReportingAnnual Report*
Annual Report*
Consolidated Quarterly Information (Unaudited)Annual Report*
(2)*Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 13.Exhibits
(2)Financial Statement Schedules
Location
Los Angeles SMSA Limited Partnership Financial StatementsS-1
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm — Ernst & Young LLPS-2
Balance Sheets — As of December 31, 2019 and 2018S-3
Statements of Income — For the Years Ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017S-4
Statements of Changes in Partners’ Capital — For the Years Ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017S-5
Statements of Cash Flows — For the Years Ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017S-6
Notes to Financial StatementsS-7
All other schedules have been omitted because they are not applicable or not required or because the required information is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto.
(3)Exhibits
The exhibits set forth below are filed as a part of this Report. Compensatory plans or arrangements are identified below with an asterisk.

Exhibit NumberDescription of Documents
Exhibit NumberDescription of Documents
3.1
3.2
4.13.3
3.4
4.1
4.2
4.3(a)4.3
4.3(b)4.4(a)
4.3(c)
4.3(d)
4.3(e)
4.4(a)
4.4(b)
4.5(a)
4.5(b)
4.6(a)
4.6(b)4.4(b)
4.6(c)4.4(c)

106

4.6(f)
4.4(e)
4.74.4(f)
4.5
4.84.6
4.9(a)4.7(a)
4.9(b)
4.9(c)
4.9(d)
4.10(a)
4.10(b)4.7(b)**
4.114.8(a)
4.8(b)
4.124.8(c)
4.134.8(d)
Term Loan4.8(e)
4.9
4.10
9.14.11(a)
4.11(b)
4.12(a)
4.12(b)
107

4.13
4.14(a)
4.14(b)
4.15
4.16
4.17
4.18
4.19
4.20
9.1
10.1(a)*
10.1(b)*
10.1(c)*
10.1(d)*
10.2(a)*
10.2(b)*
10.2(c)*

108

10.3(c)*
10.4*
10.5*
10.6*10.6(a)*
10.7(a)*
10.7(b)10.6(b)*
10.7(c)10.6(c)*
10.8(a)10.6(d)*
U.S. Cellular10.6(e)*
10.7(a)*
10.8(b)10.7(b)*
10.8(c)10.7(c)*
10.8(d)10.7(d)*
10.9*10.7(e)*
U.S. Cellular10.7(f)*
10.7(g)*
10.7(h)*
10.8(a)*
10.10(a)10.8(b)*
10.10(b)*
10.11*
10.12*
10.13*
10.14*
10.15*
10.16*

10.17*10.9*
10.18*10.10*
10.19*
10.20*10.11*
10.21*
10.22*
10.23*
10.24(a)10.12(a)*
10.24(b)10.12(b)*
109

10.25*10.13*
10.26*10.14*
10.27*10.15**
10.28*
10.29*
10.30**
10.31*10.16**
10.32*10.17**
10.33*10.18**
10.34

10.3510.19
10.3610.20
10.37*10.21*
Form of Consulting10.22*
10.23(a)
10.23(b)
10.23(c)
10.23(d)
10.38*10.24*
10.39**
10.40*10.25
10.26
110

10.27
10.28
10.29*
1310.30*
2110.31*
10.32*
10.33*
10.34*
10.35*
10.36*
10.37*
10.38*
10.39*
10.40*
10.41*
10.42*
10.43*
10.44*
10.45*
10.46*
10.47*
21
23.123
23.231.1
31.1
111

31.2
32.1
32.2
101.INSXBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
101.SCHInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.PREInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
101.CALInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LABInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.DEFInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
104Cover Page Interactive Data File - the cover page interactive data file does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the inline document.
*Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement
**Portions of this Exhibit have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(10)(iv) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Exchange Act.

112

Item 16. Form 10-K Summary
None.

LOS ANGELES SMSA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
TDS’ subsidiary, U.S. Cellular, owns a 5.5% limited partnership interest in the Los Angeles SMSA Limited Partnership, and accounts for such interest by the equity method. The partnership’s financial statements were obtained by U.S. Cellular as a limited partner.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Partners of Los Angeles SMSA Limited Partnership
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Los Angeles SMSA Limited Partnership (the Partnership) as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the related statements of income, changes in partners’ capital and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Partnership at December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019 in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Adoption of New Accounting Standards
ASU No. 2016-02
As discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements, effective January 1, 2019, the Partnership changed its method of accounting for leases due to the adoption of Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), and the related amendments, using the modified retrospective method.
ASU No. 2014-09
As discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements, effective January 1, 2018, the Partnership changed its method for recognizing revenue as a result of the adoption of ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), and the amendments in ASUs 2015-14, 2016-08, 2016-10 and 2016-12 using the modified retrospective method.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Partnership’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Partnership’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Partnership in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB and in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

We have served as the Partnership’s auditor since 2014.
Orlando, Florida
February 25, 2020

Los Angeles SMSA Limited Partnership
Balance Sheets - As of December 31, 2019 and 2018
113
(Dollars in thousands)2019 2018
ASSETS   
    
CURRENT ASSETS:   
Due from affiliate$469,318
 $256,812
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $7,792 and $21,886375,920
 434,399
Prepaid expenses and other277,193
 203,571
Total current assets1,122,431
 894,782
    
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT - NET1,908,893
 1,998,538
    
WIRELESS LICENSES2,075,448
 2,075,448
    
OPERATING LEASE RIGHT-OF-USE ASSETS876,219
 
    
OTHER ASSETS - NET217,859
 432,483
    
TOTAL ASSETS$6,200,850
 $5,401,251
    
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL   
    
CURRENT LIABILITIES:   
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities$178,906
 $142,805
Contract liabilities and other183,091
 175,863
Financing obligation13,348
 13,185
Current operating lease liabilities124,856
 
Deferred rent7,407
 13,347
Total current liabilities507,608
 345,200
    
LONG TERM LIABILITIES:   
Financing obligation110,392
 111,868
Non-current operating lease liabilities641,652
 
Deferred rent78,108
 143,586
Other liabilities27,320
 29,264
Total long term liabilities857,472
 284,718
    
Total liabilities1,365,080
 629,918
    
PARTNERS' CAPITAL:   
General Partner's interest1,934,308
 1,908,533
Limited Partners' interest2,901,462
 2,862,800
Total partners' capital4,835,770
 4,771,333
    
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL$6,200,850
 $5,401,251

See notes to financial statements.

Los Angeles SMSA Limited Partnership
StatementsTable of Income - For the Years Ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017Contents
(Dollars in thousands)2019 2018 2017
OPERATING REVENUES:     
Service revenues$3,853,965
 $3,766,062
 $3,791,371
Equipment revenues1,091,380
 1,153,954
 982,251
Other revenues360,907
 275,896
 246,322
Total operating revenues5,306,252
 5,195,912
 5,019,944
      
OPERATING EXPENSES:     
Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation)1,217,326
 1,115,475
 1,107,614
Cost of equipment1,155,205
 1,212,952
 1,174,858
Depreciation350,005
 369,874
 355,696
Selling, general and administrative expense1,144,761
 1,095,048
 1,168,978
Total operating expenses3,867,297
 3,793,349
 3,807,146
      
OPERATING INCOME1,438,955
 1,402,563
 1,212,798
      
OTHER (EXPENSE) INCOME:     
Interest income, net3,994
 13,332
 2,857
Other (expense) income(22,012) 2,702
 1,631
Total other (expense) income(18,018) 16,034
 4,488
      
NET INCOME$1,420,937
 $1,418,597
 $1,217,286
      
Allocation of Net Income:     
General Partner$568,375
 $567,439
 $486,914
Limited Partners852,562
 851,158
 730,372
See notes to financial statements.


Los Angeles SMSA Limited Partnership
Statements of Changes in Partners' Capital - For the Years Ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017
(Dollars in thousands)
 
General
Partner
 Limited Partners  
 
AirTouch
Cellular Inc.
 
AirTouch
Cellular Inc.
 
Cellco
Partnership
 
United States
Cellular
Investment
Corporation of
Los Angeles
 
Total Partners'
Capital
BALANCE - January 1, 2017$1,734,722
 $1,834,468
 $529,090
 $238,524
 $4,336,804
          
Distributions(450,000) (475,875) (137,250) (61,875) (1,125,000)
          
Net income486,914
 514,912
 148,509
 66,951
 1,217,286
          
BALANCE - December 31, 2017$1,771,636
 $1,873,505
 $540,349
 $243,600
 $4,429,090
          
ASC 606 opening balance sheet adjustment67,058
 70,914
 20,453
 9,221
 167,646
          
Distributions(497,600) (526,212) (151,768) (68,420) (1,244,000)
          
Net income567,439
 600,067
 173,069
 78,022
 1,418,597
          
BALANCE - December 31, 2018$1,908,533
 $2,018,274
 $582,103
 $262,423
 $4,771,333
          
Distributions(542,600) (573,800) (165,492) (74,608) (1,356,500)
          
Net income568,375
 601,057
 173,353
 78,152
 1,420,937
          
BALANCE - December 31, 2019$1,934,308
 $2,045,531
 $589,964
 $265,967
 $4,835,770
See notes to financial statements.


