UScellular reports fourth quarter and full year 2024 results

As previously announced, UScellular will hold a teleconference on February 21, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. CST. Listen to the call live via the Events & Presentations page of investors.uscellular.com.

CHICAGO, Feb. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- United States Cellular Corporation (NYSE: USM) reported total operating revenues of $970 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, versus $1,000 million for the same period one year ago. Net income attributable to UScellular shareholders and related diluted earnings per share were $5 million and $0.05, respectively, for the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to $14 million and $0.16, respectively, in the same period one year ago.

UScellular reported total operating revenues of $3,770 million and $3,906 million for the years ended 2024 and 2023, respectively. Net income (loss) attributable to UScellular shareholders and related diluted earnings (loss) per share were $(39) million and $(0.46), respectively, for the year ended 2024 compared to $54 million and $0.63, respectively, for the year ended 2023.

Net income attributable to UScellular shareholders excluding a third quarter 2024 license impairment (non-GAAP) of $136 million ($102 million, net of tax) and related diluted earnings per share excluding a third quarter 2024 license impairment (non-GAAP) were $63 million and $0.71, respectively, for the year ended 2024 compared to $54 million and $0.63, respectively, for the year ended 2023. Substantially all of the impairment loss was related to the retained high-band spectrum unit of accounting which includes the 28 GHz, 37 GHz and 39 GHz frequency bands.

Full-year 2024 Highlights*

    --  Announced multiple transactions related to the strategic alternatives
        review
        --  Transaction with T-Mobile and four spectrum transactions with
            various mobile network operators
    --  Improved wireless operating results
        --  Postpaid and prepaid net losses improved
        --  Postpaid and prepaid churn improved
        --  Fixed wireless customers grew 27%
    --  Cash flows from operating activities and free cash flow up year over
        year
    --  Ongoing 5G mid-band network deployment -- providing additional capacity
        and faster speeds for our customers

*Comparisons are Year Ended December 31, 2024 to Year Ended December 31, 2023

"In 2024, UScellular made significant progress in enhancing shareholder value, while remaining steadfast in its mission of connecting people to what matters most," said Laurent Therivel, UScellular President and CEO. "We also maintained strong financial discipline resulting in solid growth in profitability and free cash flow.

"While subscriber results remained negative, we saw meaningful improvement in postpaid and prepaid additions in the third and fourth quarters of 2024. We intend to build on this momentum and will continue to invest in our customers and our network while working towards closing the transactions that we have previously announced."

Announced Transactions

On May 24, 2024, Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (TDS) and UScellular entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement to sell UScellular's wireless operations and select spectrum assets to T-Mobile US, Inc. (T-Mobile). The transaction is expected to close in mid-2025, subject to regulatory approval and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

On October 17, 2024, UScellular, and certain subsidiaries of UScellular, entered into a License Purchase Agreement with Verizon Communications, Inc. (Verizon) to sell certain AWS, Cellular and PCS wireless spectrum licenses, subject to receipt of regulatory approvals, and agreed to grant Verizon certain rights to lease such licenses prior to the transaction close. Additionally, UScellular also entered into agreements with Nsight Spectrum, LLC and Nex-Tech Wireless, LLC for the sale of select spectrum licenses.

On November 6, 2024, UScellular, and certain subsidiaries of UScellular, entered into a License 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, subject to receipt of regulatory approvals, and agreed to grant AT&T certain rights to lease and sub-lease such licenses prior to the transaction close.

Due to the pending transaction with T-Mobile, UScellular is not providing 2025 financial guidance.

Stock Repurchase

During 2024, UScellular repurchased 939,999 of its Common Shares for $55 million.

Conference Call Information

UScellular will hold a conference call on February 21, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. Central Time.

    --  Access the live call on the Events & Presentations page of
        investors.uscellular.com or at
        https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/548841993
    --  Access the call by phone at (888) 330-2384 (US/Canada), conference ID:
        1328528

Before the call, certain financial and statistical information to be discussed during the call will be posted to investors.uscellular.com. The call will be archived on the Events & Presentations page of investors.uscellular.com.

