TDS: Praises Congressional passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

CONTACT: Cindy Tomlinson, Associate Manager – Public Relations

608.664.4471 or 608.206.4646

cindy.tomlinson@tdstelecom.com

$7 billion in broadband grants for unserved/underserved areas will stimulate economic commerce, job creation

MADISON, Wis. (Feb. 13, 2009) – TDS Telecommunications Corp. praises the United States Congress for passing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 which aims to expand broadband access in unserved/underserved areas across America.

The following statement can be attributed to Drew Petersen, director of legislative and public relations for TDS Telecommunications Corp.

“We applaud the U.S. Congress for recognizing the need to expand broadband access throughout America. By creating equal access to the opportunities a broadband connection offers, all Americans will benefit.

“As Congress debated the stimulus package to help get our economy back on track, they embraced and maintained a commitment to expand broadband access throughout the nation. Congressional leaders included a combination of grants and tax incentives that allows our company, and communications companies around the country, to make the investments necessary to deliver high-speed Internet services to nearly 100 percent of our service areas within the next 12-24 months.

“Access to high-speed Internet service leads to increased productivity, spurs business development, and provides job growth – locally and nationally. It stimulates economic growth and helps attract new businesses to local communities.

“TDS, our customers in 30 states, and our 2,700 employees stand ready to join policy-makers in making high-speed Internet services available to nearly 100 percent of all Americans. We look forward to working with the Obama administration and Congress as this process moves forward.”