Los Angeles SMSA Limited Partnership
Statements of Cash Flows - For the Years Ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017
(Dollars in Thousands)2019 2018 2017
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:     
Net income$1,420,937
 $1,418,597
 $1,217,286
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:     
Depreciation350,005
 369,874
 355,696
Imputed interest on financing obligation11,792
 11,686
 12,374
Provision for uncollectible accounts44,329
 43,847
 56,505
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:     
Accounts receivable14,150
 (39,867) (36,907)
Prepaid expenses and other(680,685) (614,263) (388,907)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities20,724
 (2,541) (54,321)
Contract liabilities and other7,228
 25,715
 14,531
Other net changes(79,885) 31,672
 2,524
Net cash provided by operating activities1,108,595
 1,244,720
 1,178,781
      
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:     
Capital expenditures(385,443) (575,351) (434,350)
Fixed asset transfers out140,458
 130,228
 15,648
Collections on deferred purchase price and purchased receivables
 9,331
 86,009
Collections on beneficial interest - net718,501
 483,924
 229,330
Change in due from affiliate(212,506) (37,974) 63,008
Net cash provided by investing activities261,010
 10,158
 (40,355)
      
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:     
Repayments of financing obligation(13,105) (10,878) (13,426)
Distributions(1,356,500) (1,244,000) (1,125,000)
Net cash used in financing activities(1,369,605) (1,254,878) (1,138,426)
      
CHANGE IN CASH
 
 
      
CASH - Beginning of year
 
 
      
CASH - End of year$
 $
 $
      
NONCASH TRANSACTIONS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:     
Accruals for capital expenditures$28,379
 $13,004
 $25,757
See notes to financial statements.

Los Angeles SMSALimited Partnership
Notes to Financial Statements – For the Years Ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017
(Dollars in Thousands)


1.ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT
The principal activity of the Los Angeles SMSA Limited Partnership, a California Limited Partnership (Los Angeles SMSA) formed in 1984, is to provide cellular service in the Los Angeles metropolitan statistical area. Through March 2018, the financial statements included the accounts of the Los Angeles SMSA and Los Angeles Edge LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Los Angeles SMSA (collectively, the "Partnership"). Los Angeles Edge LLC was formed during 2015 and was a bankruptcy remote special purpose entity (SPE), created for the purpose of selling wireless device payment plan agreement receivables to third parties (see Wireless Device Payment Plans Note). The Los Angeles Edge LLC entity was dissolved on March 29, 2018 and as of this date the Partnership consists of only Los Angeles SMSA.
In accordance with the partnership agreement, AirTouch Cellular Inc., an affiliate of Cellco Partnership (Cellco), and general partner of the Partnership, is responsible for managing the operations of the Partnership.
The partners and their respective ownership percentages of the Partnership as of December 31, 2019 were as follows:
General Partner:
AirTouch Cellular Inc.40.0%
Limited Partners:
AirTouch Cellular Inc.42.3%
Cellco Partnership12.2%
United States Cellular Investment Corporation of Los Angeles5.5%
Cellco is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Verizon Communications Inc. (Verizon). Substantially all of the Partnership’s transactions represent transactions with, or processed by, Cellco and/or certain other affiliates (collectively, Verizon Wireless).
2.SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Reclassification
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
Use of estimates
The financial statements are prepared using U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), which requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Examples of significant estimates include: the allowance for uncollectible accounts, the recoverability of property, plant and equipment and long-lived assets, the incremental borrowing rate for the operating lease liability, beneficial interest associated with sold device payment plan agreement receivables, and fair values of financial instruments.
Revenue recognition
The Partnership earns revenue from contracts with customers, primarily by providing access to and usage of the Verizon Wireless telecommunications network and selling equipment. These revenues are accounted for under Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which the Partnership adopted on January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective approach. This standard update, along with related subsequently issued updates, clarifies the principles for recognizing revenue and develops a common revenue standard for GAAP. The standard update also amended the guidance for the recognition of costs to obtain customer contracts such that incremental costs of obtaining customer contracts are deferred and amortized consistent with the transfer of the related good or service.
The Partnership also earns revenues that are not accounted for under Topic 606 from leasing arrangements (such as those from towers) and the interest on equipment financed under a device payment plan agreement when sold to the customer by an authorized agent.
Wireless services are offered through a variety of plans on a postpaid or prepaid basis. For wireless service, the Partnership recognizes revenue using an output method, either as the service allowance units are used or as time elapses, because it reflects the pattern by which the performance obligations are satisfied through the transfer of service to the customer. Monthly service is generally billed in advance, which results in a contract liability. See Revenue and Contract Costs Note for additional information. For postpaid plans where monthly usage exceeds the allowance, the overage usage represents options held by the customer for incremental services and the usage-based fee is recognized when the customer exercises the option (typically on a month-to-month basis).

Equipment revenue related to wireless devices and accessories is generally recognized when the products are delivered to and accepted by the customer, as this is when control passes to the customer. In addition to offering the sale of equipment on a standalone basis, Verizon Wireless has two primary offerings through which customers pay for a wireless device in connection with a service contract: fixed-term plans and device payment plans.
Under a fixed-term plan, the customer is sold the wireless device without any upfront charge or at a discounted price in exchange for entering into a fixed-term service contract (typically for a term of 24 months or less). This plan is currently only offered to business customers.
Under a device payment plan, the customer is sold the wireless device in exchange for a non-interest bearing installment note, which is repaid by the customer, typically over a 24-month term, and concurrently enters into a month-to-month contract for wireless service. Customers may be offered certain promotions that provide billing credits applied over a specified term, contingent upon the customer maintaining service. The credits are included in the transaction price, which are allocated to the performance obligations based on their relative selling price, and are recognized when earned.
A financing component exists in both fixed-term plans and device payment plans because the timing of the payment for the device, which occurs over the contract term, differs from the satisfaction of the performance obligation, which occurs at contract inception upon transfer of the device to the customer. The significance of the financing component inherent in the fixed-term and device payment plan receivables is periodically assessed at the contract level, based on qualitative and quantitative considerations, related to customer classes. These considerations include assessing the commercial objective of plans, the term and duration of financing provided, interest rates prevailing in the marketplace, and credit risks of customer classes, all of which impact the selection of appropriate discount rates. Based on current facts and circumstances, the financing component in existing direct channel device payments and fixed-term contracts with customers is not significant and therefore is not accounted for separately. See Device Payment Note for additional information on the interest on equipment financed on a device payment plan agreement when sold to the customer by an authorized agent in the indirect channel.
Roaming revenue reflects service revenue earned by the Partnership when customers not associated with the Partnership operate in the service area of the Partnership and use the Partnership’s network. The roaming rates with third-party carriers are based on agreements with such carriers. The roaming rates and methodology to determine roaming revenues charged by the Partnership to Verizon Wireless are established by Verizon Wireless and reviewed on a periodic basis and may not reflect current market rates (see Transactions with Affiliates and Related Parties Note).
Other revenues include non-service revenues such as regulatory fees, cost recovery surcharges, revenues associated with Verizon Wireless's device protection package, and interest on equipment financed under a device payment plan agreement when sold to the customer by an authorized agent. The Partnership recognizes taxes imposed by governmental authorities on revenue-producing transactions between the Partnership and its customers, which are passed through to the customers, on a net basis.
Wireless contracts
Total contract revenue, which represents the transaction price for service and equipment, is allocated between service and equipment revenue based on their estimated standalone selling prices. The standalone selling price of the device or accessory is estimated to be its retail price, excluding subsidies or conditional purchase discounts. The standalone selling price of service is estimated to be the price that is offered to customers on month-to-month contracts that can be cancelled at any time without penalty (i.e., when there is no fixed-term for service) or when service is procured without the concurrent purchase of a device. In addition, the Partnership also assesses whether the service term is impacted by certain legally enforceable rights and obligations in the contract with customers, such as penalties that a customer would have to pay to early terminate a fixed-term contract or billing credits that would cease if the month-to-month wireless service is canceled. The assessment of these legally enforceable rights and obligations involves judgment and impacts the determination of the transaction price and related disclosures.
From time to time, customers on device payment plans may be offered certain promotions that provide the right to upgrade to a new device after paying down a certain specified portion of the required device payment plan agreement amount and trading in their device in good working order. This trade-in right is accounted for as a guarantee obligation. The full amount of the trade-in right's fair value is recognized as a guarantee liability and results in a reduction to the revenue recognized upon the sale of the device. The guarantee liability was insignificant at December 31, 2019 and 2018. The total transaction price is reduced by the guarantee, which is accounted for outside the scope of Topic 606, and the remaining transaction price is allocated between the performance obligations within the contract.
Fixed-term plans generally include the sale of a wireless device at subsidized prices. This results in the creation of a contract asset at the time of sale, which represents the recognition of equipment revenue in excess of amounts billed.
For device payment plans, billing credits are accounted for as consideration payable to a customer and are included in the determination of total transaction price, resulting in a contract liability.
Verizon Wireless may provide a right of return on products and services for a short time period after a sale. These rights are accounted for as variable consideration when determining the transaction price, and accordingly the Partnership recognizes revenue based on the estimated amount to which the Partnership expects to be entitled after considering expected returns. Returns and credits are estimated at contract inception and updated at the end of each reporting period as additional information becomes available. Verizon Wireless also may provide credits or incentives on products and services for contracts with resellers, which are accounted for as variable consideration when estimating the amount of revenue to recognize. These amounts are insignificant to the financial statements.

