United States Cellular (USM) 10-Q1 Nov 132013 Q3 Quarterly reportFinancial data

Company Profile

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information	9 Months Ended
Document And Entity Information	Sep. 30, 2013
Entity Registrant Name	'United States Cellular Corporation
Entity Central Index Key	'0000821130
Document Type	'10-Q
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13
Amendment Flag	'false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3
Trading Symbol	'USM
Series A Common Shares	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	33,005,877
Common Shares	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	51,092,437

Consolidated_Statement_Of_Oper

Consolidated Statement Of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Operating revenues	'	'	'	'
Service	$862,330	$1,036,370	$2,769,645	$3,089,932
Equipment sales	76,906	103,987	246,467	246,946
Total operating revenues	939,236	1,140,357	3,016,112	3,336,878
Operating expenses	'	'	'	'
System operations (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below)	177,431	249,245	585,997	725,636
Cost of equipment sold	193,392	248,029	652,153	626,765
Selling, general and administrative (including charges from affiliates of $22.7 million and $25.6 million, respectively, for the three months, and $71.2 million and $77.6 million, respectively for the nine months)	410,468	438,526	1,234,675	1,315,823
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	200,985	145,151	593,410	439,391
Loss on asset disposals, net	1,701	11,262	16,153	15,967
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net	-1,534	65	-243,627	-4,148
Total operating expenses	982,443	1,092,278	2,838,761	3,119,434
Operating income (loss)	-43,207	48,079	177,351	217,444
Investment and other income (expense)	'	'	'	'
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	37,360	24,816	99,797	71,584
Interest and dividend income	1,095	935	2,967	2,823
Gain (loss) on investments	'	'	18,527	-3,728
Interest expense	-11,329	-9,501	-32,393	-35,272
Other, net	47	200	153	173
Total investment and other income (expense)	27,173	16,450	89,051	35,580
Income (loss) before income taxes	-16,034	64,529	266,402	253,024
Income tax expense (benefit)	-6,433	22,389	121,618	82,624
Net income (loss)	-9,601	42,140	144,784	170,400
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	258	6,689	6,338	19,772
Net income (loss) attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	($9,859)	$35,451	$138,446	$150,628
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	84,005	84,737	83,897	84,671
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	($0.12)	$0.42	$1.65	$1.78
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	84,005	85,348	84,676	85,261
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	($0.12)	$0.42	$1.64	$1.77
Special dividend per share to U.S. Cellular shareholders	'	'	$5.75	'

Consolidated_Statement_Of_Oper1

Consolidated Statement Of Operations Parenthetical (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Operating expenses	'	'	'	'
Selling, general and administrative, charges from affiliates	$22.70	$25.60	$71.20	$77.60

Consolidated_Statement_of_Cash

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities	'	'
Net income	$144,784	$170,400
Add (deduct) adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities	'	'
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	593,410	439,391
Bad debts expense	52,184	51,293
Stock-based compensation expense	11,143	15,924
Deferred income taxes, net	-38,515	52,865
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	-99,797	-71,584
Distributions from unconsolidated entities	49,612	45,211
Loss on asset disposals, net	16,153	15,967
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net	-243,627	-4,148
(Gain) loss on investments	-18,527	3,728
Noncash interest expense	792	1,331
Other operating activities	590	863
Changes in assets and liabilities from operations	'	'
Accounts receivable	-214,114	-67,302
Inventory	13,236	-69,423
Accounts payable - trade	32,202	-28,902
Accounts payable - affiliate	345	-4,785
Customer deposits and deferred revenues	22,538	26,687
Accrued taxes	45,780	99,556
Accrued interest	9,385	9,508
Other assets and liabilities	-81,341	-77,821
Cash flows from operating activities	296,233	608,759
Cash flows from investing activities	'	'
Cash used for additions to property, plant and equipment	-522,180	-611,431
Cash paid for licenses	-16,540	-57,957
Cash received from divestitures	484,300	49,932
Cash paid for investments	'	-45,000
Cash received for investments	65,000	50,000
Other investing activities	583	-5,030
Cash flows from investing activities	11,163	-619,486
Cash flows from financing activities	'	'
Repayment of long-term debt	-393	-343
Common shares reissued for benefit plans, net of tax payments	2,840	-2,299
Common shares repurchased	-18,544	'
Dividends paid	-482,270	'
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	-3,447	-1,491
Other financing activities	-839	284
Cash flows from financing activities	-502,653	-3,849
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-195,257	-14,576
Cash and cash equivalents	'	'
Beginning of period	378,358	424,155
End of period	$183,101	$409,579

Consolidated_Balance_Sheet

Consolidated Balance Sheet (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current assets	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$183,101	$378,358
Short-term investments	45,162	100,676
Accounts receivable	'	'
Customers and agents, less allowances of $31,477 and $24,290, respectively	445,165	349,424
Roaming	35,784	31,782
Affiliated	397	375
Other, less allowances of $1,546 and $2,612, respectively	79,569	63,639
Inventory	142,560	155,886
Income taxes receivable	'	1,612
Prepaid expenses	71,047	62,560
Net deferred income tax asset	54,475	35,419
Other current assets	19,051	16,745
Total current assets	1,076,311	1,196,476
Assets held for sale	78,413	216,763
Investments	'	'
Licenses	1,397,888	1,456,794
Goodwill	387,360	421,743
Customer lists, net of accumulated amortization of $50,258 and $96,809, respectively	'	102
Investments in unconsolidated entities	309,481	144,531
Long-term investments	40,099	50,305
Total investments	2,134,828	2,073,475
Property, plant and equipment	'	'
In service and under construction	7,571,429	7,478,428
Less: Accumulated depreciation	4,696,836	4,455,840
Property, plant and equipment, net	2,874,593	3,022,588
Other assets and deferred charges	95,709	78,148
Total assets	6,259,854	6,587,450
Current liabilities	'	'
Current portion of long-term debt	102	92
Accounts payable	'	'
Affiliated	11,069	10,725
Trade	334,047	310,936
Customer deposits and deferred revenues	212,733	192,113
Accrued taxes	102,510	35,834
Accrued compensation	58,282	90,418
Other current liabilities	133,637	114,881
Total current liabilities	852,380	754,999
Liabilities held for sale	471	19,594
Deferred liabilities and credits	'	'
Net deferred income tax liability	829,247	849,818
Other deferred liabilities and credits	294,675	288,441
Long-term debt	878,939	878,858
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
Noncontrolling interests with redemption features	540	493
U.S. Cellular shareholders' equity	'	'
Series A Common and Common Shares	88,074	88,074
Additional paid-in capital	1,421,261	1,412,453
Treasury Shares at cost	-168,454	-165,724
Retained earnings	2,042,254	2,399,052
Total U.S. Cellular shareholders' equity	3,383,135	3,733,855
Noncontrolling interests	20,467	61,392
Total equity	3,403,602	3,795,247
Total liabilities and equity	$6,259,854	$6,587,450

Consolidated_Balance_Sheet_Par

Consolidated Balance Sheet Parenthetical (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current assets	'	'
Customers and agents, allowances	$31,477	$24,290
Other, allowances	1,546	2,612
Investments	'	'
Customer lists, accumulated amortization	50,258	96,809
U.S. Cellular shareholders' equity	'	'
Authorized shares	190,000	190,000
Issued shares	88,074	88,074
Outstanding shares	84,098	84,168
Par value	88,074	88,074
Treasury shares	3,976	3,906
Common Shares	'	'
U.S. Cellular shareholders' equity	'	'
Authorized shares	140,000	140,000
Issued shares	55,068	55,068
Outstanding shares	51,092	51,162
Par value per share	$1	$1
Par value	55,068	55,068
Treasury shares	3,976	3,906
Series A Common Shares	'	'
U.S. Cellular shareholders' equity	'	'
Authorized shares	50,000	50,000
Issued shares	33,006	33,006
Outstanding shares	33,006	33,006
Par value per share	$1	$1
Par value	$33,006	$33,006

