Executive Overview

The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) should be read in conjunction with United States Cellular Corporation (“U.S. Cellular”) audited consolidated financial statements and notes for the year ended December 31, 2016 and with the description of U.S. Cellular’s business included herein.  Calculated amounts and percentages are based on the underlying actual numbers rather than the numbers rounded to millions as presented.

This report contains statements that are not based on historical facts, including the words “believes,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “expects” and similar words.  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 such forward looking statements.  See Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 Safe Harbor Cautionary Statement for additional information.

U.S. Cellular uses certain “non-GAAP financial measures,” and each such measure is identified in the MD&A.  A discussion of the reason U.S. Cellular determines these metrics to be useful and a reconciliation 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 Report.

General

U.S. Cellular owns, operates, and invests in wireless markets throughout the United States. U.S. Cellular is an 83%-owned subsidiary of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (“TDS”).  U.S. Cellular’s strategy is 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.

Significant Financial and Operating Matters

The following is a summary of certain selected information contained in the comprehensive MD&A that follows.  The overview does not contain all of the information that may be important.  You should carefully read the entire MD&A and not rely solely on the highlights.

• Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders was $48 million in 2016, compared to $241 million in 2015. The year-over-year decrease was attributable to several factors including (i) decreased gains from sales and exchanges of businesses and licenses; (ii) industry-wide price competition; and (iii) the impact of the discontinuation of the loyalty rewards program in 2015.  Diluted earnings per share was $0.56 in 2016 compared to $2.84 one year ago.
• Total additions to Property, plant and equipment were $446 million, including expenditures to (i) improve network support and billing related systems and platforms; (ii) enhance U.S. Cellular’s network capabilities through the development of VoLTE technology; and (iii) construct new cell sites.

Significant Trends and Developments

U.S. Cellular’s mission is to provide exceptional wireless communication services which enhance consumers’ lives, increase the competitiveness of local businesses, and improve the efficiency of government operations in the mid-sized and rural markets served.

Network and Technology:

• U.S. Cellular deployed 4G LTE as a result of its strategic initiative to enhance its network.  4G LTE reaches 99% of postpaid connections and 98% of cell sites.  The adoption of data-centric smartphones and connected devices is driving significant growth in data traffic.  At the end of the fourth quarter of 2016, 79% of postpaid connections had 4G capable devices, with the LTE network handling 91% of data traffic. 

• U.S. Cellular continues to devote efforts to enhance its network capabilities with the deployment of VoLTE technology and plans a multi-year roll out beginning with one market in early 2017.  VoLTE, when deployed commercially, will enable customers to utilize the LTE network for both voice and data services, and will enable enhanced services such as high definition voice, video calling and simultaneous voice and data sessions.  The deployment of VoLTE also will expand U.S. Cellular’s ability to offer roaming services to additional carriers.

• U.S. Cellular is committed to continuous innovation to provide customers in the markets it serves with the latest technology that can enhance their lives and businesses.  During the third quarter of 2016, U.S. Cellular successfully tested 5G technology in both indoor and outdoor environments for the first time.  The company plans additional tests geared towards understanding the propagation characteristics of the new technology and contributing to the development of 5G standards.  When deployed commercially, 5G technology is expected to help address customers’ growing demand for data services as well as create opportunities for new services requiring high speed and low latency.

Asset Management:

• U.S. Cellular continued to enhance its spectrum position and monetize non-strategic assets by entering into multiple agreements with third parties.  Certain of these agreements involve the purchase of licenses for cash, while others involve the exchange of licenses in non-operating markets for other licenses in operating markets and cash.  As a result of the closing of multiple exchange agreements in 2016, U.S. Cellular received $14 million of cash and recognized gains of $19 million. 

• U.S. Cellular participated in FCC Auction 97 indirectly through its limited partnership interest in Advantage Spectrum.  Advantage Spectrum was the provisional winning bidder for 124 licenses for an aggregate winning bid of $338 million, after its designated entity discount of 25%.  Advantage Spectrum’s bid amount, less the upfront payment of $60 million paid in 2014, was paid to the FCC in March 2015.  These licenses were granted by the FCC in July 2016. 

• In July 2016, the FCC announced U.S. Cellular as a qualified bidder in the FCC’s forward auction of 600 MHz spectrum licenses, referred to as Auction 1002, which commenced in August 2016.  The Clock Phase of the auction was completed in February 2017.  See “Regulatory Matters – FCC Auction 1002” for a summary of U.S. Cellular’s participation in Auction 1002.

See Note 6 — Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges for additional information related to these transactions.

Products and Services:

• U.S. Cellular is focused on expanding its solutions available to business and government customers, including a growing suite of connected machine-to-machine solutions and software applications across various categories.  U.S. Cellular will continue to enhance its advanced wireless services and connected solutions for consumer, business and government customers.

• U.S. Cellular continued to leverage competitive value-based pricing for its plans and services, including equipment installment plan offerings.  Effective in September 2016, new postpaid handset sales to retail consumers are made under equipment installment plans only; business and government customers can still purchase equipment under either installment plans or alternative plans that are subject to a service contract.

• U.S. Cellular offers a wide range of accessories, including wireless basics such as cases, screen protectors, chargers, and memory cards as well as an ever growing assortment of consumer electronics such as headphones, speakers, and hands-free devices.  In addition, the company recently introduced an assortment of home automation products (e.g., cameras, sensors, thermostats).

• U.S. Cellular continues to offer device service programs that provide customers a simple process to replace a damaged or defective device through a retail store or via direct mail.  U.S. Cellular also offers its Device Protection+ program which includes overnight delivery of a replacement device for lost and stolen devices.  In 2016, U.S. Cellular launched Device Protection+ Advanced, which includes 100GB of data backup, TechSupport+, and AppleCare services for Apple iOS customers.

Terms Used by U.S. Cellular

All defined terms in this MD&A are used as defined in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, and additional terms are defined below:

• 4G LTE – fourth generation Long-Term Evolution which is a wireless broadband technology.
• 5G – fifth generation wireless broadband technology.
• 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.
• Auction 97 – an FCC auction of AWS-3 spectrum licenses that ended in January 2015.
• Auctions 1000, 1001, and 1002 – Auction 1000 is an FCC auction of 600 MHz spectrum licenses that started in 2016 and continued into 2017 involving: (1) a “reverse auction” in which broadcast television licensees submit bids to voluntarily relinquish spectrum usage rights in exchange for payments (referred to as Auction 1001);  (2) a “repacking” of the broadcast television bands in order to free up certain broadcast spectrum for other uses; and (3) a “forward auction” of licenses for spectrum cleared through this process to be used for wireless communications (referred to as Auction 1002).
• 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.
• Connections - individual lines of service associated with each device activated by a customer. This includes smartphones, feature phones, tablets, modems, and machine-to-machine devices.
• Eligible Telecommunications Carrier  (“ETC”) – designation by states for providing specified services in “high cost” areas which enables participation in universal service support mechanisms.
• FCC – Federal Communications Commission.
• Gross Additions – represents the total number of new connections added during the period, without regard to connections that were terminated during that period.
• Machine-to-Machine or M2M – technology that involves the transmission of data between networked devices, as well as the performance of actions by devices without human intervention. U.S. Cellular sells and supports M2M solutions to customers, provides connectivity for M2M solutions via the U.S. Cellular network, and has agreements with device manufacturers and software developers which offer M2M solutions.
• Net Additions – represents the total number of new connections added during the period, net of connections that were terminated during that period.
• Postpaid Average Billings per Account (“Postpaid ABPA”) – non-GAAP metric is calculated by dividing total postpaid service revenues plus equipment installment plan billings by the average number of postpaid accounts and by the number of months in the period.
• Postpaid Average Billings per User (“Postpaid ABPU”) – non-GAAP metric is calculated by dividing total postpaid service revenues plus equipment installment plan billings by the average number of postpaid connections and by the number of months in the period.
• Postpaid Average Revenue per Account (“Postpaid ARPA”) – metric 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 is calculated by dividing total postpaid service revenues by the average number of postpaid connections and by the number of months in the period.
• Retail Connections – the sum of postpaid connections and prepaid connections.
• Smartphone Penetration – is calculated by dividing postpaid smartphone connections by postpaid handset connections.
• 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.
• 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.

Operational Overview

Postpaid Revenue

2016-2015 Commentary

Postpaid ARPU and Postpaid ARPA decreased in 2016 due primarily to industry-wide price competition, discounts on shared data plans provided to customers on equipment installment plans and those providing their own device at the time of activation or renewal, and the $58 million impact of the discontinuation of the loyalty rewards points program in 2015.  These factors were partially offset by the impact of continued adoption of smartphones and the related increase in service revenues from data usage.

Equipment installment plans increase equipment sales revenue as customers pay for their wireless devices in installments at a total device price that is generally higher than the device price offered to customers in conjunction with alternative plans that are subject to a service contract. Equipment installment plans also have the impact of reducing service revenues as many equipment installment plans provide for reduced monthly access charges. In order to show the trends in total service and equipment revenues received, U.S. Cellular has presented Postpaid ABPU and Postpaid ABPA, which are calculated as Postpaid ARPU and Postpaid ARPA plus average monthly equipment installment plan billings per connection and account, respectively.

Equipment installment plan billings increased in 2016 when compared to 2015 due to increased adoption of equipment installment plans by postpaid customers. Postpaid ABPU and ABPA decreased in 2016 as the increase in equipment installment plan billings was more than offset by the decline in Postpaid ARPU and ARPA discussed above. U.S. Cellular expects the adoption and penetration of equipment installment plans to continue to increase as plan offerings shifted more toward equipment installment plans in the third quarter of 2016 as discussed in the Significant Trends and Developments section within this MD&A.

2015-2014 Commentary

Postpaid ARPU decreased in 2015 due to industry-wide price competition and discounts on shared data plans provided to customers on equipment installment plans and those providing their own device at the time of activation or renewal, partially offset by the continued adoption of smartphones and shared data plans.  The increase in postpaid ARPA is the result of increased postpaid connections per account driven by increased connected device penetration. 

U.S. Cellular implemented equipment installment plans on a broad basis in 2014. 

Financial Overview

Components of Operating Income (Loss)

Service revenues consist of:

• Retail Service - Charges for access, airtime, roaming, recovery of regulatory costs and value added services, including data services and products
• Inbound Roaming - Charges to other wireless carriers whose customers use U.S. Cellular’s wireless systems when roaming

• Other – Primarily amounts received from the Federal USF and tower rental revenues

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:

2016-2015 Commentary

Total operating revenues

Service revenues decreased as a result of (i) a continued decrease in retail service revenues and resulting ARPU and ARPA primarily driven by industry-wide price competition and discounts on shared data plans provided to customers on equipment installment plans and those providing their own device at the time of activation or renewal; (ii) the $58 million of revenue recognized in 2015 from unredeemed rewards points upon termination of U.S. Cellular’s rewards program; and (iii) a decrease in inbound roaming revenue driven by lower roaming rates.  Such reductions were partially offset by an increase in average connections base and continued adoption of smartphones.

Federal USF revenue remained flat year over year at $92 million.  Pursuant to the FCC's Reform Order (“Reform Order”), U.S. Cellular’s current Federal USF support was to be phased down at the rate of 20% per year beginning July 1, 2012.  The Phase II Mobility Fund was not operational as of July 2014 and, therefore, as provided by the Reform Order, the phase down was suspended at 60% of the baseline amount until such time as the FCC takes steps to adopt an order to recommence the phase down.  On February 23, 2017, the FCC adopted an order concerning the Mobility Fund II and the resumption of the phase down. The text of the order has not been released but the press release issued by the FCC following adoption of the order indicates that the order will establish a Mobility Fund II support mechanism of $453 million annually for ten years to be distributed through a market-based, multi-round reverse auction and that the phase down of unnecessary legacy support from the Federal USF will commence on the first day of the month following the completion of the auction and will conclude two years later. U.S. Cellular cannot predict at this time when the Mobility Fund II auction will occur, when the phase down period for its existing legacy support from the Federal USF will commence, or whether the Mobility Fund II auction will provide opportunities to the Company to offset any loss in existing support.  However, U.S. Cellular currently expects that its legacy support will continue at the existing level for 2017. 

Equipment sales revenues increased year over year due primarily to an increase in average revenue per device sold driven by the increase in sales under equipment installment plans, an overall increase in the number of devices sold, and a shift to smartphones.  Equipment installment plan sales contributed $710 million and $351 million in 2016 and 2015, respectively.  Equipment installment plan connections represented 44% and 27% of total postpaid connections as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

System operations expenses

System operations expenses decreased by a modest amount in 2016 when compared to 2015.  U.S. Cellular expects system operations expenses to decrease in 2017 due primarily to lower average rates for roaming usage. 

Cost of equipment sold

Cost of equipment sold increased primarily as the result of a shift to smartphone sales and an overall increase in devices sold, partially offset by a decrease in the average cost per device sold driven by lower cost smartphones and connected devices.  Cost of equipment sold in 2016 included $758 million related to equipment installment plan sales compared to $449 million in 2015.  Loss on equipment, defined as Equipment sales revenues less Cost of equipment sold, was $172 million and $406 million for 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by a modest amount in 2016 when compared to 2015.  This decrease was attributable to various expense reductions that were partially offset by a $13 million expense recognized in the third quarter of 2016 as a result of the termination of a naming rights agreement.

Depreciation, amortization and accretion expenses

Depreciation, amortization and accretion expenses increased by a modest amount in 2016 when compared to 2015.

(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net

The increase in Loss on asset disposals was primarily driven by more disposals of certain network assets.