For certain offers that also include third-party service providers, the Partnership evaluates whether the Partnership is acting as the principal or as the agent with respect to the goods or services provided to the customer. This principal versus agent assessment involves judgement and focuses on whether the facts and circumstances of the arrangement indicate that the goods or services were controlled by the Partnership prior to transferring them to the customer. To evaluate if the Partnership has control, various factors are considered including whether the Partnership is primarily responsible for fulfillment, bears risk of loss and has discretion over pricing.
Operating expenses
Operating expenses include expenses directly attributable to the Partnership, as well as an allocation of selling, general and administrative, and other operating expenses incurred by Verizon on behalf of the Partnership. Employees of Verizon provide services on behalf of the Partnership. These employees are not employees of the Partnership, therefore, operating expenses include allocated charges of salary and employee benefit costs for the services provided to the Partnership. Verizon Wireless believes such allocations, which are principally based on total subscribers, are calculated in accordance with the Partnership agreement and are determined using a reasonable method of allocating such costs (see Transactions with Affiliates and Related Parties Note).
Cost of roaming, included in cost of services, reflects costs incurred by the Partnership when customers associated with the Partnership operate and use a network in a service area not associated with the Partnership. The roaming rates with third-party carriers are based on agreements with such carriers. The roaming rates and methodology to determine roaming costs charged to the Partnership by Verizon Wireless are established by Verizon Wireless and reviewed on a periodic basis and may not reflect current market rates (see Transactions with Affiliates and Related Parties Note).
Cost of equipment is recorded upon sale of the related equipment at Verizon Wireless’s cost basis. Inventory is owned by Verizon Wireless until the moment of sale and is not recorded in the financial statements of the Partnership.
Maintenance and repairs
The cost of maintenance and repairs, including the cost of replacing minor items not constituting substantial betterments, is charged principally to cost of services as these costs are incurred.
Advertising costs
Costs for advertising products and services, as well as other promotional and sponsorship costs, are allocated from Verizon Wireless and are charged to selling, general and administrative expenses in the periods in which they are incurred (see Transactions with Affiliates and Related Parties Note).
Income taxes
The Partnership is treated as a pass-through entity for income tax purposes and therefore, is not subject to federal, state or local income taxes. Accordingly, no provision has been recorded for income taxes in the Partnership’s financial statements. The results of operations, including taxable income, gains, losses, deductions and credits, are allocated to and reflected on the income tax returns of the respective partners.
The Partnership files partnership income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state and local jurisdictions. The Partnership remains subject to examination by tax authorities for tax years as early as 2016. It is reasonably possible that various current tax examinations could conclude or require reevaluations of the Partnership’s tax positions during this period. An estimate of the range of the possible change cannot be made until these tax matters are further developed or resolved.
Due to/from affiliate
Due to/from affiliate principally represents the Partnership’s cash position with Verizon. Verizon manages, on behalf of the Partnership, all operating, investing and financing activities of the Partnership. As such, the change in due to/from affiliate is reflected as a financing activity or an investing activity, respectively, in the statement of cash flows, based on the net position. In addition, cost of equipment and other operating expenses incurred by Verizon Wireless on behalf of the Partnership, as well as property, plant and equipment and wireless license transactions with Verizon Wireless, are charged to the Partnership through this account.
Interest income on due from affiliate and interest expense on due to affiliate are based on the short-term Applicable Federal Rate, which was approximately 2.1% and 2.3% for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. In previous years, interest expense on due to affiliate balances was based on Verizon Wireless’s average cost of borrowing from Verizon, which was approximately 4.7% in 2017. Interest income on due from affiliate was based on the short term Applicable Federal Rate which was 1.2% in 2017. Included in interest income, net is interest income of $14,818, $12,666, and $5,928, for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, related to due from affiliate.

Allowance for uncollectible accounts
Accounts receivable are recorded in the financial statements at cost, net of an allowance for credit losses, with the exception of indirect-channel device payment plan loans. Allowances for uncollectible accounts receivable, including direct-channel device payment plan agreement receivables, are maintained for estimated losses resulting from the failure or inability of customers to make required payments. Indirect-channel device payment loans are considered financial instruments and are initially recorded at fair value net of imputed interest, and credit losses are recorded as incurred. Loan balances are assessed annually for impairment and an allowance is recorded if the loan is considered impaired.
The allowance for uncollectible accounts receivable is based on management’s assessment of the collectability of specific customer accounts and includes consideration of the credit worthiness and financial condition of those customers. An allowance is recorded to reduce the receivables to the amount that is reasonably believed to be collectible.
Similar to traditional service revenue accounting treatment, direct-channel device payment plan agreement bad debt expense is recorded based on an estimate of the percentage of equipment revenue that will not be collected. This estimate is based on a number of factors, including historical write-off experience, credit quality of the customer base and other factors such as macroeconomic conditions. The aging of accounts with device payment plan agreement receivables is monitored and account balances are written-off if collection efforts are unsuccessful and future collection is unlikely.
Property, plant and equipment, and depreciation
Property, plant and equipment is recorded at cost. Property, plant and equipment is depreciated on a straight-line basis.
Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the estimated life of the improvement or the remaining term of the related lease, calculated from the time the asset was placed in service.
When depreciable assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are deducted from the property, plant and equipment accounts and any gains or losses on disposition are recognized in income. Transfers of property, plant and equipment between the Partnership and Verizon Wireless are recorded at net book value on the date of the transfer with an offsetting entry included in due from affiliate.
Interest expense, if any, associated with the construction of network-related assets is capitalized. Capitalized interest is reported as a reduction in interest expense and depreciated as part of the cost of the network-related assets.
Verizon Wireless and the Partnership continue to assess the estimated useful lives of property, plant and equipment and, though the timing and extent of current deployment plans are subject to ongoing analysis and modification, the current estimates of useful lives are believed to be reasonable.
Other assets
Other assets, net primarily includes beneficial interest and long-term device payment plan agreement receivables, net of allowances of $6,439 and $13,142 at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Impairment
All long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. If any indications of impairment are present, recoverability would be tested by comparing the carrying amount of the asset group to the net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated from the asset group. If those net undiscounted cash flows do not exceed the carrying amount, the next step would be to determine the fair value of the asset and record an impairment, if any. The useful-life determinations for these long-lived assets are re-evaluated each year to determine whether events and circumstances warrant a revision to their remaining useful lives.
Wireless licenses
Wireless licenses provide the Partnership with the exclusive right to utilize the designated radio frequency spectrum to provide wireless communications services. In addition, Verizon Wireless maintains wireless licenses that provide the Partnership with the right to utilize Verizon Wireless’s designated radio frequency spectrum to provide wireless communications services (see Transactions with Related Parties and Affiliates Note). While licenses are issued for a fixed time, generally ten years, such licenses are subject to renewal by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). License renewals, which are managed by Verizon Wireless, have historically occurred routinely and at nominal cost. Moreover, Verizon Wireless determined that there are currently no legal, regulatory, contractual, competitive, economic or other factors that limit the useful lives of the wireless licenses. As a result, wireless licenses are treated as an indefinite-lived intangible asset. The useful life determination for wireless licenses is re-evaluated each year to determine whether events and circumstances continue to support an indefinite useful life.
The average remaining renewal period of the Partnership’s wireless license portfolio was 6.6 years as of December 31, 2019.
Interest expense, if any, incurred while qualifying activities are performed to ready wireless licenses for their intended use is capitalized as part of wireless licenses. The capitalization period ends when the development is discontinued or substantially complete and the license is ready for its intended use.

