UNITED STATES CELLULAR CORP

Previous wording

The following discussion and analysis compares United States Cellular Corporation’s (UScellular) financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, to the three and six months ended June 30, 2023. It should be read in conjunction with UScellular’s interim consolidated financial statements and notes included herein, and with the description of UScellular’s business, its audited consolidated financial statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) included in UScellular’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2023. Certain numbers included herein are rounded to millions for ease of presentation; however, certain calculated amounts and percentages are determined using the unrounded numbers.

Current wording

The following discussion and analysis compares United States Cellular Corporation’s (UScellular) financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023. It should be read in conjunction with UScellular’s interim consolidated financial statements and notes included herein, and with the description of UScellular’s business, its audited consolidated financial statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) included in UScellular’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2023. Certain numbers included herein are rounded to millions for ease of presentation; however, certain calculated amounts and percentages are determined using the unrounded numbers.

Previous wording

The accounting policies of UScellular conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). However, UScellular uses certain “non-GAAP financial measures” in the MD&A. A discussion of the reasons UScellular determines these metrics to be useful and reconciliations of these measures to their most directly comparable measures determined in accordance with GAAP are included in the disclosure under the heading Supplemental Information Relating to Non-GAAP Financial Measures within the MD&A of this report.

Current wording

The accounting policies of UScellular conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). However, UScellular uses certain “non-GAAP financial measures” in the MD&A and the business segment information. A discussion of the reasons UScellular determines these metrics to be useful and reconciliations of these measures to their most directly comparable measures determined in accordance with GAAP are included in the disclosure under the heading Supplemental Information Relating to Non-GAAP Financial Measures within the MD&A of this report.

Previous wording

UScellular provides wireless service throughout its footprint, and leases tower space to third-party carriers on UScellular-owned towers. UScellular is an 82%-owned subsidiary of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (TDS).

Current wording

UScellular provides wireless service throughout its footprint, and leases tower space to third-party carriers on UScellular-owned towers. UScellular is an 83%-owned subsidiary of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (TDS).

Previous wording

▪Serves customers with 4.5 million retail connections including approximately 4.0 million postpaid and 0.4 million prepaid connections

Current wording

▪Serves customers with 4.5 million retail connections including 4.0 million postpaid and 0.5 million prepaid connections

Previous wording

▪Operates 6,990 cell sites in service

Current wording

▪Operates 7,007 cell sites in service

Previous wording

▪UScellular offers economical and competitively priced service plans and devices to its customers and is focused on increasing revenues from sales of related products such as device protection plans and from services such as fixed wireless home internet. In addition, UScellular is focused on increasing tower rent revenues and expanding its solutions available to business and government customers.

Current wording

▪UScellular offers economical and competitively priced service plans and devices to its customers and is focused on increasing revenues from sales of related products such as device protection plans and from services such as fixed wireless home internet. In addition, UScellular is focused on expanding its solutions available to business and government customers.

Previous wording

▪UScellular continues to enhance its network capabilities, including by deploying 5G technology. 5G technology helps address customers’ growing demand for data services and creates opportunities for new services requiring high speed and reliability as well as low latency. UScellular's initial 5G deployment in 2019-2022 predominantly used low-band spectrum to launch 5G services in portions of substantially all of its markets. During 2023, UScellular continued to invest in 5G with a focus on deployment of mid-band spectrum, which largely overlaps areas already covered with low-band 5G service. During 2024, UScellular is continuing the multi-year deployment of 5G mid-band spectrum. 5G service deployed over mid-band spectrum further enhances speed and capacity for UScellular's mobility and fixed wireless services.

Current wording

▪UScellular continues to enhance its network capabilities, including by deploying 5G technology to help address customers’ growing demand for data services and create opportunities for new services requiring high speed and reliability as well as low latency. In 2019-2023, UScellular focused on 5G coverage and predominantly used low-band spectrum to launch 5G services in portions of substantially all of its markets. During 2023 and 2024, UScellular has focused on deploying 5G over its mid-band spectrum, largely overlapping areas already covered with low-band 5G service to enhance speed and capacity for UScellular’s mobility and fixed wireless services. Investments in the next several years are expected to be focused on continued mid-band spectrum deployment to enhance speed and capacity needs, building on the existing 5G coverage across UScellular’s footprint.

