United States Cellular Corporat (USM) 10-Q 2011 Q3 Quarterly report

Exhibit 12

UNITED STATES CELLULAR CORPORATION

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

	Nine Months Ended
	September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2011			2010
EARNINGS:
Income before income taxes	$	293,640		$	233,806
Add (deduct):
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	(65,289		)	(74,418		)
Distributions from unconsolidated entities	52,037			59,149
Amortization of capitalized interest	447			355
Income attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries that do not have fixed charges	(19,044		)	(17,540		)
	$	261,791		$	201,352
Add fixed charges:
Consolidated interest expense (1)	51,905			48,918
Interest portion (1/3) of consolidated rent expense	32,613			29,624
	$	346,309		$	279,894
FIXED CHARGES:
Consolidated interest expense (1)	$	51,905		$	48,918
Capitalized interest	6,828			1,688
Interest portion (1/3) of consolidated rent expense	32,613			29,624
	$	91,346		$	80,230
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES	3.79			3.49

(1)Interest expense on income tax contingencies is not included in fixed charges.