Consolidated_Statement_of_Chan

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity (USD $)	Total	Series A Common and Common Shares	Additional Paid-In Capital	Treasury Shares	Retained Earnings	Total U.S. Cellular Shareholders' Equity	Noncontrolling Interests
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Series A Common and Common Shares	Additional Paid-In Capital	Treasury Shares	Retained Earnings	Total U.S. Cellular Shareholders' Equity	Noncontrolling Interests
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$3,675,917	$88,074	$1,387,341	($152,817)	$2,297,363	$3,619,961	$55,956
Add (Deduct)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	150,628	'	'	'	150,628	150,628	'
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests classified as equity	19,766	'	'	'	'	'	19,766
Incentive and compensation plans	-2,136	'	137	6,958	-9,231	-2,136	'
Stock-based compensation awards	15,761	'	15,761	'	'	15,761	'
Tax windfall (shortfall) from stock awards	471	'	471	'	'	471	'
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	-1,491	'	'	'	'	'	-1,491
Adjust investment in subsidiaries for noncontrolling interest purchases	2,907	'	2,907	'	'	2,907	'
Other	-28	'	'	'	'	'	-28
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2012	3,861,795	88,074	1,406,617	-145,859	2,438,760	3,787,592	74,203
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2012	3,795,247	88,074	1,412,453	-165,724	2,399,052	3,733,855	61,392
Add (Deduct)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	138,446	'	'	'	138,446	138,446	'
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests classified as equity	6,292	'	'	'	'	'	6,292
Common and Series A Common Shares dividends	-482,270	'	'	'	-482,270	-482,270	'
Repurchase of Common Shares	-18,544	'	'	-18,544	'	-18,544	'
Incentive and compensation plans	3,062	'	222	15,814	-12,974	3,062	'
Stock-based compensation awards	11,143	'	11,143	'	'	11,143	'
Tax windfall (shortfall) from stock awards	-2,526	'	-2,526	'	'	-2,526	'
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	-3,447	'	'	'	'	'	-3,447
Adjust investment in subsidiaries for noncontrolling interest purchases	-31	'	-31	'	'	-31	'
Deconsolidation of partnerships	-43,770	'	'	'	'	'	-43,770
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2013	$3,403,602	$88,074	$1,421,261	($168,454)	$2,042,254	$3,383,135	$20,467

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
Basis of Presentation	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure Text Block	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	1. Basis of Presentation

	United States Cellular Corporation (“U.S. Cellular”), a Delaware Corporation, is an 84%-owned subsidiary of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (“TDS”).

	The accounting policies of U.S. Cellular conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) as set forth in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”). The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of U.S. Cellular, its majority-owned subsidiaries, general partnerships in which U.S. Cellular has a majority partnership interest and certain entities in which U.S. Cellular has a variable interest that require consolidation under GAAP. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

	The consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by U.S. Cellular, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. However, U.S. Cellular believes that the disclosures included herein are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in U.S. Cellular's Annual Report on Form 10-K (“Form 10-K”) for the year ended December 31, 2012.

	In April 2013, U.S. Cellular deconsolidated its investments in the St. Lawrence Seaway RSA Cellular Partnership (“NY1”) and New York RSA 2 Cellular Partnership (“NY2”) and thereafter reported them as equity method investments in its consolidated financial statements (“NY1 & NY2 Deconsolidation”). See Note 7 — Investments in Unconsolidated Entities for additional information.

	The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring items, unless otherwise disclosed) necessary for a fair statement of the financial position as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, and the results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 and cash flows and changes in equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. The Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income was not included because comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 equaled net income. These results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

	On July 18, 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2013-11, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryfoward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists (“ASU 2013-11”). ASU 2013-11 addresses the presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward or tax credit carryforward exists. In such event, an unrecognized tax benefit, or portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, would be presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as a reduction to deferred tax assets unless the net operating loss carryforward or tax credit carryforward at the reporting date is not available under the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction. U.S. Cellular is required to adopt the provisions of ASU 2013-11 effective January 1, 2014. The adoption of ASU 2013-11 is not expected to have a significant impact on U.S. Cellular's financial position or results of operations.

	Impairment of Long-lived Assets

	U.S. Cellular reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired. The impairment test for tangible long-lived assets is a two-step process. The first step compares the carrying value of the asset (or asset group) with the estimated undiscounted cash flows over the remaining asset (or asset group) life. If the carrying value of the asset (or asset group) is greater than the undiscounted cash flows, the second step of the test is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss. The second step compares the carrying value of the asset (or asset group) to its estimated fair value. If the carrying value exceeds the estimated fair value (less cost to sell), an impairment loss is recognized for the difference.

	U.S. Cellular has one asset group for purposes of assessing property, plant and equipment for impairment based on the fact that the individual operating markets are reliant on centrally operated data centers, mobile telephone switching offices, network operations center and wide-area network. As a result, U.S. Cellular operates a single integrated national wireless network, and the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets and liabilities represent cash flows generated by this single interdependent network.

	Quoted market prices in active markets are the best evidence of fair value of a tangible long-lived asset and are used when available. If quoted market prices are not available, the estimate of fair value is based on the best information available, including prices for similar assets and the use of other valuation techniques. A present value analysis of cash flow scenarios is often the best available valuation technique. The use of this technique involves assumptions by management about factors that are uncertain including future cash flows, the appropriate discount rate and other inputs. Different assumptions for these inputs could create materially different results.

	Amounts Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities

	If a tax is assessed upon the customer and U.S. Cellular merely acts as an agent in collecting the tax on behalf of the imposing governmental authority, then amounts collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are recorded on a net basis within a tax liability account in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. If the tax is assessed upon U.S. Cellular, then amounts collected from customers as recovery of the tax are recorded in Service revenues and amounts remitted to governmental authorities are recorded in Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. The amounts recorded gross in revenues that are billed to customers and remitted to governmental authorities totaled $27.4 million and $87.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, and $32.3 million and $102.2 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
Fair Value Measurements	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure Text Block	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	2. Fair Value Measurements

	As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, U.S. Cellular did not have any financial assets or liabilities that were required to be recorded at fair value in its Consolidated Balance Sheet in accordance with GAAP. However, U.S. Cellular has applied the provisions of fair value accounting for purposes of computing the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes as displayed below.

			Level within the Fair Value Hierarchy	30-Sep-13				31-Dec-12
			Level within the Fair Value Hierarchy	Book Value			Fair Value	Book Value		Fair Value
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Cash and cash equivalents		1	$	183,101	$	183,101	$	378,358	$	378,358
	Short-term investments
		U.S. Treasury Notes	1		45,162		45,162		100,676		100,676
	Long-term investments
		U.S. Treasury Notes	1		40,099		40,154		50,305		50,339
	Long-term debt
		6.95% Senior Notes	1		342,000		330,509		342,000		376,610
		6.7% Senior Notes	2		532,383		512,221		532,194		582,744
	Short-term investments and Long-term investments are both designated as held-to-maturity investments and recorded at amortized cost in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Long-term investment maturities range between 14 and 15 months at September 30, 2013. Long-term debt excludes capital lease obligations and the current portion of Long-term debt.

	The fair values of Cash and cash equivalents and Short-term investments approximate their book values due to the short-term nature of these financial instruments. The fair values of Long-term investments were estimated using quoted market prices for the individual issuances. The fair value of Long-term debt was estimated using market prices for the 6.95% Senior Notes, and discounted cash flow analysis using an estimated yield to maturity of 7.25% for the 6.7% Senior Notes at September 30, 2013.

	As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, U.S. Cellular did not have nonfinancial assets or liabilities that required the application of fair value accounting for purposes of reporting such amounts in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
Income Taxes	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure Text Block	'
Income Taxes	'
	3. Income Taxes

	U.S. Cellular is included in a consolidated federal income tax return and in certain state income tax returns with other members of the TDS consolidated group. For financial statement purposes, U.S. Cellular and its subsidiaries compute their income tax expense as if they comprised a separate affiliated group and were not included in the TDS consolidated group.