About UScellular

United States Cellular Corporation provides a comprehensive range of wireless products and services, excellent customer support, and a high-quality network to customers with 4.4 million retail connections in 21 states. The Chicago-based company had 4,100 full- and part-time associates as of December 31, 2024. At the end of the fourth quarter of 2024, TDS owned approximately 83% of UScellular. For more information about UScellular, visit uscellular.com.

Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: All information set forth in this news release, except historical and factual information, represents forward-looking statements. This includes all statements about the company's plans, beliefs, estimates, and expectations. These statements are based on current estimates, projections, and assumptions, which involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that may affect these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: whether the announced transactions whereby UScellular has agreed to sell its wireless operations and selected spectrum assets will be successfully completed or whether UScellular will be able to find buyers at mutually agreeable prices for its remaining spectrum assets; whether any such strategic alternative will result in additional value for UScellular and its shareholders and whether the process will have an adverse impact on UScellular's business; if the announced transactions are not successfully completed there may be substantial changes in which the wireless business is conducted; if the announced transactions are successfully completed, substantial costs will be triggered and changes required in the manner in which UScellular's remaining business is conducted; strategic decisions regarding the tower business; intense competition; the ability to attract people of outstanding talent throughout all levels of the organization; UScellular's lack of scale relative to larger competitors; the ability to obtain or maintain roaming arrangements with other carriers on acceptable terms and changes in roaming practices; the ability to obtain access to adequate radio spectrum to meet current or anticipated future needs, including participation in FCC auctions; changes in demand, consumer preferences and perceptions, price competition, or churn rates; advances in technology; impacts of costs, integration problems or other factors associated with acquisitions, divestitures or exchanges of properties or wireless spectrum licenses and/or expansion of UScellular's businesses; the ability of the company to successfully construct and manage its networks; difficulties involving third parties with which UScellular does business; uncertainties in UScellular's future cash flows and liquidity and access to the capital markets; the ability to make payments on UScellular indebtedness or comply with the terms of debt covenants; conditions in the U.S. telecommunications industry; the value of assets and investments; the state and federal regulatory environment, including changes in regulatory support received and the ability to pass through certain regulatory fees to customers; pending and future litigation; cyber-attacks or other breaches of network or information technology security; potential conflicts of interests between TDS and UScellular; disruption in credit or other financial markets; deterioration of U.S. or global economic conditions; and the impact, duration and severity of public health emergencies. Investors are encouraged to consider these and other risks and uncertainties that are more fully described under "Risk Factors" in the most recent filing of UScellular's Form 10-K.


                                                     
     
              United States Cellular Corporation
                                                        Summary Operating Data (Unaudited)






     
              As of or for the Quarter Ended                                       12/31/2024     9/30/2024  6/30/2024   3/31/2024    12/31/2023



     
              Retail Connections



     
              Postpaid



     Total at end of period(1)                                                        3,985,000      3,999,000   4,027,000    4,051,000      4,106,000



     Gross additions                                                                    140,000        123,000     117,000      106,000        129,000



     Handsets                                                                            93,000         84,000      73,000       63,000         80,000



     Connected devices                                                                   47,000         39,000      44,000       43,000         49,000



     Net additions (losses)(1)                                                         (14,000)      (28,000)   (24,000)    (44,000)      (50,000)



     Handsets                                                                          (19,000)      (28,000)   (29,000)    (47,000)      (53,000)



     Connected devices                                                                    5,000                     5,000        3,000          3,000



     ARPU(2)                                                                             $51.73         $52.04      $51.45       $51.96         $51.61



     ARPA(3)                                                                            $131.10        $131.81     $130.41      $132.00        $131.63



     Handset upgrade rate4                                                                4.8 %         3.5 %      4.1 %       4.5 %         5.8 %



     Churn rate5                                                                         1.29 %        1.25 %     1.16 %      1.22 %        1.44 %



     Handsets                                                                            1.08 %        1.07 %     0.97 %      1.03 %        1.22 %



     Connected devices                                                                   2.67 %        2.47 %     2.47 %      2.52 %        3.03 %



     
              Prepaid



     Total at end of period(1)                                                          448,000        452,000     439,000      436,000        451,000



     Gross additions                                                                     46,000         57,000      50,000       41,000         43,000



     Net additions (losses)(1)                                                          (4,000)        13,000       3,000     (13,000)      (11,000)