Wireless license balances are tested for potential impairment annually or more frequently if impairment indicators are present. When evaluating wireless licenses for impairment, Verizon Wireless and the Partnership (to the extent it owns more than one license) aggregate wireless licenses into one single unit of accounting, since they are utilized on an integrated basis. Verizon Wireless allocates to the Partnership, based on a reasonable methodology, any impairment loss recognized by Verizon Wireless for licenses included in Verizon Wireless's national footprint.
In 2019, and 2017 Verizon Wireless performed a qualitative impairment assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of its aggregate wireless licenses was less than the carrying amount. As part of the assessment, several qualitative factors were considered, including market transactions, the business enterprise value of Verizon Wireless, macroeconomic conditions (including changes in interest rates and discount rates), industry and market considerations (including industry revenue and EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) margin projections), the recent and projected financial performance of Verizon Wireless, as well as other factors.
In 2018, Verizon Wireless performed a quantitative impairment assessment for its aggregate wireless licenses, which consisted of comparing the estimated fair value of its aggregate wireless licenses to the aggregated carrying amount as of the test date.
Verizon Wireless’s impairment assessments in 2019, 2018 and 2017 indicated that the fair value of its wireless licenses exceeded their carrying value and, therefore did not result in an impairment.
In 2019, 2018 and 2017, a qualitative impairment assessment similar to that described for Verizon Wireless was performed for the Partnership’s aggregate wireless licenses which indicated that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the Partnership's wireless licenses remained above the carrying value and, therefore, did not result in an impairment.
Financial instruments
The carrying value of the Partnership’s wireless device payment plan agreement receivables and beneficial interest approximates fair value.
Fair value measurements
Fair value of financial and non-financial assets and liabilities is defined as an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. The three-tier hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value, which prioritizes the inputs used in the methodologies of measuring fair value for assets and liabilities, is as follows:
Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
Level 2 - Observable inputs, other than quoted prices, in active markets for identical assets and liabilities
Level 3 - No observable pricing inputs in the market
Financial assets and financial liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurements. The assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurements requires judgment, and may affect the valuation of the assets and liabilities being measured and their categorization within the fair value hierarchy. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Partnership did not have any assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis.
Distributions
The Partnership is required to make distributions to its partners based upon the Partnership’s operating results, due to/from affiliate status and financing needs, as determined by the General Partner at the date of the distribution, which are typically made in arrears.

Recently adopted accounting standards
The following Accounting Standard Updates (ASUs) were issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), and have been recently adopted by the Partnership.
DescriptionDate of AdoptionEffect on Financial Statements
ASU 2016-02, ASU 2018-01, ASU 2018-10, ASU 2018-11, ASU 2018-20 and ASU 2019-01, Leases (Topic 842)
The FASB issued Topic 842 requiring entities to recognize assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for all leases, with certain exceptions. In addition, Topic 842 enables users of financial statements to further understand the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. Topic 842 allowed for a modified retrospective application and was early adopted as of the first quarter of 2019. Entities were required to apply the modified retrospective approach: (1) retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented in the financial statements with the cumulative-effect adjustment recognized at the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented; or (2) retrospectively at the beginning of the period of adoption (January 1, 2019) through a cumulative-effect adjustment. The modified retrospective approach includes a number of optional practical expedients that entities may elect to apply.1/1/2019
The Partnership early adopted Topic 842 beginning on January 1, 2019, using the modified retrospective approach. The adoption of the standard had a significant impact on the balance sheet due to the recognition of operating lease liabilities, along with operating lease right-of-use-assets. The Partnership has recognized and measured leases without revising comparative period information or disclosure.


The effect of the changes made to the balance sheet for the adoption of Topic 842 was as follows:
 At December 31, 2018
Adjustments due to
Topic 842
At January 1, 2019
Prepaid expenses and other$203,571
$(14,410)$189,161
Operating lease right-of-use asset
783,217
783,217
Other assets - net432,483
(66,766)365,717
Current operating lease liabilities
87,958
87,958
Deferred rent13,347
(4,987)8,360
Non-current operating lease liabilities
676,887
676,887
Deferred rent143,586
(57,690)85,896
Other liabilities29,264
(127)29,137
In addition to the increase to the operating lease liabilities and right-of-use assets, Topic 842 also resulted in reclassifying the presentation of prepaid and deferred rent related to operating leases to operating lease right-of-use assets. The operating lease right-of-use assets amount also includes the balance of any prepaid lease payments, unamortized initial direct costs, and lease incentives.
The Partnership elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within the new standard. Accordingly, the Partnership has adopted these practical expedients and did not reassess: (1) whether an expired or existing contract is a lease or contains an embedded lease; (2) lease classification of an expired or existing lease; or (3) capitalization of initial direct costs for an expired or existing lease. In addition, the Partnership has elected the land easement transition practical expedient, and did not reassess whether an existing or expired land easement is a lease or contains a lease if it has not historically been accounted for as a lease.
The Partnership leases network equipment, including towers, distributed antenna systems, and small cells, real estate, connectivity mediums, which include dark fiber; equipment; and other various types of assets for use in operations under operating leases. The Partnership assesses whether an arrangement is a lease or contains a lease at inception. For arrangements considered leases or that contain a lease that is accounted for separately, the Partnership determines the classification and initial measurement of the right-of-use asset and lease liability at the lease commencement date, which is the date that the underlying asset becomes available for use.

For operating leases, the Partnership recognizes a right-of-use asset, which represents the right to use the underlying asset for the lease term, and a lease liability, which represents the present value of an obligation to make payments arising over the lease term. The present value of the lease payments is calculated using the incremental borrowing rate. The incremental borrowing rate is determined using a portfolio approach based on the rate of interest that Verizon would have to pay to borrow an amount equal to the lease payments on a collateralized basis over a similar term. Management uses Verizon's unsecured borrowing rate given that Verizon manages, on behalf of the Partnership, all operating, investing, and financing activities of the Partnership and risk-adjusts that rate to approximate a collateralized rate, which is updated on an annual basis.
In those circumstances where the Partnership is the lessee, the election was made to account for non-lease components associated with leases (e.g., common area maintenance costs) and lease components as a single lease component for substantially all of the asset classes.
Rent expense for operating leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease and is included in either cost of services or selling, general and administrative expenses in the statements of income, based on the use of the facility or equipment on which rent is being paid. Variable rent payments related to operating leases are expensed in the period incurred. The variable lease payments consist of payments dependent on various external indicators, including real estate taxes, common area maintenance charges and utility usage.
Operating leases with a term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet; the Partnership recognizes rent expense for these leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
See the Leasing Arrangements Note for additional information related to leases, including disclosures required under Topic 842.
Recently issued accounting standards
The following ASU has recently been issued by the FASB.
DescriptionDate Adoption RequiredEffect on Financial Statements
ASU 2016-13, ASU 2018-19, ASU 2019-04, ASU 2019-05, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326)
In June 2016, the FASB issued this standard update which requires certain financial assets be measured at amortized cost net of an allowance for estimated credit losses such that the net receivable represents the present value of expected cash collection. In addition, this standard update requires that certain financial assets be measured at amortized cost reflecting an allowance for estimated credit losses expected to occur over the life of the assets. The estimate of credit losses must be based on all relevant information including historical information, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the amounts. An entity will apply the update through a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective (January 1, 2023). A prospective transition approach is required for debt securities for which an other-than-temporary impairment has been recognized before the effective date. Early adoption of this standard is permitted.1/1/2023
Over the course of 2019, a cross-functional coordinated team has been evaluating the requirements and scoping the possible impacts that this standard update will have on various financial assets, which is expected to include, but is not limited to, the Partnership's device payment plan agreement receivables, beneficial interest, service receivables and contract assets. Although the evaluation of the standard update has not yet been finalized, the Partnership does not currently expect the impact of this standard update to be significant to the financial statements. The Partnership anticipates any impact will be primarily related to certain device payment plan agreement receivables and beneficial interest.

Subsequent events
Events subsequent to December 31, 2019 have been evaluated through February 25, 2020, the date the financial statements were available to be issued.
3.REVENUE AND CONTRACT COSTS
The Partnership earns revenue from contracts with customers, primarily through the provision of telecommunications and other services and through the sale of wireless equipment. The Partnership accounts for these revenues under Topic 606 which was early adopted on January 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective approach. Revenue is disaggregated on the statements of income by products and services, which is viewed as the relevant categorization for the Partnership. There are also revenues earned that are not accounted for under Topic 606, including from leasing arrangements (such as those for towers) and the interest on equipment financed on a device payment plan agreement when sold to the customer by an authorized agent. Revenue from arrangements that were not accounted for under Topic 606 were insignificant to the financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.

