As previously announced, U.S. Cellular will hold a teleconference May 4, 2012 at 9:30 a.m. CDT. Interested parties may listen to the call live by accessing the Investor Relations page ofwww.uscellular.comorwww.teldta.com.
Contact: | Jane W. McCahon, Vice President, Corporate Relations (312) 592-5379;jane.mccahon@teldta.com |
Julie D. Mathews, Manager, Investor Relations (312) 592-5341;julie.mathews@teldta.com |
FOR RELEASE: IMMEDIATE
U.S. cellular Reports first QUARTER 2012 RESULTS
Smartphone penetration accelerates; strong growth in ARPU and profitability
Note: Comparisons are year over year unless otherwise noted.
1Q 2012 Highlights
§ Smartphones as a percent of total devices sold increased to 54.1 percent from 42.5 percent; smartphone customers increased to 34.4 percent of postpaid customers from 20.3 percent.
§ Postpaid ARPU (average revenue per customer) increased 5 percent to $54.00 from $51.21.
§ Service revenues increased 4 percent to $1,023.8 million.
§ Operating income increased 45 percent to $85.2 million.
§ Retail gross additions increased 7 percent to 273,000 from 256,000.
§ Postpaid churn increased to 1.6 percent from 1.4 percent.
§ Net loss of 34,000 retail customers, reflecting loss of 38,000 postpaid customers and gain of 4,000 prepaid customers; postpaid customers comprised 94 percent of retail customers.
§ Cell sites in service increased 3 percent to 7,875.
CHICAGO – May 4, 2012 – United States Cellular Corporation [NYSE:USM] reported service revenues of $1,023.8 million for the first quarter of 2012, up 4 percent versus $985.1 million in the comparable period one year ago. Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders and related diluted earnings per share were $62.5 million and $0.73, respectively, for the first quarter of 2012, compared to $35.2 million and $0.41, respectively, in the comparable period one year ago.
"We generated increased revenues and improved profitability in the quarter," said Mary N. Dillon, U.S. Cellular president and CEO. "Our top priority remains to improve our net customer additions.We’re encouraged by the increase in retail gross additions, which we attribute to improved marketing effectiveness, strong in-store execution and the launch of 4G LTE service in severalof ourmarkets. However, we experienced higherpostpaidchurn and therefore had a net loss of postpaid customers.
"On April 30, we announced that U.S. Cellular prepaid service and devices will soon be available through 415 Wal-Mart stores under the U Prepaidbrand. Gaining distribution in Wal-Mart gives us another significant opportunity to be where our customers want to shop, and we’re evaluating additional ways to expand and enhance our distribution.
"Smartphone sales continue to drivehigherdata usage and average revenue per customer. At the end of the quarter, 34 percent of our postpaid customers had smartphones, and smartphones were 54 percent of our total devices sold. Despite the increase in smartphones sold, we were able to keep loss on equipment essentially stable. Those efforts, along with good expense control, contributed to a strong increase in operating income. To further support customer demand for data services as well as to make smartphones accessible to a broader array of customers and budgets, we introduced a set of tiered data plans on May 1, and we’reon track with our 4G LTE network rollout. Sales of both 4G devices introduced to date have been strong, and we plan to build on our offerings throughout the year, as we bring 4G speeds to at least 50 percent of our customers.”
Guidance for year ending Dec. 31, 2012
Guidance for the year ending Dec. 31, 2012, as of May 4, 2012, is unchanged from the previous guidance provided on Feb. 24, 2012. U.S. Cellular undertakes no duty to update such information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. There can be no assurance that final results will not differ materially from this guidance.
2012 Estimated Results (1) | ||
Service revenues | $4,050-$4,150 million | |
Operating income | $200-$300 million | |
Depreciation, amortization and accretion expenses,and losses on |
| |
| asset disposals and exchanges and impairment of assets (2) | Approx. $600 million |
Adjusted OIBDA (2) (3) | $800-$900 million | |
Capital expenditures | Approx. $850 million | |
(1) These estimates are based on U.S. Cellular’s current plans, which include a multi-year deployment of 4G LTE technology which commenced in 2011. New developments or changing conditions (such as customer net growth, customer demand for data services or possible acquisitions, dispositions or exchanges) could affect U.S. Cellular’s plans and, therefore, its 2012 estimated results.