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

The net gain in 2015 was due primarily to a $108 million gain recognized on the sale of towers and certain related contracts, assets and liabilities.  See Note 6 — Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net

The net gains in 2016 and 2015 were due to license exchange transactions with third parties.  See Note 6 — Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information

2015-2014 Commentary

Total operating revenues

Service revenues decreased as a result of (i) a decrease in retail service revenues driven by industry-wide price competition, including discounts on shared data plans provided to customers on equipment installment plans and those providing their own device at the time of activation or renewal; and (ii) reductions in inbound roaming revenue driven by lower roaming rates.  Such reductions were partially offset by an increase in the average customer base, continued adoption of shared data plans, and the $58 million of revenue recognized in 2015 from unredeemed rewards points upon termination of U.S. Cellular’s rewards program.

Federal USF revenue remained flat year over year at $92 million.  

Equipment sales revenues increased due primarily to an increase in average revenue per device sold driven by the increase in sales under equipment installment plans, a shift to smartphones and connected devices and an increase in accessory sales, partially offset by a decrease in the number of devices sold.  Equipment installment plan sales contributed $351 million and $190 million in 2015 and 2014, respectively.  Equipment installment plan connections represented 27% and 12% of total postpaid connections as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

System operations expenses

System operations expenses increased by a modest amount in 2015 when compared to 2014.

Cost of equipment sold

Cost of equipment sold decreased as a result of an overall reduction in devices sold and a decrease in the average cost per device sold driven by the lower cost of smartphones and connected devices.  Cost of equipment sold in 2015 included $449 million related to equipment installment plan sales compared to $280 million in 2014.  Loss on equipment was $406 million and $698 million for 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased due primarily to lower agent and retail commission expenses driven by fewer activations and renewals, lower consulting expenses related to the billing system and customer service operations, and lower rates for roamer administration.  Such reductions were partially offset by increased advertising expenses.

Depreciation, amortization and accretion expenses

Depreciation, amortization and accretion expenses remained relatively flat year over year.

(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net

The decrease in Loss on asset disposals was due primarily to fewer write-offs and disposals of certain network assets.

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

The net gain in 2015 was due primarily to a $108 million gain recognized on the sale of towers and certain related contracts, assets and liabilities. The net gain in 2014 was due primarily to $29 million of gain related to the impact of the sale of certain customers and licenses to Sprint in 2013.  See Note 6 — Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net

The net gains in 2015 and 2014 were due to license exchange transactions with third parties.  See Note 6 — Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Components of Other Income (Expense)

2016-2015 Commentary

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities represents U.S. Cellular’s share of net income from entities in which it has a noncontrolling interest and that are accounted for by the equity method. U.S. Cellular’s investment in the Los Angeles SMSA Limited Partnership (“LA Partnership”) contributed $71 million and $74 million to Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities in 2016 and 2015, respectively. 

See Note 8 – Investments in Unconsolidated Entities in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Interest and dividend income

Interest and dividend income increased due to imputed interest income recognized on equipment installment plans of $51 million and $34 million in 2016 and 2015, respectively.  See Note 3 — Equipment Installment Plans in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.  

Interest expense

The increase in Interest expense from 2015 to 2016 is primarily driven by U.S. Cellular’s issuance of $300 million of 7.25% Senior Notes due 2064 in November 2015 and borrowing of $225 million on its senior term loan facility that was drawn in July 2015.

Income tax expense

The effective tax rates on Income before income taxes for 2016 and 2015 were 39.7% and 38.7%, respectively.  The effective tax rates for both years are consistent with a normalized tax rate inclusive of federal and state tax.  Discrete items did not have a significant impact on the effective tax rates in either year.

See Note 4 — Income Taxes in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of income tax expense and the overall effective tax rate on Income before income taxes.

Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax

The decrease from 2015 to 2016 is due to lower income from certain partnerships in 2016. 

2015-2014 Commentary

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities

U.S. Cellular’s investment in the Los Angeles SMSA Limited Partnership (“LA Partnership”) contributed $74 million and $72 million to Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities in 2015 and 2014, respectively.  See Note 8 – Investments in Unconsolidated Entities in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Interest and dividend income

Interest and dividend income increased due to imputed interest income recognized on equipment installment plans of $34 million and $9 million in 2015 and 2014, respectively.  See Note 3 — Equipment Installment Plans in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.  

Interest expense

Interest expense increased from 2014 to 2015 due primarily to U.S. Cellular’s issuance of $275 million of 7.25% Senior Notes due 2063 in December 2014, borrowing of $225 million on its senior term loan facility that was drawn in July 2015, and the issuance of $300 million of 7.25% Senior Notes due 2064 in November 2015.

Income tax expense

The effective tax rates on Income before income taxes for 2015 and 2014 were 38.7% and 20.1%, respectively.  The effective tax rate for 2015 is consistent with a normalized tax rate inclusive of federal and state tax and does not include any significant discrete items.  The effective tax rate for 2014 includes a tax expense of $6 million related to a valuation allowance recorded against certain state deferred tax assets.  The effective tax rate in 2014 is lower due to the effect of this item combined with the loss in 2014 in Income (loss) before income taxes.

See Note 4 — Income Taxes in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of income tax expense and the overall effective tax rate on Income before income taxes.

Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax

The increase from 2014 to 2015 is due to higher income from certain partnerships in 2015. 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Sources of Liquidity

U.S. Cellular operates a capital-intensive business.  Historically, U.S. Cellular has used internally-generated funds and also has obtained substantial funds from external sources for general corporate purposes.  In the past, U.S. Cellular’s existing cash and investment balances, funds available under its revolving credit facility, funds from other financing sources, including a term loan and other long-term debt, and cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities, including sales of assets or businesses, provided sufficient liquidity and financial flexibility for U.S. Cellular 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, primarily of spectrum licenses.  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.

Although U.S. Cellular currently has a significant cash balance, in certain recent periods, U.S. Cellular has incurred negative free cash flow (defined as Cash flows from operating activities less Cash paid for additions to property, plant and equipment) and this will continue in the future if operating results do not improve or capital expenditures are not reduced.  U.S. Cellular currently expects to have negative free cash flow in 2017.  However, U.S. Cellular believes that existing cash and investment balances, funds available under its revolving credit facility, and expected cash flows from operating and investing activities provide liquidity for U.S. Cellular to meet its normal day-to-day operating needs and debt service requirements for the coming year. 

