FORM 8-K

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 20, 2004

TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


  Delaware
(State or other
jurisdiction of
incorporation)		 001-14157
(Commission
File Number)		 36-2669023
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

       30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 4000, Chicago, Illinois     
         (Address of principal executive offices)		    60602   
(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (312) 630-1900


  Not Applicable  
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)


Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):


Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))


Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

        On October 20, 2004, Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. issued a news release announcing its earnings for the third quarter of 2004. A copy of the news release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1. Attached as Exhibit 99.2 is a safe harbor cautionary statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

        The information in this Current Report on Form 8-K is being furnished and shall not be deemed "filed" for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits

(c)       Exhibits:

        In accordance with the provisions of Item 601 of Regulation S-K, any Exhibits filed herewith are set forth on the Exhibit Index attached hereto.


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SIGNATURES


        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized.


Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.
(Registrant)

Date: October 20, 2004

By:   /s/ D. Michael Jack  
   
 
    D. Michael Jack  
    Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)		  







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EXHIBIT INDEX

The following exhibits are filed herewith as noted below.


Exhibit Number

   Description of Exhibit

99.1 Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.'s news release, dated October 20, 2004, announcing earnings for the third quarter of 2004.

99.2 Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 Safe Harbor Cautionary Statement





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