Previous wording

On August 4, 2023, TDS and UScellular announced that the Boards of Directors of both companies decided to initiate a process to explore a range of strategic alternatives for UScellular. On May 28, 2024, UScellular announced that its Board of Directors unanimously approved the execution of a Securities Purchase Agreement (Securities Purchase Agreement) by and among TDS, UScellular, T-Mobile US, Inc. (T-Mobile) and USCC Wireless Holdings, LLC, pursuant to which, among other things, UScellular agreed to sell its wireless operations and select spectrum assets to T-Mobile for a purchase price, subject to adjustment as specified in the Securities Purchase Agreement, of $4,400 million, which is payable in a combination of cash and the assumption of up to approximately $2,000 million in debt. The transaction is expected to close in mid-2025, subject to the receipt of regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

Current wording

On August 4, 2023, TDS and UScellular announced that the Boards of Directors of both companies decided to initiate a process to explore a range of strategic alternatives for UScellular. On May 28, 2024, UScellular announced that its Board of Directors unanimously approved the execution of a Securities Purchase Agreement (Securities Purchase Agreement) by and among TDS, UScellular, T-Mobile US, Inc. (T-Mobile) and USCC Wireless Holdings, LLC, pursuant to which, among other things, UScellular agreed to sell its wireless operations and select spectrum assets to T-Mobile for a purchase price, subject to adjustment as specified in the Securities Purchase Agreement, of $4,400 million, which is payable in a combination of cash and the assumption of up to approximately $2,000 million in debt. The Securities Purchase Agreement also contemplates, among other things, a Short-Term Spectrum Manager Lease Agreement that will become effective at the closing date, which provides T-Mobile with an exclusive license to use certain UScellular spectrum assets at no cost for up to one-year for the purpose of providing continued, uninterrupted service to customers. The transactions are expected to close in mid-2025, subject to the receipt of regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

Previous wording

The strategic alternatives review process is ongoing as UScellular seeks to opportunistically monetize its spectrum assets that are not subject to the Securities Purchase Agreement.

Current wording

The strategic alternatives review process is ongoing as UScellular seeks to opportunistically monetize its spectrum assets that are not subject to the Securities Purchase Agreement or the Verizon Purchase Agreement.

Previous wording

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities represents UScellular’s share of net income from entities in which it has a noncontrolling interest and that are accounted for using the equity method or the net asset value practical expedient. UScellular’s investment in the Los Angeles SMSA Limited Partnership (LA Partnership) contributed pre-tax income of $17 million and $18 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively and $33 million and $38 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. See Note 8 — Investments in Unconsolidated Entities in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Current wording

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities represents UScellular’s share of net income from entities in which it has a noncontrolling interest and that are accounted for using the equity method or the net asset value practical expedient. UScellular’s investment in the Los Angeles SMSA Limited Partnership (LA Partnership) contributed pre-tax income of $16 million and $14 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively and $48 million and $52 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. See Note 9 — Investments in Unconsolidated Entities in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Previous wording

Interest expense decreased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 due primarily to a decrease in the average principal balance outstanding on the receivables securitization agreement. See Market Risk for additional information regarding maturities of long-term debt and weighted average interest rates.

Current wording

Interest expense decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 due primarily to a decrease in the average principal balance outstanding on the receivables securitization agreement. See Market Risk for additional information regarding maturities of long-term debt and weighted average interest rates.

Previous wording

Total postpaid handset net losses increased for the six months ended June 30, 2024 when compared to the same period last year due to lower gross additions as a result of a decrease in the pool of available customers and continued aggressive industry-wide competition.

Current wording

Total postpaid handset net losses decreased for the three months ended September 30, 2024, when compared to the same period last year due primarily to lower defections as a result of improvements in churn.

Previous wording

Total postpaid handset net losses were flat for the three months ended June 30, 2024, when compared to the same period last year due to lower gross additions as a result of a decrease in the pool of available customers and continued aggressive industry-wide competition. This was offset by lower defections as a result of improvements in churn.

Current wording

Total postpaid handset net losses increased for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 when compared to the same period last year due to lower gross additions as a result of a decrease in the pool of available customers and continued aggressive industry-wide competition. This was partially offset by lower defections as a result of improvements in churn.

