TELEPHONE & DATA SYSTEMS INC /DE/
For the period ended Jun 30, 2025. Filed Aug 11, 2025.
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A company's report for each of its first three quarters. The financial statements are not audited. It shows how the business has moved since the last annual report, and what management says changed.
Jun 30, 2025 · Filed Aug 11, 2025
TDS$32.87+1.6%Stored close · as of Nov 6, 2026
What changed in Management’s Discussion and Analysis?
Read the current filingPrevious report: 10-Q
Period ended 2025-03-31; filed 2025-05-02.
0001051512-25-000029
Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsExecutive OverviewTerms Used by TDSCurrent report: 10-Q
Period ended 2025-06-30; filed 2025-08-11.
0001051512-25-000062
Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsExecutive OverviewTerms Used by TDSThe baseline is this issuer’s latest earlier reporting period of the same form that was filed before the current report. A previous 10-Q is a different quarter, not a year-over-year comparison. Amendments are excluded.
Compared 55 previous paragraphs and 66 current paragraphs.
40 unchanged; 13 reworded; 13 added; 2 removed; 0 previous and 0 current paragraphs rearranged.
Tables are not compared: 0 previous and 0 current tables excluded. Dates, whitespace, punctuation and numbering changes are ignored; changes to financial figures remain significant.
A changed paragraph is not evidence that risk increased or decreased. An unchanged paragraph does not establish that risk stayed the same.
Added paragraphs (13)
Current report
As of June 30, 2025, United States Cellular Corporation (UScellular) is a 82.5%-owned subsidiary of TDS. On August 1, 2025, UScellular changed its name to Array Digital Infrastructure, Inc. (Array). Array is used throughout this report even when referring to historical periods.
Current report
▪Array also holds noncontrolling interests in wireless operating companies that generate material amounts of income and cash distributions. Further, Array holds wireless spectrum that is subject to sale agreements described below, and additional wireless spectrum not subject to pending sale agreements that Array seeks to opportunistically monetize.
Current report
▪Through July 31, 2025, Array provided wireless communication services; these operations were disposed of on August 1, 2025, as discussed further below.
Current report
The following events occurred subsequent to June 30, 2025 and are not reflected in the financial results, statements, or footnotes (unless otherwise explicitly stated) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025.
Current report
•On July 14, 2025, Array completed the acquisition of King Street Wireless, Inc. and Sunshine Spectrum, Inc. for a total purchase price of $17 million, of which$10 million was paid in prior periods and $7 million was paid at time of closing. Following the acquisitions, King Street Wireless, King Street Wireless, Inc., Advantage Spectrum and Sunshine Spectrum, Inc., are no longer classified as variable interest entities (VIEs). The acquisitions result in the expected realization of certain deferred tax assets, and therefore TDS expects to record a reduction to valuation allowance on deferred tax assets and associated discrete income tax benefit of approximately $50 million during the three months ending September 30, 2025.
Current report
•On July 31, 2025, Array terminated the receivables securitization agreement. In addition, the USCC Master Note Trust, a special purpose entity used to facilitate securitized borrowings using equipment installment plan receivables, was dissolved and, therefore, the entity will no longer be classified as a VIE.
Current report
•On August 1, 2025, the sale of the wireless operations to T-Mobile closed and Array received cash proceeds of $2,629 million. TDS expects a cash income tax liability on the T-Mobile transaction of between $125 million and $175 million. The transaction included a debt exchange offer whereby debt issued by Array could be exchanged for debt issued by T-Mobile, which reduced the cash portion of the purchase price. The cash portion of the purchase price was also reduced by unearned contingent consideration of $89 million as well as other purchase price adjustments outlined in the Securities Purchase Agreement. The final cash proceeds are subject to adjustment according to the terms and conditions of the Securities Purchase Agreement. Array expects to record exit and disposal costs and recognize a loss on the transaction that will be based on the carrying value of net assets sold as of the close date. As of June 30, 2025, the carrying value of the net assets sold to T-Mobile was approximately $2,400 million.
