United States Cellular (USM) 10-Q 2010 Q3 Quarterly report

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

xQUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period endedSeptember 30, 2010

OR

¨TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                                    to

Commission File Number 1-9712

UNITED STATES CELLULAR CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	62-1147325
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
8410 West Bryn Mawr, Suite 700, Chicago, Illinois  60631
(Address of principal executive offices)  (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:(773) 399-8900

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes  x  No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes  x  No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b‑2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer x	Accelerated filer ¨
Non-accelerated filer ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)	Smaller reporting company ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes  ¨  No  x

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Class		Outstanding at September 30, 2010
	Common Shares, $1 par value	52,737,943 Shares
	Series A Common Shares, $1 par value	33,005,877 Shares

United States Cellular Corporation
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2010
Index
			Page No.
Part I.	Financial Information
	Item 1.	Financial Statements (Unaudited)	3
		Consolidated Statement of Operations Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009	3
		Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009	4
		Consolidated Balance Sheet September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009	5
		Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009	7
		Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	9
	Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	20
		Overview	20
		Results of Operations	24
		Recent Accounting Pronouncements	31
		Financial Resources	31
		Liquidity and Capital Resources	33
		Application of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates	36
		Safe Harbor Cautionary Statement	37
	Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	40
	Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	41
Part II.	Other Information		42
	Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	42
	Item 1A.	Risk Factors	42
	Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	43
	Item 5.	Other Information	43
	Item 6.	Exhibits	44
Signatures			46

Part I.  Financial Information
Item 1.  Financial Statements
United States Cellular Corporation
Consolidated Statement of Operations
(Unaudited)
			Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
			September 30,						September 30,
(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)			2010			2009			2010			2009
Operating revenues
	Service		$	983,503		$	983,918		$	2,921,087		$	2,941,720
	Equipment sales			77,278			73,377			193,444			212,062
		Total operating revenues		1,060,781			1,057,295			3,114,531			3,153,782
Operating expenses
	System operations (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below)			218,021			205,611			638,677			600,308
	Cost of equipment sold			189,291			189,354			512,361			531,110
	Selling, general and administrative(including charges from affiliates of $22.9 million and $27.7 million, respectively, for the three months, and $77.0 million and $82.6 million, respectively, for the nine months)			446,938			454,645			1,321,720			1,274,261
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion			144,717			146,052			432,405			422,707
	Loss on asset disposals, net			1,981			2,085			8,407			8,641
		Total operating expenses		1,000,948			997,747			2,913,570			2,837,027
Operating income				59,833			59,548			200,961			316,755
Investment and other income (expense)
	Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities			23,971			23,126			74,418			73,247
	Interest and dividend income			1,101			1,420			2,984			2,648
	Interest expense			(15,956	)		(19,782	)		(48,918	)		(59,065	)
	Other, net			(620	)		905			(213	)		1,183
		Total investment and other income (expense)		8,496			5,669			28,271			18,013
Income before income taxes				68,329			65,217			229,232			334,768
	Income tax expense			25,051			25,279			86,894			117,026
Net income				43,278			39,938			142,338			217,742
	Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax			(5,920	)		(5,606	)		(16,858	)		(17,583	)
Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders			$	37,358		$	34,332		$	125,480		$	200,159
Basic weighted average shares outstanding				85,992			86,848			86,329			87,011
Basic earnings per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders			$	0.43		$	0.40		$	1.45		$	2.30
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding				86,428			87,128			86,706			87,216
Diluted earnings per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders			$	0.43		$	0.39		$	1.45		$	2.29

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

3

United States Cellular Corporation
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
			Nine Months Ended
			September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)			2010			2009
Cash flows from operating activities
	Net income		$	142,338		$	217,742
	Add (deduct) adjustments to reconcile net incometo net cash flows from operating activities
		Depreciation, amortization and accretion		432,405			422,707
		Bad debts expense		56,244			73,100
		Stock-based compensation expense		13,539			13,000
		Deferred income taxes, net		50,180			44,486
		Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities		(74,418	)		(73,247	)
		Distributions from unconsolidated entities		59,149			51,306
		Loss on asset disposals, net		8,407			8,641
		Other operating activities		106			1,824
	Changes in assets and liabilities from operations
		Accounts receivable		(46,293	)		(106,380	)
		Inventory		32,673			(4,509	)
		Accounts payable - trade		(50,720	)		(13,432	)
		Accounts payable - affiliate		(8,440	)		(980	)
		Customer deposits and deferred revenues		1,972			(6,185	)
		Accrued taxes		(19,491	)		68,695
		Accrued interest		9,295			9,787
		Other assets and liabilities		(22,933	)		(68,861	)
				584,013			637,694
Cash flows from investing activities
	Additions to property, plant and equipment			(379,692	)		(357,770	)
	Cash paid for acquisitions and licenses			(10,501	)		(12,527	)
	Cash paid for investments			(190,250	)		(275	)
	Cash received for investments			25,330			—
	Other investing activities			656			1,682
				(554,457	)		(368,890	)
Cash flows from financing activities
	Common shares reissued for benefit plans, net of tax payments			738			(119	)
	Common shares repurchased			(40,520	)		(24,283	)
	Payment of debt issuance costs			—			(4,416	)
	Distributions to noncontrolling interests			(5,828	)		(5,855	)
	Other financing activities			(9,065	)		(233	)
				(54,675	)		(34,906	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents				(25,119	)		233,898
Cash and cash equivalents
	Beginning of period			294,411			170,996
	End of period		$	269,292		$	404,894

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

4

United States Cellular Corporation
Consolidated Balance Sheet — Assets
(Unaudited)
			September 30,		December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)			2010		2009
Current assets
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	269,292	$	294,411
	Short-term investments			120,771		330
	Accounts receivable
		Customers and agents, less allowances of $24,600 and $26,260, respectively		312,493		339,825
		Roaming		39,044		28,450
		Affiliated		318		135
		Other, less allowances of $1,676 and $364, respectively		63,252		56,647
	Inventory			119,882		152,556
	Prepaid income taxes			32,086		717
	Prepaid expenses			70,759		63,463
	Net deferred income tax asset			21,570		21,570
	Other current assets			49,111		51,013
				1,098,578		1,009,117
Investments
	Licenses			1,445,501		1,435,000
	Goodwill			494,737		494,737
	Customer lists, net of accumulated amortization of $96,042 and $92,829, respectively			869		4,083
	Investments in unconsolidated entities			177,075		161,481
	Notes and interest receivable — long-term			4,107		4,214
	Long-term investments			46,156		—
				2,168,445		2,099,515
Property, plant and equipment
	In service and under construction			6,203,085		5,884,307
	Less: Accumulated depreciation			3,649,212		3,282,969
				2,553,873		2,601,338
Other assets and deferred charges				38,195		38,776
Total assets			$	5,859,091	$	5,748,746

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

5

United States Cellular Corporation
Consolidated Balance Sheet — Liabilities and Equity
(Unaudited)
					September 30,			December 31,
(Dollars and shares in thousands)					2010			2009
			��
Current liabilities
	Current portion of long-term debt				$	91		$	76
	Accounts payable
		Affiliated				6,291			14,732
		Trade				245,542			296,288
	Customer deposits and deferred revenues					142,220			140,248
	Accrued taxes					78,686			57,507
	Accrued compensation					57,207			62,242
	Other current liabilities					88,216			92,884
						618,253			663,977
Deferred liabilities and credits
	Net deferred income tax liability					559,746			513,994
	Other deferred liabilities and credits					269,333			262,412
Long-term debt						867,790			867,522
Commitments and contingencies
Noncontrolling interests with redemption features						791			727
Equity
	U.S. Cellular shareholders’ equity
		Series A Common and Common Shares
			Authorized 190,000 shares (50,000 Series A Common and 140,000 Common Shares)
			Issued 88,074 shares (33,006 Series A Common and 55,068 Common Shares)
			Outstanding 85,744 shares (33,006 Series A Common and 52,738 Common Shares) and 86,540 shares (33,006 Series A Common and 53,534 Common Shares), respectively
			Par Value ($1 per share) ($33,006 Series A Common and $55,068 Common Shares)			88,074			88,074
		Additional paid-in capital				1,364,266			1,356,322
		Treasury shares, at cost, 2,330 and 1,534 Common Shares, respectively				(97,109	)		(69,616	)
		Retained earnings				2,126,825			2,013,633
			Total U.S. Cellular shareholders’ equity			3,482,056			3,388,413
	Noncontrolling interests					61,122			51,701
				Total equity		3,543,178			3,440,114
Total liabilities and equity					$	5,859,091		$	5,748,746

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

6

United States Cellular Corporation
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity (Unaudited)
	U.S. Cellular Shareholders
(Dollars in thousands)	Series A Common and Common Shares		Additional Paid-In Capital			Treasury Shares			Retained Earnings			Total U.S. Cellular Shareholders' Equity			Noncontrolling Interests			Total Equity
Balance, December 31, 2009	$	88,074	$	1,356,322		$	(69,616	)	$	2,013,633		$	3,388,413		$	51,701		$	3,440,114
Add (Deduct)
Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders		—		—			—			125,480			125,480			—			125,480
Net income attributable to noncontrollinginterests classified as equity		—		—			—			—			—			16,829			16,829
Repurchase of Common Shares		—		—			(40,520	)		—			(40,520	)		—			(40,520	)
Incentive and compensation plans		—		605			13,027			(12,288	)		1,344			—			1,344
Adjust investment in subsidiaries for noncontrollinginterest purchases		—		(4,247	)		—			—			(4,247	)		(1,580	)		(5,827	)
Stock-based compensation awards		—		13,539			—			—			13,539			—			13,539
Tax windfall (shortfall) from stock awards		—		(1,953	)		—			—			(1,953	)		—			(1,953	)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests		—		—			—			—			—			(5,828	)		(5,828	)
Balance, September 30, 2010	$	88,074	$	1,364,266		$	(97,109	)	$	2,126,825		$	3,482,056		$	61,122		$	3,543,178

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

7

United States Cellular Corporation
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
(Unaudited)
	U.S. Cellular Shareholders
(Dollars in thousands)	Series A Common and Common Shares		Additional Paid-In Capital			Treasury Shares			Retained Earnings			Total U.S. Cellular Shareholders' Equity			Noncontrolling Interests			Total Equity
Balance, December 31, 2008	$	88,074	$	1,340,146		$	(50,258	)	$	1,822,073		$	3,200,035		$	48,567		$	3,248,602
Add (Deduct)
Net income attributable to U.S. Cellularshareholders		—		—			—			200,159			200,159			—			200,159
Net income attributable to noncontrollinginterests classified as equity		—		—			—			—			—			17,463			17,463
Repurchase of Common Shares		—		—			(24,283	)		—			(24,283	)		—			(24,283	)
Incentive and compensation plans		—		1,391			10,629			(11,558	)		462			—			462
Stock-based compensation awards		—		13,000			—			—			13,000			—			13,000
Tax windfall (shortfall) from stock awards		—		(993	)		—			—			(993	)		—			(993	)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests		—		—			—			—			—			(5,855	)		(5,855	)
Balance, September 30, 2009	$	88,074	$	1,353,544		$	(63,912	)	$	2,010,674		$	3,388,380		$	60,175		$	3,448,555

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

8

United States Cellular Corporation

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

1.   Basis of Presentation

United States Cellular Corporation (“U.S. Cellular”), a Delaware Corporation, is an 83%-owned subsidiary of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (“TDS”).

The accounting policies of U.S. Cellular conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) as set forth in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”). The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of U.S. Cellular, its majority-owned subsidiaries since acquisition, general partnerships in which U.S. Cellular has a majority partnership interest and certain entities in which U.S. Cellular has a variable interest that require consolidation under GAAP.  All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.  Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2010 presentation.

The consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by U.S. Cellular, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. However, U.S. Cellular believes that the disclosures included herein are adequate to make the information presented not misleading.  These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in U.S. Cellular’s Current Report on Form 8-K (Items 8.01 and 9.01) filed with the SEC on August 5, 2010, which should be read in conjunction with U.S. Cellular’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (“Form 10-K”) for the year ended December 31, 2009.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring items and adjustments to prior periods as described in Note 2 - Revision of Prior Period Amounts) necessary to present fairly the financial position as of September 30, 2010, December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2009 (as included in Note 2), the results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 and cash flows and changes in equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.  The Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income was not included because comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 equaled net income. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended and cash flows and changes in equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

2.   Revision of Prior Period Amounts

In preparing its financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2010, U.S. Cellular discovered certain errors related to accounting for operating revenues and sales tax liabilities. The quantification of these errors was subsequently refined during the second quarter of 2010. These errors resulted in the overstatement of operating revenues and understatement of sales tax liabilities for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, 2007, and the three months ended March 31, 2010. In addition to recording these adjustments, U.S. Cellular recorded other adjustments to prior-year amounts to correct other immaterial items.  In accordance withSEC Staff Accounting Bulletin Nos. 99 and 108 (“SAB 99 and SAB 108”), U.S. Cellular evaluated these erro rs and determined that they were immaterial to each of the reporting periods affected and, therefore, amendment of previously filed reports was not required. However, if the adjustments to correct the cumulative errors had been recorded in the first or second quarter of 2010, U.S. Cellular believes the impact would have been significant to those respective periods and would impact comparisons to prior periods. As permitted by SAB 108, U.S. Cellular revised in the current filing its comparative consolidated financial statements for these immaterial amounts. In addition, on August 5, 2010, U.S. Cellular filed a Current Report on Form 8-K (Items 8.01 and 9.01) with the SEC to revise financial statements and other financial information previously included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2010.  Such Form 8-K contains revisions to the December 31, 2009 Consolidated Balance Sheet, originally filed on Februar y 25, 2010 in U.S. Cellular’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.  Also, in accordance with SAB 108, the Consolidated Balance Sheet, the Consolidated Statement of Operations and the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the following comparative periods have been revised as follows: 

9

Consolidated Balance Sheet — September 30, 2009
		As previously reported (1)
	(Dollars in thousands)				Adjustment			Revised
	Accounts receivable - Due from customers	$	338,852		$	3,817		$	342,669
	Prepaid expenses		63,020			8,413			71,433
	Total current assets		1,114,320			12,230			1,126,550
	Total assets		5,841,825			12,230			5,854,055
	Customer deposits and deferred revenues		146,224			(2,241	)		143,983
	Accrued taxes		56,500			23,193			79,693
	Total current liabilities		615,967			20,952			636,919
	Other deferred liabilities and credits		250,762			1,314			252,076
	Total deferred liabilities and credits		769,007			1,314			770,321
	Retained earnings		2,020,710			(10,036	)		2,010,674
	Total U.S. Cellular shareholders’ equity		3,398,416			(10,036	)		3,388,380
	Total equity		3,458,591			(10,036	)		3,448,555
	Total liabilities and equity		5,841,825			12,230			5,854,055
Consolidated Statement of Operations — Three Months Ended September 30, 2009
		As previously reported (1)
	(Dollars in thousands)				Adjustment			Revised
	Service revenues	$	984,923		$	(1,005	)	$	983,918
	Total operating revenues		1,058,300			(1,005	)		1,057,295
	System operations expenses (excluding Depreciation,amortization and accretion)		205,458			153			205,611
	Selling, general and administrative expenses		454,839			(194	)		454,645
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion		147,586			(1,534	)		146,052
	Loss on asset disposals, net		3,371			(1,286	)		2,085
	Total operating expenses		1,000,608			(2,861	)		997,747
	Operating income		57,692			1,856			59,548
	Interest expense		(19,358	)		(424	)		(19,782	)
	Total investment and other income (expense)		6,093			(424	)		5,669
	Income before income taxes		63,785			1,432			65,217
	Income tax expense		22,541			2,738			25,279
	Net income		41,244			(1,306	)		39,938
	Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders		35,638			(1,306	)		34,332
	Basic earnings per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders		0.41			(0.01	)		0.40
	Diluted earnings per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders		0.41			(0.02	)		0.39

10

Consolidated Statement of Operations — Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009
		As previously reported (1)
	(Dollars in thousands)				Adjustment			Revised
	Service revenues	$	2,941,552		$	168		$	2,941,720
	Total operating revenues		3,153,614			168			3,153,782
	System operations expenses (excluding Depreciation,amortization and accretion)		600,267			41			600,308
	Selling, general and administrative expenses		1,277,357			(3,096	)		1,274,261
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion		423,851			(1,144	)		422,707
	Loss on asset disposals, net		7,648			993			8,641
	Total operating expenses		2,840,233			(3,206	)		2,837,027
	Operating income		313,381			3,374			316,755
	Interest expense		(57,767	)		(1,298	)		(59,065	)
	Total investment and other income (expense)		19,311			(1,298	)		18,013
	Income before income taxes		332,692			2,076			334,768
	Income tax expense		111,521			5,505			117,026
	Net income		221,171			(3,429	)		217,742
	Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders		203,588			(3,429	)		200,159
	Basic earnings per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders		2.34			(0.04	)		2.30
	Diluted earnings per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders		2.33			(0.04	)		2.29
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows — Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009
		As previously reported (1)
	(Dollars in thousands)				Adjustment			Revised
	Net income	$	221,171		$	(3,429	)	$	217,742
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion		423,851			(1,144	)		422,707
	Deferred income taxes, net		44,429			57			44,486
	Loss on asset disposals, net		7,648			993			8,641
	Change in accounts receivable		(101,263	)		(5,117	)		(106,380	)
	Change in customer deposits and deferred revenues		(4,858	)		(1,327	)		(6,185	)
	Change in accrued taxes		58,139			10,556			68,695
	Change in other assets and liabilities		(68,272	)		(589	)		(68,861	)
	Cash flows from operating activities		637,694			—			637,694

(1)In Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2009 filed on November 5, 2009.

3.   Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Amounts Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities

If a tax is assessed upon the customer and U.S. Cellular merely acts as an agent in collecting the tax on behalf of the governmental authority imposing such tax, the amounts collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are recorded net in Accrued taxes in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.  If a tax is assessed upon U.S. Cellular but billed to customers to recover it, the amounts billed to customers are recorded in Service revenues and the amounts remitted to governmental authorities are recorded in Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.  The amounts recorded in Service revenues that were billed to customers and remitted to governmental authorities totaled $34.1 million and $105.4 million for the three months ended and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively, and $30.2 million and $80.1 million for the three months ende d and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively. These revenues increased primarily due to an increase in the Universal Service Fund contribution rates established by the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”).

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Implementation of Revised Variable Interest Entity Accounting

U.S. Cellular holds interests in certain variable interest entities (“VIEs”) as such term is defined by GAAP. The primary beneficiary of a VIE, as defined by GAAP, is required to consolidate the VIE in its financial statements.  Prior to January 1, 2010, the primary beneficiary of a VIE was the entity that recognized a majority of a VIE’s expected gains or losses, as determined based on a quantitative model. Effective January 1, 2010, new provisions under GAAP related to accounting for VIEs provide for a more qualitative assessment in determining the primary beneficiary of a VIE.

The revised consolidation guidance related to VIEs effective January 1, 2010 did not change U.S. Cellular’s consolidated reporting entities.  See Note 10 — Variable Interest Entities (VIEs) for details on consolidated VIEs.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In October 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2009-13,Multiple Deliverable Revenue Arrangements—a consensus of FASB Emerging Issues Task Force (“ASU 2009-13”).  ASU 2009-13 provides for less restrictive separation criteria that must be met for a deliverable to be considered a separate unit of accounting. Additionally, under this Standard, there is a hierarchy for determining the selling price of a unit of accounting and consideration must be allocated using a relative-selling price method.  U.S. Cellular is required to adopt the provisions of ASU 2009-13 on January 1, 2011; however, as permitted, U.S. Cellular elected to early adopt the provisions on October 1, 2010.  Such early adoption required U.S. Cellular to retrospectively apply ASU 2009-13 effective January 1, 2010, the beginning of U.S. Cellular’s current fiscal year. This retrospective application of ASU 2009-13 will have no impact on U.S. Cellular’s reported amounts in the first nine months of 2010.  U.S. Cellular made this election in connection with the introduction of certain new service offerings in the fourth quarter of 2010.  These new service offerings may include a combination of the following elements which are considered separate units of accounting under ASU 2009-13: wireless services (voice, messaging and data), wireless handsets, a phone replacement program, and loyalty reward points that may be redeemed by customers for wireless products and services in future periods.  In accordance with ASU 2009-13, U.S. Cellular will be required to defer the recognition of revenue related to amounts billed to customers that are attributed to loyalty rewards poin ts until such points are redeemed or expire; thus, ASU 2009-13 will impact the timing of recognition of revenue attributable to loyalty reward points.  Except as described in the preceding sentence, adoption of ASU 2009-13 is not expected to have a significant impact on U.S. Cellular’s financial position or results of operations.

In October 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2009-14,Certain Revenue Arrangements that include Software Elements—a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force (“ASU 2009-14”).  ASU 2009-14 amends accounting and reporting guidance for revenue arrangements involving both tangible products and software that is "more than incidental to the tangible product as a whole.”  ASU 2009-14 will be effective for U.S. Cellular on January 1, 2011; however, early adoption is permitted.  U.S. Cellular does not anticipate that this pronouncement will have a significant impact on its financial position or results of operations.

In January 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-06,Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements (“ASU 2010-06”).  ASU 2010-06 requires new disclosures regarding transfers in and out of Levels 1 and 2 and activity in Level 3 fair value measurements.  It also clarifies existing disclosure requirements regarding the level of disaggregation in certain disclosures, inputs, and valuation techniques used in FASB ASC 820,Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.  U.S. Cellular adopted all of the requirements of this update on January 1, 2010, its effective date, except for the new requirement regarding activity in Level 3 fair value measurements which has a later effective date under the provisions of ASU 2010-06, and will become effective on January 1, 2011.  Adoption of this pronouncement has not had, and is not expected to have, a significant impact on U.S. Cellular’s fair value disclosures.

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4.   Fair Value Measurements

As of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, U.S. Cellular did not have any financial assets or liabilities that were required to be recorded at fair value in its Consolidated Balance Sheet in accordance with GAAP. However, U.S. Cellular has applied the provisions of fair value accounting for purposes of computing the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes as displayed below.

		September 30, 2010				December 31, 2009
		Book Value		Fair Value		Book Value		Fair Value
(Dollars in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents		$	269,292	$	269,292	$	294,411	$	294,411
Short-term investments (1)(2)
	Certificates of deposit		250		250		330		330
	Government-backed securities (3)		120,521		120,521		—		—
Long-term investments (1)(4)
	Government-backed securities (3)		46,156		46,297		—		—
Long-term debt (5)			863,543		857,013		863,202		853,937

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

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

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

(4)    Maturities range between 14 and 25 months from the balance sheet date.

(5)    Excludes capital lease obligations and current portion of Long-term debt.

The fair values of Cash and cash equivalents and Short-term investments approximate their book values due to the short-term nature of these financial instruments. The fair values of Long-term investments were estimated using quoted market prices for the individual issuances. The fair value of Long-term debt, excluding capital lease obligations and current portion of Long-term debt, was estimated using market prices for the 7.5% senior notes and discounted cash flow analyses for the remaining debt, principally the 6.7% senior notes.

As of September 30, 2010, U.S. Cellular did not have any nonfinancial assets or liabilities that required the application of fair value accounting for purposes of reporting such amounts in its Consolidated Balance Sheet.

5.   Income Taxes

U.S. Cellular is included in a consolidated federal income tax return and in certain state income tax returns with other members of the TDS consolidated group.  For financial statement purposes, U.S. Cellular and its subsidiaries compute their income tax expense as if they comprised a separate affiliated group and were not included in the TDS consolidated group.

U.S. Cellular’s overall effective tax rate on Income before income taxes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 was 36.7% and 37.9%, respectively, and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 was 38.8% and 35.0%, respectively.  The effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2010 was lower than the rate for the three months ended September 30, 2009 primarily as a result of the favorable settlement of certain state income tax audits.  The benefit from this change, along with other minor discrete benefits, decreased income tax expense for the three months ended September 30, 2010 by $1.1 million; absent these benefits, the effective tax rate for such period would have been higher by 1.6 percentage points.

