U.S. Cellular added 39,000 net retail customers in the fourth quarter, 26,000 of which were postpaid and 13,000 were prepaid.

Service revenues for the quarter were $986.3 million, up 1 percent from the same quarter a year ago. Net income was $12.4 million.

“Though we continued to be challenged by general economic and competitive pressure, both gross and net customer additions improved from the third quarter,” said John (Jack) Rooney, U.S. Cellular president and CEO, who yesterday announced his retirement in 2010. “Service revenues increased 1 percent year over year, as the growing demand for data services continues to drive strong increases in data revenues that offset decreases in inbound roaming revenues.”

U.S. Cellular continued rolling out its 3G network in 2009, which is now available to 75 percent of its customers. The regional carrier also introduced a Battery Swap program and Overage Protection program to keep up the competitive fires.