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8-K - 8-K - UNITED STATES CELLULAR CORPform8k.htm
EX-99.2 - EX-99.2 - UNITED STATES CELLULAR CORPex992.htm
 

 

 

 

As previously announced, U.S. Cellular will hold a teleconference Aug. 3, 2012 at 9:30 a.m. CDT. Interested parties may listen to the call live by accessing the Investor Relations page of www.uscellular.com or www.teldta.com.

 

Contact:

Jane W. McCahon, Vice President, Corporate Relations

(312) 592-5379; jane.mccahon@teldta.com

Julie D. Mathews, Manager, Investor Relations

(312) 592-5341; julie.mathews@teldta.com

 

FOR RELEASE: IMMEDIATE

 

U.S. cellular Reports second QUARTER 2012 RESULTS

 

Note: Comparisons are year over year unless otherwise noted.

 

2Q 2012 Highlights

§         Smartphones as a percent of total devices sold increased to 51.9 percent from 39.6 percent; smartphone customers increased to 36.8 percent of postpaid customers from 23.1 percent.

§         Postpaid ARPU (average revenue per user) increased 5 percent to $54.42 from $51.84; total ARPU increased 6 percent to $59.05 from $55.69.

§         Service revenues increased 3 percent to $1,029.7 million.

§         Postpaid gross additions increased 9 percent and postpaid churn increased to 1.57 percent, resulting in a net loss of 48,000 postpaid customers.  Postpaid customers comprised 94 percent of retail customers.

§         Prepaid gross additions increased 77 percent, driven by the introduction in select Walmart stores of U Prepaid, a new no contract wireless service, and prepaid churn decreased to 6.2 percent, resulting in a net increase of 20,000 prepaid customers.

§         Retail gross additions increased 23 percent; net loss of 28,000 retail customers, compared to a net loss of 58,000 retail customers.

§         Cell sites in service increased 2 percent to 7,932, of which 4,512 are owned towers.

§         4G LTE network covers 30 percent of customers; expect to reach 58 percent of customers by year end.

§         Investment in the Los Angeles Partnership contributed $19 million to equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities, up from $14 million.

 

CHICAGO – Aug. 3, 2012 – United States Cellular Corporation [NYSE:USM] reported service revenues of $1,029.7 million for the second quarter of 2012, up 3 percent versus $1,002.0 million in the comparable period one year ago. Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders and related diluted earnings per share were $52.7 million and $0.62, respectively, for the second quarter of 2012, compared to $74.9 million and $0.88, respectively, in the comparable period one year ago.

 

“Our second quarter results were mixed," said Mary N. Dillon, U.S. Cellular president and CEO. We achieved a strong increase in postpaid gross customer additions, evidence that we are increasing awareness and convincing wireless consumers to switch to U.S. Cellular. Postpaid churn, however, remained elevated, resulting in a net loss of postpaid subscribers. We’re focused on improving our subscriber results by implementing aggressive strategies to offer high-demand devices, expand our distribution options, and further differentiate U.S. Cellular’s superior customer service and benefits. Profitability in the quarter declined, however, due to higher device subsidies on 4G LTE handsets and expenses related to data growth, expansion of the 4G LTE network and spending for our multi-year initiatives.

 

“Our positive prepaid customer results reflect the success we’ve had selling our U Prepaid service through Walmart since mid-May. We will continue to find new ways to optimize our distribution and be where our customers want to shop.

 

 


 
 

“Revenues grew in the quarter as smartphone penetration continued to increase, contributing to strong data use and increased average revenue per user. 4G LTE devices made up 17 percent of smartphones sold, and we expect to continue to migrate customers to our expanding 4G LTE network by offering devices like the highly acclaimed Samsung Galaxy S® III.

 

To continue our positive momentum related to gross additions, our newly launched marketing campaign, Hello Better, takes an aggressive approach to encouraging our competitors’ customers to break free from unrewarding provider relationships. We'll be utilizing a full range of traditional, social, retail and grassroots tools to reach out to customers who are unhappy with their current providers, and show them there's a better opion with U.S. Cellular.”

 

Interest expense

The $12.8 million decrease in interest expense was due primarily to the write-off of $8.2 million in unamortized debt issuance costs in 2011 and lower interest rates on outstanding debt.