(2) The 2012 Estimated Results include only Depreciation, amortization and accretion expenses; such estimated results do not include any estimate forunrecognizednet gains or losses related to disposals and exchanges of assets or losses on impairment of assets (since such transactions and their effects are uncertain).
(3) Adjusted OIBDA is defined as operating income excluding the effects of depreciation, amortization and accretion (OIBDA): the net gain or loss on asset disposals and exchanges (if any); and the loss on impairment of assets (if any). This measure also may be commonly referred to by management as operating cash flow. This measure should not be confused with Cash flows from operating activities, which is a component of the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. Adjusted OIBDA excludes the net gain or loss on asset disposals and exchanges (if any) and loss on impairment of assets (if any), in order to show operating results on a more comparable basis from period to period. U.S. Cellular does not intend to imply that any of such amounts that excluded are non-recurring, infrequent or unusual and, accordingly, they may be incurred in the future. U.S. Cellular believes this measure provides useful information to investors regarding U.S. Cellular’s financial condition and results or operations because it highlights certain key cash and non-cash items and their impacts on cash flows from operating activities.
Conference call information
U.S. Cellular will hold a conference call on May 4, 2012 at 9:30 a.m. CDT.
· Access the live call on the Investor Relations page ofuscellular.com or athttp://www.videonewswire.com/event.asp?id=86868 .
· Access the call by phone at 877/407-8029 (US/Canada), no pass code required.
Before the call, certain financial and statistical information to be discussed during the call will be posted to the Investor Relations page ofwww.uscellular.com. The call will be archived on the Conference Calls page ofwww.uscellular.com.
About U.S. Cellular
United States Cellular Corporation, the nation's seventh-largest wireless carrier, provides a comprehensive range of wireless products and services, excellent customer support, and a high-quality network to approximately 5.8 million customers in 26 states. The Chicago-based company employed approximately 8,700 people as of March 31, 2012. At the end of the first quarter of 2012, Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. owned 84 percent of U.S. Cellular.
Visitwww.uscellular.com for comprehensive financial information, including earnings releases, quarterly and annual filings, shareholder information and more.
Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:All information set forth in this news release, except historical and factual information, represents forward-looking statements. This includes all statements about the company’s plans, beliefs, estimates, and expectations. These statements are based on current estimates, projections, and assumptions, which involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that may affect these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: the ability of the company tosuccessfully manage and grow its markets; theoveralleconomy; competition; the ability to obtain or maintain roaming arrangements with other carriers; the state and federal telecommunications regulatory environment; the value of assets and investments; adverse changes in the ratings afforded our debt securities by accredited ratings organizations; industry consolidation; advances in telecommunications technology;uncertainty of access to the capital markets; pending and future litigation; changes in income tax rates, laws, regulations or rulings;acquisitions/divestitures of properties and/or licenses;changes in customer growth rates, average monthly revenue per customer, churn rates, roaming revenue and terms, the availability of handset devices, or the mix of products and services offered by the company. Investors are encouraged to consider these and other risks and uncertainties that are discussed in the Form 8-K Current Report used by U.S. Cellular to furnish this press release to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), which are incorporated by reference herein.