     ARPU2, 6                                                                            $30.59         $32.01      $32.37       $32.25         $32.32



     Churn rate5                                                                         3.70 %        3.30 %     3.60 %      4.06 %        3.87 %



     
              Market penetration at end of period



     Consolidated operating population                                               32,550,000     32,550,000  32,550,000   32,550,000     32,350,000



     Consolidated operating penetration7                                                   15 %          15 %       15 %        14 %          15 %



     
              Capital expenditures (millions)                                            $162           $120        $165         $131           $148



     
              Total cell sites in service                                               7,010          7,007       6,990        6,995          7,000



     
              Owned towers                                                              4,409          4,407       4,388        4,382          4,373



     
              Number of colocations8                                                    2,444          2,418       2,392        2,397          2,390



     
              Tower tenancy rate9                                                        1.55           1.55        1.55         1.55           1.55



     Due to rounding, the sum of quarterly results may not equal the total for the year.



     
                1                                                                                 First quarter 2024 connections were adjusted to remove subscribers that could no longer access the UScellular network due to the CDMA shutdown.
                                                                                          This resulted in 11,000 and 2,000 subscribers removed from the postpaid and prepaid base, respectively, that are not included in Net additions
                                                                                          (losses) for the quarter.



     
                2                                                                      
              Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) - metric is calculated by dividing a revenue base by an average number of connections and by the number of
                                                                                          months in the period. These revenue bases and connection populations are shown below:

                                                                                                                  Postpaid ARPU consists of total postpaid service revenues and postpaid connections.
              
              
                Prepaid ARPU consists of total
                                                                                                                   prepaid service revenues and prepaid connections.



     
                3                                                                                 Average Revenue Per Account (ARPA) -metric is calculated by dividing total postpaid service revenues by the average number of postpaid accounts and by
                                                                                                      the number of months in the period.



     
                4                                                                      
              Handset upgrade rate calculated as total handset upgrade transactions divided by average postpaid handset connections.



     
                5                                                                                 Churn rate represents the percentage of the connections that disconnect service each month. These rates represent the average monthly churn rate for
                                                                                                      each respective period.



     
                6                                                                                 Fourth quarter 2023 Prepaid ARPU excludes a $6 million reduction of prepaid revenue related to an adjustment to correct a prior period error recorded in
                                                                                                      the fourth quarter of 2023.



     
                7                                                                                 Market penetration is calculated by dividing the number of wireless connections at the end of the period by the total estimated population of
                                                                                                      consolidated operating markets.



     
                8                                                                      
              Represents instances where a third-party wireless carrier rents or leases space on a company-owned tower.



     
                9                                                                      
              Average number of tenants that lease space on company-owned towers, measured on a per-tower basis.


                                                                                  
          
            United States Cellular Corporation


                                                                           
              
        Consolidated Statement of Operations Highlights
                                                                                           
                (Unaudited)






                                                                                                                                                    Three Months Ended                   Year Ended

                                                                                                                                                    December 31,                        December 31,


                                                                                                                                            2024  2023                 2024 vs.    2024       2023        2024
                                                                                                                                                                                                       vs.
                                                                                                                                                                       2023                          2023



              (Dollars and shares in millions, except per share amounts)



              
                Operating revenues



              Service                                                                                                                      $742  $755                    (2) %  $2,987     $3,044       (2) %



              Equipment sales                                                                                                               228   245                    (7) %     783        862       (9) %



              Total operating revenues                                                                                                      970 1,000                    (3) %   3,770      3,906       (3) %





              
                Operating expenses



              System operations (excluding Depreciation, amortization and                                                                   182   183                    (1) %     724        740       (2) %
    accretion reported below)



              Cost of equipment sold                                                                                                        276   280                    (1) %     906        988       (8) %



              Selling, general and administrative                                                                                           353   349                      1 %   1,330      1,368       (3) %



              Depreciation, amortization and accretion                                                                                      165   166                              665        656         1 %



              Loss on impairment of licenses                                                                                                  -                                  136                   N/M



              (Gain) loss on asset disposals, net                                                                                             4     3                      3 %      18         17         3 %



              (Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net                                                                               (1)  (2)                    59 %       3        (2)        N/M



              Total operating expenses                                                                                                      979   979                            3,782      3,767





              
                Operating income (loss)                                                                                          (9)   21                      N/M    (12)       139         N/M





              
                Investment and other income (expense)



              Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities                                                                                  38    37                      3 %     161        158         2 %



              Interest and dividend income                                                                                                    3     2                     29 %      12         10        19 %



              Interest expense                                                                                                             (46) (49)                     8 %   (183)     (196)        7 %



              Total investment and other income (expense)                                                                                   (5) (10)                    53 %    (10)      (28)       63 %





              
                Income (loss) before income taxes                                                                               (14)   11                      N/M    (22)       111         N/M



              Income tax expense (benefit)                                                                                                 (19)  (4)                     N/M      10         53      (82) %



              
                Net income (loss)                                                                                                  5    15                   (66) %    (32)        58         N/M



              Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax                                                           -    1                     86 %       7          4         N/M



              
                Net income (loss) attributable to UScellular shareholders                                                         $5   $14                   (68) %   $(39)       $54         N/M





              
                Basic weighted average shares outstanding                                                                         85    85                               86         85         1 %



              
                Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to UScellular                                                     $0.05 $0.17                   (68) % $(0.46)     $0.64         N/M
    shareholders





              
                Diluted weighted average shares outstanding                                                                       88    88                      1 %      86         87       (1) %



              
                Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to UScellular                                                   $0.05 $0.16                   (69) % $(0.46)     $0.63         N/M
    shareholders



              N/M - Percentage change not meaningful



              
                United States Cellular Corporation


                                                                            
              
                Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows


                                                                                        
              
                (Unaudited)





              
                Year Ended December 31,                                                                                       2024   2023



              (Dollars in millions)



              
                Cash flows from operating activities



              Net income (loss)                                                                                                         $(32)   $58



              Add (deduct) adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating
    activities



              Depreciation, amortization and accretion                                                                                    665    656



              Bad debts expense                                                                                                            97    104



              Stock-based compensation expense                                                                                             55     23



              Deferred income taxes, net                                                                                                 (27)    47



              Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities                                                                             (161) (158)



              Distributions from unconsolidated entities                                                                                  169    150



              Loss on impairment of licenses                                                                                              136



              (Gain) loss on asset disposals, net                                                                                          18     17



              (Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net                                                                               3    (2)



              Other operating activities                                                                                                    5      6



              Changes in assets and liabilities from operations



              Accounts receivable                                                                                                        (11)    17



              Equipment installment plans receivable                                                                                     (37)  (20)



              Inventory                                                                                                                    21     62



              Accounts payable                                                                                                           (19)  (85)



              Customer deposits and deferred revenues                                                                                       9    (9)



              Accrued taxes                                                                                                               (4)



              Other assets and liabilities                                                                                                (4)



              Net cash provided by operating activities                                                                                   883    866





              
                Cash flows from investing activities



              Cash paid for additions to property, plant and equipment                                                                  (537) (608)



              Cash paid for licenses                                                                                                     (20) (130)



              Other investing activities                                                                                                    1     17



              Net cash used in investing activities                                                                                     (556) (721)





              
                Cash flows from financing activities



              Issuance of long-term debt                                                                                                   40    315



              Repayment of long-term debt                                                                                               (248) (453)



              Repayment of short-term debt                                                                                                  -  (60)



              Common Shares reissued for stock-based compensation awards, net of tax payments                                            (11)   (6)



              Repurchase of Common Shares                                                                                                (54)



              Payment of debt issuance costs                                                                                                -   (1)



              Distributions to noncontrolling interests                                                                                   (5)   (3)



              Cash paid for software license agreements                                                                                  (66)  (66)



              Other financing activities                                                                                                  (3)



              Net cash used in financing activities                                                                                     (347) (274)





              
                Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash                                                    (20) (129)





              
                Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash



              Beginning of period                                                                                                         179    308



              End of period                                                                                                              $159   $179


                   
              
                United States Cellular Corporation


                  
              
                Consolidated Balance Sheet Highlights


                               
              
                (Unaudited)




                               
              
                ASSETS





     
                December 31,                                                    2024    2023



     (Dollars in millions)



     
                Current assets



     Cash and cash equivalents                                                    $144    $150



     Accounts receivable, net                                                      955     957



     Inventory, net                                                                179     199



     Prepaid expenses                                                               46      57



     Income taxes receivable                                                         -      1



     Other current assets                                                           21      36



     Total current assets                                                        1,345   1,400





     
                Assets held for sale                                               -     15





     
                Licenses                                                       4,579   4,693





     
                Investments in unconsolidated entities                           454     461





     
                Property, plant and equipment, net                             2,502   2,576





     
                Operating lease right-of-use assets                              926     915





     
                Other assets and deferred charges                                643     690





     
                Total assets                                                 $10,449 $10,750


                                               
              
               United States Cellular Corporation


                                              
              
               Consolidated Balance Sheet Highlights


                                                           
             
                (Unaudited)




                                                   
              
               LIABILITIES AND EQUITY





     
                December 31,                                                                               2024    2023



     (Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)



     
                Current liabilities



     Current portion of long-term debt                                                                        $22     $20



     Accounts payable                                                                                         242     248



     Customer deposits and deferred revenues                                                                  238     229



     Accrued taxes                                                                                             30      32



     Accrued compensation                                                                                      93      83



     Short-term operating lease liabilities                                                                   141     135



     Other current liabilities                                                                                118     154



     Total current liabilities                                                                                884     901





     
                Deferred liabilities and credits



     Deferred income tax liability, net                                                                       728     755



     Long-term operating lease liabilities                                                                    822     831



     Other deferred liabilities and credits                                                                   570     565





     
                Long-term debt, net                                                                       2,837   3,044





     
                Noncontrolling interests with redemption features                                            16      12





     
                Equity



     UScellular shareholders' equity



     Series A Common and Common Shares, par value $1.00 per share                                              88      88



     Additional paid-in capital                                                                             1,783   1,726



     Treasury shares                                                                                        (112)   (80)



     Retained earnings                                                                                      2,818   2,892



     Total UScellular shareholders' equity                                                                  4,577   4,626





     Noncontrolling interests                                                                                  15      16





     Total equity                                                                                           4,592   4,642





     
                Total liabilities and equity                                                            $10,449 $10,750


                                    
            
         United States Cellular Corporation


                                           
       
                Segment Results


                                             
       
                (Unaudited)




                                                                             Three Months Ended                        Year Ended
                                                                                                   
           December 31,
                                                                             December 31,



     
                UScellular                             2024              2023             2024     2024         2023                      2024
                                                                                     vs. 2023
                                                                                                                                  vs. 2023



     (Dollars in millions)



     
                Operating Revenues



     Wireless                                            $944              $975            (3) %  $3,667       $3,805                     (4) %



     Towers                                                59                57              3 %     234          228                       3 %



     Intra-company eliminations                          (33)             (32)           (3) %   (131)       (127)                    (3) %



     Total operating revenues                             970             1,000            (3) %   3,770        3,906                     (3) %





     
                Operating expenses



     Wireless                                             971               975                    3,757        3,743



     Towers                                                41                36             12 %     156          151                       3 %



     Intra-company eliminations                          (33)             (32)           (3) %   (131)       (127)                    (3) %



     Total operating expenses                             979               979                    3,782        3,767





     
                Operating income (loss)                $(9)              $21              N/M   $(12)        $139                       N/M





     Adjusted OIBDA (Non-GAAP)                           $167              $194           (14) %    $845         $818                       3 %



     Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP)                          $208              $233           (11) %  $1,018         $986                       3 %



     Capital expenditures                                $162              $148              9 %    $577         $611                     (6) %



              N/M - Percentage change not meaningful


                                                                                    
      
         United States Cellular Corporation


                                                                                      
       
                Segment Results


                                                                                        
       
                (Unaudited)




                                                                                                                                        Three Months Ended                          Year Ended
                                                                                                                                                                        
           December 31,
                                                                                                                                           December 31,



              
                UScellular Wireless                                                                                  2024            2023             2024     2024         2023              2024
                                                                                                                                                          vs. 2023
                                                                                                                                                                                               vs. 2023



              (Dollars in millions)



              Retail service                                                                                                    $661            $678            (3) %  $2,674       $2,742             (2) %



              Other                                                                                                               55              52              7 %     210          201               5 %



              Service revenues                                                                                                   716             730            (2) %   2,884        2,943             (2) %



              Equipment sales                                                                                                    228             245            (7) %     783          862             (9) %



              Total operating revenues                                                                                           944             975            (3) %   3,667        3,805             (4) %





              System operations (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion                                              195             197            (1) %     777          794             (2) %
    reported below)



              Cost of equipment sold                                                                                             276             280            (1) %     906          988             (8) %



              Selling, general and administrative                                                                                344             340              1 %   1,298        1,334             (3) %



              Depreciation, amortization and accretion                                                                           153             155                      620          610               1 %



              Loss on impairment of licenses                                                                                       -                                    136                           N/M



              (Gain) loss on asset disposals, net                                                                                  4               5           (37) %      17           19            (11) %



              (Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net                                                                    (1)            (2)            59 %       3          (2)              N/M



              Total operating expenses                                                                                           971             975                    3,757        3,743





              
                Operating income (loss)                                                                             $(27) 
       $        -             N/M   $(90)         $62               N/M





              Adjusted OIBDA (Non-GAAP)                                                                                         $137            $164           (16) %    $719         $697               3 %



              Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP)                                                                                        $137            $164           (16) %    $719         $697               3 %



              Capital expenditures                                                                                              $154            $127             21 %    $554         $580             (5) %


                                                                                           Three Months Ended                 Year Ended
                                                                                                                  
       December 31,
                                                                                             December 31,



              
                UScellular Towers                                        2024 2023             2024  2024     2023                    2024
                                                                                                     vs. 2023
                                                                                                                                         vs. 2023



              (Dollars in millions)



              Third-party revenues                                                   $26  $25              4 % $103     $101                     2 %



              Intra-company revenues                                                  33   32              3 %  131      127                     3 %



              Total tower revenues                                                    59   57              3 %  234      228                     3 %





              System operations (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion   20   18             11 %   78       73                     6 %
    reported below)



              Selling, general and administrative                                      9    9              2 %   32       34                   (5) %



              Depreciation, amortization and accretion                                12   11                    45       46                   (1) %



              (Gain) loss on asset disposals, net                                        (2)             N/M    1      (2)                    N/M



              Total operating expenses                                                41   36             12 %  156      151                     3 %





              
                Operating income                                          $18  $21           (11) %  $78      $77                     2 %





              Adjusted OIBDA (Non-GAAP)                                              $30  $30                  $126     $121                     4 %



              Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP)                                             $30  $30                  $126     $121                     4 %



              Capital expenditures                                                    $8  $21           (62) %  $23      $31                  (24) %



              N/M - Percentage change not meaningful


                                                   
              
         United States Cellular Corporation


                                                           
        
               Financial Measures


                                                              
       
                (Unaudited)



     
                Free Cash Flow




                                                                                                             Three Months Ended               Year Ended

                                                                                                             December 31,               December 31,



     
                UScellular                                                                           2024       2023            2024      2023



     (Dollars in millions)



     
                Cash flows from operating activities (GAAP)                                          $121       $148            $883      $866



     Cash paid for additions to property, plant and equipment                                         (139)     (155)          (537)    (608)



     Cash paid for software license agreements                                                         (35)      (37)           (66)     (66)



     Free cash flow (Non-GAAP)(1)                                                                     $(53)     $(44)           $280      $192



     
     1 Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure which UScellular believes may be useful to investors and other users of its financial information in evaluating liquidity, specifically,
           the amount of net cash generated by business operations after deducting Cash paid for additions to property, plant and equipment and Cash paid for software license agreements.



     
                Licenses impairment, net of tax



     The following non-GAAP financial measure isolates the total effects on net income of the Loss on impairment of licenses, including tax impacts. UScellular believes this measure may be useful to investors and other users of its financial information to assist in comparing financial results with periods that were not impacted by impairment charges.


                                                                                               Three Months Ended                         Year Ended
                                                                                                                  
              December 31,
                                                                                               December 31,


                                                                                          2024         2023             2024                 2023



              (Dollars in millions)



              
                Net income (loss) attributable to UScellular shareholders       $5          $14            $(39)                 $54
    (GAAP)



              Adjustments:



              Loss on impairment of licenses                                                                          136



              Deferred tax benefit on the tax-amortizable portion of the                                             (34)
    impaired licenses



              Subtotal of Non-GAAP adjustments                                                                        102



              Net income attributable to UScellular shareholders excluding                 $5          $14              $63                  $54
    licenses impairment charge (Non-GAAP)





              Diluted weighted average shares outstanding used for diluted                 88           88               86                   87
    earnings (loss) per share attributable to UScellular shareholders



              Diluted weighted average shares outstanding used for diluted                 88           88               88                   87
    earnings per share attributable to UScellular shareholders
    excluding licenses impairment charge





              
                Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to UScellular $0.05        $0.16          $(0.46)               $0.63
    shareholders (GAAP)



              Adjustments:



              Loss on impairment of licenses                                                                         1.55



              Deferred tax benefit on the tax-amortizable portion of the                                           (0.38)
    impaired licenses



              Diluted earnings per share attributable to UScellular shareholders        $0.05        $0.16            $0.71                $0.63
    excluding licenses impairment charge (Non-GAAP)


                                                                                                                                                                                                         
              
                United States Cellular Corporation


                                                                                                                                                                                                     
              
                EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted OIBDA


                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
              
                (Unaudited)




     The following tables reconcile EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted OIBDA to the corresponding GAAP measures, Net income (loss) and Income (loss) before income taxes. 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.


                                                                 Three Months Ended             Year Ended

                                                                 December 31,             December 31,



     
                UScellular                               2024         2023        2024          2023



     (Dollars in millions)



     
                Net income (loss) (GAAP)                   $5          $15       $(32)          $58



     Add back or deduct:



     Income tax expense (benefit)                          (19)         (4)         10            53



     
                Income (loss) before income taxes (GAAP) (14)          11        (22)          111



     Add back:



     Interest expense                                        46           49         183           196



     Depreciation, amortization and accretion               165          166         665           656



     EBITDA (Non-GAAP)                                      197          226         826           963



     Add back or deduct:



     Expenses related to strategic alternatives review        8            6          35             8



     Loss on impairment of licenses                                                136



     (Gain) loss on asset disposals, net                      4            3          18            17



     (Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net        (1)         (2)          3           (2)



     Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP)                             208          233       1,018           986



     Deduct:



     Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities           38           37         161           158



     Interest and dividend income                             3            2          12            10



     Adjusted OIBDA (Non-GAAP)                             $167         $194        $845          $818


                                                                Three Months Ended              Year Ended

                                                                   December 31,                 December 31,



     
                UScellular Wireless                   2024                      2023    2024               2023



     (Dollars in millions)



     EBITDA (Non-GAAP)                                  $126                      $155    $530               $672



     Add back or deduct:



     Expenses related to strategic alternatives review     8                         6      33                  8



     Loss on impairment of licenses                                                      136



     (Gain) loss on asset disposals, net                   4                         5      17                 19



     (Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net     (1)                      (2)      3                (2)



     Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted OIBDA (Non-GAAP)       137                       164     719                697



     Deduct:



     Depreciation, amortization and accretion            153                       155     620                610



     Expenses related to strategic alternatives review     8                         6      33                  8



     Loss on impairment of licenses                                                      136



     (Gain) loss on asset disposals, net                   4                         5      17                 19



     (Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net     (1)                      (2)      3                (2)



     
                Operating income (loss) (GAAP)       $(27) 
         $                -  $(90)               $62


                                                             Three Months Ended            Year Ended

                                                             December 31,            December 31,



     
                UScellular Towers                    2024         2023       2024          2023



     (Dollars in millions)



     EBITDA (Non-GAAP)                                  $30          $32       $123          $123



     Add back or deduct:



     Expenses related to strategic alternatives review                          2



     (Gain) loss on asset disposals, net                            (2)         1           (2)



     Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted OIBDA (Non-GAAP)       30           30        126           121



     Deduct:



     Depreciation, amortization and accretion            12           11         45            46



     Expenses related to strategic alternatives review                          2



     (Gain) loss on asset disposals, net                            (2)         1           (2)



     
                Operating income (GAAP)               $18          $21        $78           $77

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/uscellular-reports-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-2024-results-302381934.html

SOURCE United States Cellular Corporation