 

Guidance for year ending Dec. 31, 2012                             

Guidance for the year ending Dec. 31, 2012, as of Aug. 3, 2012, is unchanged from the previous guidance provided on May 4, 2012. U.S. Cellular undertakes no duty to update such information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.  There can be no assurance that final results will not differ materially from this guidance. 

 

 

 

2012 Estimated Results (1)

Service revenues

$4,050-$4,150 million

Operating income (2)

$200-$300 million

Depreciation, amortization and accretion expenses, and losses on asset disposals and exchanges and impairment of assets (2)

Approx. $600 million

Adjusted OIBDA (2) (3)

$800-$900 million

Capital expenditures

Approx. $850 million

 

(1)    These estimates are based on U.S. Cellular’s current plans, which include a multi-year deployment of 4G LTE technology which commenced in 2011.  New developments or changing conditions (such as customer net growth, customer demand for data services or possible acquisitions, dispositions or exchanges) could affect U.S. Cellular’s plans and, therefore, its 2012 estimated results.  

(2)    The 2012 Estimated Results do not include any estimate for unrecognized net gains or losses related to disposals and exchanges of assets or losses on impairment of assets (since such transactions and their effects are uncertain).

(3)    Adjusted OIBDA is defined as operating income excluding the effects of depreciation, amortization and accretion (OIBDA); the net gain or loss on asset disposals and exchanges (if any); and the loss on impairment of assets (if any). This measure also may be commonly referred to by management as operating cash flow. This measure should not be confused with Cash flows from operating activities, which is a component of the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.  Adjusted OIBDA excludes the net gain or loss on asset disposals and exchanges (if any) and loss on impairment of assets (if any), in order to show operating results on a more comparable basis from period to period.  U.S. Cellular does not intend to imply that any of such amounts that are excluded are non-recurring, infrequent or unusual and, accordingly, they may be incurred in the future.  U.S. Cellular believes this measure provides useful information to investors regarding U.S. Cellular’s financial condition and results of operations because it highlights certain key cash and non-cash items and their impacts on cash flows from operating activities.

 

Conference call information

U.S. Cellular will hold a conference call on Aug. 3, 2012 at 9:30 a.m. CDT.

·          Access the live call on the Investor Relations page of uscellular.com  or at http://www.videonewswire.com/event.asp?id=88721

·         Access the call by phone at 877/407-8029 (US/Canada), no pass code required    

 

Before the call, certain financial and statistical information to be discussed during the call will be posted to the Investor Relations page of www.uscellular.com. The call will be archived on the Conference Calls page of www.uscellular.com  

 

2


 
 

About U.S. Cellular

United States Cellular Corporation, the nation's seventh-largest wireless carrier, provides a comprehensive range of wireless products and services, excellent customer support, and a high-quality network to approximately 5.8 million customers in 26 states. The Chicago-based company employed approximately 8,600 people as of June 30, 2012. At the end of the second quarter of 2012, Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. owned 84 percent of U.S. Cellular.

Visit www.uscellular.com for comprehensive financial information, including earnings releases, quarterly and annual filings, shareholder information and more.      

Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: All information set forth in this news release, except historical and factual information, represents forward-looking statements. This includes all statements about the company’s plans, beliefs, estimates, and expectations. These statements are based on current estimates, projections, and assumptions, which involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that may affect these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: the ability of the company to successfully manage and grow its markets; the overall economy; competition; the ability to obtain or maintain roaming arrangements with other carriers on acceptable terms; the state and federal telecommunications regulatory environment; the value of assets and investments; adverse changes in the ratings afforded our debt securities by accredited ratings organizations; industry consolidation; advances in telecommunications technology; uncertainty of access to the capital marketspending and future litigation; changes in income tax rates, laws, regulations or rulings; acquisitions/divestitures of properties and/or licenses; changes in customer growth rates, average monthly revenue per user, churn rates, roaming revenue and terms, the availability of handset devices, or the mix of products and services offered by the company. Investors are encouraged to consider these and other risks and uncertainties that are discussed in the Form 8-K Current Report used by U.S. Cellular to furnish this press release to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), which are incorporated by reference herein.

