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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 5, 2020
TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 001-14157 36-2669023
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.)

30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 4000, Chicago, Illinois 60602
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

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

Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading SymbolName of each exchange on which registered
Common Shares, $.01 par valueTDSNew York Stock Exchange
6.625% Senior Notes due 2045TDINew York Stock Exchange
6.875% Senior Notes due 2059TDENew York Stock Exchange
7.000% Senior Notes due 2060TDJNew York Stock Exchange
5.875% Senior Notes due 2061TDANew York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.



Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition
On November 5, 2020, Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (TDS) issued a news release announcing its results of operations for the period ended September 30, 2020. A copy of the news release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated by reference herein. 
The information in this Item 2.02 of Form 8-K is being “furnished” and shall not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section, nor will any such information or exhibits be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits
(d)   The following exhibits are being filed herewith:
Exhibit Number Description of Exhibits
99.1 
   
104Cover Page Interactive Data File - the cover page XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.



SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
  TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS, INC.
  (Registrant)
    
Date:November 5, 2020By:/s/ Peter L. Sereda
   Peter L. Sereda
   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
   (principal financial officer)
    
    

Document

Exhibit 99.1   NEWS RELEASE

As previously announced, TDS will hold a teleconference November 6, 2020, at 9:00 a.m. CST. Listen to the call live via the Events & Presentations page of investors.tdsinc.com.   
 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TDS reports third quarter 2020 results
UScellular and TDS Telecom report strong subscriber and financial results driving increases to 2020 guidance


CHICAGO (November 5, 2020) — Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (NYSE:TDS) reported total operating revenues of $1,324 million for the third quarter of 2020, versus $1,321 million for the same period one year ago. Net income attributable to TDS shareholders and related diluted earnings per share were $78 million and $0.66, respectively, for the third quarter of 2020 compared to $18 million and $0.15, respectively, in the same period one year ago.
"The TDS Enterprise had a strong quarter," said LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr., TDS President and CEO. "Impressive financial results produced by UScellular and TDS Telecom demonstrate how much our customers value our essential communications and high-quality data services. Both businesses have lifted their expectations for 2020 financial performance. Our associates continue to show exceptional dedication and resilience in keeping our operations and networks performing at top levels for our customers.
"At UScellular, churn remained very low and retail net additions grew through an increase in connected devices. The positive impact of higher ARPU, combined with operational and cost discipline throughout the quarter, helped drive a strong increase in profitability, compared to the same period a year ago. LT Therivel has successfully transitioned into his new role as CEO. During the quarter UScellular successfully completed a 5G millimeter wave test data session showing significant expansion of signal reach and speed. This is important in enabling UScellular to move faster and more cost-efficiently in its 5G evolution and it will also leverage this technology to better serve its customers and help close the digital divide. UScellular has launched a new logo and brand identity with a modern look – a visual signal of how they are working to expand their brand appeal.
"At TDS Telecom, our fiber investments are delivering results. TDS Telecom grew its Wireline video and broadband connections, and combined with demand for higher broadband speeds, drove increases in average residential revenue per connection and total residential revenue. TDS Telecom continues its fiber strategy and has now deployed fiber to 280,000 or 34% of its wireline service addresses. Bolstered by the Continuum acquisition, cable operations produced an exceptional quarter with increased broadband connections generating a 19% growth in revenues and a strong increase in profitability."
1


2020 Estimated Results

TDS’ current estimates of full-year 2020 results for UScellular and TDS Telecom are shown below. Such estimates represent management’s view as of November 5, 2020 and should not be assumed to be current as of any future date. TDS undertakes no duty to update such estimates, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. There can be no assurance that final results will not differ materially from estimated results.
 
2020 Estimated Results
UScellularPreviousCurrent
(Dollars in millions)  
Service revenues$3,000-$3,100$3,025-$3,075
Adjusted OIBDA1
$725-$850$800-$875
Adjusted EBITDA1
$900-$1,025$975-$1,050
Capital expenditures$850-$950Unchanged
TDS TelecomPreviousCurrent
(Dollars in millions)  
Total operating revenues$950-$1,000Unchanged
Adjusted OIBDA1
$280-$310$300-$320
Adjusted EBITDA1
$290-$320$305-$325
Capital expenditures$300-$350Unchanged