U.S. Cellular may require substantial additional capital for, among other uses, funding day-to-day operating needs, working capital, acquisitions of providers of wireless telecommunications services, spectrum license or system acquisitions, system development and network capacity expansion, debt service requirements, the repurchase of shares, the payment of dividends, or making additional investments.  It may be necessary from time to time to increase the size of the existing revolving credit facility, to put in place a new credit facility, to explore additional sources of liquidity through the securitization of equipment installment plan receivables, or to obtain other forms of financing in order to fund potential expenditures.  U.S. Cellular’s liquidity would be adversely affected if, among other things, U.S. Cellular is unable to obtain short or long-term financing on acceptable terms, U.S. Cellular makes significant spectrum license purchases, the LA Partnership discontinues or reduces distributions compared to historical levels, or Federal USF and/or other regulatory support payments continue to decline.  In addition, although sales of assets or businesses by U.S. Cellular have been an important source of liquidity in recent periods, U.S. Cellular does not expect a similar level of such sales in the future, which will reduce a source of liquidity.  U.S. Cellular’s credit rating has declined to sub-investment grade beginning in 2014.   

There can be no assurance that sufficient funds will continue to be available to U.S. Cellular or its subsidiaries on terms or at prices acceptable to U.S. Cellular.  Insufficient cash flows from operating activities, further changes in its 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 U.S. Cellular or in market conditions or other factors could limit or restrict the availability of financing on terms and prices acceptable to U.S. Cellular, which could require U.S. Cellular to reduce its acquisition, capital expenditure and business development programs, reduce the acquisition of spectrum licenses, and/or reduce or cease share repurchases and/or the payment of dividends.  U.S. Cellular 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 U.S. Cellular’s businesses, financial condition or results of operations.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash and money market investments.  The primary objective of U.S. Cellular’s Cash and cash equivalents is for use in its operations and acquisition, capital expenditure and business development programs. 

Financing

Revolving Credit Facility

At December 31, 2016, U.S. Cellular had a revolving credit facility available for general corporate purposes.  In June 2016, U.S. Cellular entered into a $300 million revolving credit agreement with certain lenders and other parties.  As a result of the new agreement, U.S. Cellular’s revolving credit agreement due to expire in December 2017 was terminated.  Amounts under the revolving credit facility may be borrowed, repaid and reborrowed from time to time until maturity in June 2021.  As of December 31, 2016, there were no outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility, except for letters of credit, and U.S. Cellular’s unused capacity under its revolving credit facility was $298 million.  The continued availability of the revolving credit facility requires U.S. Cellular to comply with certain negative and affirmative covenants, maintain certain financial ratios and provide representations on certain matters at the time of each borrowing.  U.S. Cellular believes that it was in compliance as of December 31, 2016 with all of the financial and other covenants and requirements set forth in its revolving credit facility.

See Note 11 — Debt in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the revolving credit facility.

Term Loan

In January 2015, U.S. Cellular entered into a senior term loan credit facility.  In July 2015, U.S. Cellular borrowed the full amount of $225 million available under this facility in two separate draws.  This term loan credit facility was amended and restated in June 2016.  Principal reductions are due and payable in quarterly installments of $3 million beginning in March 2016 through December 2021, and the remaining unpaid balance will be due and payable in January 2022.  This facility was entered into for general corporate purposes, including working capital, spectrum purchases and capital expenditures.

The continued availability of the term loan facility requires U.S. Cellular to comply with certain negative and affirmative covenants, maintain certain financial ratios and make representations regarding certain matters at the time of each borrowing, that are substantially the same as those in U.S. Cellular’s revolving credit facility described above.  U.S. Cellular believes that it was in compliance at December 31, 2016 with all of the financial and other covenants and requirements set forth in the term loan facility.

See Note 11 — Debt in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the term loan.

Financial Covenants

As noted above, the revolving credit facility and senior term loan facility require U.S. Cellular to comply with certain affirmative and negative covenants, including certain financial covenants.  In particular, under these agreements, beginning June 15, 2016, U.S. Cellular is 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.  U.S. Cellular is also required to maintain the Consolidated Leverage Ratio at a level not to exceed 3.25 to 1.00 as of the end of any fiscal quarter through June 30, 2019.  From July 1, 2019 and thereafter, the Consolidated Leverage Ratio is not to exceed 3.00 to 1.00 as of the end of any fiscal quarter.  U.S. Cellular believes that it was in compliance at December 31, 2016 with all such covenants.  However, depending on U.S. Cellular’s future financial performance, there is a risk that U.S. Cellular could fail to satisfy the financial covenants in the future.  If U.S. Cellular breaches a financial or other covenant of either 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 facility.  If appropriate, U.S. Cellular may request the applicable lender for an amendment of financial covenants in the U.S. Cellular revolving credit facility and the U.S. Cellular term loan facility, in order to provide additional financial flexibility to U.S. Cellular, and may also seek other changes to such facilities.  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 U.S. Cellular’s operating and financial flexibility.

Other Long-Term Financing

U.S. Cellular has an effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 to issue senior or subordinated debt securities. The proceeds from any such issuance may be used for general corporate purposes, including: the possible reduction of other short-term or long-term debt, spectrum purchases, and capital expenditures; in connection with acquisition, construction and development programs; for working capital; to provide additional investments in subsidiaries; or the repurchase of shares.  The U.S. Cellular shelf registration statement permits U.S. Cellular to issue at any time and from time to time senior or subordinated debt securities in one or more offerings, up to the amount registered, which is currently $500 million.  The ability of U.S. Cellular to complete an offering pursuant to such shelf registration statement is subject to market conditions and other factors at the time.

U.S. Cellular believes that it was in compliance as of December 31, 2016 with all covenants and other requirements set forth in its long-term debt indentures.  U.S. Cellular has not failed to make nor does it expect to fail to make any scheduled payment of principal or interest under such indentures.

The long-term debt principal payments due for the next five years represent less than 4% of the total gross long-term debt obligation at December 31, 2016.  Refer to Market Risk — Long-Term Debt for additional information regarding required principal payments and the weighted average interest rates related to U.S. Cellular’s Long-term debt.

U.S. Cellular, at its discretion, may from time to time seek to retire or purchase its 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 11 — Debt in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on long-term financing.

Credit Ratings

In certain circumstances, U.S. Cellular’s interest cost on its revolving credit and term loan facilities may be subject to increase if its current credit ratings from nationally recognized credit rating agencies are lowered, and may be subject to decrease if the ratings are raised.  U.S. Cellular’s facilities do not cease to be available nor do the maturity dates accelerate solely as a result of a downgrade in credit rating.  However, a downgrade in U.S. Cellular’s credit rating could adversely affect its ability to renew the facilities or obtain access to other credit facilities in the future.

U.S. Cellular is rated at sub-investment grade.  U.S. Cellular’s credit ratings as of December 31, 2016, and the dates such ratings were issued/re-affirmed were as follows:

Capital Requirements

The discussion below is intended to highlight some of the significant cash outlays expected during 2017 and beyond and to highlight the spending incurred in 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.

Capital Expenditures

U.S. Cellular makes substantial investments to acquire, construct and upgrade wireless 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 4G LTE and VoLTE technology) have required substantial investments in potentially revenue‑enhancing and cost-reducing upgrades of U.S. Cellular’s networks to remain competitive.