	U.S. Cellular's overall effective tax rate on Income (loss) before income taxes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 was 40.1% and 45.7%, respectively, and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 34.7% and 32.7%, respectively.

	The effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2013 was higher than the rate for the three months ended September 30, 2012 primarily as a result of a tax benefit related to the correction of state deferred taxes in 2012.

	The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was higher than the rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 primarily as a result of the deferred tax expense related to the NY1 & NY2 Deconsolidation and the Divestiture Transaction (as described in Note 5 — Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges) in 2013, and tax benefits related to the expiration of the statute of limitations for certain tax years and the correction of state deferred taxes in 2012.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
Earnings Per Share	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure Text Block	'
Earnings per Share	'
	4. Earnings Per Share

	Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders is computed by dividing Net income (loss) attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders is computed by dividing Net income (loss) attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period adjusted to include the effects of potentially dilutive securities. Potentially dilutive securities primarily include incremental shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options and the vesting of restricted stock units.

	The amounts used in computing earnings (loss) per common share and the effects of potentially dilutive securities on the weighted average number of common shares were as follows:

			Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
			September 30,					September 30,
			2013			2012		2013		2012
	(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)
	Net income (loss) attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders		$	-9,859		$	35,451	$	138,446	$	150,628

	Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings (loss) per share			84,005			84,737		83,897		84,671
	Effects of dilutive securities:
		Stock options		-			171		209		197
		Restricted stock units		-			440		570		393
	Weighted average number of shares used in diluted earnings (loss) per share			84,005			85,348		84,676		85,261

	Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders		$	-0.12		$	0.42	$	1.65	$	1.78

	Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders		$	-0.12		$	0.42	$	1.64	$	1.77
	Certain Common Shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options or vesting of restricted stock units were not included in average diluted shares outstanding for the calculation of Diluted earnings per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders because their effects were antidilutive. The number of such Common Shares excluded, if any, is shown in the table below.
			Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
			September 30,				September 30,
			2013		2012		2013	2012
	(Shares in thousands)
	Stock options		3,416		2,434		2,126	2,088

	Restricted stock units		1,243		-		305	329
	On June 25, 2013, U.S. Cellular paid a special cash dividend of $5.75 per share, for an aggregate amount of $482.3 million, to all holders of U.S. Cellular Common Shares and Series A Common Shares. Outstanding U.S. Cellular stock options and restricted stock unit awards were equitably adjusted for the special cash dividend. The impact of such adjustments on the earnings per share calculation was reflected in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012.

Acquisitions_Divestitures_and_

Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges	9 Months Ended
Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure Text Block	'
Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges	'
	5. Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges

	U.S. Cellular assesses its existing wireless interests on an ongoing basis with a goal of improving the competitiveness of its operations and maximizing its long-term return on investment. As part of this strategy, U.S. Cellular reviews attractive opportunities to acquire additional operating markets and wireless spectrum. In addition, U.S. Cellular may seek to divest outright or include in exchanges for other wireless interests those interests that are not strategic to its long-term success.

	Acquisitions did not have a material impact on U.S. Cellular's consolidated financial statements for the periods presented and pro forma results, assuming acquisitions had occurred at the beginning of each period presented, would not be materially different from the results reported.

	Divestiture Transaction
	On November 6, 2012, U.S. Cellular entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement with subsidiaries of Sprint Nextel Corporation (“Sprint”). Pursuant to the Purchase and Sale Agreement, on May 16, 2013, U.S. Cellular transferred customers and certain PCS license spectrum to Sprint in U.S. Cellular's Chicago, central Illinois, St. Louis and certain Indiana/Michigan/Ohio markets (“Divestiture Markets”) in consideration for $480 million in cash. The Purchase and Sale Agreement also contemplated certain other agreements, together with the Purchase and Sale Agreement collectively referred to as the “Divestiture Transaction.”

	U.S. Cellular has retained other assets and liabilities related to the Divestiture Markets, including network assets, retail stores and related equipment, and other buildings and facilities. The transaction does not affect spectrum licenses held by U.S. Cellular or variable interest entities (“VIEs”) that are not currently used in the operations of the Divestiture Markets. Pursuant to the Purchase and Sale Agreement, U.S. Cellular and Sprint also entered into certain other agreements, including customer and network transition services agreements, which require U.S. Cellular to provide customer, billing and network services to Sprint for a period of up to 24 months after the May 16, 2013 closing date. Sprint will reimburse U.S. Cellular for providing such services at an amount equal to U.S. Cellular's cost, including applicable overhead allocations. In addition, these agreements require Sprint to reimburse U.S. Cellular up to $200 million (the “Sprint Cost Reimbursement”) for certain network decommissioning costs, network site lease rent and termination costs, network access termination costs, and employee termination benefits for specified engineering employees. It is estimated that up to $160 million of the Sprint Cost Reimbursement will be recorded in (Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net and up to $40 million of the Sprint Cost Reimbursement will be recorded in System operations in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, $1.1 million of the Sprint Cost Reimbursement had been received and recorded in Cash received from divestitures in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

	Financial impacts of the Divestiture Transaction are classified in the Consolidated Statement of Operations within Operating income (loss). The table below describes the amounts U.S. Cellular has recognized and expects to recognize in the Consolidated Statement of Operations between the date the Purchase and Sale Agreement was signed and the end of the transition services period.

	(Dollars in thousands)			Expected Period of Recognition			Projected Range						Cumulative Amount Recognized as of September 30, 2013			Actual Amount Recognized Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013			Actual Amount Recognized Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
	(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net
		Proceeds from Sprint
			Purchase price		2013		$	-480,000		$	-480,000		$	-480,000		$	-480,000		$	-
			Sprint Cost Reimbursement		2013-2014			-120,000			-160,000			-4,221			-4,221			-4,213
		Net assets transferred			2013			213,593			213,593			213,593			213,593			-
		Non-cash charges for the write-off and write-down of property under construction and related assets			2012-2013			10,000			14,000			10,726			54			-27
		Employee related costs including severance, retention and outplacement			2012-2014			15,000			20,000			15,071			2,462			-641
		Contract termination costs			2012-2014			125,000			175,000			18,840			18,781			2,176
		Transaction costs			2012-2013			4,000			6,000			5,218			4,081			362
			Total (Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net				$	-232,407		$	-211,407		$	-220,773		$	-245,250		$	-2,343

	Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense
		Incremental depreciation, amortization and accretion, net of salvage values			2012-2014			175,000			210,000			154,058			134,000			45,676
	(Increase) decrease in Operating income						$	-57,407		$	-1,407		$	-66,715		$	-111,250		$	43,333
	Incremental depreciation, amortization and accretion, net of salvage values represents anticipated amounts to be recorded in the specified time periods as a result of a change in estimate for the remaining useful life and salvage value of certain assets and a change in estimate which accelerated the settlement dates of certain asset retirement obligations in conjunction with the Divestiture Transaction. Specifically, for the years indicated, this is estimated depreciation, amortization and accretion recorded on assets and liabilities of the Divestiture Markets after the November 6, 2012 transaction date less depreciation, amortization and accretion that would have been recorded on such assets and liabilities in the normal course, absent the Divestiture Transaction. As a result of the accelerated settlement dates of certain asset retirement obligations, U.S. Cellular reclassified $34.0 million of its asset retirement obligations from long to short-term liabilities at September 30, 2013.


