Source: TDS Press Release

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (NYSE:TDS) reported operating revenues of $1,305.8 million for the first quarter of 2012, an increase of 4 percent from $1,258.7 million in the comparable period one year ago. Net income attributable to TDS shareholders and related diluted earnings per share were $52.3 million and $0.48, respectively, for the first quarter of 2012, compared to $43.5 million and $0.39, respectively, in the comparable period one year ago.

"Improved profitability at U.S. Cellular helped TDS' performance in the quarter," said LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr., TDS president and CEO. "U.S. Cellular increased retail gross customer additions and revenues, while effectively managing costs. TDS Telecom continued to increase residential broadband speeds and grow the customer base for its managedIP commercial services."

"U.S. Cellular continues to increase average revenue per customer through growth in smartphone penetration and data use, as well as inbound roaming revenues. To effectively manage equipment and network costs, the company has maintained a balanced mix of devices, and recently introduced a set of tiered data plans. U.S. Cellular plans to reach 50 percent of customers with 4G LTE access by year end.

"TDS Telecom is focused on attracting and retaining customers by offering competitive broadband speeds and complementary services. The company launched TDS TV, its proprietary IPTV service, in one more market in the quarter. TDS Telecom also increased the number of managedIP connections by 88 percent, as more business customers understood the productivity benefits of IP-based communication. To help the hosted and managed services business grow strategically over the next several years, the company is investing to build its management team and develop its portfolio of products and services. Operating income at TDS Telecom decreased due primarily to $5.2 million of discrete gains in the first quarter of 2011, as well as a decline in high margin wholesale revenues."