2
United States Cellular Corporation Summary of Operating Data (Unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Quarter Ended | 3/31/2012 | 12/31/2011 | 9/30/2011 | 6/30/2011 | 3/31/2011 | |||||||||||||||
Total population |
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
Consolidated markets (1) |
| 92,684,000 |
| 91,965,000 | 91,965,000 | 91,204,000 | 91,090,000 | |||||||||||||
Consolidated operating markets (1) |
| 46,966,000 |
| 46,888,000 | 46,888,000 | 46,888,000 | 46,774,000 | |||||||||||||
Market penetration at end of period |
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
Consolidated markets (2) |
| 6.3 | % | 6.4 | % | 6.5 | % | 6.5 | % | 6.6 | % | |||||||||
Consolidated operating markets (2) |
| 12.4 | % | 12.6 | % | 12.7 | % | 12.7 | % | 12.9 | % | |||||||||
All customers |
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
Total at end of period |
| 5,837,000 |
| 5,891,000 | 5,932,000 | 5,968,000 | 6,033,000 | |||||||||||||
Gross additions |
| 285,000 |
| 306,000 | 299,000 | 257,000 | 293,000 | |||||||||||||
Net additions (losses) |
| (49,000 | ) | (41,000 | ) | (36,000 | ) | (70,000 | ) | (39,000 | ) | |||||||||
Smartphones sold as a percent of |
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
total devices sold (3) |
| 54.1 | % | 52.5 | % | 39.9 | % | 39.6 | % | 42.5 | % | |||||||||
Retail customers |
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
Total at end of period |
| 5,570,000 |
| 5,608,000 | 5,621,000 | 5,644,000 | 5,698,000 | |||||||||||||
Smartphone penetration (3) (4) |
| 34.4 | % | 30.5 | % | 26.2 | % | 23.1 | % | 20.3 | % | |||||||||
Gross additions |
| 273,000 |
| 298,000 | 284,000 | 226,000 | 256,000 | |||||||||||||
Net retail additions (losses) (5) |
| (34,000 | ) | (13,000 | ) | (23,000 | ) | (58,000 | ) | (31,000 | ) | |||||||||
Net postpaid additions (losses) |
| (38,000 | ) | (20,000 | ) | (34,000 | ) | (41,000 | ) | (22,000 | ) | |||||||||
Net prepaid additions (losses) |
| 4,000 |
| 7,000 | 11,000 | (17,000 | ) | (9,000 | ) | |||||||||||
Service revenue components (000s) |
| |||||||||||||||||||
Retail service | $ | 888,527 | $ | 882,091 | $ | 871,199 | $ | 868,630 | $ | 864,602 | ||||||||||
Inbound roaming |
| 80,132 | 93,353 | 107,810 | 82,760 | 64,386 | ||||||||||||||
Other |
| 55,161 | 54,601 | 57,600 | 50,640 | 56,125 | ||||||||||||||
Total service revenues (000s) | $ | 1,023,820 | $ | 1,030,045 | $ | 1,036,609 | $ | 1,002,030 | $ | 985,113 | ||||||||||
Total ARPU (6) |
| 58.21 | $ | 58.13 | $ | 58.09 | $ | 55.69 | $ | 54.29 | ||||||||||
Billed ARPU (7) |
| 50.52 | $ | 49.78 | $ | 48.82 | $ | 48.27 | $ | 47.65 | ||||||||||
Postpaid ARPU (8) | $ | 54.00 | $ | 53.35 | $ | 52.41 | $ | 51.84 | $ | 51.21 | ||||||||||
Postpaid churn rate (9) |
| 1.6 | % | 1.6 | % | 1.5 | % | 1.4 | % | 1.4 | % | |||||||||
Capital expenditures (000s) | $ | 201,300 | $ | 276,400 | $ | 248,000 | $ | 162,100 | $ | 95,900 | ||||||||||
Cell sites in service |
| 7,875 | 7,882 | 7,828 | 7,770 | 7,663 | ||||||||||||||
(1) Used only to calculate market penetration of consolidated markets and consolidated operating markets, respectively. See footnote (2) below.
(2) Market Penetration is calculated by dividing the number of wireless customers at the end of the period by the total population of consolidated markets and consolidated operating markets, respectively, as estimated by Claritas®.
(3) Smartphones represent wireless devices which run on an Android™, BlackBerry®, or Windows Mobile® operating system, excluding tablets.
(4) Smartphone penetration is calculated by dividing postpaid smartphone customers by total postpaid customers.
(5) Includes net postpaid additions (losses) and net prepaid additions (losses).
(6) Total ARPU - Average monthly service revenue per customer includes retail service, inbound roaming and other service revenues and is calculated by dividing total service revenues by the number of months in the period and by the average total customers during the period.
(7) Billed ARPU - Average monthly billed revenue per customer is calculated by dividing total retail service revenues by the number of months in the period and by the average total customers during the period. Retail service revenues include revenues attributable to postpaid, prepaid and reseller customers.
(8) Postpaid ARPU - Average monthly revenue per postpaid customer is calculated by dividing total retail service revenues from postpaid customers by the number of months in the period and by the average postpaid customers during the period.
(9) Represents the percentage of the postpaid customer base that disconnects service each month. This amount represents the average postpaid churn rate for each respective quarterly period.
