Exhibit 12 ---------- UNITED STATES CELLULAR CORPORATION RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES Three Months Ended March 31, 2002 ------------------ (Dollars in thousands) EARNINGS Income from Continuing Operations before income taxes $ 81,673 Add (Deduct): Earnings on Equity Method (10,461) Distributions from Minority Subsidiaries 3,878 Minority interest in income of majority-owned subsidiaries that do not have fixed charges (2,582) ------------ $ 72,508 Add fixed charges: Consolidated interest expense $ 8,835 Deferred debt expense 194 Interest Portion (1/3) of Consolidated Rent Expense 2,952 ------------ $ 84,489 ============ FIXED CHARGES Consolidated interest expense $ 8,835 Deferred debt expense 194 Interest Portion (1/3) of Consolidated Rent Expense 2,952 ------------ $ 11,981 ============ RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES 7.05 ============ Tax-Effected Preferred Dividends $ 78 Fixed Charges 11,982 ------------ Fixed Charges and Preferred Dividends $ 12,060 ============ RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED DIVIDENDS 7.01 ============