Exhibit 12

TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS, INC.

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

			Nine Months Ended September 30,
			2009			2008
			(Dollars in thousands)
EARNINGS:
	Income before income taxes		$	352,665		$	483,301
	Add (deduct):
		Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities		(67,034	)		(66,945	)
		Distributions from unconsolidated entities		51,668			51,224
		Income attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries that do not have fixed charges		(16,508	)		(14,815	)
				320,791			452,765
	Add fixed charges:
		Consolidated interest expense (1)		92,780			108,634
		Interest portion (1/3) of consolidated rent expense		38,113			35,238
			$	451,684		$	596,637
FIXED CHARGES:
		Consolidated interest expense (1)	$	92,780		$	108,634
		Capitalized interest		2,739			870
		Interest portion (1/3) of consolidated rent expense		38,113			35,238
			$	133,632		$	144,742
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES				3.38			4.12
		Tax-effected preferred dividends	$	59		$	62
		Fixed charges		133,632			144,742
		Fixed charges and preferred dividends	$	133,691		$	144,804
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED DIVIDENDS				3.38			4.12

(1)     Interest expense on income tax contingencies is not included in fixed charges.