The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was lower than the rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 due primarily to a 2009 state tax benefit resulting from a state tax law change that was recognized as a discrete item in the three months ended March 31, 2009.  The benefit from this change, along with other minor discrete benefits, decreased income tax expense by $8.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.  Absent these benefits, the effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 would have been higher by 2.6 percentage points.

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6.   Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders is computed by dividing Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders is computed by dividing Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares adjusted to include the effects of potentially dilutive securities. Potentially dilutive securities include incremental shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options and the vesting of restricted stock units.

The amounts used in computing Earnings per Common and Series A Common Share and the effects of potentially dilutive securities on the weighted average number of Common and Series A Common Shares are as follows:

		Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2010		2009		2010		2009
(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)
Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders		$	37,358	$	34,332	$	125,480	$	200,159
Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings per share			85,992		86,848		86,329		87,011
Effect of dilutive securities:
	Stock options		104		36		80		20
	Restricted stock units		332		244		297		185
Weighted average number of shares used in diluted earnings per share			86,428		87,128		86,706		87,216
Basic earnings per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders		$	0.43	$	0.40	$	1.45	$	2.30
Diluted earnings per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders		$	0.43	$	0.39	$	1.45	$	2.29

Certain Common Shares issuable upon the exercise of Stock options or vesting of Restricted stock units were not included in average diluted shares outstanding for the calculation of Diluted earnings per share because their effects were antidilutive. The number of such Common Shares excluded is shown in the table below.

	Three Months Ended September 30,		Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2010	2009	2010	2009
(Shares in thousands)
Stock options	1,836	2,072	1,768	2,024
Restricted stock units	—	—	195	175

7.   Licenses and Goodwill

Changes in U.S. Cellular’s licenses and goodwill for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 are presented below.

Licenses
		September 30, 2010		September 30, 2009
(Dollars in thousands)
Balance, beginning of period		$	1,435,000	$	1,433,415
	Acquisitions		10,501		12,250
	Other		—		(164	)
Balance, end of period		$	1,445,501	$	1,445,501

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Goodwill
		September 30,		September 30,
		2010		2009
(Dollars in thousands)
Assigned value at time of acquisition		$	494,737	$	494,279
	Accumulated impairment losses in prior periods		—		—
Balance, beginning of period			494,737		494,279
	Acquisitions		—		—
	Other		—		458
Balance, end of period		$	494,737	$	494,737

8.   Investment in Unconsolidated Entities

Investments in unconsolidated entities consist of amounts invested in wireless entities in which U.S. Cellular holds a noncontrolling interest. These investments are accounted for using either the equity or cost method.

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities totaled $24.0 million and $23.1 million in the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and $74.4 million and $73.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively; of those amounts, U.S. Cellular’s investment in the Los Angeles SMSA Partnership (“LA Partnership”) contributed $16.1 and $15.5 million in the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and $49.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.  U.S. Cellular held a 5.5% ownership interest in the LA Partnership during these periods.

The following table summarizes the combined results of operations of U.S. Cellular’s equity method investments:

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2010		2009		2010		2009
(Dollars in thousands)
Revenues	$	1,260,000	$	1,211,000	$	3,680,000	$	3,580,000
Operating expenses		908,000		870,000		2,613,000		2,518,000
Operating income		352,000		341,000		1,067,000		1,062,000
Other income (expense)		8,000		8,000		28,000		29,000
Net income	$	360,000	$	349,000	$	1,095,000	$	1,091,000

9.   Commitments and Contingencies

Agreements

On August 17, 2010, U.S. Cellular and Amdocs Software Systems Limited (“Amdocs”) entered into agreements to develop a Billing and Operational Support System (“B/OSS”). Amdocs will license to U.S. Cellular certain customer order and relationship management, revenue management and billing software relating to the B/OSS.

The implementation of the licensed systems commenced in September 2010, and is expected to take approximately two years to complete.  The total estimated amount to be paid to Amdocs with respect to the agreements for delivery of the B/OSS is $73 million, and is expected to be paid out from August 2010 to October 2012.  U.S. Cellular anticipates capitalizing a majority of these costs as Systems development costs and amortizing such capitalized costs over the estimated useful life of the B/OSS system.  U.S. Cellular also is committed to purchase maintenance for an aggregate amount of $36.4 million over a period of seven years, beginning in 2013.

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Indemnifications

U.S. Cellular enters into agreements in the normal course of business that provide for indemnification of counterparties.  The terms of the indemnifications vary by agreement.  The events or circumstances that would require U.S. Cellular to perform under these indemnities are transaction specific; however, these agreements may require U.S. Cellular to indemnify the counterparty for costs and losses incurred from litigation or claims arising from the underlying transaction.  U.S. Cellular is unable to estimate the maximum potential liability for these types of indemnifications as the amounts are dependent on the outcome of future events, the nature and likelihood of which cannot be determined at this time.  Historically, U.S. Cellular has not made any significant indemnification payments under such agreements.

Legal Proceedings

U.S. Cellular is involved or may be involved from time to time in legal proceedings before the FCC, other regulatory authorities, and/or various state and federal courts.  If U.S. Cellular believes that a loss arising from such legal proceedings is probable and can be reasonably estimated, an amount is accrued in the financial statements for the estimated loss.  If only a range of loss can be determined, the best estimate within that range is accrued; if none of the estimates within that range is better than another, the low end of the range is accrued.  The assessment of the expected outcomes of legal proceedings is a highly subjective process that requires judgments about future events.  The legal proceedings are reviewed at least quarterly to determine the adequacy of accruals and related financial statement disclosures.  The ultimate outcomes of legal proceedings could differ mat erially from amounts accrued in the financial statements.

10.   Variable Interest Entities (VIEs)

From time to time, the FCC conducts auctions through which additional spectrum is made available for the provision of wireless services.  Indirectly through its interests in Aquinas Wireless L.P. (“Aquinas Wireless”), King Street Wireless L.P. (“King Street Wireless”), Barat Wireless L.P. (“Barat Wireless”) and Carroll Wireless L.P. (“Carroll Wireless”), collectively, the “limited partnerships,”  U.S. Cellular participated in and was awarded spectrum licenses in each of four separate spectrum auctions (FCC Auctions 78, 73, 66, and 58).  Each limited partnership qualified as a “designated entity” and thereby was eligible for bidding credits with respect to licenses purchased in accordance with the rules defined by the FCC for each auction. In most cases, the bidding credits resulted in a 25% discount from the gross winning bid. 

Consolidated VIEs

As of September 30, 2010, U.S. Cellular consolidates the following VIEs under GAAP:

·Aquinas Wireless;

·King Street Wireless and King Street Wireless, Inc., the general partner of King Street Wireless;

·Barat Wireless and Barat Wireless, Inc., the general partner of Barat Wireless; and

·Carroll Wireless and Carroll PCS, Inc., the general partner of Carroll Wireless.

U.S. Cellular holds a variable interest in the entities listed above.  It has made capital contributions and/or advances to these entities.  The power to direct the activities of the VIEs that most significantly impact their economic performance is shared.  Specifically, the general partner of each of these VIEs has the exclusive right to manage, operate and control the limited partnerships and make all decisions to carry on the business of the partnerships; however, the general partner of each partnership needs consent of the limited partner, a U.S. Cellular subsidiary, to sell or lease certain licenses, to make certain large expenditures, admit other partners or liquidate the limited partnerships.  Although the power to direct the activities of the VIEs is shared, U.S. Cellular has a disproportionate level of exposure to the variability associated with the economic performance of the VI Es, indicating that U.S. Cellular is the primary beneficiary of the VIEs in accordance with GAAP.  Accordingly, these VIEs are consolidated.

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Following is a summary of the capital contributions and advances made to each entity by U.S. Cellular as of September 30, 2010.  The amounts shown in the table below exclude funds provided to these entities solely from the shareholder of the general partner.

(Dollars in thousands)
Aquinas Wireless	$	2,132
King Street Wireless &King Street Wireless, Inc.		300,904
Barat Wireless & Barat Wireless, Inc.		127,685
Carroll Wireless &Carroll PCS, Inc.		131,294
	$	562,015

The following table presents the classification of the consolidated VIEs’ assets and liabilities in U.S. Cellular’s Consolidated Balance Sheet.

		September 30,		December 31,
		2010		2009
(Dollars in thousands)
Assets
	Cash	$	994	$	679
	Other current assets		263		393
	Licenses		487,962		487,962
	Other assets		1,548		440
	Total assets	$	490,767	$	489,474
Liabilities
	Customer deposits and deferred revenues	$	76	$	70
	Total liabilities	$	76	$	70

Other Related Matters

U.S. Cellular may agree to make additional capital contributions and/or advances to the VIEs discussed above and/or to their general partners to provide additional funding for the development of licenses granted in the various auctions. U.S. Cellular may finance such amounts with a combination of cash on hand, borrowings under its revolving credit agreement and/or long-term debt. There is no assurance that U.S. Cellular will be able to obtain additional financing on commercially reasonable terms or at all to provide such financial support. 

These VIEs are in the process of developing long-term business and financing plans. These entities were formed to participate in FCC auctions of wireless spectrum and to fund, establish, and provide wireless service with respect to any FCC licenses won in the auctions. As such, these entities have risks similar to the business risks described in the “Risk Factors” in U.S. Cellular’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

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11. Common Share Repurchases

On November 17, 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.  These purchases will be made pursuant to open market purchases, block purchases, private purchases, or otherwise, depending on market prices and other conditions.  This authorization does not have an expiration date.

Common Share repurchases made under this authorization and prior authorizations were as follows:

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2010		2009
(Dollars and shares in thousands, except cost per share)
Number of shares		970		647
Average cost per share	$	41.79	$	37.53
Total cost	$	40,520	$	24,283

12. Noncontrolling Interests

Mandatorily Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests in Finite-Lived Subsidiaries

Under GAAP, certain noncontrolling interests in consolidated entities with finite lives may meet the definition of mandatorily redeemable financial instruments. U.S. Cellular’s consolidated financial statements include certain noncontrolling interests that meet the definition of mandatorily redeemable financial instruments.  These mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests represent interests held by third parties in consolidated partnerships and limited liability companies (“LLCs”), where the terms of the underlying partnership or LLC agreement provide for a defined termination date at which time the assets of the subsidiary are to be sold, the liabilities are to be extinguished and the remaining net proceeds are to be distributed to the noncontrolling interest holders and U.S. Cellular in accordance with the respective partnership and LLC agreements.  The termination dates of these mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests range from 2085 to 2107.

The settlement value of U.S. Cellular’s mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests in finite-lived subsidiaries was estimated to be $173.7 million at September 30, 2010.  This amount represents the estimate of cash that would be due and payable to settle these noncontrolling interests assuming an orderly liquidation of the finite-lived consolidated partnerships and LLCs on September 30, 2010, net of estimated liquidation costs.  This amount excludes redemption amounts recorded in Noncontrolling interests with redemption features in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.  U.S. Cellular currently has no plans or intentions relating to the liquidation of any of the related partnerships or LLCs prior to their scheduled termination dates.  The corresponding carrying value of the mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests in finite-lived consolidated partnerships and LLCs at September 3 0, 2010 was $56.1 million, and is included in Noncontrolling interests in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The excess of the aggregate settlement value over the aggregate carrying value of these mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests is primarily due to the unrecognized appreciation of the noncontrolling interest holders’ share of the underlying net assets in the consolidated partnerships and LLCs.  Neither the noncontrolling interest holders’ share, nor U.S. Cellular’s share, of the appreciation of the underlying net assets of these subsidiaries is reflected in the consolidated financial statements. The estimate of settlement value was based on certain factors and assumptions which are subjective in nature.  Changes in those factors and assumptions could result in a materially larger or smaller settlement amount.

