Variable Interest Entities

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2025

Variable Interest Entities [Abstract]

Note 12 Variable Interest Entities

Consolidated VIEs

TDS consolidates VIEs in which it has a controlling financial interest as defined by GAAP and is therefore deemed the primary beneficiary. TDS reviews the criteria for a controlling financial interest at the time it enters into agreements and subsequently when events warranting reconsideration occur. These VIEs have risks similar to those described in the “Risk Factors” in this Form 10-Q.

Array formed USCC EIP LLC, USCC Receivables Funding LLC and the USCC Master Note Trust, collectively the special purpose entities (SPEs), to facilitate a securitized borrowing using its equipment installment plan receivables. Given that Array had the power to direct the activities of these SPEs, and that these SPEs lacked sufficient equity to finance their activities, Array was deemed to have a controlling financial interest in the SPEs, and therefore consolidated them. On July 31, 2025, Array terminated the receivables securitization agreement and the USCC Master Note Trust was dissolved. On August 1, 2025, USCC EIP LLC and USCC Receivables Funding LLC conveyed to T-Mobile. Following these events, the SPEs were no longer classified as VIEs.

The following VIEs were formed to participate in FCC auctions of wireless spectrum licenses and to fund, establish, and provide wireless service with respect to any FCC wireless spectrum licenses won in the auctions:

▪Advantage Spectrum, L.P. (Advantage Spectrum) and Sunshine Spectrum, LLC, the general partner of Advantage Spectrum; and

▪King Street Wireless, L.P. (King Street Wireless) and King Street Wireless, LLC, the general partner of King Street Wireless.

These particular VIEs are collectively referred to as designated entities. Although the power to direct the activities of these VIEs was shared, TDS had the most significant level of exposure to the variability associated with the economic performance of the VIEs, indicating that TDS was the primary beneficiary of the VIEs. Therefore, in accordance with GAAP, these VIEs were consolidated into the TDS financial statements. On July 14, 2025, Array completed the acquisition of King Street Wireless, LLC and Sunshine Spectrum, LLC for a total aggregate purchase price of $16.7 million. Following the acquisition, the designated entities were no longer classified as VIEs.

TDS also consolidates other VIEs that are limited partnerships that lease tower space to tenants. A limited partnership is a variable interest entity unless the limited partners hold substantive participating rights or kick-out rights over the general partner. For certain limited partnerships, Array is the general partner and manages the operations. In these partnerships, the limited partners do not have substantive kick-out or participating rights and, further, such limited partners do not have the authority to remove the general partner. Therefore, these limited partnerships also are recognized as VIEs and are consolidated into the TDS financial statements under the variable interest model.

The following table presents the classification and balances of the consolidated VIEs’ assets and liabilities in TDS’ Consolidated Balance Sheet. The balances presented for both periods represent the consolidated VIEs identified as of September 30, 2025. As discrete continuing operations balances are not available, the balances presented for December 31, 2024 are derived from the ratio of continuing operations for the respective financial statement line item of TDS' Consolidated Balance Sheet.


	September 30, 2025		December 31, 2024
(Dollars in thousands)
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	—	$	7

Accounts receivable	768		165

Other current assets	354		280



Property, plant and equipment, net	12,041		14,821
Operating lease right-of-use assets	20,850		20,965
Other assets and deferred charges	867		244
Total assets	$	34,880	$	36,482

Liabilities
Current liabilities	$	3,495	$	3,400
Long-term operating lease liabilities	22,604		22,367
Other deferred liabilities and credits	10,992		8,932
Total liabilities	$	37,091	$	34,699

Unconsolidated VIEs

TDS manages the operations of and holds a variable interest in certain other limited partnerships, but is not the primary beneficiary of these entities, and therefore does not consolidate them into the TDS financial statements under the variable interest model.

TDS’ total investment in these unconsolidated entities was $0.9 million and $4.7 million at September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively, and is included in Investments in unconsolidated entities in TDS’ Consolidated Balance Sheet. The maximum exposure from unconsolidated VIEs is limited to the investment held by TDS in those entities.

Other Related Matters

TDS made no contributions, loans or advances to its VIEs totaling during the nine months ended September 30, 2025 and $8.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2024.