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Connecting to Our Past, Present and Future

In 1969, LeRoy T. Carlson founded TDS by bringing together 10 small-town Wisconsin telephone companies into a telephone holding company. A visionary for his time, his goal was to bring quality telephone service to each small community.

In 1997, following passage of the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996, TDS Telecom launched its Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC)—TDS Metrocom. This launch allowed TDS to bring high quality telecommunications products and exceptional customer service to even more areas.

Succeeding in the present
TDS Telecom and TDS Metrocom have grown into a nationwide network available in more than 140 communities in 29 states. LeRoy Carlson's ideals for customer satisfaction and growth have shaped the culture and success of TDS. TDS' Mission and Shared Values, recognized by all employees, govern the way TDS employees do business:


 

The Mission and Shared Values position TDS to be a market leader of telecommunications products & services wherever we choose to offer service.

Among our recent honors:

• Telephone & Data Systems, Inc. is listed on the American Stock Exchange (symbol: TDS). TDS is an integral member of the Telephone & Data Systems, Inc. family of companies.
• In 2005, J.D. Power and Associates ranked TDS "Highest in Residential All-Distance Telephone Customer Satisfaction for the North Central Region."
• In almost all of our TDS Metrocom markets, we hold the dominant CLEC market share for business lines by a strong margin.

Shaping the future
The field of telecommunications will continue to change, grow and evolve with new technologies. It's no longer just a "telephone company offering dial tone" world anymore. Customers expect a choice of high-quality products and services, supported by exceptional customer service. TDS has the people, processes and product offerings in place to continue making our company Vision a reality. As LeRoy Carlson stated in his original goals, "TDS will deliver maximum value to share owners and provide outstanding career opportunities to employees by growing rapidly, and being the premier integrated communications provider in our chosen markets."