 

3


 
 

 

United States Cellular Corporation

Summary Operating Data (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quarter Ended

 

6/30/2012

 

 

3/31/2012

 

 

12/31/2011

 

 

9/30/2011

 

 

6/30/2011

 

Total population

  

Consolidated markets (1)

92,684,000

92,684,000

91,965,000

91,965,000

91,204,000

 

Consolidated operating markets (1)

46,966,000

46,966,000

46,888,000

46,888,000

46,888,000

Market penetration at end of period

 

Consolidated markets (2)

6.3

%

6.3

%

6.4

%

6.5

%

6.5

%

 

Consolidated operating markets (2)

12.3

%

12.4

%

12.6

%

12.7

%

12.7

%

All customers

 

 

Total at end of period

5,799,000

5,837,000

5,891,000

5,932,000

5,968,000

 

Gross additions

290,000

285,000

306,000

299,000

257,000

 

Net additions (losses)

(38,000

)

(49,000

)

(41,000

)

(36,000

)

(70,000

)

 

Smartphones sold as a percent of

 

 

total devices sold (3)

51.9

%

54.1

%

52.5

%

39.9

%

39.6

%

Retail customers

 

Total at end of period

5,542,000

5,570,000

5,608,000

5,621,000

5,644,000

 

Smartphone penetration (3) (4)

36.8

%

34.4

%

30.5

%

26.2

%

23.1

%

 

Gross additions

277,000

273,000

298,000

284,000

226,000

 

Net retail additions (losses) (5)

(28,000

)

(34,000

)

(13,000

)

(23,000

)

(58,000

)

 

 

Net postpaid additions (losses)

(48,000

)

(38,000

)

(20,000

)

(34,000

)

(41,000

)

 

 

Net prepaid additions (losses)

20,000

4,000

7,000

11,000

(17,000

)

Service revenue components (000s)

 

Retail service

$

889,219

 

 

$

888,527

 

 

$

882,091

 

 

$

871,199

 

 

$

868,630

 

Inbound roaming

 

86,363

 

 

80,132

 

 

93,353

 

 

107,810

 

 

82,760

 

Other

 

54,160

 

 

 

55,161

 

 

 

54,601

 

 

 

57,600

 

 

 

50,640

 

Total service revenues (000s)

$

1,029,742

 

 

$

1,023,820

 

 

$

1,030,045

 

 

$

1,036,609

 

 

$

1,002,030

Total ARPU (6)

$

59.05

 

 

$

58.21

 

 

$

58.13

 

 

$

58.09

 

 

$

55.69

Billed ARPU (7)

$

50.99

 

 

$

50.52

 

 

$

49.78

 

 

$

48.82

 

 

$

48.28

Postpaid ARPU (8)

$

54.42

 

 

$

54.00

 

 

$

53.35

 

 

$

52.41

 

 

$

51.84

Postpaid churn rate (9)

 

1.6

%

 

1.6

%

 

1.6

%

 

 

1.5

%

1.4

%

Capital expenditures (000s)

$

183,200

 

 

$

201,300

 

 

$

276,400

 

 

$

248,000

$

162,100

Cell sites in service

 

7,932

 

 

7,875

 

 

7,882

 

 

7,828

7,770

 


(1)     Used only to calculate market penetration of consolidated markets and consolidated operating markets, respectively. See footnote (2) below.

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

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

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

(5)     Includes net postpaid additions (losses) and net prepaid additions (losses).

(6)     Total ARPU - Average monthly service revenue per user includes retail service, inbound roaming and other service revenues and is calculated by dividing total service revenues by the number of months in the period and by the average total customers during the period.

(7)     Billed ARPU - Average monthly billed revenue per user is calculated by dividing total retail service revenues by the number of months in the period and by the average total customers during the period. Retail service revenues include revenues attributable to postpaid, prepaid and reseller customers.

(8)     Postpaid ARPU - Average monthly revenue per postpaid user is calculated by dividing total retail service revenues from postpaid customers by the number of months in the period and by the average postpaid customers during the period.

(9)     Represents the percentage of the postpaid customer base that disconnects service each month. This amount represents the average postpaid churn rate for each respective quarterly period.