			As a result of the transaction, U.S. Cellular recognized the following amounts in the Consolidated Balance Sheet:

							Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	(Dollars in thousands)			Balance December 31, 2012			Costs Incurred			Cash Settlements (1)			Adjustments (2)			Balance September 30, 2013
	Accrued compensation
		Employee related costs including severance, retention, outplacement		$	12,305		$	6,750		$	-11,460		$	-4,288		$	3,307
	Other current liabilities
		Contract termination costs		$	30		$	12,201		$	-6,561		$	-		$	5,670
	Other deferred liabilities and credits
		Contract termination costs		$	-		$	7,246		$	-1,488		$	-		$	5,758

	-1		Cash settlement amounts are included in either the Net income or changes in Other assets and liabilities line items as part of Cash flows from operating activities on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.
	-2		Adjustment to liability represents changes to previously accrued amounts.
	Other Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges

	On October 4, 2013, U.S. Cellular sold the majority of its Mississippi Valley non-operating market license (“unbuilt license”) for $308.0 million. The sale will result in a $252.2 million gain and a $96.0 million current tax expense, which will be recorded in the fourth quarter of 2013. In addition, on August 14, 2013 U.S. Cellular entered into a definitive agreement to sell the majority of its St. Louis area unbuilt license for $92.3 million. This transaction is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to close by the end of 2013. In accordance with GAAP, the book value of both licenses has been accounted for and disclosed as “held for sale” in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at September 30, 2013.
			U.S. Cellular acquisitions during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 and the allocation of the purchase price for these acquisitions were as follows:

							Allocation of Purchase Price
				Purchase Price			Goodwill			Licenses			Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization			Net Tangible Assets/(Liabilities)
	(Dollars in thousands)
	2013
	Licenses			$	16,540		$	-		$	16,540		$	-		$	-

	2012
	Licenses			$	57,957		$	-		$	57,957		$	-		$	-
			At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the following assets and liabilities were classified in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as "Assets held for sale" and "Liabilities held for sale":

				Current Assets			Licenses			Goodwill			Property, Plant and Equipment			Loss on Assets Held for Sale (1)			Total Assets Held for Sale			Liabilities Held for Sale (2)
	(Dollars in thousands)
	30-Sep-13
	Divestiture of Missouri Market (3)			$	726		$	2,909		$	669		$	3,179		$	-1,607		$	5,876		$	471
Divestiture of Spectrum Licenses (4)				-			72,537			-			-			-			72,537			-
	Total		$	726		$	75,446		$	669		$	3,179		$	-1,607		$	78,413		$	471

31-Dec-12
Divestiture Transaction			$	-		$	140,599		$	72,994		$	-		$	-		$	213,593		$	19,594
Bolingbrook Customer Care Center (5)				-			-			-			4,275			-1,105			3,170			-
	Total		$	-		$	140,599		$	72,994		$	4,275		$	-1,105		$	216,763		$	19,594

-1		Loss on assets held for sale was recorded in (Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.
-2		Liabilities held for sale primarily consisted of Customer deposits and deferred revenues.
-3		On May 15, 2013, U.S. Cellular entered into an agreement with a third party to sell the subscribers, spectrum and the network assets for a Missouri market.
-4		U.S. Cellular and/or its consolidated VIEs entered into agreements with third parties to sell unbuilt licenses in Mississippi Valley; St. Louis, MO; South Bend-Mishawaka, IN and Jackson, MI.
-5		Effective January 1, 2013, U.S. Cellular transferred its Bolingbrook Customer Care Center operations to an existing third party vendor.

Intangible_Assets

Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
Intangible Assets	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure Text Block	'
Intangible Assets	'
	6. Intangible Assets

	Changes in U.S. Cellular's Licenses and Goodwill for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 are presented below.
	Licenses
			30-Sep-13		30-Sep-12
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Balance, beginning of period		$	1,456,794	$	1,470,769
		Acquisitions		16,540		57,957
		Transferred to Assets held for sale		-75,446		-
		Other		-		3,147
	Balance, end of period		$	1,397,888	$	1,531,873
	Goodwill
			30-Sep-13		30-Sep-12
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Assigned value at time of acquisition		$	494,737	$	494,737
		Accumulated impairment losses in prior periods		-		-
		Transferred to Assets held for sale		-72,994		-
	Balance, beginning of period			421,743		494,737
		Transferred to Assets held for sale		-669		-
		NY1 & NY2 Deconsolidation		-33,714		-
	Balance, end of period		$	387,360	$	494,737

Investment_in_Unconsolidated_E

Investment in Unconsolidated Entities	9 Months Ended
Investment in Unconsolidated Entities	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure Text Block	'
Investment in Unconsolidated Entities	'
	7. Investments in Unconsolidated Entities

	Investments in unconsolidated entities consist of amounts invested in wireless entities in which U.S. Cellular holds a noncontrolling interest. These investments are accounted for using either the equity or cost method.

	Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities totaled $37.4 million and $24.8 million in the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $99.8 million and $71.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively; of those amounts, U.S. Cellular's investment in the Los Angeles SMSA Limited Partnership (“LA Partnership”) contributed $20.8 million and $18.3 million in the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $61.2 million and $54.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. U.S. Cellular held a 5.5% ownership interest in the LA Partnership during these periods.
		The following table, which is based on information provided in part by third parties, summarizes the combined results of operations of U.S. Cellular’s equity method investments. Such combined results of operations include the results of the NY1 & NY2 Partnerships from April 3, 2013, the effective date of their deconsolidation as discussed below.

			Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
			2013			2012		2013		2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Revenues		$	1,577,934		$	1,446,311	$	4,615,224	$	4,298,176
	Operating expenses			1,125,966			1,063,285		3,288,743		3,150,168
	Operating income			451,968			383,026		1,326,481		1,148,008
	Other income, net			1,063			-51		2,764		2,185
	Net income		$	453,031		$	382,975	$	1,329,245	$	1,150,193
	NY1 & NY2 Deconsolidation

	U.S. Cellular holds a 60.00% interest in NY1 and a 57.14% interest in NY2 (together with NY1, the “Partnerships”). The remaining interests in the Partnerships are held by Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless (“Verizon Wireless”). The Partnerships are operated by Verizon Wireless under the Verizon Wireless brand. Prior to April 3, 2013, because U.S. Cellular owned a greater than 50% interest in each of these Partnerships and based on U.S. Cellular's rights under the Partnership Agreements, U.S. Cellular consolidated the financial results of these Partnerships in accordance with GAAP.

	On April 3, 2013, U.S. Cellular entered into an agreement relating to the Partnerships. The agreement amends the Partnership Agreements in several ways which provide Verizon Wireless with substantive participating rights that allow Verizon Wireless to make decisions that are in the ordinary course of business of the Partnerships and which are significant to directing and executing the activities of the business. Accordingly, as required by GAAP, U.S. Cellular deconsolidated the Partnerships effective as of April 3, 2013 and thereafter reported them as equity method investments in its consolidated financial statements. After the NY1 & NY2 Deconsolidation, U.S. Cellular retained the same ownership percentages in the Partnerships and will continue to report the same percentages of income from the Partnerships, which will be recorded in Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. In addition to the foregoing described arrangements, U.S. Cellular has certain other arm's length, ordinary business relationships with Verizon Wireless and its affiliates.

	In accordance with GAAP, as a result of the NY1 & NY2 Deconsolidation, U.S. Cellular's interest in the Partnerships was reflected in Investments in unconsolidated entities at a fair value of $114.8 million as of April 3, 2013. Recording U.S. Cellular's interest in the Partnerships required allocation of the excess of fair value over book value to customer lists, licenses, a favorable contract and goodwill of the Partnerships. Amortization expense related to customer lists and the favorable contract will be recognized over their respective useful lives and is included in Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. In addition, U.S. Cellular recognized a non-cash pre-tax gain of $18.5 million in the second quarter of 2013. The gain was recorded in Gain on investments in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

	The Partnerships were valued using a discounted cash flow approach and a publicly-traded guideline company method. The discounted cash flow approach uses value drivers and risks specific to the industry and current economic factors. The cash flow estimates incorporated assumptions that market participants would use in their estimates of fair value and may not be indicative of U.S. Cellular specific assumptions. The most significant assumptions made in this process were the revenue growth rate (shown as a simple average in the table below), the terminal revenue growth rate, discount rate and capital expenditures. The assumptions were as follows:


	Key assumptions
	Average expected revenue growth rate (next ten years)			2	%
	Terminal revenue growth rate (after year ten)			2	%
	Discount rate			10.5	%
	Capital expenditures as a percentage of revenue			14.9-18.8	%
	The publicly-traded guideline company method develops an indication of fair value by calculating average market pricing multiples for selected publicly-traded companies using multiples of: Revenue and Earnings before Interest, Taxes, and Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA). The developed multiples were applied to applicable financial measures of the Partnerships to determine fair value. The discounted cash flow approach and publicly-traded guideline company method were weighted to arrive at the total fair value of the Partnerships.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure Text Block	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	8. Commitments, Contingencies and Other Liabilities

	Agreements

	As previously disclosed, on August 17, 2010, U.S. Cellular and Amdocs Software Systems Limited (“Amdocs”) entered into a Software License and Maintenance Agreement (“SLMA”) and a Master Service Agreement (“MSA”) (collectively, the “Amdocs Agreements”) to develop a Billing and Operational Support System (“B/OSS”). In July 2013, U.S. Cellular implemented B/OSS, pursuant to an updated Statement of Work dated June 29, 2012. Total payments to Amdocs related to this implementation are estimated to be approximately $183.5 million (subject to certain potential adjustments) over the period from commencement of the SLMA through the first half of 2014. As of September 30, 2013, $133.3 million had been paid to Amdocs.