The Partnership applied the new revenue recognition standard to customer contracts not completed at the date of initial adoption. For incomplete contracts that were modified before the date of adoption, the Partnership elected to use the practical expedient available under the modified retrospective method, which allows aggregating the effect of all modifications when identifying satisfied and unsatisfied performance obligations, determining the transaction price and allocating transaction price to the satisfied and unsatisfied performance obligations for the modified contract at transition. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018 are presented under Topic 606, while amounts reported for prior periods have not been adjusted and continue to be reported under accounting standards in effect for those periods. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018 are presented under Topic 606, while amounts reported for prior periods have not been adjusted and continue to be reported under accounting standards in effect for those periods.
Prior to the adoption of Topic 606, the Partnership was required to limit the revenue recognized when a wireless device was sold to the amount of consideration that was not contingent on the provision of future services, which was typically limited to the amount of consideration received from the customer at the time of sale.
Under Topic 606, the total consideration in the contract is allocated between wireless equipment and service based on their relative standalone selling prices. This change primarily impacts our arrangements that include sales of wireless devices at subsidized prices in conjunction with a fixed-term plan, also known as the subsidy model, for service. Accordingly, under Topic 606, generally more equipment revenue is recognized upon sale of the equipment to the customer and less service revenue is recognized over the contract term than was previously recognized under the prior "Revenue Recognition" (Topic 605) standard. At the time the equipment is sold, this allocation results in the recognition of a contract asset equal to the difference between the amount of revenue recognized and the amount of consideration received from the customer. Verizon Wireless only offers new fixed-term plans with subsidized equipment pricing to business customers.
Topic 606 also requires the deferral of incremental costs incurred to obtain a customer contract, which are then amortized to expense, as a component of Selling, general and administrative expense, over the respective periods of expected benefit. As a result, a significant amount of sales commission costs, which were historically expensed as incurred under previous accounting, relating to contracts to provide wireless services, are now deferred and amortized under Topic 606.
Finally, under Topic 605, at the time of the sale of a device, risk adjusted interest is imputed on the device payment plan agreement receivables. The imputed interest is recorded as a reduction to the related accounts receivable and interest income was recognized over the financed device payment term. Under Topic 606, while there continues to be a financing component in both the fixed-term plans and device payment plans, also known as the installment model. This financing component for customer classes in the direct channels for wireless devices is not significant and therefore interest is no longer imputed for these contracts. This change results in additional revenue recognized upon the sale of wireless devices and no interest income recognized over the device payment term.
A reconciliation of the adjustments from the adoption of Topic 606 relative to Topic 605 on certain impacted financial statement line items in the statements of income for the year ended December 31, 2018 are as follows:
 As reportedBalances without adoption of Topic 606Adjustments
OPERATING REVENUE   
Service revenue$3,766,062
$3,818,424
$(52,362)
Equipment revenue1,153,954
1,060,106
93,848
Other275,896
278,334
(2,438)
Total Operating Revenues5,195,912
5,156,864
39,048
    
OPERATING EXPENSES   
Cost of equipment1,212,952
1,206,710
6,242
Selling, general and administrative1,095,048
1,159,066
(64,018)
    
NET INCOME$1,418,597
$1,321,773
$96,824
Remaining performance obligations
When allocating the total contract transaction price to identified performance obligations, a portion of the total transaction price may relate to service performance obligations which were not satisfied or are partially satisfied as of the end of the reporting period. Below we disclose information relating to these unsatisfied performance obligations. The Partnership has elected to apply certain practical expedients available under Topic 606, including the option to exclude the expected revenues arising from unsatisfied performance obligations related to contracts that have an original expected duration of one year or less, which primarily relate to certain month-to-month service contracts.
Additionally, certain contracts provide customers the option to purchase additional services. The fee related to the additional services is recognized when the customer exercises the option (typically on a month-to-month basis).

Customer contracts are generally either month-to-month and cancellable at any time (typically under a device payment plan) or contain terms ranging from greater than one month to up to two years (typically under a fixed-term plan). Additionally, customers may incur charges based on usage or additional optional services in conjunction with entering into a contract that can be cancelled at any time and therefore are not included in the transaction price. When a service contract is longer than one month, the service contract term will generally be two years or less.
The customers also include other telecommunications companies who utilize Verizon Wireless’s network to resell wireless service to their respective end customers. Reseller arrangements occur on a month-to-month basis or include a stated contract term, which generally extends longer than two years. Arrangements with a stated contract term generally include an annual minimum revenue commitment over the term of the contract for which revenues will be recognized in future periods.
Accounts receivable and contract balances
The timing of revenue recognition may differ from the time of billing to customers. Receivables presented in the balance sheet represent an unconditional right to consideration. Contract balances represent amounts from an arrangement when either the performance obligation has been satisfied by transferring goods and/or services to the customer in advance of receiving all or partial consideration for such goods and/or services from the customer, or the customer has made payment in advance of obtaining control of the goods and/or services promised to the customer in the contract.
Contract assets primarily relate to rights to consideration for goods and/or services provided to the customers but for which there is not an unconditional right at the reporting date. Under a fixed-term plan, the total contract revenue is allocated between wireless services and equipment revenues, as discussed above. In conjunction with these arrangements, a contract asset is created, which represents the difference between the amount of equipment revenue recognized upon sale and the amount of consideration received from the customer. The contract asset is recognized as accounts receivable as wireless services are provided and billed. The right to bill the customer is obtained as service is provided over time, which results in the right to the payment being unconditional. The contract asset balances are presented in the balance sheet as prepaid expenses and other, and other assets - net. Contract assets are assessed for impairment on an annual basis and an impairment charge is recognized to the extent the carrying amount is not recoverable. The impairment charge related to contract assets was insignificant for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. Increases in the contract asset balances were primarily due to new contracts and increases in sales promotions recognized upfront, driven by customer activity related to wireless services, while decreases were due to reclassifications to accounts receivable due to billings on the existing contracts and insignificant impairment charges.
Contract liabilities arise when customers are billed and consideration is received in advance of providing the goods and/or services promised in the contract. The majority of the contract liability at each year end is recognized during the following year as these contract liabilities primarily relate to advanced billing of fixed monthly fees for service that are recognized within the following month when services are provided to the customer. The contract liability balances are presented in the balance sheet as contract liabilities and other, and other liabilities. Increases in contract liabilities were primarily due to increases in sales promotions recognized over time and upfront fees, as well as increases in deferred revenue related to advanced billings, while decreases in contract liabilities were primarily due to the satisfaction of performance obligations related to wireless services.
The balance of receivables from contracts with customers, contract assets and contract liabilities recorded in the balance sheet were as follows:
 At December 31, 2019At December 31, 2018At January 1, 2018
Receivables(1)
$284,102
$206,856
$211,388
Device payment plan agreement receivables(2)
101,466
162,619
1,678
Contract assets38,358
41,193
46,964
Contract liabilities190,886
178,905
148,797
(1) Balances do not include receivables related to the following contracts: leasing arrangements (such as towers) and the interest on equipment financed on a device payment plan agreement when sold to the customer by an authorized agent.
(2) Included in device payment plan agreement receivables presented in Device Payment Plans Note. Balances do not include receivables related to contracts completed prior to January 1, 2018 and receivables derived from the sale of equipment on a device payment plan through an authorized agent.
Contract costs
As discussed in the Significant Accounting Policies Note, Topic 606 requires the recognition of an asset for incremental costs to obtain a customer contract, which is then amortized to expense, over the respective period of expected benefit. The Partnership recognizes a contract asset for incremental commission costs paid to Verizon Wireless personnel and agents in conjunction with obtaining customer contracts. The costs are only deferred when it is determined the commissions are incremental costs that would not have been incurred absent the customer contract and are expected to be recovered. Costs to obtain a contract are amortized and recorded ratably as commission expense over the period representing the transfer of goods or services to which the assets relate. Costs to obtain contracts are amortized over the customers' estimated device upgrade cycle of two to three years, as such costs are typically incurred each time a customer upgrades their equipment.
The amortization periods for the costs incurred to obtain a customer contract are determined at a portfolio level due to the similarities within these customer contract portfolios.