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13. Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures

Following are supplemental cash flow disclosures regarding transactions related to stock-based compensation awards:

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2010			2009
(Dollars and shares in thousands)
Common Shares withheld (1)		269			34
Aggregate value of Common Shares withheld	$	11,597		$	1,245
Cash receipts upon exercise of stock options	$	2,621		$	1,126
Cash disbursements for payment of taxes (2)		(1,883	)		(1,245	)
Net cash receipts from exercise of stock options and vesting of other stock awards	$	738		$	(119	)

(1)Such shares were withheld to cover the exercise price of stock options, if applicable, and required tax withholdings.

(2)In certain situations, U.S. Cellular withholds shares that are issuable upon the exercise of stock options or the vesting of restricted shares to cover, and with a value equivalent to, the amount of taxes required to be withheld from the stock award holder at the time of the exercise or vesting.  U.S. Cellular then pays the amount of the required tax withholdings to the taxing authorities in cash.

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Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition

and Results of Operations

United States Cellular Corporation (“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”) as of September 30, 2010.

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with U.S. Cellular’s interim consolidated financial statements and notes included in Item 1 above, and with the description of U.S. Cellular’s business, its audited consolidated financial statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in U.S. Cellular’s Current Report on Form 8-K (Items 8.01 and 9.01) filed with the SEC on August 5, 2010, which should be read in conjunction with the U.S. Cellular Annual Report on Form 10-K (“Form 10-K”) for the year ended December 31, 2009.

OVERVIEW

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

U.S. Cellular provides wireless telecommunications services to approximately 6.1 million customers in five geographic market areas in 26 states. As of September 30, 2010, U.S. Cellular’s average penetration rate in its consolidated operating markets was 13.1%. U.S. Cellular operates on a customer satisfaction strategy, striving to meet or exceed customer needs by providing a comprehensive range of wireless products and services, excellent customer support, and a high-quality network. U.S. Cellular’s business development strategy is to acquire and operate controlling interests in wireless licenses in areas adjacent to or in proximity to its other wireless licenses, thereby building contiguous operating market areas. U.S. Cellular believes that operating in contiguous market areas will continue to provide it with certain economies in its capital and operating costs.

Financial and operating highlights in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 included the following:

·Total customers were 6,103,000 at September 30, 2010, including 5,750,000 retail customers.

·Retail customer net additions were 6,000 in 2010 compared to a net loss of 2,000 in 2009.  In the postpaid category, there was a net loss of 56,000 in 2010 compared to net additions of 36,000 in 2009.  Prepaid net additions were 62,000 in 2010 compared to a net loss of 38,000 in 2009.

·Postpaid customers comprised approximately 94% of U.S. Cellular’s retail customers as of September 30, 2010. The postpaid churn rate improved to 1.5% in 2010 compared to 1.6% in 2009.

·Service revenues of $2,921.1 million decreased $20.6 million (1%) year-over-year, primarily due to decreases in retail service revenues ($16.7 million) and inbound roaming revenues ($5.3 million). Retail service revenues decreased due to a decline in voice revenues which was partially offset by continued growth in data revenues. Data revenues grew 31% year-over-year to $645.4 million.

·Cash flows from operating activities were $584.0 million. At September 30, 2010, Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled $390.1 million and there were no outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility.

·Additions to property, plant and equipment totaled $379.7 million, including expenditures to construct cell sites, increase capacity in existing cell sites and switches, expand mobile broadband services based on third generation Evolution Data Optimized technology (“3G”) to additional markets, outfit new and remodel existing retail stores, develop new billing and other customer management related systems and platforms, and enhance existing office systems. Total cell sites in service increased 5% year-over-year to 7,524.

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·U.S. Cellular continued its efforts on a number of multi-year initiatives including the development of a Billing and Operational Support System (“B/OSS”) with a new point-of-sale system to consolidate billing on one platform; an Electronic Data Warehouse/Customer Relationship Management System to collect and analyze information more efficiently to build and improve customer relationships; and a new Internet/Web platform to enable customers to complete a wide range of transactions and to manage their accounts online. In August 2010, U.S. Cellular entered into agreements with Amdocs Software Systems Limited to develop a B/OSS as described in Note 9 — Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

·Operating income decreased $115.8 million, or 37%, to $201.0 million in 2010 from $316.8 million in 2009. Factors in the decrease were lower service revenues as discussed above, together with higher costs of serving and retaining customers in an increasingly competitive industry and costs of investments in multi-year initiatives.

·Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders decreased $74.7 million, or 37%, to $125.5 million in 2010 compared to $200.2 million in 2009, primarily due to lower operating income. Basic earnings per share was $1.45 in 2010, which was $0.85 lower than in 2009, and Diluted earnings per share was $1.45, which was $0.84 lower than in 2009.

U.S. Cellular anticipates that its future results will be affected by the following factors:

-Continued uncertainty related to current economic conditions and their impact on customer purchasing and payment behaviors;

-Relative ability to attract and retain customers in a competitive marketplace in a cost effective manner;

-Increased competition in the wireless industry, including potential reductions in pricing for products and services overall and impacts associated with the expanding presence of carriers offering low-priced, unlimited prepaid service;

-Potential increases in prepaid customers as a percentage of U.S. Cellular’s customer base in response to changes in customer preferences and industry dynamics;

-Increasing penetration in the wireless industry, requiring U.S. Cellular to grow revenues primarily from selling additional products and services to its existing customers, increasing the number of multi-device users among its existing customers, increasing data products and services and attracting wireless customers switching from other wireless carriers rather than by adding customers that are new to wireless service;

-Continued growth in revenues from data products and services and lower growth or declines in revenues from voice services;

-Effects of recent industry consolidation, such as Verizon’s acquisition of Alltel and possible further industry consolidation, on roaming revenues, service pricing and equipment pricing; 

-Costs of developing and enhancing office and customer support systems, including costs and risks associated with the completion and potential benefits of the multi-year initiatives described above;

-Continued enhancements to U.S. Cellular’s wireless networks;

-Uncertainty related to the National Broadband Plan and other rulemaking by the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”), including uncertainty relating to future eligible telecommunication carrier (“ETC”) funding from the universal service fund (“USF”); and

-On October 1, 2010, U.S. Cellular launched The Belief Project which introduced several innovative service offerings including no contract after the first; simplified national rate plans; a loyalty rewards program; overage protection, caps and forgiveness; a phone replacement program; and discounts for paperless billing and automatic payment. The Belief Project is intended to accelerate growth and have a positive impact on long-term profitability by increasing postpaid gross additions with a goal of at least 10 percent over the next several years and by contributing to incremental growth in average revenue per customer and improvement of U.S. Cellular’s already low postpaid churn rate.

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Cash Flows and Investments

U.S. Cellular believes that cash on hand, expected future cash flows from operating activities and sources of external financing provide substantial liquidity and financial flexibility and are sufficient to permit U.S. Cellular to finance its contractual obligations and anticipated capital expenditures for the foreseeable future. U.S. Cellular continues to seek to maintain a strong balance sheet and an investment grade credit rating.

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

Recent Developments

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

Congress enacted the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, or the Recovery Act, which provides, among other things, for an aggregate appropriation of $7.2 billion to fund grants and loans to provide broadband infrastructure, access and equipment to consumers residing in rural, unserved or underserved areas of the United States. U.S. Cellular has not received any grants of Recovery Act funds. The distribution of Recovery Act funds to other telecommunications service providers could impact competition in certain of U.S. Cellular’s service areas.

National Broadband Plan and Related Matters

In 2009, Congress directed the FCC to develop a National Broadband Plan to ensure every American has “access to broadband capability.”  In March 2010, the FCC released theplanwhich describes the FCC’s goals in enhancing broadband availability and the methods for achieving those goals over the next decade.

The FCC notes that about one-half of the plan will be addressed by the FCC, while the remainder will be addressed by Congress, the Executive Branch and state and local governments working closely with private and non-profit sectors.  U.S. Cellular cannot predict the outcome of these deliberations or what effects any final rules, regulations or laws may have on its ability to compete in the provision of wireless broadband services to its customer base. Changes in regulation or the amount or distribution of funds to U.S. Cellular and other telecommunications service providers could impact competition in certain of U.S. Cellular’s service areas, and could have a material adverse effect on U.S. Cellular’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

Net Neutrality

As disclosed in U.S. Cellular’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, the FCC initiated a rulemaking proceeding in 2009 designed to codify its existing “Net Neutrality” principles and impose new requirements that could have the effect of restricting the ability of wireless Internet service providers to manage applications and content that traverse their networks. These principles, which the FCC initially announced in 2005, espoused the right of consumers to access lawful Internet content, to run applications and use services of their choice.  In 2008, the FCC ruled that Comcast had violated these principles by moderating the amount of bandwidth used by certain peer-to-peer services and ordered Comcast to discontinue this practice. Comcast challenged this order and, on April 6, 2010, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuitruled that the FCC had exceeded its authority under the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, when it sought to regulate Comcast’s network management practices for its high-speed Internet access service. In 2010, the FCC sought and received comments on its Net Neutrality proposals and concerning the impact of the Comcast case on those proposals.  It is currently evaluating those comments.  Accordingly, the status of the FCC’s network neutrality proceeding is uncertain at this time and, as a result, there may be further proceedings or legislation relating to the FCC’s authority to regulate the Internet. U.S. Cellular cannot predict the ultimate outcome of this matter or the effect it will have on its wireless broadband services.

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2010 Estimates

U.S. Cellular’s current estimates of full-year 2010 results are shown below. Such estimates represent U.S. Cellular’s views as of the date of filing of U.S. Cellular’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (“Form 10-Q”) for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2010. Such forward‑looking statements should not be assumed to be accurate as of any future date. U.S. Cellular undertakes no duty to update such information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. There can be no assurance that final results will not differ materially from such estimated results.

	Current Estimates	Previous Estimates (1)
Service revenues	$3,925-$3,975 million	$3,925-$4,000 million
Adjusted OIBDA (2)	$800-$850 million	Unchanged
Operating income (3)	$200-$250 million	Unchanged
Depreciation, amortization and accretion expenses, and losses ondisposals and impairment of assets (3)	Approx. $600 million	Unchanged
Capital expenditures	Approx. $600 million	Unchanged

(1)    Guidance as disclosed in U.S. Cellular’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2010.

(2)    Adjusted OIBDA is defined as operating income excluding the effects of: depreciation, amortization and accretion (OIBDA); the net gain or loss on asset disposals (if any); and the loss on impairment of assets (if any). This measure also may be commonly referred to by management as operating cash flow. This measure should not be confused with Cash flows from operating activities, which is a component of the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

(3)    The 2010 Estimated Results include estimates for Depreciation, amortization and accretion expenses and losses on disposals of assets, but do not include an estimate for losses on impairment of assets since these cannot be predicted.

U.S. Cellular management currently believes that the foregoing estimates represent a reasonable view of what is achievable considering actions that U.S. Cellular has taken and will be taking. However, the current general economic conditions have created a challenging business environment that could continue to significantly impact actual results. U.S. Cellular expects to continue its focus on customer satisfaction by delivering a high quality network, attractively priced service plans, a broad line of handsets and other products, and outstanding customer service in its company-owned and agent retail stores and customer care centers. U.S. Cellular believes that future growth in its revenues will result primarily from selling additional products and services, including data products and services, to its existing customers, increasing the numbe r of multi‑device users among its existing customers and attracting wireless users switching from other wireless carriers, rather than by adding users that are new to wireless service. U.S. Cellular is focusing on opportunities to increase revenues, pursuing cost reduction initiatives in various areas and implementing a number of initiatives to enable future growth, including The Belief Project described above. The initiatives are intended, among other things, to allow U.S. Cellular to accelerate its introduction of new products and services, better segment its customers for new services and retention, sell additional services such as data, expand its Internet sales and customer service capabilities, improve its prepaid products and services and reduce operational expenses over the long term. The 2010 benefits and expenses associated with The Belief Project were incorporated into U.S. Cellular’s 2010 financial guidance from the beginning of the year.

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       RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

Following is a table of summarized operating data for U.S. Cellular’s consolidated operations.

