TELEPHONE & DATA SYSTEMS INC /DE/

The following discussion and analysis compares financial results for the year ended December 31, 2025, to the year ended December 31, 2024 and the year ended December 31, 2024, to the year ended December 31, 2023.

N/M - Percentage change not meaningful

1 Consists of corporate and other operations and intercompany eliminations.

2 Refer to Supplemental Information Relating to Non-GAAP Financial Measures within this MD&A for a reconciliation of this measure.

3 Refer to Liquidity and Capital Resources within this MD&A for additional information on Capital expenditures.

Refer to individual segment discussions in this MD&A for additional details on operating revenues and expenses at the segment level.

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities represents TDS' 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. Array holds noncontrolling interests in three entities managed by Array in the state of Iowa that sold their wireless operations to T-Mobile in three separate transactions on August 1, 2025, the same date that Array sold its wireless operations to T-Mobile. As a result of the Iowa entities' sale of their wireless operations, these entities recognized a gain on sale, and Array's proportionate share of that gain was included in Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities in the amount of $33.4 million, which was the primary driver of the year-over-year increase in 2025. See Note 9 — Investments in Unconsolidated Entities in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Interest expense increased in 2025 due primarily to the write-off of unamortized debt costs for TDS debt facilities that were repaid in August 2025, a borrowing on the Array CoBank term loan in August 2025 and lower capitalized interest at Array. Interest expense from continuing operations excludes interest costs in all periods associated with Array term loans repaid, and Array debt exchanged, in conjunction with the sale of Array's wireless operations to T-Mobile. See Market Risk for additional information regarding maturities of long-term debt and weighted average interest rates.

Income tax benefit on continuing operations increased in 2025 due primarily to favorable reductions to valuation allowances related to deferred tax assets that are now likely to be realized by the taxable income generated from the sale of wireless operations and select spectrum assets to T-Mobile, and/or the future License Purchase Agreements classified as held for sale as of December 31, 2025. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in the deferred tax benefit on the impairment of certain wireless spectrum licenses, which was smaller in 2025 than the impairment recorded in 2024.

See Note 5 —Income Taxes in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Net income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to TDS shareholders

Net income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to TDS shareholders decreased for the year ended December 31, 2025, as a result of the sale of the wireless operations on August 1, 2025 and the corresponding loss on sale recognized on that date. See Note 2 —Discontinued Operations in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to the components of Net income (loss) from discontinued operations.

Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax

Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax includes the noncontrolling public shareholders’ share of Array’s net income (loss) from continuing operations, the noncontrolling shareholders’ or partners’ share of certain Array subsidiaries’ net income (loss) from continuing operations and other TDS noncontrolling interests.

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities represents TDS’ 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. See Note 9 — Investments in Unconsolidated Entities in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Interest expense increased in 2024 due primarily to an increase in borrowings under the TDS term loan agreements. See Market Risk for additional information regarding maturities of long-term debt and weighted average interest rates.

Income tax expense decreased in 2024 due primarily to the deferred tax impact of the wireless spectrum license impairment charge recorded in the third quarter of 2024 and a decrease in state tax expense in 2024, partially offset by the deferred tax impact of the Goodwill impairment recorded in the fourth quarter of 2023. See Note 5 — Income Taxes in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Net income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to TDS shareholders

See Note 2 —Discontinued Operations in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to the components of Net income (loss) from discontinued operations.

Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax

Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax includes the noncontrolling public shareholders’ share of Array’s net income (loss) from continuing operations, the noncontrolling shareholders’ or partners’ share of certain Array subsidiaries’ net income (loss) from continuing operations and other TDS noncontrolling interests.

Earnings

Net income from continuing operations increased in 2025 due primarily to lower operating expenses, an income tax benefit and short-term imputed spectrum lease income, partially offset by lower operating revenues. Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations increased in 2025 due primarily to lower operating expenses, partially offset by lower operating revenues.

Net loss from continuing operations decreased in 2024 due primarily to lower operating and interest expenses, partially offset by lower operating revenues. Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations increased in 2024 due primarily to lower operating expenses, partially offset by lower operating revenues.

*Represents a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to Supplemental Information Relating to Non-GAAP Financial Measures within this MD&A for a reconciliation of this measure.