	Indemnifications

	U.S. Cellular enters into agreements in the normal course of business that provide for indemnification of counterparties. The terms of the indemnifications vary by agreement. The events or circumstances that would require U.S. Cellular to perform under these indemnities are transaction specific; however, these agreements may require U.S. Cellular to indemnify the counterparty for costs and losses incurred from litigation or claims arising from the underlying transaction. U.S. Cellular is unable to estimate the maximum potential liability for these types of indemnifications as the amounts are dependent on the outcome of future events, the nature and likelihood of which cannot be determined at this time. Historically, U.S. Cellular has not made any significant indemnification payments under such agreements.

	Legal Proceedings

	U.S. Cellular is involved or may be involved from time to time in legal proceedings before the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”), other regulatory authorities, and/or various state and federal courts. If U.S. Cellular believes that a loss arising from such legal proceedings is probable and can be reasonably estimated, an amount is accrued in the financial statements for the estimated loss. If only a range of loss can be determined, the best estimate within that range is accrued; if none of the estimates within that range is better than another, the low end of the range is accrued. The assessment of the expected outcomes of legal proceedings is a highly subjective process that requires judgments about future events. The legal proceedings are reviewed at least quarterly to determine the adequacy of accruals and related financial statement disclosures. The ultimate outcomes of legal proceedings could differ materially from amounts accrued in the financial statements.

	U.S. Cellular has accrued $1.7 million with respect to legal proceedings and unasserted claims as of both September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012. U.S. Cellular has not accrued any amount for legal proceedings if it cannot reasonably estimate the amount of the possible loss or range of loss. U.S. Cellular does not believe that the amount of any contingent loss in excess of the amounts accrued would be material.

	Apple iPhone Products Purchase Commitment

	In March 2013, U.S. Cellular entered into an agreement with Apple to purchase an estimated $1.2 billion of Apple iPhone products over a three-year period beginning in November 2013.

Variable_Interest_Entities

Variable Interest Entities	9 Months Ended
Variable Interest Entities	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure Text Block	'
Variable Interest Entities	'
	9. Variable Interest Entities (VIEs)

	Consolidated VIEs

	As of September 30, 2013, U.S. Cellular holds a variable interest in and consolidates the following VIEs under GAAP:


	Aquinas Wireless L.P. (“Aquinas Wireless”); and
	King Street Wireless L.P. (“King Street Wireless”) and King Street Wireless, Inc., the general partner of King Street Wireless.


	The power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of Aquinas Wireless and King Street Wireless (collectively, the “limited partnerships”) is shared. Specifically, the general partner of these VIEs has the exclusive right to manage, operate and control the limited partnerships and make all decisions to carry on the business of the partnerships; however, the general partner of each partnership needs consent of the limited partner, a U.S. Cellular subsidiary, to sell or lease certain licenses, to make certain large expenditures, admit other partners or liquidate the limited partnerships. Although the power to direct the activities of the VIEs is shared, U.S. Cellular has a disproportionate level of exposure to the variability associated with the economic performance of the VIEs, indicating that U.S. Cellular is the primary beneficiary of the VIEs in accordance with GAAP. Accordingly, these VIEs are consolidated.

	The following table presents the classification of the consolidated VIEs' assets and liabilities in U.S. Cellular's Consolidated Balance Sheet.
			30-Sep-13		31-Dec-12
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Assets
		Cash and cash equivalents	$	2,669	$	5,849
		Other current assets		1,190		120
		Licenses		308,091		308,091
		Property, plant and equipment, net		17,535		16,443
		Other assets and deferred charges		541		887
		Total assets	$	330,026	$	331,390

	Liabilities
		Current liabilities	$	3	$	1,013
		Deferred liabilities and credits		3,280		3,024
		Total liabilities	$	3,283	$	4,037
	Other Related Matters

	Aquinas Wireless and King Street Wireless were formed to participate in FCC auctions of wireless spectrum and to fund, establish, and provide wireless service with respect to any FCC licenses won in the auctions. As such, these entities have risks similar to the business risks described in the “Risk Factors” in U.S. Cellular's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

	U.S. Cellular may agree to make additional capital contributions and/or advances to Aquinas Wireless and King Street Wireless and/or to their general partners to provide additional funding for the development of licenses granted in various auctions. U.S. Cellular may finance such amounts with a combination of cash on hand, borrowings under its revolving credit agreement and/or long-term debt. There is no assurance that U.S. Cellular will be able to obtain additional financing on commercially reasonable terms or at all to provide such financial support.

	U.S. Cellular's capital contributions and advances made to Aquinas Wireless and King Street Wireless and/or their general partners in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 totaled $5.0 million. There were no capital contributions or advances made to Aquinas Wireless or King Street Wireless or their general partners in the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

	U.S. Cellular began offering fourth generation Long-term Evolution (“4G LTE”) service in certain cities within its service areas during the first quarter of 2012 and has plans to continue the deployment of 4G LTE. U.S. Cellular currently provides 4G LTE service in conjunction with King Street Wireless. Aquinas Wireless is still in the process of developing long-term business plans.

Common_Share_Repurchases

Common Share Repurchases	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure Text Block	'
Common Share Repurchases	'
	10. Common Share Repurchases

	On November 17, 2009, the Board of Directors of U.S. Cellular authorized the repurchase of up to 1,300,000 Common Shares on an annual basis beginning in 2009 and continuing each year thereafter, on a cumulative basis. These purchases will be made pursuant to open market purchases, block purchases, private purchases, or otherwise, depending on market prices and other conditions. This authorization does not have an expiration date.

	Share repurchases made under this authorization were as follows:

		Nine Months Ended
		September 30,
		2013		2012
	(Dollars and shares in thousands, except cost per share)
	Number of shares		499		-
	Average cost per share	$	37.19	$	-
	Total cost	$	18,544	$	-

Noncontrolling_Interests

Noncontrolling Interests	9 Months Ended
Noncontrolling Interests	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure Text Block	'
Noncontrolling Interests	'
	11. Noncontrolling Interests

	U.S. Cellular's consolidated financial statements include certain noncontrolling interests that meet the GAAP definition of mandatorily redeemable financial instruments. These mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests represent interests held by third parties in consolidated partnerships and limited liability companies (“LLCs”), where the terms of the underlying partnership or LLC agreement provide for a defined termination date at which time the assets of the subsidiary are to be sold, the liabilities are to be extinguished and the remaining net proceeds are to be distributed to the noncontrolling interest holders and U.S. Cellular in accordance with the respective partnership and LLC agreements. The termination dates of these mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests range from 2085 to 2107.