As of September 30, (1)	2010			2009
Total market population of consolidated operating markets (2)		46,546,000			46,306,000
Customers (3)		6,103,000			6,131,000
Market penetration (2)		13.1	%		13.2	%
Total full-time equivalent employees		8,846			8,735
Cell sites in service		7,524			7,161
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, (4)	2010			2009
Net retail customer additions (5)		6,000			(2,000	)
Net customer additions (5)		(38,000	)		(65,000	)
Average monthly service revenue per customer (6)	$	52.90		$	52.83
Postpaid churn rate (7)		1.5	%		1.6	%

(1)    Amounts include results for U.S. Cellular’s consolidated operating markets as of September 30.

(2)    Calculated using 2009 and 2008 Claritas population estimates for 2010 and 2009, respectively. “Total market population of consolidated operating markets” is used only for the purposes of calculating market penetration of consolidated operating markets, which is calculated by dividing customers by the total market population (without duplication of population in overlapping markets). The total market population and penetration measures for consolidated operating markets apply to markets in which U.S. Cellular provides wireless service to customers. For comparison purposes, total market population and penetration related to all consolidated market s in which U.S. Cellular owns an interest were 90,468,000 and 6.75%, and 85,118,000 and 7.20%, as of September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

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

	September 30,
	2010	2009
Customers on postpaid service plans in which the end user is acustomer of U.S. Cellular (“postpaid customers”)	5,426,000	5,456,000
Customers on prepaid service plans in which the end user is acustomer of U.S. Cellular (“prepaid customers”)	324,000	249,000
Total retail customers	5,750,000	5,705,000
End user customers acquired through U.S. Cellular’s agreements with third parties (“reseller customers”)	353,000	426,000
Total customers	6,103,000	6,131,000

(4)    Amounts include results for U.S. Cellular’s consolidated operating markets for the period January 1 through September 30; operating markets acquired during a particular period are included as of the acquisition date.

(5)    “Net retail customer additions” represents the number of net customers added to U.S. Cellular’s retail customer base through its marketing distribution channels; this measure excludes activity related to reseller customers and customers transferred through acquisitions, divestitures or exchanges.  “Net customer additions” represents the number of net customers added to U.S. Cellular’s overall customer base through its marketing distribution channels; this measure includes activity related to reseller customers but excludes activity related to customers transferred through acquisitions, divestitures or exchanges.

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

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	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2010		2009
Service revenues per Consolidated Statement of Operations (000s)	$	2,921,087	$	2,941,720
Divided by average customers during period (000s)*		6,135		6,187
Divided by number of months in each period		9		9
Average monthly service revenue per customer	$	52.90	$	52.83

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

(7)   Postpaid churn rate represents the percentage of the postpaid customer base that disconnects service each month.

          Components of Operating Income

Nine Months Ended September 30,		2010		2009		Change			Percentage Change
(Dollars in thousands)
Retail service		$	2,594,641	$	2,611,342	$	(16,701	)	(1	)%
Inbound roaming			185,745		191,047		(5,302	)	(3	)%
Other			140,701		139,331		1,370		1	%
	Service revenues		2,921,087		2,941,720		(20,633	)	(1	)%
Equipment sales			193,444		212,062		(18,618	)	(9	)%
	Total operating revenues		3,114,531		3,153,782		(39,251	)	(1	)%
System operations (excluding Depreciation,amortization and accretion reported below)			638,677		600,308		38,369		6	%
Cost of equipment sold			512,361		531,110		(18,749	)	(4	)%
Selling, general and administrative			1,321,720		1,274,261		47,459		4	%
Depreciation, amortization and accretion			432,405		422,707		9,698		2	%
Loss on asset disposals, net			8,407		8,641		(234	)	(3	)%
	Total operating expenses		2,913,570		2,837,027		76,543		3	%
	Operating income	$	200,961	$	316,755	$	(115,794	)	(37	)%

Operating Revenues

Service revenues

Service revenues consist primarily of: (i) charges for access, airtime, roaming, recovery of regulatory costs and value‑added services, including data products and services and long distance, provided to U.S. Cellular’s retail customers and to end users through third‑party resellers (“retail service”); (ii) charges to other wireless carriers whose customers use U.S. Cellular’s wireless systems when roaming, including long-distance roaming (“inbound roaming”); and (iii) amounts received from the USF.

Retail service revenues

The decrease in Retail service revenues in 2010 was primarily due to a significant reduction in revenues from voice services.

·The average number of customers decreased to 6,135,000 in 2010 from 6,187,000 in 2009.

·Average monthly retail service revenue per customer increased slightly to $46.99 in 2010 from $46.90 in 2009. The net increase resulted from growth in revenues from data products and services and revenues related to regulatory cost recovery, which together offset a decline in revenues from voice services.  The increase in average monthly retail service revenue per customer also reflects the impact of a reduction in the number of lower revenue reseller customers.

Revenues from voice services declined year-over-year primarily due to a reduction in average voice revenue per customer.  The reduction in average voice revenue per customer reflects industry competition which has resulted in lower pricing overall as well as growth in family plans and service plans with enhanced coverage areas and value (such as free incoming calls, free mobile-to-mobile and unlimited minutes). U.S. Cellular expects continued pressure on revenues from voice services in the foreseeable future due to industry competition related to service plan offerings. 

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Revenues from data products and services totaled $645.4 million in 2010 and $493.2 million in 2009, and represented 22% of service revenues in 2010 compared to 17% of service revenues in 2009. Such growth, which positively impacted average monthly retail service revenue per customer, reflected customers’ continued and increasing usage of U.S. Cellular’s text, picture, and video messaging services,easyedge^SM service and applications, premium mobile Internet services, smartphone handsets and services, and modems.  In March 2010, U.S. Cellular launched new data offerings for its prepaid customers, which included picture and video messaging, ringtones, email services, andeasyedge^SM service and applications. U.S. Cellular expects that the growth in revenues from data products and services will continue as customers increasingly purchase premium and smartphone devices along with data plans and applications and utilize U.S. Cellular’s 3G network. U.S. Cellular’s 3G network covered approximately 98% of its customers as of September 30, 2010. Effective for the fourth quarter of 2010, U.S. Cellular will no longer separately disclose revenues from data products and services as the determination of such revenues is increasingly dependent on allocations of bundled service prices to multiple bundled elements.

Revenues related to regulatory cost recovery increased due to an increase in the USF contribution rates established by the FCC (most of the USF contribution revenues for amounts passed through to customers are offset by expenses as discussed below).

On October 1, 2010, U.S. Cellular launched The Belief Project, as discussed in the Overview section above. In connection with such launch, U.S. Cellular elected to early adopt the provisions of Accounting Standards Update No. 2009-13,Multiple Deliverable Revenue Arrangements—a consensus of FASB Emerging Issues Task Force (“ASU 2009-13”), as discussed in Note 3 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. In accordance with ASU 2009-13, U.S. Cellular will be required to defer the recognition of revenue related to amounts billed to customers that are attributed to loyalty rewards points until such points are redeemed or expire; thus, ASU 2009-13 will impact the timing of recognition of revenue attributable to loyalty reward points beginning in the fourth quarter of 2010. Generally, the impact of this deferral is not expected to be significant to total Retail service revenues in 2010 or 2011.

Inbound roaming revenues

The decrease in Inbound roaming revenues in 2010 was primarily due to a decline in roaming revenues from the combined entity of Verizon Wireless (“Verizon”) and Alltel Corporation (“Alltel”). In January 2009, Verizon acquired Alltel. As a result of this transaction, the network footprints of Verizon and Alltel were combined. This has resulted in a decrease in inbound roaming revenues for U.S. Cellular, since the combined Verizon and Alltel entity has reduced its usage of U.S. Cellular’s network in certain coverage areas that were used by Verizon and Alltel as separate entities. U.S. Cellular anticipates that inbound roaming revenues for the full year 2010 will be flat to slightly higher than the prior year due to the positive impact of increasing minutes of use and increasing data usage from U.S. Cellular’s roaming partners, partially offset by the negat ive impact of decreasing rates per minute or kilobyte of use.

Equipment sales revenues

Equipment sales revenues include revenues from sales of handsets and related accessories to both new and existing customers, as well as revenues from sales of handsets and accessories to agents. All equipment sales revenues are recorded net of anticipated rebates.

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

The decrease in 2010 equipment sales revenues was driven by declines of 6% in average revenue per handset sold and 5% in total handsets sold. Average revenue per handset sold declined due to aggressive promotional pricing across all categories of handsets.

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Operating Expenses

System operations expenses (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion)

System operations expenses (excluding Depreciation, amortization, and accretion) include charges from wireline telecommunications service providers for U.S. Cellular’s customers’ use of their facilities, costs related to local interconnection to the wireline network, charges for maintenance of U.S. Cellular’s network, long-distance charges, outbound roaming expenses and payments to third‑party data product and platform developers.

Key components of the overall increase in System operations expenses were as follows:

·Maintenance, utility and cell site expenses increased $20.2 million, or 8%, driven primarily by an increase in the number of cell sites within U.S. Cellular’s network. The number of cell sites totaled 7,524 at September 30, 2010 and 7,161 at September 30, 2009, as U.S. Cellular continued to grow by expanding and enhancing coverage in its existing markets.

·Customer usage expenses increased $17.9 million, or 9%, primarily due to an increase in data usage. 

U.S. Cellular expects total System operations expenses to increase on a year-over-year basis in the foreseeable future, driven by the continued growth in cell sites and data usage.

Cost of equipment sold

Cost of equipment sold decreased in 2010 primarily due to a 5% decline in total handsets sold partially offset by a slight increase in the average cost per handset.

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses include salaries, commissions and expenses of field sales and retail personnel and facilities; telesales department salaries and expenses; agent commissions and related expenses; corporate marketing and merchandise management; and advertising expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses also include bad debts expense, costs of operating customer care centers and corporate expenses.

Key components of the net increase in Selling, general and administrative expenses in 2010 were as follows:

·Selling and marketing expenses increased by$3.3 million primarily due to higher sales related expenses, partially offset by lower advertising expense and lower commissions expense reflecting fewer eligible customer additions.

·General and administrative expenses increased$44.2million due to higher USF contributions (most of the USF contribution expenses are offset by revenues for amounts passed through to customers as discussed above); higher costs related to marketing initiatives and investments in multi-year initiatives for business support systems as described in the Overview section, and general employee related expenses. These increases were partially offset by a reduction in b ad debts expense.

U.S. Cellular expects Selling, general and administrative expenses to increase on a year-over-year basis in the foreseeable future driven primarily by increases in expenses associated with acquiring, serving and retaining customers, as well as costs related to its multi-year initiatives.

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

Depreciation, amortization and accretion increased primarily due to an increase in the gross property, plant and equipment balances from 2009 to 2010.

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

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Components of Other Income (Expense)

Nine Months Ended September 30,	2010			2009			Change			Percentage Change
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Operating income	$	200,961		$	316,755		$	(115,794	)	(37	)%
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities		74,418			73,247			1,171		2	%
Interest and dividend income		2,984			2,648			336		13	%
Interest expense		(48,918	)		(59,065	)		10,147		17	%
Other, net		(213	)		1,183			(1,396	)	>(100	)%
Total investment and other income (expense)		28,271			18,013			10,258		57	%
Income before income taxes		229,232			334,768			(105,536	)	(32	)%
Income tax expense		86,894			117,026			(30,132	)	(26	)%
Net income		142,338			217,742			(75,404	)	(35	)%
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax		(16,858	)		(17,583	)		725		4	%
Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	$	125,480		$	200,159		$	(74,679	)	(37	)%
Basic earnings per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	$	1.45		$	2.30		$	(0.85	)	(37	)%
Diluted earnings per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	$	1.45		$	2.29		$	(0.84	)	(37	)%

        Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities represents U.S. Cellular’s share of net income from the entities in which it has an interest and follows the equity method of accounting. U.S. Cellular generally follows the equity method of accounting for unconsolidated entities in which its ownership interest is less than or equal to 50% but equals or exceeds 20% for corporations and 3% for partnerships and limited liability companies.

U.S. Cellular’s investment in the LA Partnership contributed $49.5 million to Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities in 2010 and 2009.

Interest expense

Interest expense decreased year-over-year due to the redemption of U.S. Cellular’s $130.0 million, 8.75% senior notes in December 2009.

Income tax expense

See Note 5 — 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.