Previous wording

Total postpaid connected device net additions increased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, when compared to the same period last year due to higher demand for fixed wireless home internet as well as a decrease in tablet, hotspot and home phone defections as a result of improvements in churn.

Current wording

Total postpaid connected device net additions increased for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, when compared to the same period last year due to a decrease in tablet, hotspot and home phone defections as a result of improvements in churn.

Previous wording

Postpaid ARPU increased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, when compared to the same period last year, due to favorable plan and product offering mix and an increase in cost recovery surcharges.

Current wording

Postpaid ARPU and ARPA increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, when compared to the same period last year, due to an increase in favorable plan and product offering mix and cost recovery surcharges.

Previous wording

Retail service revenues decreased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, primarily as result of a decrease in average postpaid and prepaid connections, partially offset by an increase in Postpaid ARPU as previously discussed in the Operational Overview section.

Current wording

Retail service revenues decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, primarily as a result of a decrease in average postpaid and prepaid connections, partially offset by an increase in Postpaid ARPU as previously discussed in the Operational Overview section.

Previous wording

Equipment sales revenues decreased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, due primarily to a decline in smartphone devices sold due to lower upgrade and gross additions, partially offset by a higher average price of new smartphone sales.

Current wording

Equipment sales revenues decreased for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, due primarily to a decline in smartphone devices sold due to lower upgrades and gross additions, partially offset by a higher average price of new smartphone sales.

Previous wording

Wireless service providers have been aggressive promotionally and on price to attract and retain customers. This includes both traditional carriers and cable wireless companies. UScellular expects promotional aggressiveness by traditional carriers and pricing pressures from cable wireless companies to continue into the foreseeable future. Operating revenues and Operating income have been negatively impacted in current and prior periods, and are expected to be negatively impacted in future periods.

Current wording

Wireless service providers have been aggressive promotionally and on price to attract and retain customers. This includes both traditional carriers and cable wireless companies. UScellular expects promotional aggressiveness by traditional carriers to continue and pricing pressures from cable wireless companies and new entrants to increase into the foreseeable future. Additionally, other wireless service providers have more developed networks and coverage as well as lower costs per subscriber than UScellular, which has negatively affected and may continue to negatively affect UScellular's ability to compete over time. Operating revenues and Operating income (loss) have been negatively impacted by these factors in current and prior periods, and are expected to be negatively impacted in future periods.

Previous wording

Total operating expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2023 include $9 million of severance and related expenses associated with a reduction in workforce that was recorded in the first quarter of 2023. These severance expenses are included in System operations expenses and Selling, general and administrative expenses.

Current wording

Total operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 include $9 million of severance and related expenses associated with a reduction in workforce that was recorded in the first quarter of 2023. These severance expenses are included in System operations expenses and Selling, general and administrative expenses.

Previous wording

System operations expenses decreased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, due primarily to decreases in customer usage and maintenance, utilities, and cell site expenses, partially offset by an increase in roaming expense primarily driven by an increase in outbound roaming usage.

Current wording

System operations expenses decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, due primarily to a decrease in expenses driven by the shutdown of the 3G Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network in the first quarter of 2024, partially offset by increases in outbound roaming usage and maintenance, utilities, and cell site expenses.

Previous wording

Cost of equipment sold decreased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, due primarily to a decline in smartphone upgrades and gross additions, partially offset by a higher average cost per unit sold.

Current wording

Cost of equipment sold decreased for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, due primarily to a decline in smartphone devices sold due to lower upgrades and gross additions, partially offset by a higher average price of new smartphone sales.

Previous wording

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, due to decreases in various general and administrative expenses, sales related expenses and bad debts expense, partially offset by an increase related to the strategic alternatives review expenses of $12 million and $20 million, respectively.

Current wording

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, due to decreases in various general and administrative expenses, sales related expenses and bad debts expense, partially offset by an increase related to the strategic alternatives review expenses of $4 million and $23 million, respectively.

Previous wording

Number of colocations decreased for the period ended June 30, 2024 when compared to the same period last year due to an increase in terminations, partially offset by new tenant and equipment change executions.

