<Page> Exhibit 12 UNITED STATES CELLULAR CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES For the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2002 (Dollars in Thousands) <Table> <Caption> 12 months ended 12/31/02 ----------- EARNINGS: Income from continuing operations before income taxes $ (12,388) Add (Deduct): Earnings on equity method (42,068) Distributions from minority subsidiaries 28,881 Minority interest in income of majority-owned subsidiaries that do not have fixed charges (16,829) ----------- (42,404) Add fixed charges: Consolidated interest expense 46,887 Deferred debt amortization expense 991 Interest portion (1/3) of consolidated rent expense 19,061 ----------- $ 24,535 ----------- FIXED CHARGES: Consolidated interest expense 46,887 Deferred debt amortization expense 991 Interest portion (1/3) of consolidated rent expense 19,061 ----------- $ 66,939 ----------- RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES -- =========== Preferred dividends, net of tax $ 70 Fixed charges 66,939 ----------- Fixed Charges and Preferred Dividends $ 67,009 ----------- RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED DIVIDENDS -- =========== </Table> - -------- The dollar deficiency resulting in less than one-to-one coverage is $42,404 for the ratio of earnings to fixed charges and $42,474 for the ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred dividends.