Illinois-based wireless service provider United States Cellular Corporation has reported service revenues of $977 million for the fourth quarter of 2008, a 2% increase from revenues of $957.9 million for the same period of 2007. The company's net loss for the period was $200.1 million, or $2.29 basic earnings per share compared to a net income of $29.2 million, or $0.33 basic earnings per share for the same quarter of 2007.
 
The company’s service revenues were $3,940.3 million for full year 2008, a 7.1% increase from $3,679.2 million in 2007. Net income was $33 million, $0.38 basic earnings per share for full year 2008, compared to a net income of $314.7 million, $3.59 basic earnings per share in 2007.
 
John Rooney, President and CEO of U.S. Cellular, said: "We finished the year with some solid operating results, despite difficult economic conditions. We added 41,000 net retail postpay customers in the quarter, postpay being the market segment we focus on given our high customer satisfaction model. In fact, 95 percent of our retail customers are postpay. Spending on advertising and promotions remained high given the aggressive competition and waning consumer confidence.
 
"Data revenues continued to grow nicely in the quarter, increasing 32 percent and representing 14.5 percent of service revenues. Smart phone sales are up sharply and carry higher ARPU due to data packages. ARPU has increased year over year for 13 consecutive quarters." 

The company has issued its guidance for the year ending December 31, 2009. The company expects net retail customer additions between75,000  and 150,000; service revenues of $3,900-$4,000 million; operating income of $275-$350 million; and capital expenditure of approximately $575 million.