Capital expenditures (i.e., additions to property, plant and equipment and system development expenditures), which include the effects of accruals and capitalized interest, in 2016, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:

U.S. Cellular plans to finance its capital expenditures program for 2017 using primarily Cash flows from operating activities, existing cash balances, borrowings under its revolving credit agreement and/or other long-term debt.

Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges

U.S. Cellular 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.  In general, U.S. Cellular may not disclose such transactions until there is a definitive agreement.  See Note 6 — Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to significant transactions.  As part of this strategy, U.S. Cellular reviews attractive opportunities to acquire additional wireless operating markets and wireless spectrum, including pursuant to FCC auctions.  Cash payments for acquisitions of licenses were $53 million, $286 million and $38 million in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Cash received from divestitures in 2016, 2015 and 2014 was as follows:

On July 15, 2016, the FCC announced U.S. Cellular as a qualified bidder in the FCC’s forward auction of 600 MHz spectrum licenses, referred to as Auction 1002, which then commenced on August 16, 2016.  In recent FCC auctions, U.S. Cellular has not been a bidder, but has participated as a limited partner in “designated entities” that qualified for a 25% bidding credit on licenses won in the auction.  U.S. Cellular did not invest in a designated entity applicant in Auction 1002, but was itself an applicant and is not eligible for a discount.  Prior to becoming a qualified bidder, U.S. Cellular was required to make an upfront payment, the size of which established its initial bidding eligibility.  Accordingly, in the second quarter of 2016, U.S. Cellular made an upfront payment to the FCC of $143 million.  The Clock Phase of the auction was completed in February 2017.  At that time, U.S. Cellular became committed to purchase 600 MHz spectrum licenses for a minimum amount of $327 million, subject to increase as the FCC completes the Assignment Phase of the auction, which is pending.  U.S. Cellular expects to be obligated to pay for the total committed amount, less the $143 million upfront payment made in June 2016, in the second quarter of 2017 using cash on hand and/or borrowings under its revolving credit agreement.  See “Regulatory Matters — FCC Auction 1002” for a summary of U.S. Cellular’s participation in Auction 1002.

In 2015 and 2016, U.S. Cellular entered into multiple spectrum license purchase agreements.  The aggregate purchase price for these spectrum licenses is $57 million, of which $53 million closed in the year ended December 31, 2016.  In 2016, U.S. Cellular also entered into multiple agreements with third parties to transfer FCC licenses in non-operating markets and receive FCC licenses in operating markets.  The agreements provide for the transfer of certain AWS and PCS spectrum licenses and approximately $29 million, net, in cash to U.S. Cellular, in exchange for U.S. Cellular transferring certain AWS, PCS and 700 MHz spectrum licenses to the third parties.  Through December 31, 2016, certain of the exchange transactions have closed and U.S. Cellular has received $14 million of cash in conjunction with such closed transactions.  The remaining license purchase and exchange transactions are expected to close in the first quarter of 2017.  See Note 6 — Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to these transactions.

Variable Interest Entities

U.S. Cellular consolidates certain entities because they are “variable interest entities” under GAAP. See Note 13 — Variable Interest Entities in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to these variable interest entities. U.S. Cellular may elect to make additional capital contributions and/or advances to these variable interest entities in future periods in order to fund their operations.

Common Share Repurchase Program

In 2009, the Board of Directors of U.S. Cellular authorized the repurchase of up to 1,300,000 Common Shares on an annual basis beginning in 2009 and continuing each year thereafter, on a cumulative basis.  In December 2016, the U.S. Cellular Board amended this authorization to provide that such amount will be any amount from zero to 1,300,000 beginning on January 1, 2017, as determined by the U.S. Cellular Pricing Committee, 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 did not specify any increase as of January 1, 2017.  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 a result, there was no change to the cumulative amount of the share repurchase authorization as of January 1, 2017.  As of December 31, 2016, the total cumulative amount of Common Shares authorized to be purchased is 5,900,849.

Share repurchases made under this authorization were as follows:

Depending on its future financial performance, construction, development or acquisition programs, and available sources of financing, U.S. Cellular may not have sufficient liquidity or capital resources to make significant share repurchases.  Therefore, there is no assurance that U.S. Cellular will make any significant share repurchases in the future.

For additional information related to the current repurchase authorization, see Note 15 — Common Shareholders’ Equity in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

U.S. Cellular had no transactions, agreements or other contractual arrangements with unconsolidated entities involving “off-balance sheet arrangements,” as defined by SEC rules, that had or are reasonably likely to have a material current or future effect on its financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

Contractual and Other Obligations

At December 31, 2016, the resources required for contractual obligations were as follows:

The table above excludes liabilities related to “unrecognized tax benefits” as defined by GAAP because U.S. Cellular is unable to predict the period of settlement of such liabilities.  Such unrecognized tax benefits were $43 million at December 31, 2016.  See Note 4 — Income Taxes in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on unrecognized tax benefits.

See Note 12 — Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Consolidated Cash Flow Analysis

U.S. Cellular operates a capital‑ and marketing‑intensive business.  U.S. Cellular makes substantial investments to acquire wireless licenses and properties and to construct and upgrade wireless telecommunications networks and facilities as a basis for creating long-term value for shareholders. In recent years, rapid changes in technology and new opportunities have required substantial investments in potentially revenue‑enhancing and cost-reducing upgrades to U.S. Cellular’s networks.  U.S. Cellular utilizes cash on hand, cash from operating activities, cash proceeds from divestitures and disposition of investments, short-term credit facilities and long-term debt financing to fund its acquisitions (including spectrum licenses), construction costs, operating expenses and share repurchases.  Cash flows may fluctuate from quarter to quarter and year to year due to seasonality, the timing of acquisitions and divestitures, capital expenditures and other factors. The following discussion summarizes U.S. Cellular’s cash flow activities in 2016, 2015 and 2014.

2016 Commentary

U.S. Cellular’s Cash and cash equivalents decreased $129 million in 2016. Net cash provided by operating activities was $501 million in 2016 due primarily to net income of $49 million plus non-cash items of $609 million and distributions received from unconsolidated entities of $93 million, including $29 million in distributions from the LA Partnership.  This was partially offset by changes in working capital items which decreased cash by $250 million.  The decrease in working capital items was due primarily to a $246 million increase in equipment installment plan receivables, which are expected to continue to increase and further require the use of working capital in the near term. 

The net cash provided by operating activities was offset by cash flows used for investing activities of $618 million.  Cash paid in 2016 for additions to property, plant and equipment totaled $443 million.  In June 2016, U.S. Cellular made a deposit of $143 million to the FCC for its participation in Auction 1002.  Cash paid for acquisitions and licenses in 2016 was $53 million partially offset by Cash received from divestitures and exchanges of $21 million.  See Note 6 — Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to these transactions.

Cash flows used for financing activities were $12 million in 2016, reflecting ordinary activity such as scheduled repayments of debt. 