3
United States Cellular Corporation Consolidated Statement of Operations Highlights Three Months Ended March 31, (Unaudited, dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts) | ||||||||||||||||
| Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||||||
| 2012 | 2011 | Amount | Percent | ||||||||||||
Operating revenues |
| |||||||||||||||
| Service | $ | 1,023,820 | $ | 985,113 | $ | 38,707 | 4 | % | |||||||
| Equipment sales |
| 68,301 |
|
| 71,979 |
|
| (3,678 | ) | (5 | %) | ||||
|
| Total operating revenues |
| 1,092,121 |
|
| 1,057,092 |
|
| 35,029 |
| 3 | % | |||
| ||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses | ||||||||||||||||
| System operations (excluding Depreciation, amortization, and accretion reported below) | 233,164 | 217,603 | 15,561 | 7 | % | ||||||||||
| Cost of equipment sold | 187,036 | 194,360 | (7,324 | ) | (4 | %) | |||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 442,244 | 442,004 | 240 | — | |||||||||||
| Depreciation, amortization and accretion | 146,685 | 143,340 | 3,345 | 2 | % | ||||||||||
| (Gain) loss on asset disposals |
| (2,210 | ) |
| 1,037 |
|
| (3,247 | ) | >(100 | %) | ||||
|
| Total operating expenses |
| 1,006,919 |
|
| 998,344 |
|
| 8,575 |
| 1 | % | |||
| ||||||||||||||||
Operating income |
| 85,202 |
|
| 58,748 |
|
| 26,454 |
| 45 | % | |||||
| ||||||||||||||||
Investment and other income (expense) | ||||||||||||||||
| Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities | 21,614 | 20,891 | 723 | 3 | % | ||||||||||
| Interest and dividend income | 1,043 | 849 | 194 | 23 | % | ||||||||||
| Interest expense | (13,411 | ) | (15,186 | ) | 1,775 | 12 | % | ||||||||
| Other, net |
| 202 |
|
| (125 | ) |
| 327 |
| >100 | % | ||||
|
| Total investment and other income |
| 9,448 |
|
| 6,429 |
|
| 3,019 |
| 47 | % | |||
| ||||||||||||||||
Income before income taxes | 94,650 | 65,177 |
| 29,473 | 45 | % | ||||||||||
| Income tax expense |
| 25,638 |
|
| 24,747 |
|
| 891 |
| 4 | % | ||||
| ||||||||||||||||
Net income | 69,012 | 40,430 | 28,582 | 71 | % | |||||||||||
| Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax |
| (6,520 | ) |
| (5,269 | ) |
| (1,251 | ) | (24 | %) | ||||
Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders | $ | 62,492 |
| $ | 35,161 |
| $ | 27,331 |
| 78 | % | |||||
| ||||||||||||||||
Basic weighted average shares outstanding | 84,570 | 85,484 | (914 | ) | (1 | %) | ||||||||||
Basic earnings per share attributable to U.S.CellularShareholders | $ | 0.74 | $ | 0.41 |
| $ | 0.33 | 80 | % | |||||||
| ||||||||||||||||
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding | 85,133 | 86,101 | (968 | ) | (1 | %) | ||||||||||
Diluted earnings per share attributable to U.S.CellularShareholders | $ | 0.73 | $ | 0.41 |
| $ | 0.32 |
| 78 | % | ||||||
4
United States Cellular Corporation Consolidated Balance Sheet Highlights (Unaudited, dollars in thousands) | ||||||
| ||||||
ASSETS | ||||||
| ||||||
| March 31, 2012 | December 31, 2011 | ||||
| ||||||
Current assets | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 511,078 | $ | 424,155 | ||
Short-term investments | 116,368 | 127,039 | ||||
Accounts receivable from customers and other | 397,567 | 441,821 | ||||
Inventory | 131,510 | 127,056 | ||||
Income taxes receivable | 70 | 74,791 | ||||
Prepaid expenses | 57,655 | 55,980 | ||||
Net deferred income tax asset | 31,905 | 31,905 | ||||
Other current assets |
| 11,149 |
| 10,096 | ||
| 1,257,302 | 1,292,843 | ||||
| ||||||
Assets held for sale | — | 49,647 | ||||
| ||||||
Investments | ||||||
Licenses | 1,481,865 | 1,470,769 | ||||
Goodwill | 494,737 | 494,737 | ||||
Customer lists, net | 223 | 314 | ||||
Investments in unconsolidated entities | 154,431 | 138,096 | ||||
Notes and interest receivable – long-term | 81 | 1,921 | ||||
Long-term investments |
| 40,276 |
| 30,057 | ||
| 2,171,613 | 2,135,894 | ||||
| ||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net | ||||||
In service and under construction | 7,126,220 | 7,008,449 | ||||
Less: accumulated depreciation |