	The estimated aggregate amount that would be due and payable to settle all of these noncontrolling interests, assuming an orderly liquidation of the finite-lived consolidated partnerships and LLCs on September 30, 2013, net of estimated liquidation costs, is $61.3 million. This amount excludes redemption amounts recorded in Noncontrolling interests with redemption features in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The estimate of settlement value was based on certain factors and assumptions which are subjective in nature. Changes in those factors and assumptions could result in a materially larger or smaller settlement amount. U.S. Cellular currently has no plans or intentions relating to the liquidation of any of the related partnerships or LLCs prior to their scheduled termination dates. The corresponding carrying value of the mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests in finite-lived consolidated partnerships and LLCs at September 30, 2013 was $17.4 million, and is included in Noncontrolling interests in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The excess of the aggregate settlement value over the aggregate carrying value of these mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests is due primarily to the unrecognized appreciation of the noncontrolling interest holders' share of the underlying net assets in the consolidated partnerships and LLCs. Neither the noncontrolling interest holders' share, nor U.S. Cellular's share, of the appreciation of the underlying net assets of these subsidiaries is reflected in the consolidated financial statements.

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Disclos

Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure Text Block	'
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures	'
	12. Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures

	Following are supplemental cash flow disclosures regarding transactions related to stock-based compensation awards. In certain situations, U.S. Cellular withholds shares that are issuable upon the exercise of stock options or the vesting of restricted shares to cover, and with a value equivalent to, the exercise price and/or the amount of taxes required to be withheld from the stock award holder at the time of the exercise or vesting. U.S. Cellular then pays the amount of the required tax withholdings to the taxing authorities in cash.
		Nine Months Ended
		September 30,
		2013		2012
	(Dollars and shares in thousands)
	Common Shares withheld		524		78

	Aggregate value of Common Shares withheld	$	21,387	$	3,076

	Cash receipts upon exercise of stock options	$	7,223	$	793
	Cash disbursements for payment of taxes		-4,383		-3,092
	Net cash receipts (disbursements) from exercise of stock options and vesting of other stock awards	$	2,840	$	-2,299

	On September 27, 2012, the FCC conducted a single round, sealed bid, reverse auction to award up to $300 million in one-time Mobility Fund Phase I support to successful bidders that commit to provide 3G, or better, wireless service in areas designated as unserved by the FCC. This auction was designated by the FCC as Auction 901. U.S. Cellular and several of its wholly-owned subsidiaries participated in Auction 901 and were winning bidders in eligible areas within 10 states and will receive up to $40.1 million in one-time support from the Mobility Fund. These funds will reduce the carrying amount of the assets to which they relate or will offset operating expenses. U.S. Cellular has received $13.4 million in support funds as of September 30, 2013, of which $12.1 million is included as a component of Other assets and deferred charges in the Consolidated Balance Sheet and $1.3 million reduced the carrying amount of the assets to which they relate, which are included in Property, plant and equipment in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

	On June 25, 2013, U.S. Cellular paid a special cash dividend of $5.75 per share, for an aggregate amount of $482.3 million, to all holders of U.S. Cellular Common Shares and Series A Common Shares.

Fair_Value_Measurements_Table

Fair Value Measurements (Table)	9 Months Ended
Fair Value Measurements (Table)	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures	'
Fair value measurements	'
			Level within the Fair Value Hierarchy	30-Sep-13				31-Dec-12
			Level within the Fair Value Hierarchy	Book Value			Fair Value	Book Value		Fair Value
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Cash and cash equivalents		1	$	183,101	$	183,101	$	378,358	$	378,358
	Short-term investments
		U.S. Treasury Notes	1		45,162		45,162		100,676		100,676
	Long-term investments
		U.S. Treasury Notes	1		40,099		40,154		50,305		50,339
	Long-term debt
		6.95% Senior Notes	1		342,000		330,509		342,000		376,610
		6.7% Senior Notes	2		532,383		512,221		532,194		582,744

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
Earnings Per Share (Tables)	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share	'
Earnings per share	'

			Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
			September 30,					September 30,
			2013			2012		2013		2012
	(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)
	Net income (loss) attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders		$	-9,859		$	35,451	$	138,446	$	150,628

	Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings (loss) per share			84,005			84,737		83,897		84,671
	Effects of dilutive securities:
		Stock options		-			171		209		197
		Restricted stock units		-			440		570		393
	Weighted average number of shares used in diluted earnings (loss) per share			84,005			85,348		84,676		85,261

	Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders		$	-0.12		$	0.42	$	1.65	$	1.78

	Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders		$	-0.12		$	0.42	$	1.64	$	1.77
Summary of antidilutive shares	'
			Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
			September 30,				September 30,
			2013		2012		2013	2012
	(Shares in thousands)
	Stock options		3,416		2,434		2,126	2,088

	Restricted stock units		1,243		-		305	329

Acquisitions_Divestitures_and_1

Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges (Tables)	9 Months Ended
Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges (Tables)	Sep. 30, 2013
Business Combination	'
Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges	'
			U.S. Cellular acquisitions during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 and the allocation of the purchase price for these acquisitions were as follows:

						Allocation of Purchase Price
				Purchase Price		Goodwill		Licenses		Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization		Net Tangible Assets/(Liabilities)
	(Dollars in thousands)
	2013
	Licenses			$	16,540	$	-	$	16,540	$	-	$	-

	2012
	Licenses			$	57,957	$	-	$	57,957	$	-	$	-
Divestiture Financial Impacts	'
Business divestiture financial impacts	'

	(Dollars in thousands)			Expected Period of Recognition		Projected Range				Cumulative Amount Recognized as of September 30, 2013		Actual Amount Recognized Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013		Actual Amount Recognized Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
	(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net
		Proceeds from Sprint
			Purchase price		2013	$	-480,000	$	-480,000	$	-480,000	$	-480,000	$	-
			Sprint Cost Reimbursement		2013-2014		-120,000		-160,000		-4,221		-4,221		-4,213
		Net assets transferred			2013		213,593		213,593		213,593		213,593		-
		Non-cash charges for the write-off and write-down of property under construction and related assets			2012-2013		10,000		14,000		10,726		54		-27
		Employee related costs including severance, retention and outplacement			2012-2014		15,000		20,000		15,071		2,462		-641
		Contract termination costs			2012-2014		125,000		175,000		18,840		18,781		2,176
		Transaction costs			2012-2013		4,000		6,000		5,218		4,081		362
			Total (Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net			$	-232,407	$	-211,407	$	-220,773	$	-245,250	$	-2,343

	Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense
		Incremental depreciation, amortization and accretion, net of salvage values			2012-2014		175,000		210,000		154,058		134,000		45,676
	(Increase) decrease in Operating income					$	-57,407	$	-1,407	$	-66,715	$	-111,250	$	43,333

			As a result of the transaction, U.S. Cellular recognized the following amounts in the Consolidated Balance Sheet:

						Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	(Dollars in thousands)			Balance December 31, 2012		Costs Incurred		Cash Settlements (1)		Adjustments (2)		Balance September 30, 2013
	Accrued compensation
		Employee related costs including severance, retention, outplacement		$	12,305	$	6,750	$	-11,460	$	-4,288	$	3,307
	Other current liabilities
		Contract termination costs		$	30	$	12,201	$	-6,561	$	-	$	5,670
	Other deferred liabilities and credits
		Contract termination costs		$	-	$	7,246	$	-1,488	$	-	$	5,758

	-1		Cash settlement amounts are included in either the Net income or changes in Other assets and liabilities line items as part of Cash flows from operating activities on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.
	-2		Adjustment to liability represents changes to previously accrued amounts.
Assets and liabilities held for sale	'
			At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the following assets and liabilities were classified in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as "Assets held for sale" and "Liabilities held for sale":

				Current Assets		Licenses		Goodwill		Property, Plant and Equipment		Loss on Assets Held for Sale (1)		Total Assets Held for Sale		Liabilities Held for Sale (2)
	(Dollars in thousands)
	30-Sep-13
	Divestiture of Missouri Market (3)			$	726	$	2,909	$	669	$	3,179	$	-1,607	$	5,876	$	471
	Divestiture of Spectrum Licenses (4)				-		72,537		-		-		-		72,537		-
		Total		$	726	$	75,446	$	669	$	3,179	$	-1,607	$	78,413	$	471

	31-Dec-12
	Divestiture Transaction			$	-	$	140,599	$	72,994	$	-	$	-	$	213,593	$	19,594
	Bolingbrook Customer Care Center (5)				-		-		-		4,275		-1,105		3,170		-
		Total		$	-	$	140,599	$	72,994	$	4,275	$	-1,105	$	216,763	$	19,594

	-1		Loss on assets held for sale was recorded in (Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.
	-2		Liabilities held for sale primarily consisted of Customer deposits and deferred revenues.
	-3		On May 15, 2013, U.S. Cellular entered into an agreement with a third party to sell the subscribers, spectrum and the network assets for a Missouri market.
	-4		U.S. Cellular and/or its consolidated VIEs entered into agreements with third parties to sell unbuilt licenses in Mississippi Valley; St. Louis, MO; South Bend-Mishawaka, IN and Jackson, MI.
	-5		Effective January 1, 2013, U.S. Cellular transferred its Bolingbrook Customer Care Center operations to an existing third party vendor.

