TDS announces progress on ARRA broadband projects in Wis., N.H.

Stimulus-funded project in southwestern Wisconsin is complete; project around Bagley & Bradford, N.H. is partially complete.

Today, TDS Telecommunications Corp. (TDS®) announces completion of one stimulus-funded project in Wisconsin and partial completion of a project in New Hampshire. The projects, funded in part by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), make high-speed Internet service accessible to more households and businesses.

The completed project, around Beetown and Potosi, Wis., makes high-speed Internet service accessible to more than 500 households. TDS installed about eight and a half miles of fiber optics cabling and nine new cabinets (which protect the advanced network electronics) throughout its Farmers Telephone Company, LLC exchange. TDS projected the cost at about $1.9 million. The RUS grant covered 75 percent of the cost and TDS invested the remaining 25 percent (nearly $500,000) to expand broadband further out to more residents in southwestern Wisconsin.

Partial completion of the project around Bagley and Bradford, N.H. provides some area households access to high-speed Internet service. The project, which is expected to wrap up by the end of the year, will provide about 800 area households with access to a high-speed Internet connection. About 14 miles of fiber optics and 11 new cabinets are being installed in this TDS exchange known as Merrimack County Telephone Company.

Since July, TDS has completed eight broadband expansion projects in Indiana, New York, Georgia, Wisconsin and Missouri. Customers interested in signing up for services should call 888-CALL-TDS (888-225-5837).

These projects are among 44 that TDS is receiving funding for from the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Utilities Service (RUS) as part of the ARRA.

Nationwide, more than 95 percent of TDS customers already have access to high-speed Internet service. TDS is intent on providing as many remaining customers with broadband connectivity as possible. According to TDS, federal stimulus funds are helping to close the gap and deliver Internet connectivity to more than 20,000 customers.

For background information and updates, visit www.tdstelecom.com/stimulus.

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For more information, or a high-resolution map, contact: Cindy Tomlinson, Associate Manager-Public Relations / TDS Telecommunications Corp. / 608-664-4471 / cindy.tomlinson@tdstelecom.com

TDS Telecommunications LLC (TDS Telecom/TDS®) delivers high-speed internet, TV entertainment, and phone services to a mix of small to mid-sized urban, suburban and rural communities throughout the U.S. With 1.1 million connections, TDS’ mission is to create a better world through its communications services. Powered by fiber-optics and new industry-leading technologies, TDS delivers up to 8 Gigabit internet speeds and offers internet-protocol based TV entertainment solutions along with traditional phone services. TDS also offers businesses VoIP advanced communications solutions, dedicated internet service, and data networking services. Visit tdstelecom.com.

TDS Telecom, headquartered in Madison, Wis., employs 3,300 people and is a subsidiary of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. [NYSE: TDS]. Founded in 1969, Telephone and Data Systems provides wireless, broadband, video and voice services to approximately 5 million connections nationwide through its businesses: UScellular and TDS Telecom. Visit tdsinc.com.

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