| 4,278,794 |
| 4,218,147 | ||
| 2,847,426 | 2,790,302 | ||||
| ||||||
Other assets and deferred charges |
| 65,094 |
| 59,290 | ||
| ||||||
Total assets | $ | 6,341,435 | $ | 6,327,976 | ||
5
United States Cellular Corporation Consolidated Balance Sheet Highlights (Unaudited, dollars in thousands) | |||||||||
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | |||||||||
March 31, 2012 | December 31, 2011 | ||||||||
Current liabilities | |||||||||
Current portion of long-term debt | $ | 127 | $ | 127 | |||||
Accounts payable | |||||||||
Affiliated | 15,172 | 12,183 | |||||||
Trade | 280,433 | 303,779 | |||||||
Customer deposits and deferred revenues | 190,866 | 181,355 | |||||||
Accrued taxes | 38,999 | 34,095 | |||||||
Accrued compensation | 33,374 | 69,551 | |||||||
Other current liabilities |
| 87,322 |
|
| 121,190 |
| |||
| 646,293 |
|
| 722,280 |
| ||||
Liabilities held for sale | — | 1,051 | |||||||
Deferred liabilities and credits | |||||||||
Net deferred income tax liability | 812,929 | 799,190 | |||||||
Other deferred liabilities and credits | 250,177 | 248,213 | |||||||
Long-term debt | 880,486 | 880,320 | |||||||
Noncontrolling interests with mandatory redemption features | 1,064 | 1,005 | |||||||
Equity | |||||||||
U.S. Cellular shareholders' equity | |||||||||
Series A Common and Common Shares, par value $1 per share | 88,074 | 88,074 | |||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 1,392,845 | 1,387,341 | |||||||
Treasury shares | (152,220 | ) | (152,817 | ) | |||||
Retained earnings |
| 2,359,589 |
| 2,297,363 |
| ||||
Total U.S. Cellular shareholders' equity | 3,688,288 | 3,619,961 | |||||||
Noncontrolling interests |
| 62,198 |
|
| 55,956 |
| |||
Total equity | 3,750,486 | 3,675,917 | |||||||
Total liabilities and equity | $ | 6,341,435 |
| $ | 6,327,976 |
| |||
6
United States Cellular Corporation
Schedule of Cash and Cash Equivalents and Investments
(Unaudited, dollars in thousands)
The following table presents U.S. Cellular’s cash and cash equivalents and investments at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011.
March 31, 2012 | December 31, 2011 | |||||
| ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 511,078 | $ | 424,155 | ||
Amounts included in short-term investments (1)(2) | ||||||
Government-backed securities (3) | $ | 116,368 | $ | 127,039 | ||
Amounts included in long-term investments (1)(4) | ||||||
Government-backed securities (3) | $ | 40,276 | $ | 30,057 | ||
7
United States Cellular Corporation Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows Three Months Ended March 31, (Unaudited, dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||
2012 | 2011 | |||||||||
Cash flows from operating activities | ||||||||||
Net income | $ | 69,012 | $ | 40,430 | ||||||
Add (deduct) adjustments to reconcile net income to net | ||||||||||
cash flows from operating activities | ||||||||||
Depreciation, amortization and accretion | 146,685 | 143,340 | ||||||||
Bad debts expense | 13,850 | 13,507 | ||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense | 5,391 | 5,792 | ||||||||
Deferred income taxes, net | 6,283 | 44,413 | ||||||||
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities | (21,614 | ) | (20,891 | ) | ||||||
Distributions from unconsolidated entities | 2,822 | 8,323 | ||||||||
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net | (2,210 | ) | 1,037 | |||||||
Noncash interest expense | 451 | 463 | ||||||||
Other operating activities | 449 | 601 | ||||||||
Changes in assets and liabilities from operations | ||||||||||
Accounts receivable | 36,621 | 4,950 | ||||||||
Inventory | (4,410 | ) | 3,461 | |||||||
Accounts payable - trade | (17,689 | ) | 53,713 | |||||||
Accounts payable - affiliate | 2,989 | (2,041 | ) | |||||||
Customer deposits and deferred revenues | 9,512 | 10,245 | ||||||||
Accrued taxes | 79,765 | 11,829 | ||||||||
Accrued interest | 9,167 | 9,205 | ||||||||
Other assets and liabilities |
| (80,107 | ) |
| (70,669 | ) | ||||
| 256,967 |
|
| 257,708 |
| |||||
Cash flows from investing activities | ||||||||||