The following tables provide reconciliations of Net income to Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted EBITDA for 2020 estimated results, actual results for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, and actual results for the year ended December 31, 2019. In providing 2020 estimated results, TDS has not completed the below reconciliation to Net income because it does not provide guidance for income taxes. Although potentially significant, TDS believes that the impact of income taxes cannot be reasonably predicted; therefore, TDS is unable to provide such guidance.
 2020 Estimated Results
UScellularTDS Telecom
(Dollars in millions)  
Net income (GAAP)N/AN/A
Add back:  
Income tax expense N/AN/A
Income before income taxes (GAAP)$165-$240$95-$115
Add back:  
Interest expense110 — 
Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense680 210 
EBITDA (Non-GAAP)1
$955-$1,030$305-$325
Add back or deduct:  
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net20 — 
Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP)1
$975-$1,050$305-$325
Deduct:  
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities170 — 
Interest and dividend income
Adjusted OIBDA (Non-GAAP)1
$800-$875$300-$320
2


 Actual Results
 Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2020
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
 UScellularTDS
Telecom
UScellular
TDS
Telecom
(Dollars in millions)    
Net income (GAAP)$227 $81 $133 $92 
Add back:    
Income tax expense11 13 52 30 
Income before income taxes (GAAP)$238 $94 $185 $122 
Add back:    
Interest expense76 (3)110 (3)
Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense516 152 702 200 
EBITDA (Non-GAAP)1
$830 $243 $997 $320 
Add back or deduct:    
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net14 1 19 (7)
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net  (1)— 
(Gain) loss on investments(3) — — 
Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP)1
$841 $243 $1,015 $313 
Deduct:    
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities137  166 — 
Interest and dividend income6 4 17 12 
Other, net  (1)— — 
Adjusted OIBDA (Non-GAAP)1
$698 $240 $832 $300 
Numbers may not foot due to rounding.
1EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted OIBDA are defined as net income adjusted for the items set forth in the reconciliation above. EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted OIBDA are not measures of financial performance under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States (GAAP) and should not be considered as alternatives to Net income or Cash flows from operating activities, as indicators of cash flows or as measures of liquidity. TDS does not intend to imply that any such items set forth in the reconciliation above are non-recurring, infrequent or unusual; such items may occur in the future. Management uses Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted OIBDA as measurements of profitability, and therefore reconciliations to Net income are deemed appropriate. Management believes Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted OIBDA are useful measures of TDS’ operating results before significant recurring non-cash charges, gains and losses, and other items as presented above as they provide additional relevant and useful information to investors and other users of TDS’ financial data in evaluating the effectiveness of its operations and underlying business trends in a manner that is consistent with management’s evaluation of business performance. Adjusted EBITDA shows adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and accretion, and gains and losses, while Adjusted OIBDA reduces this measure further to exclude Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities and Interest and dividend income in order to more effectively show the performance of operating activities excluding investment activities. The table above reconciles EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted OIBDA to the corresponding GAAP measure, Net income or Income before income taxes. Additional information and reconciliations related to Non-GAAP financial measures for September 30, 2020, can be found on TDS' website at investors.tdsinc.com.
3


Conference Call Information
TDS will hold a conference call on November 6, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. Central Time.
Access the live call on the Events & Presentations page of investors.tdsinc.com or at
https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/1145/38510.
Access the call by phone at (833) 968-2187, conference ID: 7289911. 

Before the call, certain financial and statistical information to be discussed during the call will be posted to investors.tdsinc.com. The call will be archived on the Events & Presentations page of investors.tdsinc.com. 
About TDS
Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (TDS), a Fortune 1000® company, provides wireless; cable and wireline broadband, video and voice; and hosted and managed services to approximately 6 million connections nationwide through its businesses, UScellular, TDS Telecom, BendBroadband and OneNeck IT Solutions. Founded in 1969 and headquartered in Chicago, TDS employed 9,300 people as of September 30, 2020.
Visit investors.tdsinc.com for comprehensive financial information, including earnings releases, quarterly and annual filings, shareholder information and more.
Contacts
Jane W. McCahon, Senior Vice President - Corporate Relations and Corporate Secretary
jane.mccahon@tdsinc.com
 