Other costs, such as general costs or costs related to past performance obligations, are expensed as incurred.
Deferred contract costs are classified as current or non-current within prepaid expenses and other, and other assets - net, respectively. The balances of deferred contract costs as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, included in the balance sheet were as follows:
 2019 2018
Assets   
Prepaid expenses$116,807
 $99,062
Other assets - net67,117
 70,062
Total$183,924
 $169,124
For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Partnership recognized expense of $128,593and$97,782, respectively, associated with the amortization of deferred contract costs, within selling, general and administrative expenses in the statements of income.
Deferred contract costs are assessed for impairment on an annual basis. An impairment charge is recognized to the extent the carrying amount of a deferred cost exceeds the remaining amount of consideration expected to be received in exchange for the goods and services related to the cost, less the expected costs related directly to providing those goods and services that have not yet been recognized as expenses. There have been no impairment charges recognized for the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.
4.
WIRELESS DEVICEPAYMENTPLANS
Under the Verizon Wireless device payment program, eligible customers can purchase wireless devices under a device payment plan agreement. Customers that activate service on devices purchased under the device payment program pay lower service fees as compared to those under fixed-term service plans, and their device payment plan charge is included on their wireless monthly bill. Verizon Wireless only offers fixed-term plans to business customers.
Wireless device payment plan agreement receivables
The following table displays device payment plan agreement receivables, net, that are recognized in the accompanying balance sheets as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.
 2019 2018
Device payment plan agreement receivables, gross$185,173
 $332,680
Unamortized imputed interest(7,893) (7,196)
Device payment plan agreement receivables, net of unamortized imputed interest177,280
 325,484
Allowance for credit losses(7,674) (24,869)
Device payment plan agreement receivables, net$169,606
 $300,615
    
Classified on the balance sheets:   
Accounts receivable, net$95,441
 $159,289
Other assets74,165
 141,326
Device payment plan agreement receivables, net$169,606
 $300,615
Certain promotions are offered that allow a customer to trade in their owned device in connection with the purchase of a new device. Under these types of promotions, the customer receives a credit for the value of the trade-in device. In addition, the customer may be provided with additional future credits that will be applied against the customer’s monthly bill as long as service is maintained. A liability is recognized for the customer's right to trade-in the device measured at fair value, which is determined by considering several factors, including the weighted-average selling prices obtained in recent resales of similar devices eligible for trade-in. Future credits are recognized when earned by the customer. Device payment plan agreement receivables, net does not reflect the trade-in device liability. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the amount of the trade-in liability was insignificant to the financial statements.
For indirect channel contracts with customers, risk adjusted interest is imputed on the device payment plan agreement receivables. The imputed interest is recorded as a reduction to the related accounts receivable. Interest income, which is included within other revenue in the statements of income, is recognized over the financed device payment term. See Revenue and Contract Costs Note for additional information on financing considerations with respect to direct channel contracts with customers.

When originating device payment plan agreements for consumer customers, Verizon Wireless uses internal and external data sources to create a credit risk score to measure the credit quality of a customer and to determine eligibility for the device payment program. If a customer is either new to Verizon Wireless or has 45 days or less of customer tenure with Verizon Wireless, the credit decision process relies more heavily on external data sources. If the customer has more than 45 days of customer tenure with Verizon Wireless (an existing customer), the credit decision process relies on a combination of internal and external data sources. External data sources include obtaining a credit report from a national consumer credit reporting agency, if available. Verizon Wireless uses its internal data and/or credit data obtained from the credit reporting agencies to create a custom credit risk score. The custom credit risk score is generated automatically (except with respect to a small number of applications where the information needs manual intervention) from the applicant’s credit data using Verizon Wireless’s proprietary custom credit models, which are empirically derived and demonstrably and statistically sound. The credit risk score measures the likelihood that the potential customer will become severely delinquent and be disconnected for non-payment. For a small portion of new customer applications, a traditional credit report is not available from one of the national credit reporting agencies because the potential customer does not have sufficient credit history. In those instances, alternative credit data is used for the risk assessment.
Based on the custom credit risk score, Verizon Wireless assigns each customer to a credit class, each of which has specified offers of credit, including an account level spending limit and either a maximum amount of credit allowed per device or a required down payment percentage. During the fourth quarter of 2018, Verizon Wireless moved all consumer customers, new and existing, from a required down payment percentage, between zero and 100%, to a maximum amount of credit per device.
Subsequent to origination, the delinquency and write-off experience is monitored as key credit quality indicators for the portfolio of device payment plan agreement receivables and fixed-term service plans. The extent of collection efforts with respect to a particular customer are based on the results of proprietary custom empirically derived internal behavioral-scoring models that analyze the customer’s past performance to predict the likelihood of the customer falling further delinquent. These customer-scoring models assess a number of variables, including origination characteristics, customer account history and payment patterns. Based on the score derived from these models, accounts are grouped by risk category to determine the collection strategy to be applied to such accounts. Collection performance results and the credit quality of device payment plan agreement receivables are continuously monitored based on a variety of metrics, including aging. An account is considered to be delinquent and in default status if there are unpaid charges remaining on the account on the day after the bill’s due date.
At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the balance and aging of the device payment plan agreement receivables on a gross basis was as follows:
 2019 2018
Unbilled$172,049
 $317,307
Billed:   
Current10,605
 12,270
Past due2,519
 3,103
Device payment plan agreement receivables, gross$185,173
 $332,680
Activity in the allowance for credit losses for the device payment plan agreement receivables was as follows:
 2019 2018
Balance at January 1$24,869
 $33,897
Provision for uncollectible accounts21,086
 23,932
Write-offs(20,941) (21,035)
Allowance related to receivables sold(16,259) (16,803)
Other(1,081) 4,878
Balance at December 31$7,674
 $24,869
Receivables purchase agreement
In 2015 and 2016, Verizon Wireless established programs pursuant to a Receivables Purchase Agreement (original RPA) to sell from time to time, on an uncommitted basis, eligible device payment plan agreement receivables to a group of primarily relationship banks (Purchasers) on both a revolving and non-revolving basis, collectively the Programs. Under the Programs, Los Angeles SMSA would transfer the eligible receivables to Los Angeles Edge (Seller), who would transfer the device payment plan agreement receivables to the Purchasers for upfront cash proceeds and additional consideration upon settlement of the receivables, referred to as the deferred purchase price. In December 2017, the original RPA and all other related transaction documents were terminated and as of December 31, 2017 neither Verizon Wireless nor Los Angeles SMSA Limited Partnershiphave continuing involvement with any of the receivables sold under the original RPA program. There were no sales of device payment plan agreement receivables under the Programs during 2017 or thereafter.

Collections of deferred purchase price were $86,009 during 2017. During 2017, Verizon Wireless repurchased all outstanding receivables previously sold to the Purchasers in exchange for the obligation to pay the associated deferred purchase price to the wholly-owned subsidiaries that are bankruptcy remote special purpose entities. At December 31, 2017, the deferred purchase price receivable was fully satisfied. Collections following the repurchase of receivables was insignificant during 2019, $9,331 in 2018 and insignificant during 2017. Collections of both deferred purchase price and repurchased receivables were recorded within cash flows from investing activities in the statements of cash flows.
Asset Backed Securities
Beginning in September of 2016, Verizon Wireless has and continues to offer notes and enter into financing facilities collateralized by device payment plan agreement receivables (collectively, Asset Backed Securities or ABS arrangements) with a number of financial institutions (the Lenders), and through registered debt. In connection with these ABS arrangements, Los Angeles SMSA transfers device payment plan receivables to a trust entity through a two-step transfer - in which Los Angeles SMSA first sells eligible device payment plan receivables to Verizon ABS LLC, a securitization SPE wholly owned and consolidated by Verizon Wireless pursuant to a Receivable Purchase Agreement (RPA), and from Verizon ABS LLC to a designated trust entity (also wholly owned and consolidated by Verizon Wireless). Los Angeles SMSA has also entered into Transfer and Servicing Agreements with the Verizon ABS LLC and Verizon Wireless governing the ongoing servicing of the receivables after their sale to Verizon ABS LLC.
The receivables sold to the trust entity through this two step transfer are no longer considered assets of the Partnership. In exchange for the sale of these receivables, the Partnership receives upfront cash proceeds and a beneficial interest, which represents a form of deferred purchase price. The initial proceeds received from the ABS arrangements and the subsequent collection of beneficial interest are recorded within cash flows from operating activities and investing activities, respectively, on the statements of cash flows.
Under the terms of the ABS arrangements, the Lenders make advances under asset-backed loans backed by device payment plan agreement receivables. There is a two year revolving period, which may be extended, during which Verizon Wireless may transfer additional receivables to Verizon ABS LLC. Subject to certain conditions, Verizon Wireless may also remove receivables from Verizon ABS LLC. Verizon Wireless may prepay the outstanding amounts of the loans without penalty, but in certain cases, with breakage costs. In such instances, as a result of the True-up Trust agreements between Verizon Wireless, Los Angeles SMSA, and the other Verizon legal entities originating device payment plan receivables (collectively, the Originators), each Originator is required to contribute a proportional portion of the prepayment based on its respective share of the debt. In consideration for any such prepayment contributions, the Partnership receives additional beneficial interest in the sold receivables. Additionally, the Partnership may receive repayments of beneficial interest in the form of proportional draw downs as well as excess cash collections. The Partnership's net collections on beneficial interest are recorded within cash flows from investing activities on the statements of cash flows.
During 2019, 2018, and 2017, Verizon Wireless sold $935,829, $830,795, and $706,729, respectively, of device payment plan agreement receivables related to the Partnership, net of allowances and imputed interest, to Verizon ABS LLC, and received proceeds of $224,619, $358,148 and $368,238, respectively, received beneficial interest and recorded insignificant gains and losses. The Partnership had a short-term beneficial interest balance of $105,543 and $43,684 in prepaid expenses and other as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, as well as a long-term beneficial interest balance of $61,576 and $138,074, as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, which was recorded within other assets - net on the balance sheets.
Variable interest entities (VIEs)
VIEs are entities that lack sufficient equity to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties, have equity investors that do not have the ability to make significant decisions relating to the entity’s operations through voting rights, do not have the obligation to absorb the expected losses or do not have the right to receive the residual returns of the entity. The Partnership consolidates the assets and liabilities of VIEs when it is deemed to be the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is the party that has the power to make the decisions that most significantly affect the economic performance of the VIE and has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the VIE.
Under the ABS arrangements, the trust’s sole business consists of holding collected receivables that are sold by the Partnership to Verizon Wireless under the terms of the ABS arrangements. The activity of servicing the receivables and distribution of the cash collected is the activity that has the most significant impact on the trust. Verizon Wireless is the master and special servicer for the receivables but does not have a direct variable interest in the trust. The Partnership holds a beneficial interest in the trust, which represents the residual interest in the trust and, as such are, variable interests. Since Verizon Wireless maintains decision making rights as servicer and has an obligation to absorb losses, it is the primary beneficiary in the trust.
Beneficial interest
Under the ABS arrangements, the beneficial interest is initially recorded at fair value, based on the remaining device payment amounts expected to be collected, adjusted, as applicable, for the time value of money and credit risk. The initial fair value measurements are considered to be Level 3 measurements within the fair value hierarchy. The collection of the beneficial interest is contingent on collections from customers.