Cash used for additions to property, plant and equipment | (209,160 | ) | (121,041 | ) | ||||||
Cash paid for acquisitions and licenses | (11,096 | ) | — | |||||||
Cash received for divestitures | 49,786 | — | ||||||||
Cash paid for investments | (10,000 | ) | — | |||||||
Cash received for investments | 10,000 | 35,000 | ||||||||
Other investing activities |
| 296 |
|
| 2,200 |
| ||||
| (170,174 | ) |
| (83,841 | ) | |||||
Cash flows from financing activities | ||||||||||
Common shares reissued for benefit plans, net of tax payments | 357 | 1,305 | ||||||||
Common shares repurchased | — | (17,357 | ) | |||||||
Distributions to noncontrolling interests | (218 | ) | (186 | ) | ||||||
Other financing activities |
| (9 | ) |
| 17 |
| ||||
| 130 |
|
| (16,221 | ) | |||||
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | 86,923 | 157,646 | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | ||||||||||
Beginning of period |
| 424,155 |
|
| 276,915 |
| ||||
End of period | $ | 511,078 |
| $ | 434,561 |
| ||||
8
United States Cellular Corporation Financial Measures and Reconciliations Three Months Ended March 31, (Unaudited, dollars in thousands) | |||||||||
2012 | 2011 | ||||||||
Service revenues | $ | 1,023,820 | $ | 985,113 | |||||
Operating income | 85,202 | 58,748 | |||||||
Add: | |||||||||
Depreciation, amortization and accretion | 146,685 | 143,340 | |||||||
Loss on impairment of intangible assets | — | — | |||||||
(Gain) loss on asset disposals |
| (2,210 | ) |
| 1,037 |
| |||
Adjusted OIBDA (1) | $ | 229,677 |
| $ | 203,125 |
| |||
Adjusted OIBDA margin (2) | 22.4 | % | 20.6 | % | |||||
2012 | 2011 | ||||||||
Cash flows from operating activities | $ | 256,967 | $ | 257,708 | |||||
Deduct: | |||||||||
Cash used for additions to property, plant and equipment |
| 209,160 |
|
| 121,041 |
| |||
Free cash flow (3) | $ | 47,807 |
| $ | 136,667 |
| |||
(1) Adjusted OIBDA is defined as operating income excluding the effects of: depreciation, amortization, and accretion (OIBDA); the net gain or loss on asset disposals and exchanges (if any); and the loss on impairment of assets (if any). This measure also may be commonly referred to by management as operating cash flow. This measure should not be confused with cash flows from operating activities, which is a component of the consolidated statement of cash flows. Adjusted OIBDA excludes the net gain or loss on asset disposals and exchanges and loss on impairment of assets, if any, in order to show operating results on a more comparable basis from period to period. U.S. Cellular does not intend to imply that any of such amounts that are excluded are non-recurring, infrequent or unusual, and accordingly, they may be incurred in the future.
(2) Adjusted OIBDA margin is defined as adjusted OIBDA divided by service revenues. Equipment revenues are excluded from the denominator of the calculation since equipment is generally sold at a net loss, and such net loss is included in adjusted OIBDA as a cost of earning service revenues for purposes of assessing business results. U.S. Cellular believes that this calculation method is consistent with the method used by certain investors to assess U.S. Cellular’s business results. Adjusted OIBDA margin may also be commonly referred to by management as operating cash flow margin. U.S. Cellular believes this measure provides useful information to investors regarding U.S. Cellular’s financial condition and results of operations because it highlights certain key cash and non-cash items and their impacts on cash flows from operating activities.
(3) Free cash flow is defined as cash flows from operating activities less Cash used for additions to property, plant and equipment. Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure. U.S. Cellular believes that free cash flow as reported by U.S. Cellular may be useful to investors and other users of its financial information in evaluating the amount of cash generated by business operations, after consideration of capital expenditures.
9