Julie D. Mathews, IRC, Director - Investor Relations
julie.mathews@tdsinc.com
 
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 impact, duration and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic; intense competition; the ability to execute TDS’ business strategy; uncertainties in TDS’ future cash flows and liquidity and access to the capital markets; the ability to make payments on TDS and UScellular indebtedness or comply with the terms of debt covenants; the ability to obtain or maintain roaming arrangements with other carriers on acceptable terms; the ability to obtain access to adequate radio spectrum to meet current or anticipated future needs, including participation in FCC auctions; the state and federal regulatory environment; the ability to attract people of outstanding talent throughout all levels of the organization; conditions in the U.S. telecommunications industry; TDS’ smaller scale relative to larger competitors; changes in demand, consumer preferences, price competition, or churn rates; advances in technology; the value of assets and investments; impacts of costs, integration problems or other factors associated with acquisitions, divestitures or exchanges of properties or licenses and/or expansion of TDS’ businesses; the ability of the company to successfully construct and manage its networks; difficulties involving third parties; cyber-attacks or other breaches of network or information technology security; changes in facts and circumstances that could require TDS to record adjustments to amounts reflected in the financial statements; disruption in credit or other financial markets; deterioration of U.S. or global economic conditions; pending and future litigation. Investors are encouraged to consider these and other risks and uncertainties that are more fully described under “Risk Factors” in the most recent filing of TDS’ Form 10-K, as updated by any TDS Form 10-Q filed subsequent to such Form 10-K.    
 
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on TDS' business is uncertain, but depending on its duration and severity it could have a material adverse effect on TDS' business, financial condition or results of operations.

The impact of the global spread of COVID-19 on TDS' future operations is uncertain. Public health emergencies, such as COVID-19, pose the risk that TDS or its associates, agents, partners and suppliers may be unable to conduct business activities for an extended period of time and/or provide the level of service expected. TDS' ability to attract customers, maintain an adequate supply chain and execute on its business strategies and initiatives could be negatively impacted by this outbreak. Additionally, COVID-19 has caused and could continue to cause increased unemployment, economic downturn and credit market deterioration, all of which could negatively impact TDS. The extent of the impact of COVID-19 on TDS' business, financial condition and results of operations will depend on future circumstances, including the severity of the disease, the duration of the outbreak, actions taken by governmental authorities and other possible direct and indirect consequences, all of which are uncertain and cannot be predicted.


For more information about TDS and its subsidiaries, visit:
TDS: www.tdsinc.com 
UScellular: www.uscellular.com 
TDS Telecom: www.tdstelecom.com 
OneNeck IT Solutions: www.oneneck.com
4


United States Cellular Corporation
Summary Operating Data (Unaudited)
As of or for the Quarter Ended9/30/20206/30/20203/31/202012/31/20199/30/2019
Retail Connections     
Postpaid     
Total at end of period4,401,000 4,372,000 4,359,000 4,383,000 4,395,000 
Gross additions168,000 129,000 132,000 170,000 163,000 
Feature phones4,000 3,000 2,000 2,000 3,000 
Smartphones98,000 82,000 88,000 128,000 121,000 
Connected devices66,000 44,000 42,000 40,000 39,000 
Net additions (losses)28,000 12,000 (26,000)(12,000)(19,000)
Feature phones(8,000)(8,000)(10,000)(11,000)(11,000)
Smartphones8,000 11,000 (10,000)13,000 9,000 
Connected devices28,000 9,000 (6,000)(14,000)(17,000)
ARPU1
$47.10 $46.24 $47.23 $46.57 $46.16 
ARPA2
$123.27 $120.70 $122.92 $120.99 $119.87 
Churn rate3
1.06 %0.89 %1.21 %1.38 %1.38 %
Handsets0.88 %0.71 %0.95 %1.11 %1.09 %
Connected devices2.35 %2.24 %3.11 %3.44 %3.44 %
Prepaid
Total at end of period506,000 496,000 494,000 506,000 510,000 
Gross additions65,000 62,000 57,000 63,000 70,000 
Net additions (losses)11,000 2,000 (12,000)(3,000)9,000 
ARPU1
$35.45 $34.89 $34.07 $34.11 $34.35 
Churn rate3
3.59 %4.05 %4.67 %4.40 %4.03 %
Total connections at end of period4
4,962,000 4,919,000 4,903,000 4,941,000 4,957,000 
Market penetration at end of period
Consolidated operating population31,314,000 31,292,000 31,292,000 30,740,000 31,310,000 
Consolidated operating penetration5
16 %16 %16 %16 %16 %
Capital expenditures (millions)$216 $168 $236 $243 $170 
Total cell sites in service6,758 6,673 6,629 6,578 6,554 
Owned towers4,246 4,208 4,184 4,166 4,123 
1Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) - metric is calculated by dividing a revenue base by an average number of connections and by the number of months in the period. These revenue bases and connection populations are shown below:
Postpaid ARPU consists of total postpaid service revenues and postpaid connections.
Prepaid ARPU consists of total prepaid service revenues and prepaid connections.
2Average Revenue Per Account (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.
3Churn rate represents the percentage of the connections that disconnect service each month. These rates represent the average monthly churn rate for each respective period.
4Includes reseller and other connections.
5Market penetration is calculated by dividing the number of wireless connections at the end of the period by the total population of consolidated operating markets as estimated by Nielsen.
5


