Executive Overview

The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) should be read in conjunction with United States Cellular Corporation’s (U.S. Cellular) audited consolidated financial statements and notes for the year ended December 31, 2017, and with the description of U.S. Cellular’s business included herein.  Certain numbers included herein are rounded to millions for ease of presentation; however, calculated amounts and percentages are determined using the unrounded numbers.

This report contains statements that are not based on historical facts, including the words “believes,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “projects” and similar expressions.  These statements constitute and represent “forward looking statements” as this term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, events or developments to be significantly different from any future results, events or developments expressed or implied by such forward looking statements.  See Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 Safe Harbor Cautionary Statement for additional information.

U.S. Cellular uses certain “non-GAAP financial measures,” and each such measure is identified in the MD&A.  A discussion of the reason U.S. Cellular determines these metrics to be useful and a reconciliation of these measures to their most directly comparable measures determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) are included in the Supplemental Information Relating to Non-GAAP Financial Measures section within the MD&A of this Form 10-K Report.

General

U.S. Cellular owns, operates, and invests in wireless markets throughout the United States.  U.S. Cellular is an 83%-owned subsidiary of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (TDS).  U.S. Cellular’s strategy is to attract and retain wireless customers through a value proposition comprised of a high-quality network, outstanding customer service, and competitive devices, plans, and pricing, all provided with a local focus.

Financial and Operational Highlights

The following is a summary of certain selected information contained in the comprehensive MD&A that follows.  The overview does not contain all of the information that may be important.  You should carefully read the entire MD&A and not rely solely on the highlights.

• Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders was $12 million in 2017, compared to $48 million in 2016.  Diluted earnings per share was $0.14 in 2017 compared to $0.56 a year ago.
• During the third quarter of 2017, U.S. Cellular recognized a non-cash charge related to goodwill impairment of $370 million ($307 million, net of tax).
• Due to the enactment on December 22, 2017, of H.R.1, originally known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which reduced the U.S. federal statutory corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%, U.S. Cellular recognized a deferred tax benefit of $269 million due to the revaluation of its deferred tax assets and liabilities at the new corporate rate.  See Note 4 — Income Taxes in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
• Total additions to Property, plant and equipment were $469 million, including expenditures to (i) enhance U.S. Cellular’s network capabilities through the continuous deployment of VoLTE technology; (ii) improve network support and billing related systems and platforms; and (iii) construct new cell sites. 

Trends and Developments

U.S. Cellular’s mission is to provide exceptional wireless communication services which enhance consumers’ lives, increase the competitiveness of local businesses, and improve the efficiency of government operations in the mid-sized and rural markets served.

Network and Technology:

• U.S. Cellular continues to devote efforts to enhance its network capabilities.  In 2017, U.S. Cellular commercially deployed VoLTE technology for the first time in one key market and will continue to build out VoLTE services over the next few years.  The next commercial launch is expected to occur in several additional operating markets starting in early 2018.  VoLTE technology allows customers to utilize a 4G LTE network for both voice and data services, and enables enhanced services such as high definition voice, video calling and simultaneous voice and data sessions.  In addition, the deployment of VoLTE technology expands U.S. Cellular’s ability to offer roaming services to other carriers. 
• U.S. Cellular is committed to continuous innovation to provide customers in the markets it serves with the latest technology that can enhance their lives or businesses.  U.S. Cellular successfully tested 5G technology for the first time in 2016 in both indoor and outdoor environments and performed additional tests in 2017.  U.S. Cellular remains committed to ongoing tests geared towards understanding the propagation characteristics of the new technology and contributing to the development of 5G standards.  When deployed commercially, 5G technology is expected to help address customers’ growing demand for data services as well as create opportunities for new services requiring high speed and reliability as well as low latency.

Asset Management:

• U.S. Cellular continues to enhance its spectrum position and monetize non-strategic assets by participating in auctions and entering into agreements with third parties.  In 2017, the FCC announced by way of public notice that U.S. Cellular was the winning bidder for 188 licenses for an aggregate purchase price of $329 million in the Auction 1002.  In addition, U.S. Cellular closed on certain license exchange agreements and received $15 million of cash and recognized gains of $22 million.  See Note 6 — Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to these transactions.

Services and Products:

• U.S. Cellular’s customers are able to choose from a variety of national plans with voice, messaging and data usage options and pricing that are designed to fit different customer needs, usage patterns and budgets.  In early 2017, U.S. Cellular introduced new Total Plans to postpaid customers that include unlimited offerings and no hidden fees such as overage charges and activation fees.   

• U.S. Cellular offers a wide range of accessories, including wireless basics such as cases, screen protectors, chargers, and memory cards as well as an assortment of consumer electronics such as headphones, smart speakers, wearables and home automation products (e.g. cameras, sensors, and thermostats). During the fourth quarter of 2017, U.S. Cellular began to offer accessories for purchase on installment plans. These plans allow new and existing postpaid customers to purchase certain accessories payable over a specified time period.

Terms Used by U.S. Cellular

The following is a list of definitions of certain industry terms that are used throughout this document:

• 4G LTE – fourth generation Long-Term Evolution, which is a wireless broadband technology.
• 5G – fifth generation wireless broadband technology.
• Account – represents an individual or business financially responsible for one or multiple associated connections.  An account may include a variety of types of connections such as handsets and connected devices.
• Auction 97 – a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) auction of AWS-3 spectrum licenses that ended in January 2015.
• Auctions 1000, 1001, and 1002 – Auction 1000 is an FCC auction of 600 MHz spectrum licenses that started in 2016 and concluded in 2017 involving: (1) a “reverse auction” in which broadcast television licensees submitted bids to voluntarily relinquish spectrum usage rights in exchange for payments (referred to as Auction 1001);  (2) a “repacking” of the broadcast television bands in order to free up certain broadcast spectrum for other uses; and (3) a “forward auction” of licenses for spectrum cleared through this process to be used for wireless communications (referred to as Auction 1002).
• 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.
• Connections - individual lines of service associated with each device activated by a customer. This includes smartphones, feature phones, tablets, modems, hotspots, and machine-to-machine devices.
• Connected Devices – non-handset devices that connect directly to the U.S. Cellular network.  Connected devices include products such as tablets, modems, and hotspots.
• EBITDA – refers to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and accretion and is used in the non-GAAP metric Adjusted EBITDA throughout this document.
• Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) – designation by states for providing specified services in “high cost” areas which enables participation in universal service support mechanisms.
• Free Cash Flow – non-GAAP metric defined as Cash flows from operating activities less Cash paid for additions to property, plant, and equipment.
• Gross Additions – represents the total number of new connections added during the period, without regard to connections that were terminated during that period.
• Machine-to-Machine or M2M – technology that involves the transmission of data between networked devices, as well as the performance of actions by devices without human intervention. U.S. Cellular sells and supports M2M solutions to customers, provides connectivity for M2M solutions via the U.S. Cellular network, and has agreements with device manufacturers and software developers which offer M2M solutions.
• Net Additions – represents the total number of new connections added during the period, net of connections that were terminated during that period.
• OIBDA – refers to operating income before depreciation, amortization and accretion and is used in the non-GAAP metric Adjusted OIBDA throughout this document.
• Postpaid Average Billings per Account (Postpaid ABPA) – non-GAAP metric which is calculated by dividing total postpaid service revenues plus equipment installment plan billings by the average number of postpaid accounts and by the number of months in the period.
• Postpaid Average Billings per User (Postpaid ABPU) – non-GAAP metric which is calculated by dividing total postpaid service revenues plus equipment installment plan billings by the average number of postpaid connections and by the number of months in the period.
• Postpaid Average Revenue per Account (Postpaid ARPA) – metric which is calculated by dividing total postpaid service revenues by the average number of postpaid accounts and by the number of months in the period.
• Postpaid Average Revenue per User (Postpaid ARPU) – metric which is calculated by dividing total postpaid service revenues by the average number of postpaid connections and by the number of months in the period.
• Retail Connections – the sum of postpaid connections and prepaid connections.
• Tax Act – refers to comprehensive federal tax legislation enacted on December 22, 2017, which made broad and complex changes to the U.S. tax code.  Now titled H.R.1, the Tax Act was originally identified as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.
• Universal Service Fund (USF) – a system of telecommunications collected fees and support payments managed by the FCC intended to promote universal access to telecommunications services in the United States.
• VoLTE – Voice over Long-Term Evolution is a technology specification that defines the standards and procedures for delivering voice communications and related services over 4G LTE networks.

Operational Overview

2017-2016 Commentary

Postpaid net additions decreased in 2017 mainly due to lower connected devices net additions which reflected both lower tablet gross additions and an increase in tablet churn.  The decline in tablet gross additions reflects industry-wide trends including (i) reduced consumer demand for network-connected tablets, and (ii) carriers including U.S. Cellular have curtailed promotions of heavily discounted tablets designed to stimulate demand due to poor economics.  The decrease in connected devices net additions was partially offset by an improvement in handsets net additions driven by both higher gross additions and a decrease in churn.

2016-2015 Commentary

Postpaid net additions decreased in 2016 mainly due to lower handsets gross additions, partially offset by an improvement in postpaid churn.

Postpaid Revenue

2017-2016 Commentary

Postpaid ARPU and Postpaid ARPA decreased in 2017 due primarily to industry-wide price competition resulting in overall price reductions on plan offerings.

Equipment installment plans increase equipment sales revenue as customers pay for their wireless devices in installments at a total device price that is generally higher than the device price offered to customers in conjunction with alternative plans that are subject to a service contract. Equipment installment plans also have the impact of reducing service revenues as certain plan offerings provide for reduced monthly access charges. In order to show the trends in total service and equipment revenues received, U.S. Cellular has presented Postpaid ABPU and Postpaid ABPA, which are calculated as Postpaid ARPU and Postpaid ARPA plus average monthly equipment installment plan billings per connection and account, respectively.

Equipment installment plan billings increased in 2017 due to increased penetration of equipment installment plans.  Postpaid ABPU decreased in 2017 as the increase in equipment installment plan billings was more than offset by the decline in Postpaid ARPU discussed above.  Postpaid ABPA, however, increased slightly in 2017 as the increase in equipment installment plan billings more than offset the decline in Postpaid ARPA discussed above.

2016-2015 Commentary

Postpaid ARPU and Postpaid ARPA decreased in 2016 due primarily to industry-wide price competition, discounts on shared data plans provided to customers on equipment installment plans and those providing their own device at the time of activation or renewal, and the $58 million impact of the discontinuation of the loyalty rewards points program in 2015.  These factors were partially offset by the impact of increased adoption of smartphones and the related increase in service revenues from data usage.

Equipment installment plan billings increased in 2016 due to increased adoption of equipment installment plans by postpaid customers.  Postpaid ABPU and ABPA decreased in 2016 as the increase in equipment installment plan billings was more than offset by the decline in Postpaid ARPU and ARPA discussed above.

Financial Overview

Components of Operating Income (Loss)

Service revenues consist of:

• Retail Service – Charges for access, airtime, roaming, recovery of regulatory costs and value added services, including data services and products
• Inbound Roaming – Charges to other wireless carriers whose customers use U.S. Cellular’s wireless systems when roaming
• Other Service – Primarily amounts received from the Federal USF, imputed interest recognized on equipment installment plan contracts and tower rental revenues

Equipment revenues consist of:

• Sales of wireless devices and related accessories to new and existing customers, agents, and third-party distributors

Key components of changes in the statement of operations line items were as follows:

2017-2016 Commentary

Total operating revenues

Service revenues decreased as a result of (i) a decrease in retail service revenues driven by industry-wide price competition resulting in overall price reductions on plan offerings; and (ii) a decrease in inbound roaming revenue mainly due to lower roaming rates.  Such reductions were partially offset by an increase in imputed interest income due to an increase in the total number of active equipment installment plans.

U.S. Cellular offers certain promotions that provide the customer with future credits for a fixed period of time as long as service is maintained.  Such credits are applied against the customer’s monthly bill and recognized as a reduction to Retail service revenues when earned by the customer.

Federal USF revenue remained flat year over year at $92 million.  See the Regulatory Matters section in this MD&A for a description of the FCC Mobility Fund Phase II Order (MF2 Order) and its expected impacts on U.S. Cellular’s current Federal USF support.

Equipment sales revenues increased by a modest amount year over year reflecting an increase in average revenue per device sold, a mix shift to higher end smartphone devices and, to a lesser extent, an increase in accessories revenues.  Such increases were almost entirely offset by a decrease in the number of devices sold, a reduction in guarantee liability amortization for equipment installment contracts as a result of changes in plan offerings, and lower device activation fees.

System operations expenses

System operations expenses decreased in 2017 as a result of (i) a decrease in customer usage expenses driven mainly by decreased circuit costs; and (ii) a decrease in roaming expenses driven primarily by lower roaming rates, partially offset by increased data roaming usage.

Cost of equipment sold

Cost of equipment sold decreased mainly due to a reduction in the number of devices sold partially offset by a mix shift from feature phones and connected devices to higher cost smartphones.  Loss on equipment, defined as Equipment sales revenues less Cost of equipment sold, was $159 million and $172 million for 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Selling expenses decreased by $26 million due to lower advertising expenses, including a decrease in sponsorship expenses related to the termination of a naming rights agreement in 2016.  Such reductions were partially offset by an increase in commissions expenses.

General and administrative expenses decreased by $42 million mainly due to lower expenses for bad debts and phone programs, along with reductions in numerous other general and administrative expense categories. 

Loss on impairment of goodwill

In 2017, U.S. Cellular recorded a $370 million loss on impairment related to goodwill.  See Note 7 — Intangible Assets in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.  

(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net

Loss on asset disposals, net decreased primarily as a result of fewer disposals of certain network assets.

(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net

The net gains in 2017 and 2016 were due to license exchange transactions with third parties.  See Note 6 — Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

2016-2015 Commentary

Total operating revenues

Service revenues decreased as a result of (i) a decrease in retail service revenues and resulting ARPU and ARPA primarily driven by industry-wide price competition and discounts on shared data plans provided to customers on equipment installment plans and those providing their own device at the time of activation or renewal; (ii) the $58 million of revenue recognized in 2015 from unredeemed rewards points upon termination of U.S. Cellular’s rewards program; and (iii) a decrease in inbound roaming revenue driven by lower roaming rates.  Such reductions were partially offset by an increase in average connections base and increased adoption of smartphones as well as an increase in imputed interest income recognized on equipment installment plans.

Federal USF revenue remained flat year over year at $92 million. 

Equipment sales revenues increased year over year due primarily to an increase in average revenue per device sold driven by the increase in sales under equipment installment plans, an overall increase in the number of devices sold, and a shift to smartphones.  Equipment installment plan sales contributed $710 million and $351 million in 2016 and 2015, respectively.  Equipment installment plan connections represented 44% and 27% of total postpaid connections as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Cost of equipment sold

Cost of equipment sold increased primarily as the result of a shift to smartphone sales and an overall increase in the number of devices sold, partially offset by a decrease in the average cost per device sold driven by lower cost smartphones and connected devices.  Cost of equipment sold in 2016 included $758 million related to equipment installment plan sales compared to $449 million in 2015.  Loss on equipment was $172 million and $406 million for 2016 and 2015, respectively.

(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net

Loss on asset disposals, net increased primarily as a result of more disposals of certain network assets.

(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net

The net gain in 2015 was due primarily to a $108 million gain recognized on the sale of towers and certain related contracts, assets and liabilities.  See Note 6 — Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net

The net gains in 2016 and 2015 were due to license exchange transactions with third parties.  See Note 6 — Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Components of Other Income (Expense)

2017-2016 Commentary

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities represents U.S. Cellular’s share of net income from entities in which it has a noncontrolling interest and that are accounted for by the equity method. U.S. Cellular’s investment in the Los Angeles SMSA Limited Partnership (LA Partnership) contributed $66 million and $71 million to Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities in 2017 and 2016, respectively.  See Note 8 – Investments in Unconsolidated Entities in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Income tax expense (benefit)

U.S. Cellular’s effective tax rate on Income (loss) before income taxes for 2017 was not meaningful as discussed below.  The rate for 2016 was 39.7%.  In December 2017, the Tax Act was signed into law.  U.S. Cellular adjusts for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates in the period of enactment.  The major provisions of the Tax Act impacting U.S. Cellular are the reduction of the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% and the bonus depreciation deduction allowing for full expensing of qualified property additions.  Income tax expense decreased in 2017 due primarily to a reduction in the Net deferred income tax liability of $269 million as a result of the impact of the rate decrease on U.S. Cellular’s federal taxable temporary differences. 

The disclosed amounts within include provisional estimates, pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118, for current and deferred taxes related to tax depreciation of fixed assets. For property acquired and placed in service after September 27, 2017, the Tax Act provides for full expensing if such property was not subject to a written binding agreement in existence as of September 27, 2017. As of December 31, 2017, U.S. Cellular has not completed a full analysis of all contracts and agreements related to fixed assets placed in service during 2017, but was able to record a reasonable estimate of the effects of these changes based on capital expenditures made during 2017.  U.S. Cellular expects any final adjustments to the provisional amounts to be recorded by the third quarter of 2018, which could be material to U.S. Cellular’s financial statements. The accounting for all other applicable provisions of the Tax Act was performed based on U.S. Cellular’s current interpretation of the provisions of the law as enacted as of December 31, 2017.

The overall effective tax rate for 2017 is not meaningful due to the effect of the Tax Act combined with the impaired goodwill, since portions of the goodwill balance are not amortizable for income tax purposes.  For 2018 and future years, U.S. Cellular expects its effective income tax rate will decrease consistent with the statutory federal rate reduction provided in the Tax Act.  However, the effective rate in future years also may be impacted by discrete items and permanent tax adjustments.  After considering the bonus depreciation provision of the Tax Act, U.S. Cellular does not expect to incur a significant current federal income tax liability in 2018.  See Note 4 — Income Taxes in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax

The increase year over year is due to higher income from certain partnerships in 2017. 

2016-2015 Commentary

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities

U.S. Cellular’s investment in the Los Angeles SMSA Limited Partnership (LA Partnership) contributed $71 million and $74 million to Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities in 2016 and 2015, respectively. 

Interest expense

Interest expense increased in 2016 as a result of U.S. Cellular’s issuance of $300 million of 7.25% Senior Notes due 2064 in November 2015 and borrowing of $225 million on its senior term loan facility that was drawn in July 2015.

Income tax expense

The effective tax rates on Income before income taxes for 2016 and 2015 were 39.7% and 38.7%, respectively.  The effective tax rates for both years are consistent with a normalized tax rate inclusive of federal and state tax during those periods.  Discrete items did not have a significant impact on the effective tax rates in either year. 

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax

The decrease year over year is due to lower income from certain partnerships in 2016. 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Sources of Liquidity

U.S. Cellular operates a capital-intensive business.  Historically, U.S. Cellular has used internally-generated funds and also has obtained substantial funds from external sources for general corporate purposes.  In the past, U.S. Cellular’s existing cash and investment balances, funds available under its revolving credit facility, funds from other financing sources, including a term loan and other long-term debt, and cash flows from operating, certain investing and financing activities, including sales of assets or businesses, provided sufficient liquidity and financial flexibility for U.S. Cellular to meet its normal day-to-day operating needs and debt service requirements, to finance the build-out and enhancement of markets and to fund acquisitions, primarily of spectrum licenses.  There is no assurance that this will be the case in the future.  See Market Risk for additional information regarding maturities of long-term debt.

Although U.S. Cellular currently has a significant cash balance, U.S. Cellular has incurred negative free cash flow at times in the past and this will occur in the future if operating results do not improve or capital expenditures are not reduced.  However, U.S. Cellular believes that existing cash and investment balances, funds available under its revolving credit facility, receivables securitization facility and expected cash flows from operating and investing activities provide liquidity for U.S. Cellular to meet its normal day-to-day operating needs and debt service requirements for the coming year. 

U.S. Cellular may require substantial additional capital for, among other uses, funding day-to-day operating needs including working capital, acquisitions of providers of wireless telecommunications services, spectrum license or system acquisitions, system development and network capacity expansion, debt service requirements, the repurchase of shares, the payment of dividends, or making additional investments.  It may be necessary from time to time to increase the size of the existing revolving credit facility, to put in place a new credit facility, or to obtain other forms of financing in order to fund potential expenditures.  U.S. Cellular’s liquidity would be adversely affected if, among other things, U.S. Cellular is unable to obtain short or long-term financing on acceptable terms, U.S. Cellular makes significant spectrum license purchases, the LA Partnership discontinues or reduces distributions compared to historical levels, or Federal USF and/or other regulatory support payments decline.  In addition, although sales of assets or businesses by U.S. Cellular have been an important source of liquidity in prior periods, U.S. Cellular does not expect a similar level of such sales in the future.     

U.S. Cellular’s credit rating currently is sub-investment grade.  There can be no assurance that sufficient funds will continue to be available to U.S. Cellular or its subsidiaries on terms or at prices acceptable to U.S. Cellular.  Insufficient cash flows from operating activities, changes in its credit ratings, defaults of the terms of debt or credit agreements, uncertainty of access to capital, deterioration in the capital markets, reduced regulatory capital at banks which in turn limits their ability to borrow and lend, other changes in the performance of U.S. Cellular or in market conditions or other factors could limit or restrict the availability of financing on terms and prices acceptable to U.S. Cellular, which could require U.S. Cellular to reduce its acquisition, capital expenditure and business development programs, reduce the acquisition of spectrum licenses, and/or reduce or cease share repurchases and/or the payment of dividends.  U.S. Cellular cannot provide assurance that circumstances that could have a material adverse effect on its liquidity or capital resources will not occur.  Any of the foregoing would have an adverse impact on U.S. Cellular’s businesses, financial condition or results of operations.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash and money market investments.  The primary objective of U.S. Cellular’s Cash and cash equivalents is for use in its operations and acquisition, capital expenditure and business development programs. 

Short-term investments

At December 31, 2017, U.S. Cellular held $50 million of Short-term investments which consisted of U.S. Treasury Bills with original maturities of six months.  For these investments, U.S. Cellular’s objective is to earn a higher rate of return on funds that are not anticipated to be required to meet liquidity needs in the immediate future while maintaining low investment risk. 

Financing

Revolving Credit Facility

U.S. Cellular has an unsecured revolving credit facility available for general corporate purposes including acquisitions, spectrum purchases and capital expenditures, with a maximum borrowing capacity of $300 million.  Amounts under the revolving credit facility may be borrowed, repaid and reborrowed from time to time until maturity in June 2021.  As of December 31, 2017, there were no outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility, except for letters of credit, and U.S. Cellular’s unused capacity under its revolving credit facility was $298 million.  The continued availability of the revolving credit facility requires U.S. Cellular to comply with certain negative and affirmative covenants, maintain certain financial ratios and provide representations on certain matters at the time of each borrowing.  U.S. Cellular believes it was in compliance as of December 31, 2017, with all of the covenants and requirements set forth in its revolving credit facility.  See Financial Covenants below.

See Note 11 — Debt in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the revolving credit facility.

Term Loan

In January 2015, U.S. Cellular entered into an unsecured senior term loan credit facility.  In July 2015, U.S. Cellular borrowed the full amount of $225 million available under this facility in two separate draws.  This term loan credit facility was amended and restated in June 2016.  Principal reductions are due and payable in quarterly installments of $3 million beginning in March 2016 through December 2021, and the remaining unpaid balance will be due and payable in January 2022.  This facility was entered into for general corporate purposes, including working capital, spectrum purchases and capital expenditures.

The continued availability of the term loan facility requires U.S. Cellular to comply with certain negative and affirmative covenants, maintain certain financial ratios and make representations regarding certain matters at the time of each borrowing, that are substantially the same as those in U.S. Cellular’s revolving credit facility described above.  U.S. Cellular believes that it was in compliance at December 31, 2017, with all of the covenants and requirements set forth in the term loan facility.  See Financial Covenants below.

See Note 11 — Debt in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the term loan.

Receivables Securitization Facility

In December 2017, U.S. Cellular, through its subsidiaries, entered into a $200 million credit facility to permit securitized borrowings using its equipment installment receivables for general corporate purposes.  U.S. Cellular entered into a performance guaranty whereby U.S. Cellular guarantees the performance of certain wholly-owned subsidiaries of U.S. Cellular under the facility.  Amounts under the receivables securitization facility may be borrowed, repaid and reborrowed from time to time until maturity in December 2019, which may be extended from time to time as specified therein.  As of December 31, 2017, there were no outstanding borrowings under the receivables securitization facility, and the entire unused capacity of $200 million was available, subject to sufficient collateral to satisfy the asset borrowing base provisions of the facility.  The continued availability of the receivables securitization facility requires U.S. Cellular to comply with certain negative and affirmative covenants, maintain certain financial ratios and provide representations on certain matters at the time of each borrowing.  U.S. Cellular believes that it was in compliance as of December 31, 2017, with all of the covenants and requirements set forth in its receivables securitization facility.  See Financial Covenants below.

See Note 11 — Debt in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the receivables securitization facility.

Financial Covenants

As noted above, the revolving credit facility, senior term loan facility and receivables securitization facility require U.S. Cellular to comply with certain affirmative and negative covenants, which include certain financial covenants.  In particular, under these agreements, U.S. Cellular is required to maintain the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio at a level not lower than 3.00 to 1.00 as of the end of any fiscal quarter.  U.S. Cellular also is required to maintain the Consolidated Leverage Ratio at a level not to exceed 3.25 to 1.00 as of the end of any fiscal quarter through June 30, 2019.  From July 1, 2019 and thereafter, the Consolidated Leverage Ratio is not to exceed 3.00 to 1.00 as of the end of any fiscal quarter.  U.S. Cellular believes that it was in compliance at December 31, 2017, with all such financial covenants. 

Other Long-Term Financing

U.S. Cellular has an effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 to issue senior or subordinated debt securities.  The proceeds from any such issuance may be used for general corporate purposes, including: the possible reduction of other short-term or long-term debt, spectrum purchases, and capital expenditures; in connection with acquisition, construction and development programs; for working capital; to provide additional investments in subsidiaries; or the repurchase of shares.  The U.S. Cellular shelf registration statement permits U.S. Cellular to issue at any time and from time to time senior or subordinated debt securities in one or more offerings, up to the amount registered, which is currently $500 million.  The ability of U.S. Cellular to complete an offering pursuant to such shelf registration statement is subject to market conditions and other factors at the time.

U.S. Cellular believes that it was in compliance as of December 31, 2017, with all covenants and other requirements set forth in the U.S. Cellular long-term debt indentures.  The U.S. Cellular long-term debt indentures do not include any financial covenants.  U.S. Cellular has not failed to make nor does it expect to fail to make any scheduled payment of principal or interest under such indentures.

The total long-term debt principal payments due for the next five years are $223 million, which represent 13% of the total gross long-term debt obligation at December 31, 2017.  Refer to Market Risk — Long-Term Debt for additional information regarding required principal payments and the weighted average interest rates related to U.S. Cellular’s Long-term debt.

U.S. Cellular, at its discretion, may from time to time seek to retire or purchase its outstanding debt through cash purchases and/or exchanges for other securities, in open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, tender offers, exchange offers or otherwise. Such repurchases or exchanges, if any, will depend on prevailing market conditions, liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors. The amounts involved may be material.

See Note 11 — Debt in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on long-term financing.

Credit Ratings

In certain circumstances, U.S. Cellular’s interest cost on its revolving credit and term loan facilities may be subject to increase if its current credit ratings from nationally recognized credit rating agencies are lowered, and may be subject to decrease if the ratings are raised.  U.S. Cellular’s facilities do not cease to be available nor do the maturity dates accelerate solely as a result of a downgrade in credit rating.  However, a downgrade in U.S. Cellular’s credit rating could adversely affect its ability to renew the facilities or obtain access to other credit facilities in the future.

U.S. Cellular is rated at sub-investment grade.  U.S. Cellular’s credit ratings as of December 31, 2017, and the dates such ratings were issued/re-affirmed were as follows:

Capital Requirements

The discussion below is intended to highlight some of the significant cash outlays expected during 2018 and beyond and to highlight the spending incurred in prior years for these items. This discussion does not include cash required to fund normal operations, and is not a comprehensive list of capital requirements.  Significant cash requirements that are not routine or in the normal course of business could arise from time to time.

Capital Expenditures

U.S. Cellular makes substantial investments to acquire, construct and upgrade wireless telecommunications networks and facilities to remain competitive and as a basis for creating long-term value for shareholders.  In recent years, rapid changes in technology and new opportunities (such as 4G LTE and VoLTE technology) have required substantial investments in potentially revenue‑enhancing and cost-reducing upgrades of U.S. Cellular’s networks to remain competitive.

Capital expenditures (i.e., additions to property, plant and equipment and system development expenditures), which include the effects of accruals and capitalized interest, in 2017, 2016 and 2015 were as follows:

U.S. Cellular plans to finance its capital expenditures program for 2018 using primarily Cash flows from operating activities, existing cash balances and, if required, its receivables securitization and/or revolving credit facilities.

Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges

U.S. Cellular assesses its existing wireless interests on an ongoing basis with a goal of improving the competitiveness of its operations and maximizing its long-term return on capital.  As part of this strategy, U.S. Cellular reviews attractive opportunities to acquire additional wireless operating markets and wireless spectrum, including pursuant to FCC auctions. 

In July 2016, the FCC announced U.S. Cellular as a qualified bidder in the FCC’s forward auction of 600 MHz spectrum licenses, referred to as Auction 1002.  In April 2017, the FCC announced by way of public notice that U.S. Cellular was the winning bidder for 188 licenses for an aggregate purchase price of $329 million.  Prior to commencement of the forward auction, U.S. Cellular made an upfront payment to the FCC of $143 million in June 2016.  U.S. Cellular paid the remaining $186 million to the FCC and was granted the licenses during the second quarter of 2017.

Total cash payments for acquisitions of licenses were $189 million, $196 million and $286 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  The 2016 amount includes the $143 million deposit that was made to the FCC.

Cash received from divestitures in 2017, 2016 and 2015 was as follows:

In February 2016, U.S. Cellular entered into an agreement with a third party to exchange certain 700 MHz licenses for certain AWS and PCS licenses and $28 million of cash.  This license exchange was accomplished in two closings.  The first closing occurred in the second quarter of 2016, at which time U.S. Cellular received $13 million of cash and recorded a gain of $9 million.  The second closing occurred in the first quarter of 2017, at which time U.S. Cellular received $15 million of cash and recorded a gain of $17 million. 

See Note 6 — Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to significant transactions.

Variable Interest Entities

U.S. Cellular consolidates certain “variable interest entities” as defined under GAAP. See Note 13 — Variable Interest Entities in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to these variable interest entities. U.S. Cellular may elect to make additional capital contributions and/or advances to these variable interest entities in future periods in order to fund their operations.

Common Share Repurchase Program

U.S. Cellular has repurchased and expects to continue to repurchase its Common Shares, subject to its repurchase program.  Share repurchases made under this program were as follows:

Depending on its future financial performance, construction, development and acquisition programs, and available sources of financing, U.S. Cellular may not have sufficient liquidity or capital resources to make significant share repurchases.  Therefore, there is no assurance that U.S. Cellular will make any significant share repurchases in the future.

For additional information related to the current repurchase authorization, see Note 15 — Common Shareholders’ Equity in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

U.S. Cellular had no transactions, agreements or other contractual arrangements with unconsolidated entities involving “off-balance sheet arrangements,” as defined by SEC rules, that had or are reasonably likely to have a material current or future effect on its financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

Contractual and Other Obligations

At December 31, 2017, the resources required for contractual obligations were as follows:

The table above excludes potential liabilities related to “unrecognized tax benefits” as defined by GAAP because U.S. Cellular is unable to predict the outcome or period of settlement of such liabilities.  Such unrecognized tax benefits were $47 million at December 31, 2017.  See Note 4 — Income Taxes in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on unrecognized tax benefits.

See Note 12 — Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Consolidated Cash Flow Analysis

U.S. Cellular operates a capital‑ and marketing‑intensive business.  U.S. Cellular makes substantial investments to acquire wireless licenses and properties and to construct and upgrade wireless communications networks and facilities as a basis for 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-reducing upgrades to U.S. Cellular’s networks.  U.S. Cellular utilizes cash on hand, cash from operating activities, cash proceeds from divestitures and dispositions of investments, short-term credit facilities and long-term debt financing to fund its acquisitions (including spectrum licenses), construction costs, operating expenses and share repurchases.  Cash flows may fluctuate from quarter to quarter and year to year due to seasonality, the timing of acquisitions and divestitures, capital expenditures and other factors. The following discussion summarizes U.S. Cellular’s cash flow activities in 2017, 2016 and 2015.

2017 Commentary

U.S. Cellular’s Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash decreased $234 million in 2017.  Net cash provided by operating activities was $469 million in 2017 due primarily to net income of $15 million plus non-cash items of $598 million (including a $370 million loss on impairment of goodwill and a $365 million decrease in the deferred income tax liability) and distributions received from unconsolidated entities of $136 million (including $62 million from the LA Partnership).  This was partially offset by changes in working capital items which decreased net cash by $280 million.  The decrease resulting from changes in working capital items was due primarily to a $261 million increase in equipment installment plan receivables, which are expected to continue to increase and further require the use of working capital in the near term.  U.S. Cellular paid income taxes, net of refunds received, of $55 million in 2017.  After considering the bonus depreciation provision of the Tax Act, U.S. Cellular does not expect to incur a significant current federal income tax liability in 2018.

Cash flows used for investing activities were $683 million.  Cash paid in 2017 for additions to property, plant and equipment totaled $465 million.  Cash paid for licenses was $189 million which included the remaining $186 million due to the FCC for licenses U.S. Cellular won in Auction 1002.  Cash paid for investments was $50 million which included the purchase of short-term Treasury bills.  This was partially offset by Cash received from divestitures and exchanges of $21 million.  See Note 6— Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to these transactions.

Cash flows used for financing activities were $20 million, primarily for scheduled repayments of debt.

2016 Commentary

U.S. Cellular’s Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash decreased $129 million in 2016.  Net cash provided by operating activities was $501 million in 2016 due primarily to net income of $49 million plus non-cash items of $609 million and distributions received from unconsolidated entities of $93 million, including $29 million in distributions from the LA Partnership.  This was partially offset by changes in working capital items which decreased cash by $250 million.  The decrease in working capital items was due primarily to a $246 million increase in equipment installment plan receivables. 

The net cash provided by operating activities was offset by cash flows used for investing activities of $618 million.  Cash paid in 2016 for additions to property, plant and equipment totaled $443 million.  In June 2016, U.S. Cellular made a deposit of $143 million to the FCC for its participation in Auction 1002.  Cash paid for acquisitions and licenses in 2016 was $53 million partially offset by Cash received from divestitures and exchanges of $21 million.  See Note 6 — Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to these transactions.

Cash flows used for financing activities were $12 million in 2016, reflecting ordinary activity such as scheduled repayments of debt.

2015 Commentary

Cash flows from operating activities were $555 million in 2015.  An increase in cash flows from operating activities was due primarily to improved net income and working capital factors.  In 2015, increased receivables related to equipment installment plans decreased cash flows from operating activities.

In December 2015, as part of the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015, bonus depreciation was enacted which allowed U.S. Cellular to accelerate deductions for depreciation, resulting in an overpayment of estimated tax amounts paid during 2015.  Primarily as a result of this overpayment, U.S. Cellular recorded $34 million of Income taxes receivable at December 31, 2015.  U.S. Cellular paid income taxes, net of refunds, of $59 million in 2015.

Cash flows used for investing activities were $550 million in 2015.  Cash paid for additions to property, plant and equipment totaled $581 million in 2015. 

During 2015, a $278 million payment was made by Advantage Spectrum, L.P. to the FCC for licenses for which it was the provisional winning bidder.  See Note 6 — Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges and Note 13 — Variable Interest Entities in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Cash flows from financing activities were $497 million in 2015.  In July 2015, U.S. Cellular borrowed $225 million on its Term Loan.  In November 2015, U.S. Cellular issued $300 million of 7.25% Senior Notes due 2064.

Consolidated Balance Sheet Analysis

The following discussion addresses certain captions in the consolidated balance sheet and changes therein.  This discussion is intended to highlight the significant changes and is not intended to fully reconcile the changes.  Changes in financial condition during 2017 are as follows:

Cash and cash equivalents

See the Consolidated Cash Flow analysis above for a discussion of cash and cash equivalents.

Short-term investments

Short-term investments increased $50 million due to the purchase of short-term investments, which consisted of U.S. Treasury Bills with original maturities of six months. 

Accounts receivable - customers and agents

Accounts receivable from customers and agents increased $117 million due primarily to an increase in equipment installment plan receivables.

Licenses

Licenses increased $337 million due primarily to an aggregate winning bid of $329 million in FCC Auction 1002.  These licenses were granted by the FCC in the second quarter of 2017.  See Note 6 — Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information about this transaction.

Goodwill

Goodwill decreased $370 million due to the impairment loss recorded in the third quarter of 2017.  See Note 7 — Intangible Assets in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Deferred income tax liability, net

In December 2017, the Tax Act was signed into law.  The major provisions of the Tax Act impacting U.S. Cellular are the reduction of the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% and the enactment of the bonus depreciation allowing for full expensing of qualified property.  Deferred income tax liability, net, decreased $365 million due primarily to the impact of the rate decrease on U.S. Cellular’s federal taxable temporary differences as well as the impairment of tax-amortizable goodwill.

Application of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

U.S. Cellular prepares its consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP.  U.S. Cellular’s significant accounting policies are discussed in detail in Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Management believes the application of the following critical accounting policies and the estimates required by such application reflect its most significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of U.S. Cellular’s consolidated financial statements.  Management has discussed the development and selection of each of the following accounting policies and related estimates and disclosures with the Audit Committee of U.S. Cellular’s Board of Directors.

Intangible Asset Impairment

Licenses represent, and Goodwill previously represented, a significant component of U.S. Cellular’s consolidated assets.  These assets are considered to be indefinite-lived assets and, therefore, are not amortized but rather are tested annually for impairment.  U.S. Cellular performs annual impairment testing of Licenses and Goodwill as of November 1 of each year or more frequently if triggering events are present.  Significant negative events, such as changes in any of the assumptions described below as well as decreases in forecasted cash flows, could result in an impairment in future periods.  Licenses are tested for impairment at the level of reporting referred to as a unit of accounting.  Goodwill was tested for impairment at the level of reporting referred to as a reporting unit.

See Note 7 — Intangible Assets in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information related to Licenses and Goodwill activity in 2017 and 2016.

Wireless Licenses

U.S. Cellular performs its annual impairment assessment of Licenses as of November 1 of each year or more frequently if there are events or circumstances that cause U.S. Cellular to believe the carrying value of Licenses exceeds their fair value on a more likely than not basis.  For purposes of its 2017 and 2016 impairment testing of Licenses, U.S. Cellular separated its FCC licenses into eight units of accounting.  The eight units of accounting consisted of one unit of accounting for developed operating market licenses (built licenses) and seven geographic non-operating market licenses (unbuilt licenses).  U.S. Cellular performed a quantitative impairment assessment in 2017, and a qualitative impairment assessment in 2016, to determine whether it was more likely than not that the fair value of the built and unbuilt licenses exceeded their carrying value. 

In 2017, a market approach was used to value the spectrum license portfolio.  The licenses were segregated by type and by similar geographical area.  The market approach develops an indication of fair value by calculating estimated market values using observable license purchase and auction transactions as a basis for such values for each pool of licenses.  The sum of the fair values of the discrete pools represents the estimated fair value of U.S. Cellular’s licenses.  Based on the assessment, the fair values of the license units of accounting exceeded their respective carrying values by amounts ranging from 16% to greater than 100%.  Therefore, no impairment of licenses existed.

In 2016, U.S. Cellular considered several qualitative factors, including analysts’ estimates of license values, which contemplated recent spectrum auction results, recent U.S. Cellular and other market participant transactions and other industry and market factors.  Based on this assessment, U.S. Cellular concluded that it was more likely than not that the fair value of the licenses in each unit of accounting exceeded the respective carrying values.  Therefore, no impairment of licenses existed and no Step 1 quantitative impairment evaluation was completed.

Goodwill

U.S. Cellular had recorded Goodwill as a result of the acquisition of wireless companies.  For purposes of the 2017 and 2016 Goodwill impairment tests, U.S. Cellular had one reporting unit.  U.S. Cellular early adopted ASU 2017-04, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, in the third quarter of 2017 and applied the guidance to interim goodwill impairment tests completed in 2017.  ASU 2017-04 eliminated Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. 

During the third quarter of 2017, management identified a triggering event and performed an interim impairment assessment.  A discounted cash flow approach was used to value the reporting unit, using value drivers and risks specific to U.S. Cellular and the industry and current economic factors.  The cash flow estimates incorporated certain assumptions that market participants may use in their estimates of fair value and may not be indicative of U.S. Cellular specific assumptions.  However, the discount rate used in the analysis considers any additional risk a market participant might place on integrating the U.S. Cellular reporting unit into its operations.  The most significant assumptions made in this process were the revenue growth rate (shown as a compound annual growth rate in the table below), the terminal revenue growth rate, and the discount rate. 

The results of the interim goodwill impairment test indicated that the carrying value of the U.S. Cellular reporting unit exceeded its fair value.  Therefore, U.S. Cellular recognized a loss on impairment of goodwill of $370 million to reduce the carrying value of goodwill to zero.

In connection with the interim goodwill impairment test in the third quarter of 2017, conditions existed that indicated U.S. Cellular’s long-lived asset group might not be recoverable.  As a result, the company also performed a long-lived asset recoverability assessment related to the U.S. Cellular asset group in the third quarter of 2017, and determined that no impairment of the long-lived asset group existed as of the interim assessment date.

Income Taxes

U.S. Cellular is included in a consolidated federal income tax return with other members of the TDS consolidated group.  TDS and U.S. Cellular are parties to a Tax Allocation Agreement which provides that U.S. Cellular and its subsidiaries be included with the TDS affiliated group in a consolidated federal income tax return and in state income or franchise tax returns in certain situations.  For financial statement purposes, U.S. Cellular and its subsidiaries calculate their income, income tax and credits as if they comprised a separate affiliated group.  Under the Tax Allocation Agreement between TDS and U.S. Cellular, U.S. Cellular remits its applicable income tax payments to TDS.

The amounts of income tax assets and liabilities, the related income tax provision and the amount of unrecognized tax benefits are critical accounting estimates because such amounts are significant to U.S. Cellular’s financial condition and results of operations.

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires U.S. Cellular to calculate a provision for income taxes.  This process involves estimating the actual current income tax liability together with assessing temporary differences resulting from the different treatment of items for tax purposes.  These temporary differences result in deferred income tax assets and liabilities, which are included in U.S. Cellular’s Consolidated Balance Sheet.  U.S. Cellular must then assess the likelihood that deferred income tax assets will be realized based on future taxable income and, to the extent management believes that realization is not likely, establish a valuation allowance.  Management’s judgment is required in determining the provision for income taxes, deferred income tax assets and liabilities and any valuation allowance that is established for deferred income tax assets.

U.S. Cellular recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the position.  The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position are measured based on management’s judgment as to the possible outcome that has a greater than 50% cumulative likelihood of being realized upon ultimate resolution. 

See Note 4 — Income Taxes in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for details regarding U.S. Cellular’s income tax provision, deferred income taxes and liabilities, valuation allowances and unrecognized tax benefits, including information regarding estimates that impact income taxes. 

Equipment Installment Plans

U.S. Cellular sells devices and certain accessories to customers under installment contracts over a specified time period and, under certain of these plans, offers the customer a trade-in right.  Customers on an installment contract who elect to trade-in the device will receive a credit in the amount of the outstanding balance of the installment contract, provided the customer trades-in an eligible used device in good working condition and purchases a new device from U.S. Cellular. Equipment revenue under these contracts is recognized at the time the device is delivered to the end-user customer for the selling price of the device, net of any deferred imputed interest and the value of the trade-in right, if applicable.  See Note 3 — Equipment Installment Plans in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Trade-In Right

U.S. Cellular values the trade-in right as a guarantee liability.  This liability is initially measured at fair value and is determined based on assumptions including the probability and timing of the customer upgrading to a new device and the fair value of the device being  traded-in at the time of trade-in.  U.S. Cellular reevaluates its estimate of the guarantee liability quarterly.  A significant change in any of the aforementioned assumptions used to compute the guarantee liability would impact the amount of revenue recognized under these plans and the timing thereof.  In 2017 and 2016, U.S. Cellular assumed the earliest contractual time of trade-in, or the minimum amount of payments as specified in the device installment contract, for all customers on installment contracts with trade-in rights.

When a customer exercises the trade-in option, both the outstanding receivable and guarantee liability balances related to the respective devices are reduced to zero, and the value of the used device that is received in the transaction is recognized as inventory.  If the customer does not exercise the trade-in option at the time of eligibility, U.S. Cellular begins amortizing the liability and records this amortization as additional equipment revenue. 

Interest

U.S. Cellular equipment installment plans do not provide for explicit interest charges.  Because equipment installment plans have a duration of greater than twelve months, U.S. Cellular imputes interest using a market rate and recognizes such interest income over the duration of the plan as Services revenues.  Changes in the imputed interest rate would impact the amount of revenue recognized under these plans. 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

U.S. Cellular maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses that result from the failure of its customers to make payments due under the equipment installment plans.  The allowance is estimated based on historical experience, account aging and other factors that could affect collectability.  When it is probable that an account balance will not be collected, the account balance is charged against the allowance for doubtful accounts.  To the extent that actual loss experience differs significantly from historical trends, the required allowance amounts could differ from the original estimates.

Other Items

Inflation

Management believes that inflation affects U.S. Cellular’s business to no greater or lesser extent than the general economy.

Seasonality

U.S. Cellular’s profitability historically has been lower in the fourth quarter as a result of significant marketing and promotional activity during the holiday season.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information on recently issued accounting pronouncements.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

See Note 18 – Certain Relationships and Related Transactions in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Regulatory Matters

FCC Auction 1002

U.S. Cellular was a bidder in the FCC’s forward auction of 600 MHz spectrum licenses, referred to as Auction 1002, which concluded in March 2017.  In April 2017, the FCC announced by way of public notice that U.S. Cellular was the winning bidder for 188 licenses for an aggregate purchase price of $329 million.  Prior to commencement of the forward auction, U.S. Cellular made an upfront payment to the FCC of $143 million in June 2016.  U.S. Cellular paid the remaining $186 million to the FCC and was granted the licenses during the second quarter of 2017.

FCC Mobility Fund Phase II Order

In October 2011, the FCC adopted its USF/Intercarrier Compensation Transformation Order (USF Order).  Pursuant to this order, U.S. Cellular’s then current Federal USF support was to be phased down at the rate of 20% per year beginning July 1, 2012.  The USF Order contemplated the establishment of a new mobile USF program and provided for a pause in the phase down if that program was not timely implemented by July 2014.  The Phase II Connect America Mobility Fund (MF2) was not operational as of July 2014 and, therefore, as provided by the USF Order, the phase down was suspended at 60% of the baseline amount until such time as the FCC had taken steps to establish the MF2.  In February 2017, the FCC adopted the MF2 Order addressing the framework for MF2 and the resumption of the phase down.  The MF2 Order establishes a support fund of $453 million annually for ten years to be distributed through a market-based, multi-round reverse auction.  For areas that receive support under MF2, legacy support to MF2 Auction winners will terminate and be replaced with MF2 support effective the first day of the month following release of the public notice closing the auction.  Legacy support  in areas where the legacy support recipient is not an MF2 winner will be subject to phase down over two years unless there is no winner in a particular census block, in which case it will be continued for one legacy support recipient only.  The MF2 Order further states that the phase down of legacy support for areas that were not eligible for  support under MF2 will commence on the first day of the month following the completion of the auction and will conclude two years later. 

In August 2017, the FCC adopted the MF2 Challenge Process Order, which laid out procedures for establishing areas that would be eligible for support under the MF2 program.  This will include a collection process to be followed by a challenge window, a challenge response window, and finally adjudication of any coverage disputes.  In September 2017, the FCC issued a public notice initiating the collection of 4G LTE coverage data.  Responses submitting the collected data were due on January 4, 2018. 

In October 2017, the FCC issued a public notice proposing and seeking comment on detailed challenge procedures and a schedule for the challenge process.  Under this proposal, the challenge window would begin no earlier than four weeks after the January 4 collection date and would last 150 days.  No earlier than five business days after the close of the challenge window, the FCC would open a thirty-day challenge response window.  Following the challenge response window, the FCC would adjudicate any disputes.  This entire process must be completed before an auction can be commenced. 

U.S. Cellular cannot predict at this time when the MF2 auction will occur, when the phase down period for its existing legacy support from the Federal USF will commence, or whether the MF2 auction will provide opportunities to U.S. Cellular to offset any loss in existing support.  However, the FCC has indicated that it currently plans to hold the MF2 auction in 2018.  U.S. Cellular currently expects that its legacy support will continue at the 2017 level through 2018. 

FCC Rulemaking – Restoring Internet Freedom

In December 2017, the FCC approved rules reversing or revising decisions made in the FCC’s 2015 Open Internet and Title II Order (Restoring Internet Freedom).  The 2017 action reversed the FCC’s 2015 decision to reclassify Broadband Internet Access Services as telecommunications services subject to regulation under Title II of the Telecommunications Act.  The 2017 action also reversed the FCC’s 2015 restrictions on blocking, throttling and paid prioritization, and modified transparency rules relating to such practices.  Parties are pursuing legal proceedings challenging the 2017 actions.  U.S. Cellular cannot predict the outcome of these proceedings or the impact on its business. 

Action is being pursued in a number of states, including certain states in which U.S. Cellular operates, to adopt state laws that would be intended to reinstate aspects of the foregoing net neutrality regulations that were reversed or revised by the FCC in 2017.  To the extent such laws are enacted, it is expected that legal proceedings will be pursued challenging such laws.  U.S. Cellular cannot predict the outcome of these proceedings or the impact on its business.

Other Regulatory Matters

In March 2017, both the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives approved a joint resolution under the Congressional Review Act to repeal regulations approved by the FCC in October 2016 governing consumer privacy by broadband Internet service providers.  The President approved the resolution in April 2017.  The repeal removed the pending FCC rules, which would have gone into effect in 2017 and reinstated the prior set of rules that apply to telecommunication services.  The privacy broadband rules would have prohibited broadband internet service providers from sharing certain sensitive customer information unless customers opted in and expressly agreed to share such information.  U.S. Cellular will continue to protect customer information in accordance with Section 222 of the Telecommunications Act and applicable regulations and also its publicly available Privacy Statement until such time as it becomes subject to other privacy requirements.

PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995

SAFE HARBOR CAUTIONARY STATEMENT

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and other sections of this Annual Report contain statements that are not based on historical facts, including the words “believes,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “projects” and similar expressions.  These statements constitute and represent “forward‑looking statements” as this term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Such forward‑looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, events or developments to be significantly different from any future results, events or developments expressed or implied by such forward‑looking statements.  Each of the following risks could have a material adverse effect on U.S. Cellular’s business, financial condition or results of operations.  However, such factors are not necessarily all of the important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements contained in this document.  Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could have material adverse effects on future results, performance or achievements.  Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, the following risks.  See “Risk Factors” in U.S. Cellular’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, for a further discussion of these risks.  U.S. Cellular undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.  Readers should evaluate any statements in light of these important factors.

• Intense competition in the markets in which U.S. Cellular operates could adversely affect U.S. Cellular’s revenues or increase its costs to compete.
• A failure by U.S. Cellular to successfully execute its business strategy (including planned acquisitions, spectrum acquisitions, divestitures and exchanges) or allocate resources or capital could have an adverse effect on U.S. Cellular’s business, financial condition or results of operations.
• Uncertainty in U.S. Cellular’s future cash flow and liquidity or in the ability to access capital, deterioration in the capital markets, other changes in U.S. Cellular’s performance or market conditions, changes in U.S. Cellular’s credit ratings or other factors could limit or restrict the availability of financing on terms and prices acceptable to U.S. Cellular, which could require U.S. Cellular to reduce its construction, development or acquisition programs, reduce the acquisition of spectrum licenses, and/or reduce or cease share repurchases.
• U.S. Cellular has a significant amount of indebtedness which could adversely affect its financial performance and in turn adversely affect its ability to make payments on its indebtedness, comply with terms of debt covenants and incur additional debt.
• Changes in roaming practices or other factors could cause U.S. Cellular's roaming revenues to decline from current levels, roaming expenses to increase from current levels and/or impact U.S. Cellular's ability to service its customers in geographic areas where U.S. Cellular does not have its own network, which could have an adverse effect on U.S. Cellular's business, financial condition or results of operations.
• A failure by U.S. Cellular to obtain access to adequate radio spectrum to meet current or anticipated future needs and/or to accurately predict future needs for radio spectrum could have an adverse effect on U.S. Cellular’s business, financial condition or results of operations.
• To the extent conducted by the FCC, U.S. Cellular may participate in FCC auctions for additional spectrum or for funding in certain Universal Service programs in the future directly or indirectly and, during certain periods, will be subject to the FCC’s anti-collusion rules, which could have an adverse effect on U.S. Cellular.
• Failure by U.S. Cellular to timely or fully comply with any existing applicable legislative and/or regulatory requirements or changes thereto could adversely affect U.S. Cellular’s business, financial condition or results of operations.
• An inability to attract people of outstanding potential, to develop their potential through education and assignments, and to retain them by keeping them engaged, challenged and properly rewarded could have an adverse effect on U.S. Cellular's business, financial condition or results of operations.
• U.S. Cellular’s assets and revenue are concentrated in the U.S. wireless telecommunications industry.  Consequently, its operating results may fluctuate based on factors related primarily to conditions in this industry.
• U.S. Cellular’s smaller scale relative to larger competitors that may have greater financial and other resources than U.S. Cellular could cause U.S. Cellular to be unable to compete successfully, which could adversely affect its business, financial condition or results of operations.
• Changes in various business factors, including changes in demand, customer preferences and perceptions, price competition, churn from customer switching activity and other factors, could have an adverse effect on U.S. Cellular’s business, financial condition or results of operations. 

• Advances or changes in technology could render certain technologies used by U.S. Cellular obsolete, could put U.S. Cellular at a competitive disadvantage, could reduce U.S. Cellular’s revenues or could increase its costs of doing business.
• Complexities associated with deploying new technologies present substantial risk and U.S. Cellular investments in unproven technologies may not produce the benefits that U.S. Cellular expects.
• U.S. Cellular receives regulatory support and is subject to numerous surcharges and fees from federal, state and local governments, and the applicability and the amount of the support and fees are subject to great uncertainty, which could have an adverse effect on U.S. Cellular’s business, financial condition or results of operations. 
• Performance under device purchase agreements could have a material adverse impact on U.S. Cellular's business, financial condition or results of operations. 
• Changes in U.S. Cellular’s enterprise value, changes in the market supply or demand for wireless licenses, adverse developments in the business or the industry in which U.S. Cellular is involved and/or other factors could require U.S. Cellular to recognize impairments in the carrying value of its licenses and/or physical assets.
• Costs, integration problems or other factors associated with acquisitions, divestitures or exchanges of properties or licenses and/or expansion of U.S. Cellular’s business could have an adverse effect on U.S. Cellular’s business, financial condition or results of operations.
• A failure by U.S. Cellular to complete significant network construction and systems implementation activities as part of its plans to improve the quality, coverage, capabilities and capacity of its network, support and other systems and infrastructure could have an adverse effect on its operations. 
• Difficulties involving third parties with which U.S. Cellular does business, including changes in U.S. Cellular's relationships with or financial or operational difficulties of key suppliers or independent agents and third party national retailers who market U.S. Cellular’s services, could adversely affect U.S. Cellular’s business, financial condition or results of operations.
• U.S. Cellular has significant investments in entities that it does not control.  Losses in the value of such investments could have an adverse effect on U.S. Cellular’s financial condition or results of operations.
• A failure by U.S. Cellular to maintain flexible and capable telecommunication networks or information technology, or a material disruption thereof, could have an adverse effect on U.S. Cellular’s business, financial condition or results of operations. 
• U.S. Cellular has experienced and, in the future, expects to experience cyber-attacks or other breaches of network or information technology security of varying degrees on a regular basis, which could have an adverse effect on U.S. Cellular's business, financial condition or results of operations.
• The market price of U.S. Cellular’s Common Shares is subject to fluctuations due to a variety of factors.
• Changes in facts or circumstances, including new or additional information, could require U.S. Cellular to record charges relating to adjustments of amounts reflected in the financial statements, which could have an adverse effect on U.S. Cellular’s business, financial condition or results of operations.
• Disruption in credit or other financial markets, a deterioration of U.S. or global economic conditions or other events could, among other things, impede U.S. Cellular’s access to or increase the cost of financing its operating and investment activities and/or result in reduced revenues and lower operating income and cash flows, which would have an adverse effect on U.S. Cellular’s business, financial condition or results of operations.
• Settlements, judgments, restraints on its current or future manner of doing business and/or legal costs resulting from pending and future litigation could have an adverse effect on U.S. Cellular’s business, financial condition or results of operations.
• The possible development of adverse precedent in litigation or conclusions in professional studies to the effect that radio frequency emissions from wireless devices and/or cell sites cause harmful health consequences, including cancer or tumors, or may interfere with various electronic medical devices such as pacemakers, could have an adverse effect on U.S. Cellular’s business, financial condition or results of operations.
• Claims of infringement of intellectual property and proprietary rights of others, primarily involving patent infringement claims, could prevent U.S. Cellular from using necessary technology to provide products or services or subject U.S. Cellular to expensive intellectual property litigation or monetary penalties, which could have an adverse effect on U.S. Cellular’s business, financial condition or results of operations.
• There are potential conflicts of interests between TDS and U.S. Cellular. 
• Certain matters, such as control by TDS and provisions in the U.S. Cellular Restated Certificate of Incorporation, may serve to discourage or make more difficult a change in control of U.S. Cellular.

• Any of the foregoing events or other events could cause revenues, earnings, capital expenditures and/or any other financial or statistical information to vary from U.S. Cellular’s forward-looking estimates by a material amount.

MARKET RISK

Long-Term Debt

As of December 31, 2017, the majority of U.S. Cellular’s long-term debt was in the form of fixed-rate notes with remaining maturities ranging up to 47 years.  Fluctuations in market interest rates can lead to significant fluctuations in the fair value of these fixed-rate notes.

The following chart presents the scheduled principal payments on long-term debt by maturity dates at December 31, 2017:

The following table presents the scheduled principal payments on long-term debt, capital lease obligations and other installment arrangements, and the related weighted average interest rates by maturity dates at December 31, 2017:

Fair Value of Long-Term Debt

At December 31, 2017 and 2016, the estimated fair value of long-term debt obligations, excluding capital lease obligations, other installment arrangements, the current portion of such long-term debt and debt financing costs, was $1,652 million and $1,664 million, respectively.  See Note 2 — Fair Value Measurements in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Other Market Risk Sensitive Instruments

The substantial majority of U.S. Cellular’s other market risk sensitive instruments (as defined in item 305 of SEC Regulation S-K) are short-term, including Cash and cash equivalents.  Accordingly, U.S. Cellular believes that a significant change in interest rates would not have a material effect on such other market risk sensitive instruments.

Supplemental Information Relating to Non-GAAP Financial Measures

U.S. Cellular sometimes uses information derived from consolidated financial information but not presented in its financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP to evaluate the performance of its business.  Certain of these measures are considered “non-GAAP financial measures” under U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Rules.  Specifically, U.S. Cellular has referred to the following measures in this Form 10-K Report:

• EBITDA
• Adjusted EBITDA
• Adjusted OIBDA
• Free cash flow
• Postpaid ABPU
• Postpaid ABPA
• Goodwill impairment, net of tax

Following are explanations of each of these measures:

EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted OIBDA

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.  U.S. Cellular 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.  

Management uses Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted OIBDA as measurements of profitability and, therefore, reconciliations to Net income are deemed appropriate.  Management believes Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted OIBDA are useful measures of U.S. Cellular’s operating results before significant recurring non-cash charges, gains and losses, and other items as presented below as they provide additional relevant and useful information to investors and other users of U.S. Cellular’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, and gains and losses, 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 table reconciles EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted OIBDA to the corresponding GAAP measure, Net income.