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Three Months Ended September 30, 2010 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2009

Components of Operating Income

Three Months Ended September 30,		2010		2009		Change			Percentage Change
(Dollars in thousands)
Retail service		$	865,766	$	864,862	$	904		—
Inbound roaming			72,901		68,767		4,134		6	%
Other			44,836		50,289		(5,453	)	(11	)%
	Service revenues		983,503		983,918		(415	)	—
Equipment sales			77,278		73,377		3,901		5	%
	Total operating revenues		1,060,781		1,057,295		3,486		—
System operations (excluding Depreciation,amortization and accretion reported below)			218,021		205,611		12,410		6	%
Cost of equipment sold			189,291		189,354		(63	)	—
Selling, general and administrative			446,938		454,645		(7,707	)	(2	)%
Depreciation, amortization and accretion			144,717		146,052		(1,335	)	(1	)%
Loss on asset disposals, net			1,981		2,085		(104	)	(5	)%
	Total operating expenses		1,000,948		997,747		3,201		—
	Operating income	$	59,833	$	59,548	$	285		—

Operating Revenues

Retail service revenues

Retail service revenues were essentially flat in 2010 compared to 2009 as an increase in revenues from data products and services offset a decline in revenues from voice services.

·The average number of customers decreased to 6,124,000 in 2010 from 6,138,000 in 2009.

·Average monthly retail service revenue per customer increased less than 1% to $47.12 in 2010 compared to $46.97 in 2009. The net increase resulted primarily from growth in revenues from data products and services and revenues related to regulatory cost recovery, which together offset a decline in revenues from voice services. The increase in average monthly retail service revenue per customer also reflects the impact of a reduction in the number of lower revenue reseller customers.

Revenues from voice services declined year-over-year primarily due to a reduction in average voice revenue per customer.  The reduction in average voice revenue per customer reflects industry competition which has resulted in lower pricing overall as well as growth in family plans and service plans with enhanced coverage areas and value (such as free incoming calls, free mobile-to-mobile and unlimited minutes).    

Revenues from data products and services totaled $228.9 million in 2010 and $174.3 million in 2009, and represented 23% of total service revenues in 2010 compared to 18% of total service revenues in 2009. Such growth, which positively impacted average monthly retail service revenue per customer, reflected customers’ continued and increasing usage of U.S. Cellular’s text, picture, and video messaging services,easyedge^SM service and applications, premium mobile Internet services, smartphone handsets and services, and modems.

Revenues related to regulatory cost recovery increased due to an increase in the USF contribution rates established by the FCC.

Inbound roaming revenues

The increase in Inbound roaming revenues in 2010 was primarily due to an increase in data roaming.

Other revenues

In August 2010, the Universal Service Administrative Company received orders from the FCC to modify the interim cap imposed in August 2008 on high-cost USF support. The adjusted interim cap reduced U.S. Cellular’s ETC revenues for the period from August 2008 through August 2010 on a retroactive basis by $5.4 million. This reduction to ETC revenues was recorded in the quarter ended September 30, 2010.

Equipment sales revenues

The increase in 2010 Equipment sales revenues was driven by an increase in average revenue per handset sold of 12% due to a shift in mix of handsets purchased by customers to handsets with expanded capabilities, such as smartphones. This was partially offset by a 7% decline in the total number of handsets sold.

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Operating Expenses

System operations expenses (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion)

Key components of the overall increase in System operations expenses were as follows:

·Maintenance, utility and cell site expenses increased $6.1 million, or 7%, driven primarily by an increase in the number of cell sites within U.S. Cellular’s network.

·Customer usage expenses on U.S. Cellular’s systems increased $7.5 million, or 11%, primarily due to an increase in data usage.

Cost of equipment sold

Cost of equipment sold remained essentially flat in 2010 compared to 2009 due to a decrease of 7% in total handsets sold, partially offset by a shift in the mix of handsets purchased by customers to handsets with expanded capabilities, such as smartphones, which resulted in an increase of 4% in average cost per handset sold.

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Key components of the net decrease in Selling, general and administrative expenses were as follows:

·Selling and marketing expenses increased by$3.2 millionprimarily due to higher sales related expenses,an increase in advertising expense, and partially offset by lower commissions expense reflecting fewer eligible customer additions.

·General and administrative expenses decreased$10.9 milliondue toa decrease in bad debts expense and lower employee related expenses. Partially offsetting these decreases werehigher costs related to investments in marketing initiatives and multi-year initiatives for business support systems as described in the Overview sectionand higher USF contributions (most of the USF contribution expenses are offset by revenues for amounts passed through to customers as discussed above).

Components of Other Income (Expense)

Three Months Ended September 30,	2010			2009			Change			Percentage Change
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Operating income	$	59,833		$	59,548		$	285		—
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities		23,971			23,126			845		4	%
Interest and dividend income		1,101			1,420			(319	)	(22	)%
Interest expense		(15,956	)		(19,782	)		3,826		19	%
Other, net		(620	)		905			(1,525	)	>(100	)%
Total investment and other income (expense)		8,496			5,669			2,827		50	%
Income before income taxes		68,329			65,217			3,112		5	%
Income tax expense		25,051			25,279			(228	)	(1	)%
Net income		43,278			39,938			3,340		8	%
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax		(5,920	)		(5,606	)		(314	)	(6	)%
Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	$	37,358		$	34,332		$	3,026		9	%
Basic earnings per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	$	0.43		$	0.40		$	0.03		8	%
Diluted earnings per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	$	0.43		$	0.39		$	0.04		10	%

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Equity in earnings from unconsolidated entities

U.S. Cellular’s investment in the LA Partnership contributed $16.1 million and $15.5 million to Equity in earnings from unconsolidated entities in 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Interest expense

Interest expense decreased year-over-year due to the redemption of U.S. Cellular’s $130.0 million, 8.75% senior notes in December 2009.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Recent accounting pronouncements are not expected to have a significant effect on U.S. Cellular’s financial condition or results of operations except as described in Note 3 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

FINANCIAL RESOURCES

U.S. Cellular operates a capital‑ and marketing‑intensive business. U.S. Cellular utilizes cash from its operating activities, cash proceeds from divestitures, short-term credit facilities and long-term debt financing to fund its acquisitions (including licenses), construction costs, operating expenses and Common Share repurchases. Cash flows may fluctuate from quarter to quarter and year to year due to seasonality, the timing of acquisitions, capital expenditures and other factors. The table below and the following discussion in this Financial Resources section summarize U.S. Cellular’s cash flow activities in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009. 

		2010			2009
(Dollars in thousands)
Cash flows from (used in):
	Operating activities	$	584,013		$	637,694
	Investing activities		(554,457	)		(368,890	)
	Financing activities		(54,675	)		(34,906	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		$	(25,119	)	$	233,898

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

The following table presents Adjusted OIBDA and is included for purposes of analyzing operating activities. U.S. Cellular believes this measure provides useful information to investors regarding U.S. Cellular’s financial condition and results of operations because it highlights certain key cash and non-cash items and their impacts on cash flows from operating activities:

		2010		2009
(Dollars in thousands)
Operating income		$	200,961	$	316,755
Non-cash items
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion		432,405		422,707
	Loss on asset disposals, net		8,407		8,641
Adjusted OIBDA (1) (2)		$	641,773	$	748,103

(1)Adjusted OIBDA is defined as operating income excluding the effects of: depreciation, amortization and accretion (OIBDA); the net gain or loss on asset disposals (if any); and the loss on impairment of assets (if any). This measure also may be commonly referred to by management as operating cash flow. This measure should not be confused with Cash flows from operating activities, which is a component of the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

(2)Adjusted OIBDA excludes the net gain or loss on asset disposals and loss on impairment of assets (if any), in order to show operating results on a more comparable basis from period to period.  U.S. Cellular does not intend to imply that any of such amounts that are excluded are non-recurring, infrequent or unusual and, accordingly, they may be incurred in the future.  

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Cash flows from operating activities in 2010 were $584.0 million, a decrease of $53.7 million from 2009.  Significant changes included the following:

·Adjusted OIBDA, as shown in the table above, decreased by $106.3 million primarily due to a decrease in operating income.  See discussion in the “Results of Operations” for factors that affected operating income.

·In 2009, a $34.0 million deposit related to a pending income tax audit was paid to TDS for U.S. Cellular’s proportionate share of a deposit TDS made to the Internal Revenue Service to eliminate any potential interest expense subsequent to the deposit.  The deposit was recorded as a cash outflow in Change in other assets and liabilities in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows in 2009.

·Income tax payments, net of refunds increased by $43.0 million to $68.4 million in 2010 from $25.4 million in 2009.  This increase primarily relates to tax payments made in 2010 related to the 2009 tax year and increased tax payments made before the bonus depreciation deduction for 2010 was enacted in September 2010.  U.S. Cellular expects the enactment of bonus depreciation in September 2010 to reduce current income tax expense for the year ending December 31, 2010 and income taxes payable attributable to such year by approximately $82 million.  The impact of the enactment of bonus depreciation in September 2010 decreased Accrued taxes (resulting in Prepaid income taxes) and increased Net d eferred income tax liability (noncurrent) by $62 million at September 30, 2010.

·Changes in accounts receivable required $46.3 million and $106.4 million in 2010 and 2009, respectively, causing a year-over-year increase in cash flows of $60.1 million.  Changes in inventory provided $32.7 million in 2010 and required $4.5 million in 2009, resulting in a $37.2 million increase in cash flows.  Accounts receivable and inventory balances can fluctuate significantly based on the timing of promotions.

·Changes in accounts payable required $59.2 million and $14.4 million in 2010 and 2009, respectively, causing a year-over-year decrease in cash flows of $44.7 million. Changes in accounts payable were primarily driven by payment timing differences.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

U.S. Cellular makes substantial investments to construct and upgrade modern high quality wireless communications networks and facilities as a basis for creating long-term value for shareholders. In recent years, rapid changes in technology and new opportunities have required substantial investments in potentially revenue‑enhancing and cost-reducing upgrades of U.S. Cellular’s networks. Cash flows used for investing activities also represent cash required for the acquisition of wireless properties or licenses. Proceeds from exchanges and divestiture transactions have provided funds in recent years which have partially offset the cash requirements for investing activities; however, such sources cannot be relied upon to provide continuing or regular sources of financing.

The primary purpose of U.S. Cellular’s construction and expansion expenditures is to provide for customer and usage growth, to upgrade service and to take advantage of service‑enhancing and cost-reducing technological developments in order to maintain competitive services.

Cash used for property, plant and equipment and system development expenditures totaled $379.7 million in 2010 and $357.8 million in 2009.  These expenditures were made to construct new cell sites, increase capacity in existing cell sites and switches, upgrade technology including the overlay of 3G technology in certain markets, develop new and enhance existing office systems, and construct new and remodel existing retail stores.

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Cash payments for acquisitions in 2010 and 2009 were as follows:

	2010		2009
(Dollars in thousands)
U.S. Cellular licenses	$	10,501	$	12,250
Other		—		277
Total	$	10,501	$	12,527

In 2010, U.S. Cellular invested $190.3 million in U.S. treasuries and corporate notes with maturities of greater than three months from the acquisition date. U.S. Cellular also realized proceeds of $25.3 million in 2010 related to the maturities of its investments in U.S. treasuries and corporate notes.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

In 2010 and 2009, U.S. Cellular repurchased Common Shares at an aggregate cost of $40.5 million and $24.3 million, respectively.  See Note 11 — Common Share Repurchases in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to these transactions.

Free Cash Flow

The following table presents Free cash flow.  U.S. Cellular believes that Free cash flow as reported by U.S. Cellular may be useful to investors and other users of its financial information in evaluating the amount of cash generated by business operations, after capital expenditures.

		2010			2009
(Dollars in thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities	$	584,013		$	637,694
Capital expenditures		(379,692	)		(357,770	)
Free cash flow (1)	$	204,321		$	279,924

(1)Free cash flow is defined as Cash flows from operating activities less Capital expenditures. Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure. 