 

 

4


 
 

 

United States Cellular Corporation

Consolidated Statement of Operations Highlights

Three Months Ended June 30,

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

Increase (Decrease)

2012

2011

Amount

Percent

Operating revenues

Service

$

1,029,742

 

$

1,002,030

$

27,712

3

%

Equipment sales

 

74,658

 

 

74,152

 

 

506

 

1

%

Total operating revenues

  

1,104,400

 

 

1,076,182

 

 

28,218

 

3

%

Operating expenses

System operations (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below)

243,227

227,801

15,426

7

%

Cost of equipment sold

191,700

170,833

20,867

12

%

Selling, general and administrative

435,053

423,953

11,100

3

%

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

147,555

146,577

978

1

%

Loss on asset disposals and exchanges, net

 

2,702

 

 

2,922

 

 

(220

)

(8

%)

Total operating expenses

  

1,020,237

 

 

972,086

 

  

48,151

 

5

%

Operating income

 

84,163

 

 

 

104,096

 

 

(19,933

)

(19

%)

Investment and other income (expense)

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities

25,154

22,469

2,685

 

12

%

Interest and dividend income

845

748

97

13

%

Gain (loss) on investment

(3,728

)

13,373

(17,101

)

>(100

)%

Interest expense

(12,360

)

(25,197

)

12,837

51

%

Other, net

 

(229

)

 

175

 

 

(404

)

>(100

)%

Total investment and other income (expense)

 

9,682

 

 

 

11,568

 

 

 

(1,886

)

(16

%)

Income before income taxes

93,845

115,664

(21,819

)

(19

%)

Income tax expense

 

34,597

 

 

34,732

 

 

(135

)

Net income

59,248

80,932

(21,684

)

(27

%)

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax

 

(6,563

)

 

(5,993

)

 

(570

)

(10

%)

Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders

$

52,685

 

$

74,939

 

$

(22,254

)

(30

%)

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

84,707

84,930

(223

)

Basic earnings per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders

$

0.62

 

$

0.88

 

$

(0.26

)

(30

%)

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

85,061

85,397

(336

)

Diluted earnings per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders

$

0.62

 

$

0.88

 

$

(0.26

)

(30

%)

 

5


 

 

 

United States Cellular Corporation

Consolidated Statement of Operations Highlights

Six Months Ended June 30,

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

 

 

 

 

 

Increase (Decrease)

2012 

2011 

Amount

Percent

Operating revenues

Service

$

2,053,562

$

1,987,143

$

66,419

3%

Equipment sales

 

142,959

 

 

146,131

 

 

(3,172

)

(2%)

Total operating revenues

 

2,196,521

 

 

2,133,274

 

 

63,247

 

3%

Operating expenses

System operations (excluding Depreciation,

amortization and accretion reported below)

476,391

445,404

30,987

7%

Cost of equipment sold

378,736

367,488

11,248

3%

Selling, general and administrative

877,297

863,662

13,635

2%

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

294,240

289,917

4,323

1%

Loss on asset disposals

 

492

 

 

3,959

 

 

(3,467

)

(88%)

Total operating expenses

 

2,027,156

 

 

1,970,430

 

 

56,726

 

3%

Operating income

169,365

162,844

6,521

4%

Investment and other income (expense)

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities

46,768

43,360

3,408

8%

Interest and dividend income

1,888

1,597

291

18%

Gain ( loss) on investment

(3,728

)

13,373

(17,101

)

>(100)%

Interest expense

(25,771

)

(40,383

)

14,612

36%

Other, net

  

(27

)

 

50

 

 

(77

)

>(100)%

Total investment and other income (expense)

   

19,130

 

 

17,997

 

 

 1,133

 

6%

Income before income taxes

188,495

180,841

7,654

4%

Income tax expense

   

60,235

 

59,479

 

 

756

 

1%

Net income

128,260

121,362

6,898

6%

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax

 

(13,083

)

 

(11,262

)

 

(1,821

)

(16%)

Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders

$

115,177

 

$

110,100

 

$

5,077

 

5%

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

84,638

85,206

(568

)

(1%)

Basic earnings per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders

$

1.36

 

$

1.29

 

$

0.07

 

5%

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

85,076

85,739

(663

)

(1%)

Diluted earnings per share attributable to  U.S. Cellular shareholders

$

1.35

 

$

1.28

 

$

0.07

 

5%

 

 

6


 
 

 