Current wording

Number of colocations increased for the period ended September 30, 2024 when compared to the same period last year due to an increase in new tenant and equipment change executions partially offset by terminations.

Previous wording

Intra-company revenues increased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, primarily as a result of an increase in the intra-company rate charged by Towers to Wireless.

Current wording

Intra-company revenues increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, primarily as a result of an increase in the intra-company rate charged by Towers to Wireless and an increase in the number of owned towers.

Previous wording

UScellular believes that existing cash and investment balances, funds available under its financing agreements, its ability to obtain future external financing, potential dispositions and expected cash flows from operating and investing activities will provide sufficient liquidity for UScellular to meet its day-to-day operating needs and debt service requirements. UScellular may require substantial additional funding for, among other uses, capital expenditures, agreements to purchase goods or services, leases, repurchases of shares, or making additional investments. It may be necessary from time to time to increase the size of its existing credit facilities, to amend existing or put in place new credit agreements, to obtain other forms of financing, issue equity securities, or to divest assets in order to fund potential expenditures. UScellular will continue to monitor the rapidly changing business and market conditions and is taking and intends to take appropriate actions, as necessary, to meet its liquidity needs.

Current wording

UScellular believes that existing cash and investment balances, funds available under its financing agreements, its ability to obtain future external financing, potential dispositions and expected cash flows from operating and investing activities will provide sufficient liquidity for UScellular to meet its day-to-day operating needs and debt service requirements. UScellular may require substantial additional funding for, among other uses, capital expenditures, agreements to purchase goods or services, leases, repurchases of shares, or making additional investments. It may be necessary from time to time to increase the size of its existing credit facilities, to amend existing or put in place new credit agreements, to obtain other forms of financing, issue equity securities, or to divest assets in order to fund potential expenditures. UScellular will continue to monitor the rapidly changing business and market conditions and is taking and intends to take appropriate actions, as necessary, to meet its liquidity needs. Due to its smaller scale, UScellular has higher costs per subscriber than its competitors and is balancing the timing of investments, such as its 5G deployment, with liquidity considerations.

Previous wording

UScellular, through its subsidiaries, has a receivables securitization agreement that permits securitized borrowings using its equipment installment plan receivables. Amounts under the agreement may be borrowed, repaid and reborrowed from time to time until September 2025. Unless the agreement is amended to extend the maturity date, repayments based on receivable collections commencein October 2025. During the six months ended June 30, 2024, UScellular borrowed $40 million and repaid $188 million under the agreement. As of June 30, 2024, the outstanding borrowings under the agreement were $2 million and the unused borrowing capacity was $448 million, subject to sufficient collateral to satisfy the asset borrowing base provisions of the agreement.

Current wording

UScellular, through its subsidiaries, has a receivables securitization agreement that permits securitized borrowings using its equipment installment plan receivables. Amounts under the agreement may be borrowed, repaid and reborrowed from time to time until September 2025. Unless the agreement is amended to extend the maturity date, repayments based on receivable collections commencein October 2025. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, UScellular borrowed $40 million and repaid $188 million under the agreement. As of September 30, 2024, the outstanding borrowings under the agreement were $2 million and the unused borrowing capacity was $448 million, subject to sufficient collateral to satisfy the asset borrowing base provisions of the agreement.

Previous wording

Capital expenditures (i.e., additions to property, plant and equipment and system development expenditures; excludes wireless spectrum license additions), which include the effects of accruals and capitalized interest, for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, were as follows:

Current wording

Capital expenditures (i.e., additions to property, plant and equipment and system development expenditures; excludes wireless spectrum license additions), which include the effects of accruals and capitalized interest, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, were as follows:

Previous wording

Capital expenditures for the full year 2024 are expected to be between $550 million and $650 million. These expenditures are expected to be used principally for the following purposes:

Current wording

Capital expenditures for the full year 2024 are expected to be between $550 million and $600 million. These expenditures are expected to be used principally for the following purposes:

Previous wording

▪Enhance and maintain UScellular's network capacity and coverage, including continued deployment of 5G with a focus on network deployment that uses mid-band spectrum to provide additional speed and capacity to accommodate increased data usage by current customers; and