2015 Commentary

Cash flows from operating activities were $555 million in 2015.  An increase in cash flows from operating activities was due primarily to improved net income and working capital factors.  In 2015, increased receivables related to equipment installment plans decreased cash flows from operating activities.

In December 2015, as part of the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015, bonus depreciation was enacted which allowed U.S. Cellular to accelerate deductions for depreciation, resulting in an overpayment of estimated tax amounts paid during 2015.  Primarily as a result of this overpayment, U.S. Cellular has recorded $34 million of Income taxes receivable at December 31, 2015.  U.S. Cellular paid income taxes, net of refunds, of $59 million in 2015.

Cash flows used for investing activities were $549 million in 2015.  Cash paid for additions to property, plant and equipment totaled $581 million in 2015. 

During 2015, a $278 million payment was made by Advantage Spectrum L.P. to the FCC for licenses for which it was the provisional winning bidder.  See Note 6 — Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges and Note 13 — Variable Interest Entities in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Cash flows from financing activities were $497 million in 2015.  In July 2015, U.S. Cellular borrowed $225 million on its Term Loan.  In November 2015, U.S. Cellular issued $300 million of 7.25% Senior Notes due 2064.

2014 Commentary

Cash flows from operating activities were $172 million in 2014.  Working capital factors which significantly decreased cash flows from operating activities included changes in accounts payable levels as a result of timing differences related to operating expenses and device purchases.  In 2014, increased receivables related to equipment installment plans decreased cash flows from operating activities.

In December 2014, as part of the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014, bonus depreciation was enacted which allowed U.S. Cellular to accelerate deductions for depreciation resulting in a federal taxable loss in 2014.  Primarily as a result of this federal income tax carryback, U.S. Cellular recorded $75 million of Income taxes receivable at December 31, 2014.  U.S. Cellular paid income taxes, net of refunds, of $33 million in 2014.

Cash flows used for investing activities were $471 million in 2014.  Cash paid for additions to property, plant and equipment totaled $605 million in 2014.  Cash received from divestitures in 2014 was $180 million which includes $92 million related to licenses and $71 million related to the Divestiture Transaction.  See Note 6 — Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to these divestitures.  U.S. Cellular realized cash proceeds of $50 million in 2014 related to the maturities of its investments in U.S. Treasury Notes and corporate notes.  In 2014, cash used for investing activities includes a $60 million deposit made by Advantage Spectrum, L.P., a variable interest entity consolidated by U.S. Cellular, to the FCC for its participation in Auction 97.  See Note 13 — Variable Interest Entities in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Cash flows from financing activities were $169 million in 2014.  In December 2014, U.S. Cellular issued $275 million of 7.25% Senior Notes due 2063. 

In September 2014, U.S. Cellular purchased licenses from Airadigm Communications, Inc. (“Airadigm”).  TDS owns 100% of the common stock of Airadigm.  Upon closing, Airadigm transferred to U.S. Cellular FCC spectrum licenses and certain tower assets in certain markets in Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota and Michigan, in consideration for $91 million in cash.  Since both parties to this transaction are controlled by TDS, U.S. Cellular recorded the transferred assets at Airadigm’s net book value of $15 million.  The $76 million difference between the consideration paid and the net book value of the transferred assets was recorded as an Acquisition of assets in common control transaction cash outflow from financing activities.  See Note 6 — Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to this transaction.

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.  Changes in financial condition during 2016 are as follows:

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents decreased $129 million.  See the Consolidated Cash Flow Analysis above for a discussion of cash and cash equivalents.

Other current assets

Other current assets decreased $32 million due primarily to the receipt of a federal income tax refund in March 2016.

Other assets and deferred charges

Other assets and deferred charges increased $233 million due to an upfront payment of $143 million to the FCC to establish U.S. Cellular’s initial bidding eligibility for its participation in Auction 1002 and a $112 million increase in the long-term portion of unbilled equipment installment plan receivables, net, due to the offering of longer term equipment installment plan contracts and the increased adoption of such contracts. See Note 3 — Equipment Installment Plans and Note 6 — Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to these balances.

Customer deposits and deferred revenues

Customer deposits and deferred revenues decreased $61 million due primarily to amortization of the guarantee liability for equipment installment contracts.

Application of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

U.S. Cellular prepares its consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP.  U.S. Cellular’s significant accounting policies are discussed in detail in Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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 U.S. Cellular’s consolidated financial statements.  Management has discussed the development and selection of each of the following accounting policies and related estimates and disclosures with the Audit Committee of U.S. Cellular’s Board of Directors.

Intangible Asset Impairment

Licenses and Goodwill represent a significant component of U.S. Cellular’s consolidated assets.  These assets are considered to be indefinite lived assets and are therefore not amortized but tested annually for impairment.  U.S. Cellular performs annual impairment testing of Licenses and Goodwill as of November 1 of each year or more frequently if triggering events are present.  Significant negative events, such as changes in any of the assumptions described below as well as 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 2016 and 2015.

Wireless Licenses

As of November 1, 2016 and 2015, U.S. Cellular performed a qualitative impairment assessment to determine whether it was more likely than not that the fair value of the licenses exceeded their carrying value.  For purposes of its impairment testing of licenses as of November 1, 2016 and 2015, U.S. Cellular separated its FCC licenses into eight units of accounting, including one geographic unit for its developed operating market licenses (“built licenses”) and seven geographic units for its non-operating market licenses (“unbuilt licenses”).  As part of the assessment, U.S. Cellular considered several qualitative factors, including analysts’ estimates of license values, which contemplated recent spectrum auction results, recent U.S. Cellular and other market participant transactions and other industry and market factors.  Based on this assessment, U.S. Cellular concluded that it was more likely than not that the fair value of the licenses in each unit of accounting exceeded the respective carrying values.  Therefore, no impairment of licenses existed and no Step 1 impairment evaluation was completed.

Goodwill

U.S. Cellular has recorded Goodwill as a result of the acquisition of wireless companies.  For purposes of the 2016 and 2015 Goodwill impairment tests, U.S. Cellular had one reporting unit.

Based on the results of the annual Goodwill impairment assessment performed as of November 1, 2016, the fair value of U.S. Cellular exceeded its carrying value.  Therefore, no impairment of Goodwill existed. 

A discounted cash flow approach was used to value the reporting unit, using value drivers and risks specific to the industry and current economic factors. The cash flow estimates incorporated assumptions that market participants would use in their estimates of fair value and may not be indicative of U.S. Cellular specific assumptions.  However, the discount rate used in the analysis accounts for any additional risk a market participant might place on integrating U.S. Cellular into its operations at the level of cash flows assumed under this approach.  The most significant assumptions made in this process were the revenue growth rate (shown as a compound annual growth rate in the table below), the terminal revenue growth rate and the discount rate.  There are uncertainties associated with these key assumptions and potential events and/or circumstances that could have a negative effect on these key assumptions described below. 