Intangible_Assets_Tables

Intangible Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
Intangible Assets (Tables)	Sep. 30, 2013
Licenses	'
Licenses	'
	Licenses
			30-Sep-13		30-Sep-12
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Balance, beginning of period		$	1,456,794	$	1,470,769
		Acquisitions		16,540		57,957
		Transferred to Assets held for sale		-75,446		-
		Other		-		3,147
	Balance, end of period		$	1,397,888	$	1,531,873
Goodwill	'
Goodwill	'
	Goodwill
			30-Sep-13		30-Sep-12
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Assigned value at time of acquisition		$	494,737	$	494,737
		Accumulated impairment losses in prior periods		-		-
		Transferred to Assets held for sale		-72,994		-
	Balance, beginning of period			421,743		494,737
		Transferred to Assets held for sale		-669		-
		NY1 & NY2 Deconsolidation		-33,714		-
	Balance, end of period		$	387,360	$	494,737

Investment_in_Unconsolidated_E1

Investment in Unconsolidated Entities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
Investment in Unconsolidated Entities (Tables)	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information	'
Equity method investments, summarized results of operations	'
		The following table, which is based on information provided in part by third parties, summarizes the combined results of operations of U.S. Cellular’s equity method investments. Such combined results of operations include the results of the NY1 & NY2 Partnerships from April 3, 2013, the effective date of their deconsolidation as discussed below.

			Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
			2013			2012		2013		2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Revenues		$	1,577,934		$	1,446,311	$	4,615,224	$	4,298,176
	Operating expenses			1,125,966			1,063,285		3,288,743		3,150,168
	Operating income			451,968			383,026		1,326,481		1,148,008
	Other income, net			1,063			-51		2,764		2,185
	Net income		$	453,031		$	382,975	$	1,329,245	$	1,150,193
Fair Value Key Assumptions	'

	Key assumptions
	Average expected revenue growth rate (next ten years)			2	%
	Terminal revenue growth rate (after year ten)			2	%
	Discount rate			10.5	%
	Capital expenditures as a percentage of revenue			14.9-18.8	%

Variable_Interest_Entities_VIE

Variable Interest Entities VIEs (Tables)	9 Months Ended
Variable Interest Entities VIEs (Tables)	Sep. 30, 2013
Variable Interest Entities VIEs	'
Consolidated VIE assets and liabilities	'
			30-Sep-13		31-Dec-12
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Assets
		Cash and cash equivalents	$	2,669	$	5,849
		Other current assets		1,190		120
		Licenses		308,091		308,091
		Property, plant and equipment, net		17,535		16,443
		Other assets and deferred charges		541		887
		Total assets	$	330,026	$	331,390

	Liabilities
		Current liabilities	$	3	$	1,013
		Deferred liabilities and credits		3,280		3,024
		Total liabilities	$	3,283	$	4,037

Common_Share_Repurchases_Table

Common Share Repurchases (Table)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Common Share Repurchases	'
Share repurchases	'
		Nine Months Ended
		September 30,
		2013		2012
	(Dollars and shares in thousands, except cost per share)
	Number of shares		499		-
	Average cost per share	$	37.19	$	-
	Total cost	$	18,544	$	-

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Table

Supplemental Cash Flow (Table)	9 Months Ended
Supplemental Cash Flow (Table)	Sep. 30, 2013
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures	'
Supplemental cash flow disclosures	'
		Nine Months Ended
		September 30,
		2013		2012
	(Dollars and shares in thousands)
	Common Shares withheld		524		78

	Aggregate value of Common Shares withheld	$	21,387	$	3,076

	Cash receipts upon exercise of stock options	$	7,223	$	793
	Cash disbursements for payment of taxes		-4,383		-3,092
	Net cash receipts (disbursements) from exercise of stock options and vesting of other stock awards	$	2,840	$	-2,299

Basis_of_Presentation_Details

Basis of Presentation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Basis of Presentation	'	'	'	'
TDS ownership of U.S. Cellular	84.00%	'	84.00%	'
Amounts recorded gross in revenues that are billed to customers and remitted to governmental authorities	$27.40	$32.30	$87.60	$102.20

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Minimum

Maximum

6.7% Senior Notes

Fair Value

Book Value

Level 1

Level 2

U.S. Treasury Notes

6.95% Senior Notes

6.7% Senior Notes

U.S. Treasury Notes

6.95% Senior Notes

6.7% Senior Notes

Level 1

Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]

Cash and cash equivalents

$183,101

$378,358

$409,579

$424,155

$183,101

$378,358

$183,101

$378,358

Short-term investments

45,162

100,676

45,162

100,676

45,162

100,676

Long-term investments

40,099

50,305

40,154

50,339

40,099

50,305

Long-term debt

$330,509

$376,610

$512,221

$582,744

$342,000

$532,383

$532,194

Long term investment maturities

30-Nov-14

15-Dec-14

Fair value assumption, interest rate

7.25%

Income_Taxes_Additional_Disclo

Income Taxes, Additional Disclosures (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
Income Taxes, Additional Disclosures (Details)	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Effective income tax rate	40.10%	34.70%	45.70%	32.70%

Earnings_Per_Share_Details

Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Earnings per share	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss) attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	($9,859)	$35,451	$138,446	$150,628
Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings (loss) per share	'	'	'	'
Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings (loss) per share	84,005	84,737	83,897	84,671
Effect of dilutive securities:	'	'	'	'
Stock options	'	171	209	197
Restricted stock units	'	440	570	393
Weighted average number of shares used in diluted earnings (loss) per share	84,005	85,348	84,676	85,261
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	($0.12)	$0.42	$1.65	$1.78
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	($0.12)	$0.42	$1.64	$1.77
Common Shares \| Stock Options	'	'	'	'
Effect of dilutive securities:	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive securities	3,416	2,434	2,126	2,088
Common Shares \| Restricted Stock	'	'	'	'
Effect of dilutive securities:	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive securities	1,243	'	305	329

Acquisitions_Divestitures_and_2

Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges, acquisitions (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	License Acquisitions	License Acquisitions
Acquisitions, divestitures and exchanges	'	'	'	'	'	'
Licenses	$1,397,888	$1,456,794	$1,531,873	$1,470,769	$16,540	$57,957
Purchase price	'	'	'	'	$16,540	$57,957

Acquisitions_Divestitures_and_3

Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges, divestitures (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

11 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

14 Months Ended

26 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

14 Months Ended

26 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

11 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

24 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

11 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

24 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

24 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Divestiture transaction

Bolingbrook customer care center

Wireless market

Non-operating market licenses

Mississippi Valley

St. Louis

Expected event

Minimum

Maximum

Other current liabilities

Purchase price

Sprint Cost Reimbursement

Net assets transferred

Non-cash charges for the write-off and write-down of property under construction and related assets