Current report
•The debt exchange offering period concluded on August 1, 2025 and resulted in the exchange of $1,680 million of long-term debt comprised of the following Array notes: $489 million of 6.7% Senior Notes, $394 million of 6.25% Senior Notes, $402 million of 5.5% March 2070 Senior Notes and $395 million of 5.5% June 2070 Senior Notes. As a result, on August 1, 2025, after the debt exchange, Array retained $364 million of senior notes, consisting of $55 million 6.7% Senior Notes, $106 million 6.25% Senior Notes, $98 million 5.5% March 2070 Senior Notes, and $105 million 5.5% June 2070 Senior Notes. The unamortized discount and debt issuance costs related to the exchanged debt was $48 million and will be recorded as interest expense during the three months ending September 30, 2025.
Current report
•On August 1, 2025, Array and T-Mobile entered into a Master License Agreement (MLA), pursuant to which, among other things, T-Mobile has agreed to license from Array, for a minimum of 15 years, space on a minimum of 2,015 existing or to-be-constructed towers owned by Array. The MLA also provided that T-Mobile extend the license term for approximately 600 towers owned by Array for a new 15-year term commencing on August 1, 2025. In addition, the MLA provides terms and conditions for T-Mobile, at its option, to revert certain equipment back to Array and would make Array responsible for any decommissioning, remediation, restoration, or disposal costs of such assets.
Current report
•On August 1, 2025, the Array Board of Directors declared a special dividend per Common and Series A outstanding share of $23.00 for shareholders of record on August 11, 2025, which will be payable on August 19, 2025. TDS, which owns 82.5% of the equity of Array as of June 30, 2025, will receive its pro-rata share of the special dividend.
Current report
•On August 1, 2025, certain wireless service companies in Iowa that are not consolidated into the Array financial statements but are accounted for as equity method investments sold specific wireless assets and wireless customers to T-Mobile under separate asset purchase agreements. Array expects to receive a distribution from these transactions in August 2025.
Current report
•On August 4, 2025, Array repaid the entire outstanding borrowings under all of its term loan agreements and export credit financing agreement of $863 million. Array expects to draw $325 million from its term loan agreement in August 2025.
Removed paragraphs (2)
Previous report
▪UScellular offers economical and competitively priced wireless 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 report
▪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. Investments are focused on continued mid-band spectrum deployment to enhance speed and capacity needs, building on the existing 5G coverage across UScellular’s footprint.
Reworded paragraphs (13)
Previous wording
The following discussion and analysis compares Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.’s (TDS) financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2025, to the three months ended March 31, 2024. It should be read in conjunction with TDS’ interim consolidated financial statements and notes included herein, and with the description of TDS’ business, its audited consolidated financial statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) included in TDS’ Annual Report on Form 10-K (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2024. 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 Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.’s (TDS) financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, to the three and six months ended June 30, 2024. It should be read in conjunction with TDS’ interim consolidated financial statements and notes included herein, and with the description of TDS’ business, its audited consolidated financial statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) included in TDS’ Annual Report on Form 10-K (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2024. 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
TDS is a diversified telecommunications company that provides high-quality communications services to approximately 5.5 million connections nationwide as of March 31, 2025. TDS provides wireless services and leases tower space to third-party carriers on owned towers through its 83%-owned subsidiary, United States Cellular Corporation (UScellular). TDS also provides broadband, video, voice and wireless services through its wholly-owned subsidiary, TDS Telecommunications LLC (TDS Telecom). TDS operates entirely in the United States. See Note 11 — Business Segment Information in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information about TDS' segments.
Current wording
TDS is a diversified telecommunications company that provides high-quality communications services. Array leases and offers tower space to third-party tenants on owned towers, holds noncontrolling interests in wireless operating companies andholds certain wireless spectrum licenses not included in the sale of its wireless operations, which was divested on August 1, 2025. TDS also provides broadband, video, voice and wireless services through its wholly-owned subsidiary, TDS Telecommunications LLC (TDS Telecom). TDS operates entirely in the United States. See Note 11 — Business Segment Information in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information about TDS' segments.
Previous wording
▪UScellular seeks to grow revenue in its Towers segment primarily through increasing third-party colocations on existing towers through providing unique tower locations, attractive terms and streamlined implementation to third-party wireless operators.
Current wording
▪Array seeks to grow revenue in its Towers operations primarily through increasing third-party colocations on existing towers through providing unique tower locations, attractive terms and streamlined implementation to third-party wireless operators.
Previous wording
Following the conclusion of the strategic alternatives review process for UScellular, TDS expects to focus its strategic efforts on its remaining businesses. TDS also expects to have additional opportunities to invest further in its remaining businesses, improve its liquidity and return value to its shareholders.