TDS Telecom
Summary Operating Data (Unaudited)
As of or for the Quarter Ended9/30/20206/30/20203/31/202012/31/20199/30/2019
TDS Telecom     
Wireline     
Residential connections     
Voice1
260,000 261,800 259,100 262,100 266,100 
Broadband2
260,700 255,100 242,700 241,300 242,200 
Video3
62,300 61,400 59,000 58,500 57,300 
Wireline residential connections583,000 578,300 560,700 561,900 565,600 
Total residential revenue per connection4
$51.45 $49.73 $50.12 $49.11 $49.02 
Commercial connections
Voice1
109,400 112,400 114,400 117,800 121,200 
Broadband2
20,800 20,700 20,500 20,400 20,600 
managedIP5
114,900 115,500 118,300 121,200 124,500 
Video3
200 200 100 100 400 
Wireline commercial connections245,400 248,700 253,400 259,600 266,600 
Total Wireline connections828,400 827,000 814,200 821,500 832,300 
Cable
Cable residential and commercial connections
Broadband6
206,200 203,700 196,800 193,500 174,900 
Video7
101,800 103,400 105,100 106,600 98,000 
Voice8
67,700 69,000 68,900 69,500 63,900 
managedIP5
1,800 1,800 1,400 1,300 1,200 
Total Cable connections377,400 378,000 372,300 370,900 338,000 
Numbers may not foot due to rounding.
1The individual circuits connecting a customer to Wireline’s central office facilities that provide voice services.
2The number of Wireline customers provided high-capacity data circuits via various technologies, including DSL and dedicated internet circuit technologies.
3The number of Wireline customers provided video services.
4Total residential revenue per connection is calculated by dividing total Wireline residential revenue by the average number of Wireline residential connections and by the number of months in the period.
5The number of telephone handsets, data lines and IP trunks providing communications using IP networking technology.
6Billable number of lines into a building for high-speed data services.
7Generally, a home or business receiving video programming counts as one video connection. In counting bulk residential or commercial connections, such as an apartment building or hotel, connections are counted based on the number of units/rooms within the building receiving service.
8Billable number of lines into a building for voice services.
TDS Telecom
Capital Expenditures (Unaudited)
Quarter Ended9/30/20206/30/20203/31/202012/31/20199/30/2019
(Dollars in millions)     
Wireline$74 $58 $39 $98 $61 
Cable18 17 15 26 20 
Total TDS Telecom$92 $75 $54 $124 $81 
6


Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Operations Highlights
(Unaudited)
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 202020192020
vs. 2019
202020192020
vs. 2019
(Dollars and shares in millions, except per share amounts)      
Operating revenues      
UScellular$1,027 $1,031 $2,964 $2,970 
TDS Telecom247 231 %728 695 %
All Other1
50 59 (16)%157 175 (10)%
 1,324 1,321 3,849 3,840 
Operating expenses      
UScellular      
Expenses excluding depreciation, amortization and accretion795 823 (3)%2,266 2,319 (2)%
Depreciation, amortization and accretion161 181 (11)%516 524 (2)%
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net6 15 %14 13 10 %
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net — N/M (1)N/M
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net N/M — N/M
 962 1,011 (5)%2,796 2,855 (2)%
TDS Telecom      
Expenses excluding depreciation, amortization and accretion169 162 %488 467 %
Depreciation, amortization and accretion49 50 152 150 %
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net — 65 %1 (7)N/M
 219 212 %641 609 %
All Other1
      