Current wording

▪Continued deployment of 5G with a focus on network deployment that uses mid-band spectrum to provide additional speed and capacity to accommodate increased data usage by current customers; and

Previous wording

UScellular operates a capital-intensive business. UScellular makes substantial investments to acquire wireless spectrum licenses and properties and to construct and upgrade wireless telecommunications networks and facilities with a goal of 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-saving upgrades to UScellular’s networks. Revenues from certain of these investments are long-term and in some cases are uncertain. To meet its cash-flow needs, UScellular may need to delay or reduce certain investments or sell assets. Refer to Liquidity and Capital Resources within this MD&A and Note 7 — Divestitures in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information. Cash flows may fluctuate from quarter to quarter and year to year due to seasonality, timing and other factors. The following discussion summarizes UScellular's cash flow activities for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023.

Current wording

UScellular operates a capital-intensive business. UScellular makes substantial investments to acquire wireless spectrum licenses and to construct and upgrade wireless telecommunications networks and facilities with a goal of 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-saving upgrades to UScellular’s networks. Revenues from certain of these investments are long-term and in some cases are uncertain. To meet its cash-flow needs, UScellular may need to delay or reduce certain investments or sell assets. Refer to Liquidity and Capital Resources within this MD&A and Note 7 — Divestitures in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information. Cash flows may fluctuate from quarter to quarter and year to year due to seasonality, timing and other factors. The following discussion summarizes UScellular's cash flow activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.

Previous wording

UScellular’s Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash decreased $84 million. Net cash provided by operating activities was $390 million due to net income of $20 million adjusted for non-cash items of $345 million, distributions received from unconsolidated entities of $78 million, including $37 million in distributions from the LA Partnership, and changes in working capital items which decreased net cash by $53 million. The working capital changes were primarily driven by timing of vendor payments and payment of associate bonuses, partially offset by reduced inventory purchases and timing of collection on receivables.

Current wording

UScellular’s Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash increased $109 million. Net cash provided by operating activities was $761 million due to net loss of $37 million adjusted for non-cash items of $600 million, distributions received from unconsolidated entities of $106 million, including $37 million in distributions from the LA Partnership, and changes in working capital items which increased net cash by $92 million. The working capital changes were primarily driven by reduced receivable and inventory balances and the timing of future tax payments, partially offset by payments of associate bonuses and agent rebates and commissions.

Previous wording

Cash flows used for investing activities were $284 million, due primarily to payments for property, plant and equipment of $270 million.

Current wording

Cash flows used for investing activities were $415 million, due primarily to payments for property, plant and equipment of $399 million.

Previous wording

Cash flows used for financing activities were $196 million, due primarily to $188 million in repayments on the receivables securitization agreement and cash paid for software license agreements of $20 million, partially offset by a borrowing of $40 million on the receivables securitization agreement.

Current wording

Cash flows used for financing activities were $237 million, due primarily to $188 million in repayments on the receivables securitization agreement, cash paid for software license agreements of $31 million and the repurchase of $26 million Common Shares, partially offset by a borrowing of $40 million on the receivables securitization agreement.

Previous wording

UScellular’s Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash increased $36 million. Net cash provided by operating activities was $516 million due to net income of $42 million adjusted for non-cash items of $352 million, distributions received from unconsolidated entities of $80 million, including $37 million in distributions from the LA Partnership, and changes in working capital items which increased net cash by $42 million. The working capital changes were primarily driven by reduced inventory balances and the timing of future tax payments, partially offset by payment of associate bonuses.

Current wording

UScellular’s Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash decreased $123 million. Net cash provided by operating activities was $719 million due to net income of $43 million adjusted for non-cash items of $514 million, distributions received from unconsolidated entities of $97 million, including $37 million in distributions from the LA Partnership, and changes in working capital items which increased net cash by $65 million. The working capital changes were primarily driven by reduced inventory and receivable balances, partially offset by timing of vendor payments and payment of associate bonuses.

Previous wording

Cash flows used for investing activities were $345 million, due primarily to payments for property, plant and equipment of $351 million.

Current wording

Cash flows used for investing activities were $464 million, due primarily to payments for property, plant and equipment of $454 million.