See Cash flows from Operating Activities and Cash flows from Investing Activities for details on the changes to the components of Free cash flow.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

At September 30, 2010, U.S. Cellular had Cash and cash equivalents, Short-term investments and Long-term investments totaling $436.2million, as discussed in more detail below.  U.S. Cellular believes that existing cash and investments balances, expected cash flows from operating activities and funds available under its revolving credit facility provide substantial liquidity and financial flexibility for U.S. Cellular to meet its normal financing needs (including working capital, construction and development expenditures, and share repurchases under its approved program) for the foreseeable future. In addition, U.S. Cellular may have access to public and private capital markets to help meet its financing needs. 

Consumer spending significantly impacts U.S. Cellular’s operations and performance. Factors that influence levels of consumer spending include: unemployment rates, increases in fuel and other energy costs, conditions in residential real estate and mortgage markets, labor and health care costs, access to credit, consumer confidence and other macroeconomic factors. Changes in these and other economic factors could have a material adverse effect on demand for U.S. Cellular’s products and services and on U.S. Cellular’s financial condition and results of operations.

        U.S. Cellular cannot provide assurances that circumstances that could have a material adverse effect on its liquidity or capital resources will not occur. Economic conditions, changes in financial markets or other factors could restrict U.S. Cellular’s liquidity and availability of financing on terms and prices acceptable to U.S. Cellular, which could require U.S. Cellular to reduce its construction, development, acquisition or share repurchase programs. Such reductions could have a material adverse effect on U.S. Cellular’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

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Cash and Cash Equivalents

At September 30, 2010, U.S. Cellular had $269.3 million in cash and cash equivalents, which included cash and short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. The primary objective of U.S. Cellular’s cash and cash equivalents investment activities is to preserve principal.  At September 30, 2010, the majority of U.S. Cellular’s cash and cash equivalents was held in money market funds that invest exclusively in U.S. Treasury securities with original maturities of less than three months or in repurchase agreements fully collateralized by such obligations.  U.S. Cellular monitors the financial viability of the money market funds and direct investments in which it invests and believes that the credit risk associated with these investments is low.

Short-term and Long-term Investments

At September 30, 2010, U.S. Cellular had $120.8 million in Short-term investments and $46.2 million in Long-term investments. Short-term and Long-term investments consist of Certificates of deposit (Short-term only), U.S. treasuries and corporate notes, all of which are designated as held-to-maturity investments, and are recorded at amortized cost in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.  The corporate notes are guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.  For these investments, U.S. Cellular’s objective is to earn a higher rate of return on cash balances that are not anticipated to be required to meet liquidity needs in the foreseeable future, while maintaining a low level of investment risk.  See Note 4 — Fair Value Measurements in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details on Short-term and Long-term investments.

Revolving Credit Facility

U.S. Cellular has a $300 million revolving credit facility available for general corporate purposes.  At September 30, 2010, there were no outstanding borrowings and $0.2 million of outstanding letters of credit, leaving $299.8 million available for use.  In connection with U.S. Cellular’s revolving credit facility, TDS and U.S. Cellular entered into a subordination agreement dated June 30, 2009 together with the administrative agent for the lenders under U.S. Cellular’s revolving credit facility.  At September 30, 2010, no U.S. Cellular debt was subordinated pursuant to this subordination agreement. 

U.S. Cellular’s interest cost on its revolving credit facility is subject to increase if its current credit rating from nationally recognized credit rating agencies is lowered, and is subject to decrease if the rating is raised.  The credit facility would not cease to be available nor would the maturity date accelerate solely as a result of a downgrade in U.S. Cellular’s credit rating.  However, a downgrade in U.S. Cellular’s credit rating could adversely affect its ability to renew the credit facility or obtain access to other credit facilities in the future.

During the third quarter of 2010, U.S. Cellular’s credit rating was downgraded from BBB+ to BBB by Fitch Ratings.  As of September 30, 2010, U.S. Cellular’s credit ratings from the nationally recognized credit rating agencies including Fitch Ratings remained at investment grade.

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 make representations regarding certain matters at the time of each borrowing. The covenants also prescribe certain terms associated with intercompany loans from TDS or TDS subsidiaries to U.S. Cellular or U.S. Cellular subsidiaries.  U.S. Cellular believes it was in compliance as of September 30, 2010 with all of the covenants and requirements set forth in its revolving credit facility. There were no intercompany loans at September 30, 2010 or 2009.

U.S. Cellular may seek to renegotiate its revolving credit facility prior to its expiration date (June 2012) if U.S. Cellular is able to obtain more favorable terms.

Long-Term Financing

U.S. Cellular had the following public debt outstanding as of September 30, 2010:

·$544,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 6.7% senior notes due December 15, 2033. U.S. Cellular may redeem such notes, in whole or in part, at any time prior to maturity at a redemption price equal to the greater of (a) 100% of the principal amount of such notes, plus accrued but unpaid interest, or (b) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis at the Treasury Rate plus 30 basis points.

·$330,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 7.5% senior notes due June 15, 2034. U.S. Cellular may redeem the notes, in whole or in part, at any time on or after June 17, 2009, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest.

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U.S. Cellular’s long-term debt indenture does not contain any provisions resulting in acceleration of the maturities of outstanding debt in the event of a change in U.S. Cellular’s credit rating. However, a downgrade in U.S. Cellular’s credit rating could adversely affect its ability to obtain long-term debt financing in the future.  U.S. Cellular believes it was in compliance as of September 30, 2010 with all covenants and other requirements set forth in its long-term debt indenture.  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 indenture.

The long-term debt principal payments due for the remainder of 2010 and the next four years represent less than 1% of the total long-term debt obligation at September 30, 2010.  Refer to Market Risk — Long-Term Debt in U.S. Cellular’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 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.

U.S. Cellular has an effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 that it can use to issue senior debt securities that can be used for general corporate purposes, including to finance the redemption of any of the above existing debt.  The U.S. Cellular shelf registration statement permits U.S. Cellular to issue at any time and from time to time, senior debt securities in one or more offerings up to an aggregate principal amount of $500,000,000. 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.

Capital Expenditures

U.S. Cellular’s capital expenditures for 2010 are expected to be approximately $600 million. These expenditures are expected to be for the following general purposes:

·Expand and enhance U.S. Cellular’s coverage in its service areas;

·Provide additional capacity to accommodate increased network usage by current customers;

·Overlay 3G technology in certain markets;

·Enhance U.S. Cellular’s retail store network;

·Develop and enhance office systems; and

·Develop new billing and other customer management related systems and platforms.

U.S. Cellular plans to finance its capital expenditures program for 2010 using cash flows from operating activities, existing cash balances, short-term investments and, if necessary, short-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 investment. As part of this strategy, U.S. Cellular reviews attractive opportunities to acquire additional wireless operating markets and wireless spectrum. In addition, U.S. Cellular may seek to divest outright or include in exchanges for other wireless interests those wireless interests that are not strategic to its long-term success. U.S. Cellular also may be engaged from time to time in negotiations relating to the acquisition, divestiture or exchange of companies, strategic properties or wireless spectrum. In general, U.S. Cellular may not disclose such transactions until there is a definitive agreement. 

Variable Interest Entities

U.S. Cellular consolidates certain entities because they are “variable interest entities” under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). See Note 10 — Variable Interest Entities (VIEs) in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the details of 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.

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Common Share Repurchase Program

U.S. Cellular has repurchased and expects to continue to repurchase its Common Shares subject to its repurchase program. For additional information related to the current repurchase authorization and repurchases made during 2010 and 2009, see Note 11 — Common Share Repurchases in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and Item 2, Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

Contractual and Other Obligations

There was no material change between December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2010 to the Contractual and Other Obligations disclosed in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in U.S. Cellular’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 other than changes in the ordinary course of business and the commitments described below.

On August 17, 2010, U.S. Cellular and Amdocs entered into agreements to develop a Billing and Operational Support System (“B/OSS”).  Amdocs will license to U.S. Cellular certain customer order and relationship management, revenue management and billing software relating to the B/OSS.

The implementation of the B/OSS licensed systems commenced in September 2010, and is expected to take approximately two years to complete.  The total estimated amount to be paid to Amdocs with respect to the agreements for delivery of the B/OSS is $73 million, paid out over the period from August 2010 through September 2012. U.S. Cellular anticipates capitalizing a majority of these costs as Systems development costs and amortizing such capitalized costs over the estimated useful life of the B/OSS system.  U.S. Cellular also is committed to purchase maintenance for an aggregate amount of $36.4 million over a period of seven years, beginning in 2013.

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 Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules, that had or are reasonably likely to have a material current or future effect on its financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

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 and U.S. Cellular’s Application of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates is discussed in detail in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, both of which are included in U.S. Cellular’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.  Changes to significant accounting policies are discussed in Note 3 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-Q.  There were no material changes to U.S. Cellular’s application of critical accounting policies and esti mates during the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

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PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995

SAFE HARBOR CAUTIONARY STATEMENT

This Form 10-Q, including exhibits, contains statements that are not based on historical facts and represent forward-looking statements, as this term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  All statements, other than statements of historical facts, that address activities, events or developments that U.S. Cellular intends, expects, projects, believes, estimates, plans or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements.  The words "believes," "anticipates," "estimates," "expects," "plans," "intends," “projects” and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifying them. Such forward‑looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, events or developments to be s ignificantly different from any future results, events or developments expressed or implied by such forward‑looking statements.  Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include those set forth below, as more fully discussed under “Risk Factors” in U.S. Cellular’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.  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.  U.S. Cellular undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You should carefully consider the Risk Factors in U.S. Cellular’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 200 9, the following factors and other information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this Form 10-Q to understand the material risks relating to U.S. Cellular’s business.

·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 or allocate resources or capital could have an adverse effect on U.S. Cellular’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

·A failure by U.S. Cellular’s service offerings to meet customer expectations could limit U.S. Cellular’s ability to attract and retain customers and could have an adverse effect on U.S. Cellular’s operations.

·U.S. Cellular’s systems infrastructure may not be capable of supporting changes in technologies and services expected by customers, which could result in lost customers and revenues.

·An inability to obtain or maintain roaming arrangements with other carriers on terms that are acceptable to U.S. Cellular could have an adverse effect on U.S. Cellular’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

·U.S. Cellular currently receives a significant amount of roaming revenues.  As a result of consolidation of companies in the wireless industry, U.S. Cellular roaming revenues have declined significantly from amounts earned in certain prior years.  Further industry consolidation and continued build outs by existing and new wireless carriers could cause roaming revenues to decline even more, which would have an adverse effect on U.S. Cellular's business, financial condition and 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 and operations.

·In the event that the FCC conducts auctions of additional spectrum in the future, U.S. Cellular is likely to participate in such auctions as an applicant or as a non-controlling partner in another auction applicant and, during certain periods, will be subject to the FCC’s anti-collusion rules, which could have an adverse effect on U.S. Cellular.

·Changes in the regulatory environment or a failure by U.S. Cellular to timely or fully comply with any applicable regulatory requirements could adversely affect U.S. Cellular’s financial condition, results of operations or ability to do business.

·Changes in USF funding and/or intercarrier compensation could have a material adverse impact on U.S. Cellular’s financial position or results of operations.

·An inability to attract and/or retain management, technical, sales and other personnel 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. As a result, its results of operations may fluctuate based on factors related entirely to conditions in this industry.

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·The completion of acquisitions by other companies has led to increased consolidation in the wireless telecommunications industry.  U.S. Cellular’s lower scale relative to larger wireless carriers has in the past and could in the future prevent or delay its access to new products including handsets, new technology and/or new content and applications which could adversely affect U.S. Cellular's ability to attract and retain customers and, as a result, could adversely affect its business, financial condition or results of operations.   

·Inability to manage its supply chain or inventory successfully could have an adverse effect on U.S. Cellular’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

·Changes in general economic and business conditions, both nationally and in the markets in which U.S. Cellular operates, could have an adverse effect on U.S. Cellular’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

·Changes in various business factors could have an adverse effect on U.S. Cellular’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

·Advances or changes in telecommunications technology, such as Voice over Internet Protocol (“VoIP”), High-Speed Packet Access, WiMAX or Long-Term Evolution (“LTE”), could render certain technologies used by U.S. Cellular obsolete, could reduce U.S. Cellular’s revenues or could increase its costs of doing business.