United States Cellular Corporation

Consolidated Balance Sheet Highlights

(Unaudited, dollars in thousands)

 

  ASSETS

June 30,

2012 

December 31,

2011 

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

$

437,624

$

424,155

Short-term investments

100,738

127,039

Accounts receivable from customers and other

430,761

441,821

Inventory

183,139

127,056

Income taxes receivable

324

74,791

Prepaid expenses

61,194

55,980

Net deferred income tax asset

35,641

31,905

Other current assets

 

11,197

 

 

10,096

1,260,618

1,292,843

 

Assets held for sale

49,647

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments

Licenses

1,484,202

1,470,769

Goodwill

494,737

494,737

Customer lists, net

170

314

Investments in unconsolidated entities

175,663

138,096

Notes and interest receivable – long-term

82

1,921

Long-term investments

 

55,468

 

 

30,057

 

2,210,322

 

2,135,894

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

In service and under construction

7,232,771

7,008,449

Less: accumulated depreciation

 

4,349,653

  

 

4,218,147

 

2,883,118

 

2,790,302

 

Other assets and deferred charges

71,194

59,290

 

 

Total assets

$

6,425,252

 

$

6,327,976

 

 

7


 
 

 

 

United States Cellular Corporation

Consolidated Balance Sheet Highlights

(Unaudited, dollars in thousands)

 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

 

 

June 30,

2012 

December 31,

2011 

Current liabilities

Current portion of long-term debt

$

127

$

127

Accounts payable

Affiliated

15,312

12,183

Trade

239,950

303,779

Customer deposits and deferred revenues

202,485

181,355

Accrued taxes

44,250

34,095

Accrued compensation

51,305

69,551

Other current liabilities

 

89,284

 

 

 

121,190

 

642,713

722,280

 

Liabilities held for sale

1,051

 

Deferred liabilities and credits

Net deferred income tax liability

840,484

799,190

Other deferred liabilities and credits

247,692

248,213

 

Long-term debt

880,623

880,320

Noncontrolling interests with mandatory redemption features

1,050

1,005

Equity

U.S. Cellular shareholders' equity

Series A Common and Common Shares, par value $1 per share

88,074

88,074

Additional paid-in capital

1,399,010

1,387,341

Treasury shares

(146,057

)

(152,817

)

Retained earnings

 

2,403,312

 

 

 

2,297,363

 

Total U.S. Cellular shareholders' equity

3,744,339

3,619,961

 

Noncontrolling interests

 

68,351

   

 

  

55,956

  

 

Total equity

3,812,690

3,675,917

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

$

6,425,252

 

$

6,327,976

 

 

8


 
 

 

 

United States Cellular Corporation

Schedule of Cash and Cash Equivalents and Investments

(Unaudited, dollars in thousands)

 

The following table presents U.S. Cellular’s cash and cash equivalents and investments at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011.

 


June 30,

2012 


 

December 31,

2011 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

437,624

$

424,155

 

 

 

 

Amounts included in short-term investments (1)(2)

Government-backed securities (3)

$

100,738

$

127,039

Amounts included in long-term investments (1)(4)

Government-backed securities (3)

$

55,468

$

30,057

 


(1)    Designated as held-to-maturity investments and recorded at amortized cost on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

(2)    Maturities are less than twelve months from the respective balance sheet dates

(3)    Includes U.S. treasuries and corporate notes guaranteed under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program

(4)    At June 30, 2012, maturities range between 12 and 21 months from the balance sheet date.

 

 

9


 
 

 

United States Cellular Corporation

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

Six Months Ended June 30,

(Unaudited, dollars in thousands)

 

 

2012

2011

Cash flows from operating activities

Net income

$

128,260

$

121,362

Add (deduct) adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

294,240

289,917

Bad debts expense

30,659

27,677

Stock-based compensation expense

11,057

10,798

Deferred income taxes, net

30,479

80,371

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities

(46,768

)

(43,360

)

Distributions from unconsolidated entities

6,743

47,143

Loss on asset disposals, net

492

3,959

(Gain) loss on investment

3,728

(13,373

)

Noncash interest expense

902

9,152

Other operating activities

321

1,044

Changes in assets and liabilities from operations

Accounts receivable

(13,383

)

(35,907

)

Inventory

(56,039

)