Current wording
Following the conclusion of the strategic alternatives review process for Array, TDS expects to focus its strategic efforts on its remaining businesses. TDS also expects to have additional opportunities to invest further in its remaining businesses, improve its liquidity and return value to its shareholders.
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 adjustments, 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 purchase price includes $100 million contingent on the satisfaction of certain financial and operational targets prior to close; based on projected performance against such targets through an expected mid-year 2025 close, UScellular does not expect to receive most of this contingent consideration. The purchase price also includes $400 million allocated to certain wireless spectrum licenses held by entities in which UScellular is a non-controlling limited partner. The closing with respect to these wireless spectrum licenses is contingent upon UScellular's purchase, which is pending receipt of regulatory approval, of the remaining equity in the entities that UScellular does not currently own. The Securities Purchase Agreement also contemplates, among other things, a Short-Term Spectrum Manager Lease Agreement and Short-Term Spectrum Manager Sublease Agreements that will become effective at the closing date, which provide T-Mobile with an exclusive license to use certain UScellular spectrum assets and leases at no cost for up to one-year for the sole purpose of providing continued, uninterrupted service to customers. The sale of the wireless operations to T-Mobile 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 Array announced that the Boards of Directors of both companies decided to initiate a process to explore a range of strategic alternatives for Array. On May 28, 2024, Array announced that its Board of Directors unanimously approved the execution of a Securities Purchase Agreement (Securities Purchase Agreement) by and among TDS, Array, T-Mobile US, Inc. (T-Mobile) and USCC Wireless Holdings, LLC, pursuant to which, among other things, Array agreed to sell its wireless operations and select spectrum assets to T-Mobile. The Securities Purchase Agreement also contemplated, among other things, a Short-Term Spectrum Manager Lease Agreement and Short-Term Spectrum Manager Sublease Agreements that would become effective at the closing date, which provide T-Mobile with an exclusive license to use certain Array spectrum assets and leases at no cost for up to one-year for the sole purpose of providing continued, uninterrupted service to customers. The sale of the wireless operations to T-Mobile was subject to the receipt of regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. As of June 30, 2025, the transaction did not meet the accounting criteria to be presented as discontinued operations. Regulatory approval was received in July 2025 and the closing occurred on August 1, 2025, as discussed further below.
Previous wording
On October 17, 2024, UScellular, and certain subsidiaries of UScellular, entered into a License Purchase Agreement (Verizon Purchase Agreement) with Verizon Communications Inc. (Verizon) to sell certain AWS, Cellular and PCS wireless spectrum licenses and agreed to grant Verizon certain rights to lease such licenses prior to the transaction close for total proceeds of $1,000 million. As of March 31, 2025, UScellular's book value of the wireless spectrum licenses to be sold was $586 million. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions, and is contingent on the closing of the T-Mobile transaction and the termination of the T-Mobile Short-Term Spectrum Manager Lease Agreement.
Current wording
On October 17, 2024, Array, and certain subsidiaries of Array, entered into a License Purchase Agreement (Verizon Purchase Agreement) with Verizon Communications Inc. (Verizon) to sell certain AWS, Cellular and PCS wireless spectrum licenses and agreed to grant Verizon certain rights to lease such licenses prior to the transaction close for total proceeds of $1,000 million. As of June 30, 2025, Array's book value of the wireless spectrum licenses to be sold was $586 million. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026, subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions, and the termination of the T-Mobile Short-Term Spectrum Manager Lease Agreement.
Previous wording
On November 6, 2024, UScellular, and certain subsidiaries of UScellular, entered into a License Purchase Agreement (AT&T Purchase Agreement) with New Cingular Wireless PCS, LLC (AT&T), a subsidiary of AT&T Inc. to sell certain 3.45 GHz and 700 MHz wireless spectrum licenses and agreed to grant AT&T certain rights to lease and sub-lease such licenses prior to the transaction close for total proceeds of $1,018 million, subject to certain purchase price adjustments. As of March 31, 2025, UScellular's book value of the wireless spectrum licenses to be sold was $859 million. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions and substantially all of the licenses subject to the transaction are contingent on the closing of the T-Mobile transaction. The purchase price includes $232 million allocated to certain wireless spectrum licenses that are held by an entity in which UScellular is a non-controlling limited partner. The closing with respect to these wireless spectrum licenses is contingent upon UScellular's purchase, which is pending receipt of regulatory approval, of the remaining equity in the entity that UScellular does not currently own.