Provided all other assumptions remained the same, for the U.S. Cellular reporting unit, the discount rate would have to increase to 10.3% to yield an estimated fair value of the reporting unit that equals its carrying value at November 1, 2016.  Further, assuming all other assumptions remained the same, for the U.S. Cellular reporting unit, the terminal growth rate assumption would need to decrease to 0.4% to yield an estimated fair value equal to the carrying value of the reporting unit at November 1, 2016.

The Goodwill balance of U.S. Cellular as of November 1, 2016 was $370 million.  The estimated fair value of U.S. Cellular’s one reporting unit exceeded its carrying value, as a percentage of carrying value, by 14.2%.

Income Taxes

U.S. Cellular is included in a consolidated federal income tax return with other members of the TDS consolidated group.  TDS and U.S. Cellular are parties to a Tax Allocation Agreement which provides that U.S. Cellular and its subsidiaries be included with the TDS affiliated group in a consolidated federal income tax return and in state income or franchise tax returns in certain situations.  For financial statement purposes, U.S. Cellular and its subsidiaries calculate their income, income tax and credits as if they comprised a separate affiliated group.  Under the Tax Allocation Agreement between TDS and U.S. Cellular, U.S. Cellular remits its applicable income tax payments to TDS.

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 U.S. Cellular’s financial condition and results of operations.

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires U.S. Cellular 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 in U.S. Cellular’s Consolidated Balance Sheet.  U.S. Cellular 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.

U.S. Cellular 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 4 — Income Taxes in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for details regarding U.S. Cellular’s income tax provision, deferred income taxes and liabilities, valuation allowances and unrecognized tax benefits, including information regarding estimates that impact income taxes. 

Equipment Installment Plans

U.S. Cellular sells devices to customers under installment contracts over a specified time period and, under certain of these plans, offers the customer a trade-in right.  Customers on an installment contract who elect to trade-in the device will receive a credit in the amount of the outstanding balance of the installment contract, provided the customer trades-in an eligible used device in good working condition and purchases a new device from U.S. Cellular. Equipment revenue under these contracts is recognized at the time the device is delivered to the end-user customer for the selling price of the device, net of any deferred imputed interest and the value of the trade-in right, if applicable. 

Trade-In Right

U.S. Cellular values the trade-in right as a guarantee liability.  This liability is initially measured at fair value and is determined based on assumptions including the probability and timing of the customer upgrading to a new device and the estimated fair value of the used device eligible for trade-in.  U.S. Cellular reevaluates its estimate of the guarantee liability quarterly.  A significant change in any of the aforementioned assumptions used to compute the guarantee liability would impact the amount of revenue recognized under these plans and the timing thereof.  In 2016 and 2015, U.S. Cellular assumed the earliest contractual time of trade-in, or the minimum amount of payments as specified in the device installment contract, for all customers on installment contracts with trade-in rights.

When a customer exercises the trade-in option, the difference between the outstanding receivable balance forgiven and the fair value of the used device is recorded as a reduction to the guarantee liability.  If the customer does not exercise the trade-in option at the time he or she is eligible, U.S. Cellular begins amortizing the liability and records this amortization as additional equipment revenue. 

Interest

U.S. Cellular equipment installment plans do not provide for explicit interest charges.  Because equipment installment plans have a duration of greater than twelve months, U.S. Cellular imputes interest using a market rate and recognizes such interest income over the duration of the plan as a component of Interest and dividend income.  Changes in the imputed interest rate would impact the amount of revenue recognized under these plans. 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

U.S. Cellular maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses that result from the failure of its customers to make payments due under the equipment installment plans.  The allowance is estimated based on historical experience, account aging and other factors that could affect collectability.  When it is probable that an account balance will not be collected, the account balance is charged against the allowance for doubtful accounts.  To the extent that actual loss experience differs significantly from historical trends, the required allowance amounts could differ from the original estimates.

Other Items

Inflation

Management believes that inflation affects U.S. Cellular’s business to no greater or lesser extent than the general economy.

Seasonality

U.S. Cellular’s profitability historically has been lower in the fourth quarter as a result of significant marketing and promotional activity during the holiday season.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information on recently issued accounting pronouncements.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

See Note 18 – Certain Relationships and Related Transactions in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Regulatory Matters

FCC Auction 1002

On July 15, 2016, the FCC announced U.S. Cellular as a qualified bidder in the FCC’s forward auction of 600 MHz spectrum licenses, referred to as Auction 1002.  The forward auction Clock Phase began on August 16, 2016 and continued in a series of stages into 2017.  The fourth and final stage ended on February 10, 2017.  With the completion of the Clock Phase of the auction, U.S. Cellular is now committed to purchase 600 MHz spectrum licenses for a minimum amount of $327 million, subject to increase as the FCC completes the Assignment Phase of the auction, which is pending.  U.S. Cellular expects to be obligated to pay for the total committed amount, less the $143 million upfront payment made in June 2016, in the second quarter of 2017.  As a result of U.S. Cellular’s application to participate in Auction 1002, since February 10, 2016, U.S. Cellular has been subject to FCC anti-collusion rules that place certain restrictions on public disclosures and business communications with other companies relating to U.S. Cellular’s participation.  These restrictions will continue until the down payment deadline for Auction 1002, which will be ten business days after release of the FCC’s Channel Reassignment Public Notice, following the end of the auction.  These anti-collusion rules may restrict the conduct of certain U.S. Cellular activities with other auction applicants as well as with nationwide providers of wireless services which are not applicants.  The restrictions could have an adverse effect on U.S. Cellular’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

FCC Reform Order

Pursuant to the FCC's Reform Order (“Reform Order”), U.S. Cellular’s current Federal USF support was to be phased down at the rate of 20% per year beginning July 1, 2012.  The Phase II Mobility Fund was not operational as of July 2014 and, therefore, as provided by the Reform Order, the phase down was suspended at 60% of the baseline amount until such time as the FCC takes steps to adopt an order to recommence the phase down.  On February 23, 2017, the FCC adopted an order concerning the Mobility Fund II and the resumption of the phase down. The text of the order has not been released but the press release issued by the FCC following adoption of the order indicates that the order will establish a Mobility Fund II support mechanism of $453 million annually for ten years to be distributed through a market-based, multi-round reverse auction and that the phase down of unnecessary legacy support from the Federal USF will commence on the first day of the month following the completion of the auction and will conclude two years later. U.S. Cellular cannot predict at this time when the Mobility Fund II auction will occur, when the phase down period for its existing legacy support from the Federal USF will commence, or whether the Mobility Fund II auction will provide opportunities to the Company to offset any loss in existing support.  However, U.S. Cellular currently expects that its legacy support will continue at the existing level for 2017. 