(48,504

)

Accounts payable - trade

(20,987

)

23,835

Accounts payable - affiliate

3,129

5,102

Customer deposits and deferred revenues

21,131

22,376

Accrued taxes

85,327

11,525

Accrued interest

149

111

Other assets and liabilities

 

(67,203

)

 

(75,128

)

 

412,237

 

 

438,100

 

Cash flows from investing activities

Cash used for additions to property, plant and equipment

(430,225

)

(265,394

)

Cash paid for acquisitions and licenses

(12,647

)

(22,167

)

Cash received for divestitures

49,786

Cash paid for investments

(45,000

)

(20,000

)

Cash received for investments

45,000

75,000

Other investing activities

 

(3,097

)

 

2,691

 

 

(396,183

)

 

(229,870

)

Cash flows from financing activities

Repayment of long-term debt

(45

)

(330,043

)

Issuance of long-term debt

342,000

Common shares reissued for benefit plans, net of tax payments

(2,465

)

1,264

Common shares repurchased

(62,308

)

Payment of debt issuance costs

(11,229

)

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

(643

)

(877

)

Other financing activities

 

568

 

163

 

 

(2,585

)

 

 

(61,030

)

Cash classified as held for sale

(5,687

)

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

13,469

141,513

Cash and cash equivalents

Beginning of period

 

424,155

 

 

276,915

 

End of period

$

437,624

 

 

$

418,428

 

 

10


 
 

 

United States Cellular Corporation

Financial Measures and Reconciliations

(Unaudited, dollars in thousands)

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

Six Months Ended June 30,

2012

2011

2012

2011

Service revenues

$

1,029,742

$

1,002,030

$

2,053,562

$

1,987,143

Operating income

84,163

104,096

169,365

162,844

Add:

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

147,555

146,577

294,240

289,917

Loss on impairment of intangible assets

Loss on asset disposals and exchanges

 

2,702

 

 

2,922

 

 

492

 

 

3,959

 

Adjusted OIBDA (1)

$

234,420

 

 

$

253,595

 

 

$

464,097

 

 

$

456,720

 

Adjusted OIBDA margin (2)

22.8

%

25.3

%

22.6

%

23.0

%

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

2012

 

2011

Cash flows from operating activities

$

155,270

$

180,392

$

412,237

$

438,100

Deduct:

Cash used for additions to property, plant and equipment

 

(221,065

)

 

(144,353

)

 

(430,225

)

 

(265,394

)

Free cash flow (3)

$

(65,795

)

 

$

36,039

 

 

$

(17,988

)

 

$

172,706

 

 


(1)    Adjusted OIBDA is defined as operating income excluding the effects of: depreciation, amortization, and accretion (OIBDA); the net gain or loss on asset disposals and exchanges (if any); and the loss on impairment of assets (if any).  This measure also may be commonly referred to by management as operating cash flow.  This measure should not be confused with cash flows from operating activities, which is a component of the consolidated statement of cash flows. Adjusted OIBDA excludes the net gain or loss on asset disposals and exchanges and loss on impairment of assets, if any, in order to show operating results on a more comparable basis from period to period.  U.S. Cellular does not intend to imply that any of such amounts that are excluded are non-recurring, infrequent or unusual, and accordingly, they may be incurred in the future.

(2)    Adjusted OIBDA margin is defined as adjusted OIBDA divided by service revenues. Equipment revenues are excluded from the denominator of the calculation since equipment is generally sold at a net loss, and such net loss is included in adjusted OIBDA as a cost of earning service revenues for purposes of assessing business results.  U.S. Cellular believes that this calculation method is consistent with the method used by certain investors to assess U.S. Cellular’s business results.  Adjusted OIBDA margin may also be commonly referred to by management as operating cash flow margin. U.S. Cellular believes this measure provides useful information to investors regarding U.S. Cellular’s financial condition and results of operations because it highlights certain key cash and non-cash items and their impacts on cash flows from operating activities.

(3)   Free cash flow is defined as cash flows from operating activities less Cash used for additions to property, plant and equipment. Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure. U.S. Cellular believes that free cash flow as reported by U.S. Cellular may be useful to investors and other users of its financial information in evaluating the amount of cash generated by business operations, after consideration of capital expenditures.

 

11