TDS® announces completion of two more ARRA broadband stimulus projects

Completed projects in Idaho and Wisconsin deliver high-speed Internet service to more than a combined 1,600 households.

TDS Telecom (TDS®) announces completion of two more American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) stimulus-funded broadband Internet projects. The completion means more than a combined 1,600 households in parts of Idaho and Wisconsin gain access to high-speed Internet service.

TDS is receiving funding for 44 projects, including these two, from the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Utilities Service (RUS) as part of the ARRA.

In Wisconsin, nearly 1,200 residents in around Neillsville, which is part of TDS’ Badger Telecom, now have access to high-speed Internet service. In mid-January, TDS announced a portion of this project was complete. Now, the entire project is finished. TDS installed about 70 miles of fiber optics cabling and 23 cabinets (which protect the advanced network electronics) to connect more residents and businesses to high-speed Internet service. TDS projected the cost at more than $5.4 million. The RUS grant covered 75 percent of the cost and TDS invested the remaining 25 percent (about $1.36 million) to expand broadband to more businesses and residents.

Completing the Badger Telecom project also marks the completion of TDS’ 11 broadband stimulus projects in Wisconsin. In total, nearly 9,000 Wisconsin households have gained access to a high-speed Internet connection (about 1,500 more than projected in the ARRA applications) as a result of these stimulus projects.

TDS’ lone stimulus-funded project in Idaho included the installation of about 30 miles of fiber optics cabling and 13 cabinets. In late-January, TDS announced a portion of this project was complete. Today, it’s finished and nearly 430 residents around Kendrick, which is part of TDS’ Potlatch Telephone Company, have gained access to high-speed Internet service. TDS projected the cost at about $2.68 million. TDS invested 25 percent (more than $670,000) and the RUS grant covered 75 percent.

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. With the help of ARRA funding, TDS has already expanded high-speed Internet service access to more than 31,000 households across the country.

For background information or to sign-up for services, call 888-225-5837 or 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 Telecom / 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 3,400 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 6 million connections nationwide through its businesses: UScellular and TDS Telecom. Visit tdsinc.com.

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