Expenses excluding depreciation and amortization50 62 (19)%157 182 (13)%
Depreciation and amortization7 (26)%17 23 (24)%
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net (96)% (1)71 %
 56 69 (20)%174 205 (14)%
Total operating expenses1,237 1,292 (4)%3,611 3,669 (2)%
Operating income (loss)      
UScellular65 20 N/M168 115 46 %
TDS Telecom28 20 44 %87 86 %
All Other1
(6)(11)45 %(17)(30)39 %
 87 29 N/M238 171 39 %
Investment and other income (expense)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities48 44 10 %138 129 %
Interest and dividend income4 (49)%12 24 (52)%
Gain (loss) on investments3 — N/M3 — N/M
Interest expense(43)(42)(1)%(119)(128)%
Other, net — (60)%(1)— (58)%
Total investment and other income 12 38 %33 25 35 %
Income before income taxes99 38 N/M271 196 38 %
Income tax expense6 15 (61)%17 64 (73)%
Net income93 23 N/M254 132 92 %
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax15 N/M42 22 87 %
Net income attributable to TDS shareholders$78 $18 N/M$212 $110 93 %
Basic weighted average shares outstanding114 115 114 114 
Basic earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders$0.68 $0.15 N/M$1.85 $0.96 93 %
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding115 116 115 116 
Diluted earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders$0.66 $0.15 N/M$1.81 $0.93 94 %
N/M - Percentage change not meaningful.
Numbers may not foot due to rounding.
1Consists of TDS corporate, intercompany eliminations and all other business operations not included in the UScellular and TDS Telecom segments.
7


Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 20202019
(Dollars in millions)  
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income$254 $132 
Add (deduct) adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities
Depreciation, amortization and accretion685 697 
Bad debts expense55 80 
Stock-based compensation expense39 47 
Deferred income taxes, net217 23 
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities(138)(129)
Distributions from unconsolidated entities118 100 
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net15 
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net (1)
(Gain) loss on investments(3)— 
Other operating activities1 
Changes in assets and liabilities from operations
Accounts receivable26 (42)
Equipment installment plans receivable13 (42)
Inventory2 
Accounts payable95 (4)
Customer deposits and deferred revenues(21)(2)
Accrued taxes(156)37 
Accrued interest14 
Other assets and liabilities(50)(43)
Net cash provided by operating activities1,166 874 
   
Cash flows from investing activities
Cash paid for additions to property, plant and equipment(914)(631)
Cash paid for licenses(169)(257)
Cash received from investments1 29 
Cash paid for investments(1)(11)
Cash received from divestitures and exchanges1 32 
Other investing activities4 
Net cash used in investing activities(1,078)(837)
   
Cash flows from financing activities
Issuance of long-term debt675 — 
Repayment of long-term debt(8)(16)
TDS Common Shares reissued for benefit plans, net of tax payments(3)(6)
UScellular Common Shares reissued for benefit plans, net of tax payments(11)(8)
Repurchase of TDS Common Shares(14)— 
Repurchase of UScellular Common Shares(23)(21)
Dividends paid to TDS shareholders(58)(57)
Payment of debt issuance costs(23)(1)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests(2)(3)
Other financing activities1 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities534 (103)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash622 (66)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
Beginning of period474 927 
End of period$1,096 $861 
8


Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheet Highlights
(Unaudited)
ASSETS
 
 September 30, 2020December 31, 2019
(Dollars in millions)  
Current assets  
Cash and cash equivalents$1,076 $465 
Accounts receivable, net1,056 1,124 
Inventory, net164 169 
Prepaid expenses109 98 
Income taxes receivable226 36 
Other current assets39 29 
Total current assets2,670 1,921 
Assets held for sale19 — 
Licenses2,637 2,480 
Goodwill547 547 
Other intangible assets, net219 239 
Investments in unconsolidated entities508 488 
Property, plant and equipment, net
3,727 3,527 
Operating lease right-of-use assets988 972 
Other assets and deferred charges580 607 
Total assets$11,895 $10,781 
9


Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheet Highlights
(Unaudited)
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 September 30, 2020December 31, 2019
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)  
Current liabilities  
Current portion of long-term debt$3 $10 
Accounts payable399 374 
Customer deposits and deferred revenues168 189 
Accrued interest24 11 
Accrued taxes63 41 
Accrued compensation107 121 
Short-term operating lease liabilities125 116 
Other current liabilities76 100 
Total current liabilities965 962 
Deferred liabilities and credits  
Deferred income tax liability, net893 676 
Long-term operating lease liabilities938 931 
Other deferred liabilities and credits530 481 
Long-term debt, net2,970 2,316 
Noncontrolling interests with redemption features10 11 
Equity  
TDS shareholders' equity  
Series A Common and Common Shares, par value $0.01 per share1 
Capital in excess of par value2,479 2,468 
Treasury shares, at cost(478)(479)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(7)(9)
Retained earnings2,809 2,672 
Total TDS shareholders' equity4,804 4,653 
Noncontrolling interests785 751 
Total equity5,589 5,404 
Total liabilities and equity$11,895 $10,781 
10