Continuing involvement
Verizon Wireless has continuing involvement with the sold receivables as it services the receivables pursuant to the ABS arrangements on behalf of the Partnership. Verizon Wireless services the related receivables, including facilitating customer payment collection in exchange for an insignificant servicing fee. While servicing the receivables, the same policies and procedures are applied to the sold receivables that apply to owned receivables, and normal relationships are maintained with customers. The credit quality of the customers Verizon Wireless continues to service was consistent throughout the periods presented.
In addition, the Partnership has continuing involvement related to the sold receivables as the Partnership is responsible for absorbing additional credit losses pursuant to the ABS arrangements. Credit losses on receivables sold were $21,040 during 2019 and $17,359 during 2018. The Partnership’s maximum exposure to loss related to the sold receivables is limited to the amount of the outstanding beneficial interest, which was $167,119 and $181,757 as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The maximum exposure to loss represents an estimated loss that would be incurred under severe, hypothetical circumstances whereby the Partnership would not receive the total portion of the proceeds withheld by the trust. As the probability of these circumstances occurring is believed to be remote, the maximum exposure to loss is not an indication of the Partnership’s expected loss.
The outstanding device payment plan agreement receivables derecognized from the Partnership’s balance sheets, but which Verizon Wireless continues to service, was $822,169 and $690,576 at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
5.PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET
Property, plant and equipment consists of the following at December 31, 2019 and 2018:
 2019 2018
Land$7,716
 $7,716
Buildings and improvements (15-45 years)1,164,210
 1,108,936
Wireless plant and equipment (3-50 years)4,193,491
 4,084,825
Furniture, fixtures and equipment (3-10 years)56,029
 58,986
Leasehold improvements (5-7 years)503,158
 494,914
    
 5,924,604
 5,755,377
    
Less: accumulated depreciation(4,015,711) (3,756,839)
    
Property, plant and equipment, net$1,908,893
 $1,998,538
6.LEASING ARRANGEMENTS
Verizon Wireless, on behalf of the Partnership and the Partnership itself enter into various lease arrangements for network equipment, including towers, distributed antenna systems, and small cells; real estate; connectivity mediums, including dark fiber; equipment; and other various types of assets for use in operations. The leases have remaining lease terms ranging from 1 year to 28 years, some of which include options to extend the leases term for up to 25 years, and some of which include options to terminate the leases. For the majority of leases entered into during the current period, the Partnership concluded it is not reasonably certain that the Partnership would exercise the options to extend the lease or terminate the lease. Therefore, as of the lease commencement date, our lease terms generally do not include these options. The Partnership includes options to extend the lease within the lease term when it is reasonably certain that the option will be exercised.
The components of net lease cost were as follows:
 Classification
For Year Ended
December 31, 2019
Operating lease cost(1)
Cost of services
Selling, general and administrative expense
$181,294
Short-term lease cost(1)
Cost of services
Selling, general and administrative expense
393
Variable lease cost(1)
Cost of services
Selling, general and administrative expense
4,954
Sublease incomeOther revenues(420)
Total net lease cost $186,221
(1) All operating lease costs, including short-term and variable lease costs, are split between cost of services and selling, general and administrative expense in the statements of income based on the use of the facility that the rent is being paid on. See Significant Accounting Policies Note for additional information. Variable lease costs represent payments that are dependent on a rate or index, or on usage of the asset.

Supplemental disclosure for the statement of cash flows related to operating leases were as follows:
 
For Year Ended
December 31, 2019
Cash Flows from Operating Activities 
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities$143,413
Supplemental lease cash flow disclosures 
Operating lease right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities$298,763
The weighted-average remaining lease term and the weighted-average discount rate of operating leases were as follows:
As of December 31, 2019
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years)10
Weighted-average discount rate3.90%
The Partnership's maturity analysis of operating lease liabilities as of December 31, 2019 were as follows:
Years As of December 31, 2019
2020 $152,772
2021 132,808
2022 116,020
2023 101,884
2024 83,820
2025 and thereafter 424,798
Total operating lease payments 1,012,102
Less interest (245,594)
Present value of lease liabilities 766,508
Less current obligations (124,856)
Long-term obligations $641,652
As of December 31, 2019, the Partnership has legally obligated lease payments for various other operating leases that have not yet commenced for which the total obligation was not significant. The Partnership has certain rights and obligations for these leases, but have not recognized an operating lease right-of-use asset or an operating lease liability since they have not yet commenced.
Disclosures related to Periods Prior to Adoption of Topic 842
Total rent expense under operating leases amounted to $147,944 and $134,337 in 2018 and 2017, respectively.
7.TOWER MONETIZATION TRANSACTION
Prior to 2017, Verizon completed various transactions with unrelated third-parties pursuant to which the counterparties acquired exclusive rights to lease and operate certain Verizon Wireless towers and assumed the interest in the underlying ground leases related to the towers for an upfront cash payment. Under the terms of these arrangements, the counterparties have exclusive rights to lease and operate the towers over a long term period. In certain arrangements, the counterparty has fixed-price purchase options to acquire the towers based on their fair market values at the end of the lease terms. Verizon Wireless has subleased capacity on the third-party towers for use in its operations.
The Partnership participated in certain of these arrangements and received upfront payments that were accounted for as deferred rental income and as a financing obligation. The deferred rent represents unearned rental income and relates to the portion of the towers for which the right-of-use has passed to the counterparty. The deferred rental income is being recognized on a straight-line basis over the average lease term, which is included in other net changes within the operating section on the statements of cash flows. The financing obligation relates to the portion of the towers that continue to be occupied and used for the Partnership’s network operations. Sublease payments are recorded as repayments of financing obligation within financing activities on the statements of cash flows. The Partnership continues to include the towers in property, plant and equipment, net in the balance sheets and depreciates them accordingly. In addition, the minimum future payments for the ground leases have been included in the Partnership's operating lease commitments (See Leasing Arrangements Note). As part of the rights obtained during the transaction, the counterparty is responsible for the payment of the ground leases, and the Partnership does not expect to be required to make payments unless the counterparty defaults, which the Partnership determined to be remote.
At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the deferred rental income related to the transactions were $85,515 and $84,944, respectively, recorded in deferred rent on the balance sheet.