Previous wording

Cash flows used for financing activities were $129 million, due primarily to a repayment of $150 million on the receivables securitization agreement, a $60 million repayment on the EIP receivables repurchase agreement and cash paid for software license agreements of $19 million, partially offset by $115 million borrowed under the receivables securitization agreement.

Current wording

Cash flows used for financing activities were $378 million, due primarily to repayments of $385 million on the receivables securitization agreement, a $60 million repayment on the EIP receivables repurchase agreement and cash paid for software license agreements of $28 million, partially offset by $115 million borrowed under the receivables securitization agreement.

Previous wording

Inventory, net decreased $56 million due primarily to the sell through of inventory on hand which was elevated at the end of 2023 to support holiday promotions and ensure adequate device supply.

Current wording

Inventory, net decreased $38 million due primarily to the sell through of inventory on hand which was elevated at the end of 2023 to support holiday promotions and ensure adequate device supply.

Previous wording

The gross basis of Property, plant and equipment as well as the related Accumulated depreciation and amortization, decreased by $1,266 million and $1,230 million, respectively, due primarily to the decommissioning of fully depreciated assets no longer in service related to the CDMA network shutdown.

Current wording

The gross basis of Property, plant and equipment as well as the related Accumulated depreciation and amortization, decreased by $1,158 million and $1,086 million, respectively, due primarily to the decommissioning of fully depreciated assets no longer in service related to the CDMA network shutdown.

Previous wording

EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted OIBDA are defined as Net income adjusted for the items set forth in the reconciliation below. EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted OIBDA are not measures of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as alternatives to Net income or Cash flows from operating activities, as indicators of cash flows or as measures of liquidity. UScellular does not intend to imply that any such items set forth in the reconciliation below are non-recurring, infrequent or unusual; such items may occur in the future.

Current wording

EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted OIBDA are defined as Net income (loss) adjusted for the items set forth in the reconciliation below. EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted OIBDA are not measures of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as alternatives to Net income (loss) or Cash flows from operating activities, as indicators of cash flows or as measures of liquidity. UScellular does not intend to imply that any such items set forth in the reconciliation below are non-recurring, infrequent or unusual; such items may occur in the future.

Previous wording

Management uses Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted OIBDA as measurements of profitability, and therefore reconciliations to applicable GAAP income measures are deemed appropriate. Management believes Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted OIBDA are useful measures of UScellular’s operating results before significant recurring non-cash charges, nonrecurring expenses, gains and losses, and other items as presented below as they provide additional relevant and useful information to investors and other users of UScellular’s financial data in evaluating the effectiveness of its operations and underlying business trends in a manner that is consistent with management’s evaluation of business performance. Adjusted EBITDA shows adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and accretion, gains and losses, and expenses related to the strategic alternatives review of UScellular, while Adjusted OIBDA reduces this measure further to exclude Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities and Interest and dividend income in order to more effectively show the performance of operating activities excluding investment activities. The following tables reconcile EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted OIBDA to the corresponding GAAP measures, Net income and/or Operating income. Income and expense items below Operating income are not provided at the individual segment level for Wireless and Towers; therefore, the reconciliations begin with EBITDA and the most directly comparable GAAP measure is Operating income rather than Net income at the segment level.

Current wording

Management uses Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted OIBDA as measurements of profitability, and therefore reconciliations to applicable GAAP income measures are deemed appropriate. Management believes Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted OIBDA are useful measures of UScellular’s operating results before significant recurring non-cash charges, nonrecurring expenses, gains and losses, and other items as presented below as they provide additional relevant and useful information to investors and other users of UScellular’s financial data in evaluating the effectiveness of its operations and underlying business trends in a manner that is consistent with management’s evaluation of business performance. Adjusted EBITDA shows adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and accretion, gains and losses, and expenses related to the strategic alternatives review of UScellular, while Adjusted OIBDA reduces this measure further to exclude Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities and Interest and dividend income in order to more effectively show the performance of operating activities excluding investment activities. The following tables reconcile EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted OIBDA to the corresponding GAAP measures, Net income (loss) and/or Operating income (loss). Income and expense items below Operating income (loss) are not provided at the individual segment level for Wireless and Towers; therefore, the reconciliations begin with EBITDA and the most directly comparable GAAP measure is Operating income (loss) rather than Net income (loss) at the segment level.