Balance Sheet Highlights
(Unaudited)
 September 30, 2020
 TDSTDS CorporateIntercompanyTDS
 UScellularTelecom& OtherEliminationsConsolidated
(Dollars in millions)     
Cash and cash equivalents$931 $573 $147 $(575)$1,076 
Licenses, goodwill and other intangible assets$2,628 $766 $$— $3,403 
Investment in unconsolidated entities467 48 (11)508 
 $3,095 $770 $57 $(11)$3,911 
Property, plant and equipment, net$2,322 $1,303 $102 $— $3,727 
Long-term debt, net:
Current portion$$— $$— $
Non-current portion2,108 858 — 2,970 
 $2,110 $$859 $— $2,973 
11


TDS Telecom Highlights
(Unaudited)
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 202020192020
vs. 2019
202020192020
vs. 2019
(Dollars in millions)      
Wireline      
Operating revenues      
Residential$90 $83 %$260 $245 %
Commercial38 41 (8)%115 127 (9)%
Wholesale45 45 %136 139 (2)%
Total service revenues173 169 %511 512 
Equipment and product sales — %1 (30)%
 173 169 %512 512 
Operating expenses      
Cost of services69 68 %197 195 %
Cost of equipment and products — (25)%1 (30)%
Selling, general and administrative expenses51 52 (3)%148 148 (1)%
Expenses excluding depreciation, amortization and accretion120 120 345 344 
Depreciation, amortization and accretion30 33 (8)%94 99 (5)%
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net — (70)% (8)N/M
 150 153 (2)%439 435 %
Operating income$23 $16 42 %$73 $78 (6)%
Cable      
Operating revenues      
Residential$62 $52 21 %$182 $152 20 %
Commercial12 10 13 %34 32 %
 74 62 19 %216 184 18 %
Operating expenses      
Cost of services31 27 15 %91 79 15 %
Selling, general and administrative expenses18 15 23 %52 44 18 %
Expenses excluding depreciation, amortization and accretion49 42 18 %143 124 16 %
Depreciation, amortization and accretion20 17 15 %59 51 15 %
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net — N/M1 (14)%
 69 59 17 %202 175 15 %
Operating income (loss)$5 $55 %$14 $76 %
Total TDS Telecom operating income$28 $20 44 %$87 $86 %
N/M - Percentage change not meaningful.
Numbers may not foot due to rounding.
12


Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.
Financial Measures and Reconciliations
(Unaudited)
Free Cash Flow
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 2020201920202019
(Dollars in millions)    
Cash flows from operating activities (GAAP)$359 $282 $1,166 $874 
Less: Cash paid for additions to property, plant and equipment304 238 914 631 
Free cash flow (Non-GAAP)1
$55 $44 $252 $243 
1Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure which TDS believes may be useful to investors and other users of its financial information in evaluating liquidity, specifically, the amount of net cash generated by business operations after deducting Cash paid for additions to property, plant and equipment.
13
v3.20.2
Document and Entity Information Document
Nov. 05, 2020
Entity Central Index Key 0001051512
Document Type 8-K
Document Period End Date Nov. 05, 2020
Entity Registrant Name TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS, INC.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code DE
Entity File Number 001-14157
Entity Tax Identification Number 36-2669023
Entity Address, Address Line One 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 4000
Entity Address, City or Town Chicago
Entity Address, State or Province IL
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 60602
City Area Code (312)
Local Phone Number 630-1900
Written Communications false
Soliciting Material false
Pre-commencement Tender Offer false
Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer false
Entity Emerging Growth Company false
Amendment Flag false
Common Shares  
Title of 12(b) Security Common Shares, $.01 par value
Trading Symbol TDS
Security Exchange Name NYSE
6.625% Senior Notes  
Title of 12(b) Security 6.625% Senior Notes due 2045
Trading Symbol TDI
Security Exchange Name NYSE
6.875% Senior Notes  
Title of 12(b) Security 6.875% Senior Notes due 2059
Trading Symbol TDE
Security Exchange Name NYSE
7.0% Senior Notes  
Title of 12(b) Security 7.000% Senior Notes due 2060
Trading Symbol TDJ
Security Exchange Name NYSE
5.875% Senior Notes  
Title of 12(b) Security 5.875% Senior Notes due 2061
Trading Symbol TDA
Security Exchange Name NYSE