8.CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities consist of the following as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.
 2019 2018
Accounts payable$164,285
 $130,668
Accrued liabilities14,621
 12,137
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities$178,906
 $142,805
Contract liabilities and other consists of the following as of December 31, 2019 and 2018:
 2019 2018
Contract liabilities$179,274
 $160,626
Customer deposits3,531
 14,737
Guarantee liability286
 500
Contract liabilities and other$183,091
 $175,863
9.
TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES ANDRELATED PARTIES
In addition to fixed-asset purchases, substantially all of service revenues, equipment revenues, other revenues, cost of services, cost of equipment and selling, general and administrative expenses of the Partnership represent transactions processed by Verizon Wireless on behalf of the Partnership, or represent transactions with affiliates. These transactions consist of: (1) revenues and expenses that pertain to the Partnership, which are processed by Verizon Wireless and directly attributed to or directly charged to the Partnership; (2) roaming revenue when customers of Verizon Wireless outside the Partnership use the network of the Partnership, or roaming cost when customers associated with the Partnership use the network of Verizon Wireless; (3) certain revenues and expenses processed or incurred by Verizon Wireless that are allocated to the Partnership principally based on total subscribers; and (4) service arrangements with Verizon Wireless, where the Partnership has the ability to utilize certain spectrum owned by Verizon Wireless. These transactions do not necessarily represent arm’s-length transactions and may not represent all revenues and costs that would be present if the Partnership operated on a stand-alone basis. Verizon Wireless periodically reviews the methodology and allocation bases for allocating certain revenues, operating costs and selling, general and administrative expenses to the Partnership. Resulting changes, if any, in the allocated amounts have historically not been significant, other than the roaming revenue and cost impacts discussed below.
Service revenues
Service revenues include monthly customer billings processed by Verizon Wireless on behalf of the Partnership and roaming revenues relating to customers of other affiliated markets that are specifically identified to the Partnership. For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, roaming revenues were $549,201, $527,038 and $510,521, respectively. During 2017, Verizon Wireless updated its roaming rates and methodology for determining roaming volumes charged for postpaid, prepaid and reseller roaming revenue, resulting in a net decrease of $145,797 in roaming revenue as compared to prior periods. Service revenues also include usage and certain revenue reductions, including revenue concessions and bill incentive credits, which are processed by Verizon Wireless, and allocated to the Partnership based on certain factors deemed appropriate by Verizon Wireless.
Equipment revenues
Equipment revenues include equipment sales processed by Verizon Wireless and specifically identified to the Partnership, as well as certain handset and accessory revenues, and contra-revenues, including equipment concessions and equipment manufacturer rebates, that are processed by Verizon Wireless and allocated to the Partnership based on certain factors deemed appropriate by Verizon Wireless. The Partnership also recognizes commission revenue on the sale of devices to customers whose service contract is with an affiliate market.
Other revenues
Other revenues include other fees and surcharges charged to the customer that are specifically identified to the Partnership.
Cost of service
Cost of services includes roaming costs relating to customers associated with the Partnership that are roaming in other affiliated markets and switch costs that are incurred by Verizon Wireless and allocated to the Partnership based on certain factors deemed appropriate by Verizon Wireless. For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 roaming costs were $684,200, $651,083 and $637,264, respectively. During 2017, Verizon Wireless updated its roaming rates and methodology for determining roaming amounts charged for postpaid, prepaid and reseller roaming cost, resulting in a net decrease of $182,169 to roaming cost as compared to prior periods. Cost of service also includes cost of telecom and long-distance that are incurred by Verizon Wireless and allocated to the Partnership based on certain factors deemed appropriate by Verizon Wireless. The Partnership also has service arrangements to utilize additional spectrum owned by Verizon Wireless. See Significant Accounting Policies Note for further information regarding these arrangements.

Cost of equipment
Cost of equipment is recorded at Verizon Wireless’s cost basis (see Significant Accounting Policies Note). Cost of equipment includes certain costs related to handsets, accessories and other costs incurred by Verizon Wireless and allocated to the Partnership based on certain factors deemed appropriate by Verizon Wireless.
Selling, general and administrative
Selling, general and administrative expenses include commissions, customer billing, customer care, and salaries that are specifically identified to the Partnership, as well as costs incurred by Verizon Wireless and allocated to the Partnership based on certain factors deemed appropriate by Verizon Wireless. The Partnership was allocated $108,020, $94,132 and $100,183 in advertising costs for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment includes assets purchased by Verizon Wireless and directly charged to the Partnership, as well as assets transferred between Verizon Wireless and the Partnership (see Significant Accounting Policies Note).
Spectrum service agreements
The Partnership has also entered into certain agreements with Verizon Wireless to utilize certain wireless spectrum from Verizon Wireless that overlaps the Los Angeles metropolitan statistical area. Total expense under these wireless spectrum service arrangements amounted to $126,941, $126,288 and $125,608 in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, which is included in cost of service in the statements of income.
Based on the terms of these service agreements as of December 31, 2019, future wireless spectrum service agreement obligations to Verizon Wireless are as follows:
Years Amount
2020 127,620
2021 128,319
2022 129,031
2023 129,758
2024 130,500
2025 and thereafter 855,035
Total minimum payments $1,500,263
10.CONTINGENCIES
Verizon Wireless and the Partnership are subject to lawsuits and other claims, including class actions, product liability, patent infringement, intellectual property, antitrust, partnership disputes and claims involving relations with resellers and agents. Verizon Wireless is also currently defending lawsuits filed against it and other participants in the wireless industry, alleging various adverse effects as a result of wireless phone usage. Various consumer class-action lawsuits allege that Verizon Wireless violated certain state consumer-protection laws and other statutes and defrauded customers through misleading billing practices or statements. These matters may involve indemnification obligations by third parties and/or affiliated parties covering all or part of any potential damage awards against Verizon Wireless and the Partnership and/or insurance coverage. All of the above matters are subject to many uncertainties, and the outcomes are not currently predictable.
The Partnership may incur or be allocated a portion of the damages that may result upon adjudication of these matters, if the claimants prevail in their actions. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Partnership had no accrual for any pending matters. An estimate of the reasonably possible loss or range of loss with respect to these matters as of December 31, 2019 cannot be made at this time due to various factors typical in contested proceedings, including: (1) uncertain damage theories and demands; (2) a less-than-complete factual record; (3) uncertainty concerning legal theories and their resolution by courts or regulators and (4) the unpredictable nature of the opposing party and its demands. Verizon Wireless and the Partnership continuously monitor these proceedings as they develop and will adjust any accrual or disclosure as needed. It is not expected that the ultimate resolution of any pending regulatory or legal matter in future periods will have a material effect on the financial condition of the Partnership, but it could have a material effect on the results of operations for a given reporting period.

SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS, INC.
By:/s/ LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr.
LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr.
President and Chief Executive Officer
(principal executive officer)
TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS, INC.
Date:
By:/s/ LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr.
LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr.
President and Chief Executive Officer
(principal executive officer)
By:/s/ Peter L. Sereda
Peter L. Sereda
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(principal financial officer)
By:/s/ Anita J. Kroll
Anita J. Kroll
Vice President - Controller and Chief Accounting Officer
(principal accounting officer)February 16, 2023
Dated:  February 25, 2020

Power of Attorney
Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr. as his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution for him or her and in his or her name, place, and stead, in any and all capacities to sign any and all amendments to this Annual Report on Form 10-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do so and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all the said attorney-in fact and agent or any of them, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
By:/s/ Vicki L. Villacrez
Vicki L. Villacrez
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(principal financial officer)
Date:February 16, 2023
By:/s/ Anita J. Kroll
Anita J. Kroll
Vice President - Controller and Chief Accounting Officer
(principal accounting officer)
Date:February 16, 2023


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
SignatureTitleDate
/s/ Walter C. D. CarlsonDirectorFebruary 16, 2023
Walter C. D. Carlson
SignatureTitleDate
/s/ LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr.DirectorFebruary 25, 202016, 2023
LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr.
/s/ James W. ButmanDirectorFebruary 16, 2023
James W. Butman
/s/ Prudence E. CarlsonDirectorFebruary 16, 2023
Prudence E. Carlson
/s/ Letitia G. Carlson, M.D.DirectorFebruary 25, 202016, 2023
Letitia G. Carlson, M.D.
/s/ Prudence E. CarlsonDirectorFebruary 25, 2020
Prudence E. Carlson
/s/ Walter C. D. CarlsonDirectorFebruary 25, 2020
Walter C. D. Carlson
/s/ James W. ButmanDirectorFebruary 25, 2020
James W. Butman
/s/ Clarence A. DavisDirectorFebruary 25, 202016, 2023
Clarence A. Davis
/s/ Kimberly D. DixonDirectorFebruary 25, 202016, 2023
Kimberly D. Dixon
/s/ Kenneth R. MeyersDirectorFebruary 25, 2020
Kenneth R. Meyers
/s/ George W. OffDirectorFebruary 25, 202016, 2023
George W. Off
/s/ Christopher D. O’LearyDirectorFebruary 25, 202016, 2023
Christopher D. O’Leary
/s/ Wade OostermanDirectorFebruary 25, 202016, 2023
Wade Oosterman
/s/ Gary L. SugarmanLaurent C. TherivelDirectorFebruary 25, 202016, 2023
Gary L. SugarmanLaurent C. Therivel
/s/ Dirk S. WoessnerDirectorFebruary 16, 2023
Dirk S. Woessner