Other Regulatory Considerations

Changes to existing policies with respect to Federal regulations are under review.  These changes may include laws relating to telecommunications and FCC regulations.  These could involve changes to the classification of high-speed, or broadband, internet access service under Title II of the Communications Act of 1934, the FCC’s Open Internet Order relating to net neutrality, the USF high cost support program and/or intercarrier compensation, broadband privacy rules, or changes in polices of the FCC with respect to interpretation or enforcement of such laws, rules or programs.  It is possible that some of these changes could have a material adverse effect, while other changes may have a positive effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.  Until the specific changes in laws, regulations or policy are known, we are unable to predict the impact on U.S. Cellular’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

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, including the words “believes,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “expects” and similar words.  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 such forward‑looking statements.  Each of the following risks could have a material adverse effect on U.S. Cellular’s 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.  Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, the following risks.  See “Risk Factors” in U.S. Cellular’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 for a further discussion of these risks.  U.S. Cellular 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.

• Intense competition in the markets in which U.S. Cellular operates could adversely affect U.S. Cellular’s revenues or increase its costs to compete.
• A failure by U.S. Cellular to successfully execute its business strategy (including planned acquisitions, spectrum acquisitions, divestitures and exchanges) or allocate resources or capital could have an adverse effect on U.S. Cellular’s business, financial condition or results of operations.
• Uncertainty in U.S. Cellular’s future cash flow and liquidity or in the ability to access capital, deterioration in the capital markets, other changes in U.S. Cellular’s performance or market conditions, changes in U.S. Cellular’s credit ratings or other factors could limit or restrict the availability of financing on terms and prices acceptable to U.S. Cellular, which could require U.S. Cellular to reduce its construction, development or acquisition programs, reduce the acquisition of spectrum licenses, and/or reduce or cease share repurchases.
• U.S. Cellular 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.
• Changes in roaming practices or other factors could cause U.S. Cellular's roaming revenues to decline from current levels, roaming expenses to increase from current levels and/or impact U.S. Cellular's ability to service its customers in geographic areas where U.S. Cellular does not have its own network, which could have an adverse effect on U.S. Cellular's business, financial condition or results of operations.
• A failure by U.S. Cellular 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 U.S. Cellular’s business, financial condition or results of operations.
• To the extent conducted by the FCC, U.S. Cellular may participate in FCC auctions of additional spectrum 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 U.S. Cellular.
• Failure by U.S. Cellular to timely or fully comply with any existing applicable legislative and/or regulatory requirements or changes thereto could adversely affect U.S. Cellular’s business, financial condition or results of operations.
• An inability to attract people of outstanding potential, 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 U.S. Cellular's business, financial condition or results of operations.
• U.S. Cellular’s assets are concentrated in the U.S. wireless telecommunications industry.  Consequently, its operating results may fluctuate based on factors related primarily to conditions in this industry.
• U.S. Cellular’s smaller scale relative to larger competitors that may have greater financial and other resources than U.S. Cellular could cause U.S. Cellular 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, customer preferences and perceptions, price competition, churn from customer switching activity and other factors, could have an adverse effect on U.S. Cellular’s business, financial condition or results of operations. 
• Advances or changes in technology could render certain technologies used by U.S. Cellular obsolete, could put U.S. Cellular at a competitive disadvantage, could reduce U.S. Cellular’s revenues or could increase its costs of doing business.

• Complexities associated with deploying new technologies present substantial risk and U.S. Cellular investments in unproven technologies may not produce the benefits that U.S. Cellular expects.
• U.S. Cellular receives regulatory support and is subject to numerous surcharges and fees from federal, state and local governments, and the applicability and the amount of the support and fees are subject to great uncertainty, which could have an adverse effect on U.S. Cellular’s business, financial condition or results of operations. 
• Performance under device purchase agreements could have a material adverse impact on U.S. Cellular's business, financial condition or results of operations. 
• Changes in U.S. Cellular’s enterprise value, changes in the market supply or demand for wireless licenses, adverse developments in the business or the industry in which U.S. Cellular is involved and/or other factors could require U.S. Cellular to recognize impairments in the carrying value of its licenses, goodwill and/or physical assets.
• Costs, integration problems or other factors associated with acquisitions, divestitures or exchanges of properties or licenses and/or expansion of U.S. Cellular’s business could have an adverse effect on U.S. Cellular’s business, financial condition or results of operations.
• U.S. Cellular offers customers the option to purchase certain devices under installment contracts which, compared to fixed-term service contracts, includes risks that U.S. Cellular may possibly incur greater churn, lower cash flows, increased costs and/or increased bad debts expense due to differences in contract terms, which could have an adverse impact on U.S. Cellular’s financial condition or results of operations.
• A failure by U.S. Cellular 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 U.S. Cellular does business, including changes in U.S. Cellular's relationships with or financial or operational difficulties of key suppliers or independent agents and third party national retailers who market U.S. Cellular’s services, could adversely affect U.S. Cellular’s business, financial condition or results of operations.
• U.S. Cellular has significant investments in entities that it does not control.  Losses in the value of such investments could have an adverse effect on U.S. Cellular’s financial condition or results of operations.
• A failure by U.S. Cellular to maintain flexible and capable telecommunication networks or information technology, or a material disruption thereof, could have an adverse effect on U.S. Cellular’s business, financial condition or results of operations. 
• U.S. Cellular 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 U.S. Cellular's business, financial condition or results of operations.
• The market price of U.S. Cellular’s Common Shares is subject to fluctuations due to a variety of factors.
• Changes in facts or circumstances, including new or additional information, could require U.S. Cellular to record charges in excess of amounts accrued in the financial statements, which could have an adverse effect on U.S. Cellular’s 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 U.S. Cellular’s 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 U.S. Cellular’s 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 U.S. Cellular’s business, financial condition or results of operations.
• The possible development of adverse precedent in litigation or conclusions in professional studies to the effect that radio frequency emissions from wireless devices and/or cell sites cause harmful health consequences, including cancer or tumors, or may interfere with various electronic medical devices such as pacemakers, could have an adverse effect on U.S. Cellular’s 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 U.S. Cellular from using necessary technology to provide products or services or subject U.S. Cellular to expensive intellectual property litigation or monetary penalties, which could have an adverse effect on U.S. Cellular’s business, financial condition or results of operations.
• There are potential conflicts of interests between TDS and U.S. Cellular. 
• Certain matters, such as control by TDS and provisions in the U.S. Cellular Restated Certificate of Incorporation, may serve to discourage or make more difficult a change in control of U.S. Cellular.
• 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 U.S. Cellular’s forward-looking estimates by a material amount.

MARKET RISK

Long-Term Debt

As of December 31, 2016, the majority of U.S. Cellular’s long-term debt was in the form of fixed-rate notes with remaining maturities ranging up to 48 years.  Fluctuations in market interest rates can lead to significant fluctuations in the fair value of these fixed-rate notes.

The following chart presents the scheduled principal payments on long-term debt by maturity dates at December 31, 2016:

The following table presents the scheduled principal payments on long-term debt and capital lease obligations, and the related weighted average interest rates by maturity dates at December 31, 2016: