What changed in this filing

/stocks — the workspaceLOADING

Item 1. Business

2022-02-17 compared with 2021-02-18 · 37 added, 27 removed, 86 unchanged (43% of the section changed)

4 unchanged sentences

The map below highlights areas of operation of UScellular’s wireless operating markets.

Business Development and Community Focus

Operating Strategy and Community Focus

UScellular’s strategy is to attract and retain customers through a value proposition comprising a high-quality network, outstanding customer service, and competitive devices, plans and pricing - all provided with a community focus.

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together, these direct and investment interests involve operating and non-operating wireless spectrum licenses covering portions of 30 states and a total population of approximately 51 million at December 31, 2021.

As part of its business development strategy, UScellular may periodically be engaged in negotiations relating to strategic partnerships and/or the acquisition, exchange or disposition of companies, strategic properties, investment interests or wireless spectrum, including through FCC auctions.

The FCC conducts auctions through which additional spectrum is made available for the provision of wireless services.

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UScellular has a longstanding commitment to supporting its local communities through donations and volunteerism.

UScellular focuses its Corporate Social Responsibility program on philanthropic investments and volunteer engagement activities on K-12 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) to support youth in the communities UScellular serves through exclusive partnerships with organizations such as Boys & Girls Clubs of America and JASON Learning.

Since 2015, The Future of Good program has demonstrated UScellular's commitment to the communities that it serves by highlighting and supporting young humanitarians that have taken extraordinary actions to make their communities a better place.

In 2020, UScellular began exploring ways to leverage its assets, brand, partnerships, and resources to begin to close the digital divide with a focus on ensuring all youth in its markets have reliable and fast internet access in school and at home.

UScellular focuses its Corporate Social Responsibility program on addressing gaps in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education and connecting tomorrow’s innovators with the resources they need today to help shape their future opportunities.

UScellular serves its local communities through exclusive partnerships with acclaimed national nonprofit partners.

In 2021, UScellular continued exploring ways to leverage its assets, brand, partnerships, and resources to begin to close the digital divide with a focus on helping to ensure youth in its markets have reliable and fast internet access in school and at home.

UScellular continues to contribute to the TDS Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) program.

UScellular believes in serving as a good steward of the environment and enacting governance practices that align with its corporate values and commitment to its customers, associates and its communitie s.

Customers, Services, Products and Seasonality

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Approximately 90% of retail connections were postpaid connections as of December 31, 2021.

UScellular offers various service plans tailored to the needs of customers.

UScellular offers various service plans with nationwide coverage tailored to the needs of customers.

Depending on those needs at a particular time, service plans may include features related to, among other things:

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the ability to use a device as a Wi-Fi hotspot;

international voice, text, and data;

and varying data rates depending on the plan and usage on that plan.

Service offerings vary from time to time based on customer needs, technology changes and market conditions - and may be provided as standard plans or as part of limited time promotional offers.

UScellular offers advanced wireless solutions to consumers and business and government customers, including a fast-growing and expansive suite of connected Internet of things (IoT) solutions and software applications across the categories of monitor and control (e.g., sensors and cameras), business automation/operations (e.g., e-forms), communication (e.g., enterprise messaging, back-up router for business continuity services), asset management (e.g., navigation system, fleet management), smart water solutions, and custom, bespoke end-to-end IoT solutions et al.

UScellular offers advanced wireless solutions to consumers and business and government customers, including a fast-growing and expansive suite of connected Internet of things (IoT) solutions and software applications across the categories of monitor and control (e.g., sensors and cameras), business automation/operations (e.g., e-forms, office solutions), communication (e.g., enterprise messaging, back-up router for business continuity services), fleet and asset management, smart water solutions, private cellular networks and custom, bespoke end-to-end IoT solutions et al.

Additionally, for first responders, UScellular offers both Wireless Priority Services (WPS) and Quality Priority and Preemption (QPP) options.

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UScellular offers a comprehensive range of devices such as smartphones and other handsets, tablets, wearables, mobile hotspots, routers, and IoT devices.

In addition, UScellular also offers a wide range of accessories, including wireless essentials such as cases, screen protectors, chargers, and memory cards as well as an assortment of consumer electronics such as headphones, smart speakers, and home automation and business management solutions (e.g., cameras, video doorbells, networking and monitoring devices).

In addition, UScellular also offers a wide range of accessories, including wireless essentials such as cases, screen protectors, chargers, memory cards and consumer electronics such as audio, home automation and networking products.

UScellular allows customers to purchase certain devices and accessories on installment plans, allowing for customers to pay over a specified period of time.

UScellular also offers services that enable customers to replace or repair their devices, including the Device Protection+ program, which provides as soon as next-day delivery of a replacement device for damaged, lost and stolen devices, and AppleCare services for Apple iOS customers.

Its Device Protection+ Advanced program also includes local or on-demand repair for eligible devices.

UScellular's Device Protection+ Advanced program also includes local or on-demand repair for eligible devices.

In addition, UScellular offers a Trade-In program through which UScellular buys customers' used equipment.

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Sales and Distribution Channels

UScellular supports a multi-faceted distribution program, including retail sales, direct sales, telesales, ecommerce, independent agents and third-party national retailers.

UScellular supports a multi-faceted distribution program, including retail sales, direct sales, telesales, ecommerce, indirect sales, independent agents and third-party national retailers.

Company retail store locations are designed to market wireless services and products to the consumer and small business segments in a setting familiar to these types of customers.

Direct sales representatives sell traditional wireless services as well as IoT and machine-to-machine (M2M) products and solutions to medium and large-sized businesses and governmental entities.

Direct sales representatives and the indirect channel sell traditional wireless services as well as IoT and other specialized products and solutions to medium and large-sized businesses and governmental entities.

Additionally, the telesales and ecommerce channels enable customers to purchase services and devices via phone and online, respectively.

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In its footprint, UScellular competes to varying degrees against each of the national wireless companies:

Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile USA, and an emerging Dish as the fourth national carrier, in addition to smaller regional carriers in specific areas of its footprint.

Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile USA, and an emerging Dish as the fourth national carrier, in addition to smaller regional carriers, cable and other MVNOs in specific areas of its footprint.

In addition, UScellular competes with other companies that use alternative communication technology and services to provide similar services and products.

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VoLTE technology allows customers to utilize a 4G LTE network for both voice and data services and offers enhanced services such as high definition voice and simultaneous voice and data sessions.

5G technology helps address customers’ growing demand for data services and creates opportunities for new services requiring high speed and reliability as well as low latency.

5G technology helps address customers’ growing demand for data services and creates opportunities for new services, including high-speed fixed wireless home internet services, requiring high speed and reliability as well as low latency.

UScellular's 5G deployment is initially focused on mobility services using its low band spectrum.

UScellular has acquired high band spectrum, which it will deploy in the future to further enable the delivery of 5G services.

UScellular has launched commercial 5G services in portions of California, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin and will continue to launch in additional areas in the coming years.

In addition to the deployment of 5G technology, UScellular is also modernizing its 4G LTE network to further enhance 4G LTE speeds.

Inter-carrier roaming agreements are negotiated between wireless operators to enable customers who are in a service area other than the customer’s home service area to use wireless services in that service area.

UScellular has acquired high-band and mid-band spectrum, which it will deploy in the future to further enable the delivery of 5G services.

UScellular has launched commercial 5G services in portions of substantially all of its markets and will continue to launch in additional areas in the coming years.

Inter-carrier roaming agreements are negotiated between wireless operators to enable customers to use wireless services outside of their home service area.

UScellular has entered into 4G LTE and VoLTE roaming agreements with national wireless companies and, as a result, customers have access to these services on a nationwide basis.

In addition, UScellular offers a variety of international roaming options.

UScellular is pursuing and expects to introduce 5G roaming in 2021.

In addition, UScellular offers a variety of international roaming options and launched 5G roaming in 2021.

UScellular’s operations are subject to federal, state and local regulation.

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Further, the Federal Aviation Administration also regulates the siting, lighting and construction of transmitter towers and antennae.

Reference is made to Exhibit 13 to this Form 10-K under “Regulatory Matters” for information regarding any significant recent developments and proposals relating to the foregoing regulatory matters.

Reference is made to Item 7 of this Form 10-K under “Regulatory Matters” for information regarding any significant recent developments and proposals relating to the foregoing regulatory matters.

Human Capital Resources

UScellular had approximately 5,300 full-time and part-time employees as of December 31, 2020.

Employee engagement and development is critical to the success of UScellular.

UScellular periodically surveys its employees;

those surveys have consistently shown that employees have strong engagement and high overall job satisfaction.

UScellular offers education assistance, development assignments, and mentoring programs to assist in employee development.

Additionally, UScellular sponsors various employee resource groups to build small, connected communities within its workforce and promote diverse, inclusive experiences.

UScellular supports the communities it serves and encourages employees to volunteer and support local organizations and community groups.

UScellular had approximately 4,800 full-time and part-time associates as of December 31, 2021.

The culture at UScellular is based upon the fundamental belief that UScellular’s long-term success is inextricably tied to associate engagement and high ethical standards.

UScellular's Code of Conduct sets forth expectations for ethical behavior across the enterprise and provides the guiding principles by which all associates must abide in all business activities.

UScellular provides a competitive wage and benefits package, a safe workplace, and an environment where associates feel engaged and included.

UScellular regularly surveys its associates - those surveys have consistently shown that associates have strong engagement and high overall job satisfaction.

UScellular strives to build a diverse and inclusive workforce, which leads to broader diversity of thoughts, ideas and the innovation needed to move the business forward.

UScellular wants its associates to feel supported without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, genetic information, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

UScellular is committed to demonstrating equity and fairness through the inclusion of diverse associates, customers, and suppliers.

Additionally, UScellular supports numerous associate resource groups to promote diverse and inclusive experiences that align with UScellular’s vision and values, increase associate engagement and empowerment, and support professional development.

Since its founding, UScellular has been committed to associate development, which is critical to its success.

UScellular provides job specific, diversity and inclusion, safety, and fraud awareness training for all associates – and also offers programs to further develop its associates including educational assistance, developmental assignments, and mentoring programs.

Associate safety and well-being throughout the COVID-19 pandemic has remained a top priority, and enhanced safety protocols have been established using the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.

Frontline associates have been supported through allocation of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), facilities changes to enhance safety and social distancing, and adherence to cleaning and safety protocols, while non-customer-facing associates have continued to be supported in a remote work environment.

UScellular is committed to supporting and enhancing the communities it serves through local and philanthropic initiatives that enrich the lives of those living where it operates and where its associates live, work and play.

UScellular encourages associates to volunteer and support local organizations and community groups.

Local communities are at the center of UScellular’s business, and it takes great pride in giving back to the people and places that contribute to its sustainability and long-term success.

What changed 10-K

Item 1. Business