·U.S. Cellular could incur higher than anticipated intercarrier compensation costs.

·U.S. Cellular is subject to numerous surcharges and fees from federal, state and local governments, and the applicability and the amount of these fees are subject to great uncertainty.

·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 license costs, goodwill and/or physical assets.

·Costs, integration problems or other factors associated with developing and enhancing business support systems, acquisitions/divestitures 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.

·A significant portion of U.S. Cellular’s revenues is derived from customers who buy services through independent agents who market U.S. Cellular’s services on a commission basis. If U.S. Cellular’s relationships with these agents are seriously harmed, its revenues could be adversely affected.

·U.S. Cellular’s investments in technologies which are unproven may not produce the benefits that U.S. Cellular expects.

·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 and support systems could have an adverse effect on its operations.

·Financial difficulties (including bankruptcy proceedings) of any of U.S. Cellular’s key suppliers or vendors, termination or impairment of U.S. Cellular’s relationships with such suppliers or vendors, or a failure by U.S. Cellular to manage its supply chain effectively could result in delays or termination of U.S. Cellular’s receipt of required equipment or services, or could result in excess quantities of required equipment or services, any of which 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, including breaches of network or information technology security, could have an adverse effect on U.S. Cellular’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

·Wars, conflicts, hostilities and/or terrorist attacks or equipment failures, power outages, natural disasters or other events 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.

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·Identification of errors in financial information or disclosures could require amendments to or restatements of financial information or disclosures included in this or prior filings with the SEC.

·Restatements of financial statements by U.S. Cellular and related matters, including resulting delays in filing periodic reports with the SEC, could have an adverse effect on U.S. Cellular’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

·The existence of material weaknesses in the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting could result in inaccurate financial statements or other disclosures or failure to prevent fraud, which could have an adverse effect on U.S. Cellular’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

·Changes in facts or circumstances, including new or additional information that affects the calculation of potential liabilities for contingent obligations under guarantees, indemnities, claims, litigation or otherwise, could require U.S. Cellular to record charges in excess of amounts accrued in the financial statements, if any, which could have an adverse effect on U.S. Cellular’s financial condition or results of operations.

·Early redemptions or repurchases of debt, issuances of debt, changes in operating leases, changes in purchase obligations or other factors or developments could cause the amounts reported under Contractual Obligations in U.S. Cellular’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained in U.S. Cellular’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as updated by the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, to be different from the amounts actually incurred.

·An increase in the amount of U.S. Cellular’s debt could subject U.S. Cellular to higher interest costs and restrictions on its financing, investing and operating activities and could decrease its net income and cash flows.

·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 financial condition or results of operations.

·Uncertainty of access to capital for telecommunications companies, deterioration in the capital markets, other changes in 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.

·U.S. Cellular’s credit facility and the indenture governing its senior notes include restrictive covenants that limit its operating flexibility and U.S. Cellular may be unable to service its debt or to refinance its indebtedness before maturity.

·Changes in income tax rates, laws, regulations or rulings, or federal or state tax assessments, could have an adverse effect on U.S. Cellular’s 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 financial condition, results of operations or ability to do business.

·The possible development of adverse precedent in litigation or conclusions in professional studies to the effect that radio frequency emissions from handsets, wireless data devices and/or cell sites cause harmful health consequences, including cancer or tumors, or may interfere with various electronic medical devices such as pacemakers, could have an adverse effect on 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 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 customer net additions, revenues, operating income, capital expenditures and/or any other financial or statistical information to vary from U.S. Cellular’s forward-looking estimates by a material amount.

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

MARKET RISK

Long-term Debt

Refer to the disclosure under Market Risk — Long-Term Debt in U.S. Cellular’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 for additional information regarding required principal payments and the weighted average interest rates related to U.S. Cellular’s long-term debt.  There have been no material changes to such information since December 31, 2009.

See Note 4 — Fair Value Measurements in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to the fair market value of U.S. Cellular’s long-term debt as of September 30, 2010.

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Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

U.S. Cellular maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in its reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is processed, recorded, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to U.S. Cellular’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure.  In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the de sired control objectives.

As required by SEC Rule 13a-15(b), U.S. Cellular carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of U.S. Cellular’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report.  Based on this evaluation, U.S. Cellular’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that U.S. Cellular’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2010, at the reasonable assurance level.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in U.S. Cellular’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2010 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, U.S. Cellular’s internal control over financial reporting.

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Part II. Other Information

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

U.S. Cellular is involved or may be involved from time to time in legal proceedings before the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”), other regulatory authorities, and/or various state and federal courts. If U.S. Cellular believes that a loss arising from such legal proceedings is probable and can be reasonably estimated, an amount is accrued in the financial statements for the estimated loss. If only a range of loss can be determined, the best estimate within that range is accrued; if none of the estimates within that range is better than another, the low end of the range is accrued. The assessment of the expected outcomes of legal proceedings is a highly subjective process that requires judgments about future events. The legal proceedings are reviewed at least quarterly to determine the adequacy of accruals and related financial statement disclosures. The ultimate outcomes of legal proceedings could differ materially from amounts accrued in the financial statements.

Item 1A.  Risk Factors.

In addition to the information set forth in this Form 10-Q, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in U.S. Cellular’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, which could materially affect U.S. Cellular’s business, financial condition or future results. The risks described in this Form 10-Q and the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 may not be the only risks that could affect U.S. Cellular.  Additional unidentified or unrecognized risks and uncertainties could materially adversely affect U.S. Cellular’s business, financial condition and/or operating results. In addition, you are referred to the above Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, particularly the section captioned “Overview — Recent Developments,” for disclosures related to the FCC’s National Broadband Plan and other developments that have occurred since U.S. Cellular filed its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. Subject to the foregoing, U.S. Cellular has not identified for disclosure any material changes to the risk factors as previously disclosed in U.S. Cellular’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

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Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

On November 17, 2009, the Board of Directors of U.S. Cellular authorized the repurchase of up to 1,300,000 Common Shares during the remainder of 2009 and additional repurchases of up to 1,300,000 Common Shares on an annual basis in each year thereafter, on a cumulative basis.  These purchases will be made pursuant to open market purchases, block purchases, private purchases, or otherwise, depending on market prices and other conditions.  This authorization does not have an expiration date.

The following table provides certain information with respect to all purchases made by or on behalf of U.S. Cellular, and any open market purchases made by any “affiliated purchaser” (as defined by the SEC), of U.S. Cellular Common Shares during the quarter covered by this Form 10-Q. 

	(a)	(b)		(c)	(d)
Period	Total Number of Common Shares Purchased	Average Price Paid per Common Share		Total Number of Common Shares Purchased as Part of  Publicly Announced Plans or Programs	Maximum Number of Common Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under  the Plans or Programs
July 1 - 31, 2010	128,401	$	41.59	128,401		1,858,555
August 1 - 31, 2010	176,776		43.37	176,776		1,681,779
September 1 - 30, 2010	141,491		43.04	141,491		1,540,288
Total for or as of end of the quarterended September 30, 2010	446,668		42.75	446,668		1,540,288

The following is additional information with respect to the foregoing authorization:

i.The date the program was announced was November 20, 2009 by Form 8-K

ii.   The amount approved was up to 1,300,000 U.S. Cellular Common shares on an annual basis in 2009 and continuing each year thereafter on a cumulative basis. 

iii.  There is no expiration date for the program.

iv.  The authorization did not expire during the third quarter of 2010.

v.   U.S. Cellular did not determine to terminate the foregoing Common Share repurchase program prior to expiration, or cease making further purchases thereunder, during the third quarter of 2010.

Item 5. Other Information.

The following information is being provided to update prior disclosures made pursuant to the requirements of Form 8-K, Item 2.03 — Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation Under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.

U.S. Cellular did not borrow or repay any amounts under its revolving credit facility in the third quarter of 2010. U.S. Cellular had no borrowings outstanding under its revolving credit facility as of September 30, 2010. 

A description of U.S. Cellular’s revolving credit facility is included under Item 1.01 in U.S. Cellular’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 30, 2009 and is incorporated by reference herein. 

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Item 6. Exhibits

Exhibit 10.1 — Amendment dated January 30, 2010 to Employment, Consulting and General Release Agreement dated November 3, 2009 between U.S. Cellular and Jay M. Ellison is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to U.S. Cellular’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2010.

Exhibit 10.2 — Terms of Letter Agreement dated May 3, 2010 between U.S. Cellular and Mary N. Dillon, is hereby incorporated by reference from Exhibit 99.2 to U.S. Cellular’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 6, 2010.

Exhibit 10.3 — U.S. Cellular 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan 2010 Stock Option Award Agreement evidencing U.S. Cellular stock options granted to Mary N. Dillon on June 1, 2010 (with accelerated vesting in the event of termination without cause or for good reason), is hereby incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to U.S. Cellular’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 1, 2010.

Exhibit 10.4 — U.S. Cellular 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan 2010 Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement evidencing U.S. Cellular restricted stock units granted to Mary N. Dillon on June 1, 2010 (with accelerated vesting in the event of termination without cause or for good reason), is hereby incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2 to U.S. Cellular’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 1, 2010.

Exhibit 10.5 — U.S. Cellular 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan 2010 Stock Option Award Agreement evidencing U.S. Cellular stock options granted to Mary N. Dillon on June 1, 2010 (without accelerated vesting in the event of termination without cause or for good reason), is hereby incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.3 to U.S. Cellular’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 1, 2010.

Exhibit 10.6 — U.S. Cellular 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan 2010 Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement evidencing U.S. Cellular restricted stock units granted to Mary N. Dillon on June 1, 2010 (without accelerated vesting in the event of termination without cause or for good reason), is hereby incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.4 to U.S. Cellular’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 1, 2010.

Exhibit 10.7 — U.S. Cellular 2010 Executive Officer Annual Incentive Plan Effective January 1, 2010, is hereby incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to U.S. Cellular’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 7, 2010.

Exhibit 10.8  — Master Service Agreement entered into by United States Cellular Corporation and Amdocs Software Systems Limited on August 17, 2010 to develop a Billing and Operational Support System (“B/OSS”) with a new point-of-sale system to consolidate billing on one platform.*

Exhibit 10.9 — Software License and Maintenance Agreement entered into by United States Cellular Corporation and Amdocs Software Systems Limited on August 17, 2010 to develop a Billing and Operational Support System (“B/OSS”) with a new point-of-sale system to consolidate billing on one platform.*

Exhibit 11 — Statement regarding computation of per share earnings is included herein as Note 6 — Earnings Per Share in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Exhibit 12 — Statement regarding computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges.

Exhibit 31.1 — Chief Executive Officer certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Exhibit 31.2 — Chief Financial Officer certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Exhibit 32.1 — Chief Executive Officer certification pursuant to Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code.

Exhibit 32.2 — Chief Financial Officer certification pursuant to Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code.

Exhibit 101.INS — XBRL Instance Document

Exhibit 101.SCH — XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

Exhibit 101.PRE — XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document

Exhibit 101.CAL — XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document

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Exhibit 101.LAB — XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document

Exhibit 101.DEF — XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

The foregoing exhibits include only the exhibits that relate specifically to this Form 10-Q or that supplement the exhibits identified in U.S. Cellular’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.  Reference is made to U.S. Cellular’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 for a complete list of exhibits, which are incorporated herein except to the extent supplemented or superseded above.

* Portionsof this Exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission as part of an application for confidential treatment pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

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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 thereunto duly authorized.

		UNITED STATES CELLULAR CORPORATION
		(Registrant)
Date:	November 4, 2010		/s/ Mary N. Dillon
			Mary N. Dillon President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
Date:	November 4, 2010		/s/ Steven T. Campbell
			Steven T. Campbell Executive Vice President-Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer)
Date:	November 4, 2010		/s/ Kenneth R. Meyers
			Kenneth R. Meyers Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)
Date:	November 4, 2010		/s/ Ljubica A. Petrich
			Ljubica A. Petrich Vice President and Controller

Signature page for the U.S. Cellular 2010 Third Quarter Form 10-Q

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