Current wording
On November 6, 2024, Array, and certain subsidiaries of Array, entered into a License Purchase Agreement (AT&T Purchase Agreement) with New Cingular Wireless PCS, LLC (AT&T), a subsidiary of AT&T Inc. to sell certain 3.45 GHz and 700 MHz wireless spectrum licenses and agreed to grant AT&T certain rights to lease and sub-lease such licenses prior to the transaction close for total proceeds of $1,018 million, subject to certain purchase price adjustments. As of June 30, 2025, Array's book value of the wireless spectrum licenses to be sold was $860 million. The transaction is expected to close in 2025, subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions.
Previous wording
The strategic alternatives review process is ongoing as UScellular works toward closing the transactions signed during 2024, including the T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T transactions and continues to seek to opportunistically monetize its spectrum assets that are not subject to the Securities Purchase Agreement, the Verizon Purchase Agreement, or the AT&T Purchase Agreement.
Current wording
The strategic alternatives review process is ongoing as Array works toward closing the Verizon and AT&T spectrum transactions signed during 2024, and continues to seek to opportunistically monetize its spectrum assets that are not subject to the Securities Purchase Agreement, the Verizon Purchase Agreement, or the AT&T Purchase Agreement.
Previous wording
TDS incurred third-party expenses related to the announced transactions and strategic alternatives review of $16 million and $11 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Current wording
TDS incurred third-party expenses related to the announced transactions and strategic alternatives review of $16 million and $32 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, respectively and $21 million and $33 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively.
Previous wording
TDS and UScellular expect that if the closing of the T-Mobile transaction were to occur that such closing will trigger or accelerate the recognition of certain cash and non-cash obligations. Such obligations include contingent advisory fees, employee compensation and severance, employee stock award costs, debt extinguishment, income tax expense, administrative costs, restructuring expenses and other wind down costs. In periods following the close of the T-Mobile transaction, UScellular also expects to incur significant decommissioning costs for certain towers that UScellular elects to retire, and such decommissioning costs are also expected to include remaining obligations under related ground leases. These costs are expected to have a significant impact on TDS' financial statements.
Current wording
•The closing of the T-Mobile transaction triggered the recognition of certain cash and non-cash obligations. Such obligations include contingent advisory fees, employee compensation and severance, employee stock award costs, debt extinguishment, income tax expense, administrative costs, restructuring expenses and other wind down costs. In future periods, Array also may incur significant decommissioning costs for certain towers and equipment, and such decommissioning costs may also include remaining obligations under related ground leases. These costs may have a significant impact on Array's financial statements in future periods.
Previous wording
TDS continues to monitor developments related to proposed increases in tariffs on imported goods and the impacts it may have on TDS operations and financial results. An increase in future tariffs may impact the price of procured goods and services, such as devices and network equipment. TDS is working closely with its suppliers to determine the impacts of any potential tariffs, and assess potential modifications or exemptions. The outcome of the potential tariff increases could negatively impact TDS operations and financial results in future periods.
Current wording
TDS continues to monitor developments related to proposed increases in tariffs on imported goods and the impacts they may have on TDS operations and financial results. An increase in future tariffs may impact the price of procured goods and services, such as devices and network equipment. TDS is working closely with its suppliers to determine the impacts of any potential tariffs, and assess potential modifications or exemptions. The outcome of the potential tariff increases could negatively impact TDS operations and financial results in future periods.
Previous wording
▪Connected Devices – non-handset devices that connect directly to the UScellular network. Connected devices include products such as tablets, wearables, modems, fixed wireless, and hotspots.
Current wording
▪Connected Devices – non-handset devices that connect directly to the Array network. Connected devices include products such as tablets, wearables, modems, fixed wireless, and hotspots.
Previous wording
▪Retail Connections – individual lines of service associated with each device activated by a postpaid or prepaid customer. Connections are associated with all types of devices that connect directly to the UScellular network.
Current wording
▪Retail Connections – individual lines of service associated with each device activated by a postpaid or prepaid customer. Connections are associated with all types of devices that connect directly to the Array network.