Employee related costs including severance, retention and outplacement

Contract termination costs

Transaction costs

Incremental depreciation, amortization and accretion, net of salvage values

Mississippi Valley

St. Louis

Expected event

Divestiture transaction

Expected event

Divestiture transaction

Minimum

Maximum

Divestiture transaction

Maximum

(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net

System operations

Divestiture transaction

Minimum

Maximum

Divestiture transaction

Minimum

Maximum

Minimum

Maximum

Other current liabilities

Other deferred liabilities and credits

Minimum

Maximum

Minimum

Maximum

Divestiture transaction

Expected event

Cash received from divestitures

Expected event

Divestiture transaction

Minimum

Maximum

Divestiture transaction

Expected event

Divestiture transaction

Expected event

Divestiture transaction

Divestitures

Business divestiture date

16-May-13

1-Jan-13

4-Oct-13

Business divestiture description

'On November 6, 2012, U.S. Cellular entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement with subsidiaries of Sprint Nextel Corporation (“Sprint”). Pursuant to the Purchase and Sale Agreement, on May 16, 2013, U.S. Cellular transferred customers and certain PCS license spectrum to Sprint in U.S. Cellular's Chicago, central Illinois, St. Louis and certain Indiana/Michigan/Ohio markets (“Divestiture Markets”) in consideration for $480 million in cash. The Purchase and Sale Agreement also contemplated certain other agreements, together with the Purchase and Sale Agreement collectively referred to as the “Divestiture Transaction.” U.S. Cellular has retained other assets and liabilities related to the Divestiture Markets, including network assets, retail stores and related equipment, and other buildings and facilities. The transaction does not affect spectrum licenses held by U.S. Cellular or variable interest entities (“VIEs”) that are not currently used in the operations of the Divestiture Markets. Pursuant to the Purchase and Sale Agreement, U.S. Cellular and Sprint also entered into certain other agreements, including customer and network transition services agreements, which require U.S. Cellular to provide customer, billing and network services to Sprint for a period of up to 24 months after the May 16, 2013 closing date. Sprint will reimburse U.S. Cellular for providing such services at an amount equal to U.S. Cellular's cost, including applicable overhead allocations. In addition, these agreements require Sprint to reimburse U.S. Cellular up to $200 million (the “Sprint Cost Reimbursement”) for certain network decommissioning costs, network site lease rent and termination costs, network access termination costs, and employee termination benefits for specified engineering employees.

'Effective January 1, 2013, U.S. Cellular transferred its Bolingbrook Customer Care Center operations to an existing third party vendor.

'On October 4, 2013, U.S. Cellular sold the majority of its Mississippi Valley non-operating market license (“unbuilt license”) for $308.0 million. The sale will result in a $252.2 million gain and a $96.0 million current tax expense, which will be recorded in the fourth quarter of 2013.

Business divestiture agreement description

'On May 15, 2013, U.S. Cellular entered into an agreement with a third party to sell the subscribers, spectrum and the network assets for a Missouri market.

'In addition, on August 14, 2013 U.S. Cellular entered into a definitive agreement to sell the majority of its St. Louis area unbuilt license for $92.3 million. This transaction is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to close by the end of 2013.

Business divestiture agreement date

6-Nov-12

15-May-13

14-Aug-13

Transition services agreement duration

'24M

Gain of divestiture

$252,200,000

(Increase) decrease in Operating Income

43,207,000

-48,079,000

-177,351,000

-217,444,000

43,333,000

-111,250,000

-66,715,000

-57,407,000

-1,407,000

Current tax expense

-6,433,000

22,389,000

121,618,000

82,624,000

96,000,000

Asset retirement obligation

34,000,000

Divestiture Financial Impacts

Expected period of recognition

'2013

'2014

'2013

'2012

'2013

'2012

'2014

'2012

'2014

'2012

'2013

'2012

'2014

Cash received from divestitures

-484,300,000

-49,932,000

-308,000,000

-92,300,000

-480,000,000

-1,100,000

-200,000,000

-4,213,000

-4,221,000

-120,000,000

-160,000,000

-40,000,000

Net assets transferred

213,593,000

Non-cash charges for the write-off and write-down of property under construction and related assets

-27,000

54,000

10,726,000

10,000,000

14,000,000

Employee related costs including severance, retention and outplacement

-641,000

2,462,000

15,071,000

15,000,000

20,000,000

Contract termination costs

2,176,000

18,781,000

18,840,000

125,000,000

175,000,000

Transaction costs

362,000

4,081,000

5,218,000

4,000,000

6,000,000

Total (Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net

-1,534,000

65,000

-243,627,000

-4,148,000

-2,343,000

-245,250,000

-220,773,000

-232,407,000

-211,407,000

Incremental depreciation, amortization and accretion, net of salvage values

200,985,000

145,151,000

593,410,000

439,391,000

45,676,000

134,000,000

154,058,000

175,000,000

210,000,000

Balance Sheet rollforward

Balance, beginning of period

12,305,000

30,000

Costs incurred

6,750,000

12,201,000

7,246,000

Cash settlements

-11,460,000

[1]

-6,561,000

[1]

-1,488,000

[1]

Adjustments

-4,288,000

[2]

Balance, end of period

3,307,000

5,670,000

5,758,000

Assets and liabilities held for sale

Current assets

726,000

[3]

Licenses

75,446,000

140,599,000

2,909,000

[3]

72,537,000

[4]

Goodwill

669,000

72,994,000

669,000

[3]

Property, plant and equipment

3,179,000

4,275,000

[5]

3,179,000

[3]

Loss on assets held for sale

-1,607,000

[6]

-1,607,000

[6]

-1,105,000

[6]

-1,105,000

[5],[6]

-1,607,000

[3],[6]

Total Assets held for sale

78,413,000

216,763,000

213,593,000

3,170,000

[5]

5,876,000

[3]

72,537,000

[4]

Liabilities held for sale

$471,000

$19,594,000

[7]

$471,000

[3],[7]

[1]

Cash settlement amounts are included in either the Net income or changes in Other assets and liabilities line items as part of Cash flows from operating activities on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

[2]

Adjustment to liability represents changes to previously accrued amounts.

[3]

On May 15, 2013, U.S. Cellular entered into an agreement with a third party to sell the subscribers, spectrum and the network assets for a Missouri market.

[4]

U.S. Cellular and/or its consolidated VIEs entered into agreements with third parties to sell unbuilt licenses in Mississippi Valley; St. Louis, MO; South Bend-Mishawaka, IN and Jackson, MI.

[5]

Effective January 1, 2013, U.S. Cellular transferred its Bolingbrook Customer Care Center operations to an existing third party vendor.

[6]

Loss on assets held for sale was recorded in (Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

[7]

Liabilities held for sale primarily consisted of Customer deposits and deferred revenues.

Intangible_Assets_Details

Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Licenses	'	'	'	'
Balance, beginning of period	$1,456,794	$1,470,769	$1,470,769	'
Acquisitions	16,540	57,957	'	'
Transferred to Assets held for sale	-75,446	'	'	'
Other	'	3,147	'	'
Balance, end of period	1,397,888	1,531,873	1,456,794	'
Goodwill	'	'	'	'
Assigned value at time of acquisition	'	'	494,737	494,737
Balance, beginning of period	421,743	494,737	494,737	'
Transferred to Assets held for sale	-669	'	-72,994	'
NY1 & NY2 Deconsolidation	-33,714	'	'	'
Balance, end of period	$387,360	$494,737	$421,743	'

Investments_in_Unconsolidated_

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	$37,360	$24,816	$99,797	$71,584
Equity method investments, combined income statements	'	'	'	'
Revenues	1,577,934	1,446,311	4,615,224	4,298,176
Operating expenses	1,125,966	1,063,285	3,288,743	3,150,168
Operating income	451,968	383,026	1,326,481	1,148,008
Other income, net	1,063	-51	2,764	2,185
Net income	453,031	382,975	1,329,245	1,150,193
Los Angeles SMSA Limited Partnership	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	$20,800	$18,300	$61,200	$54,600
Ownership interest in equity method investment	5.50%	5.50%	5.50%	5.50%

Investment_in_Unconsolidated_E2

Investment in Unconsolidated Entities, Deconsolidation (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended				9 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Apr. 03, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
			St. Lawrence Seaway RSA Cellular Partnership	New York RSA 2 Cellular Partnership	St. Lawrence Seaway RSA Cellular Partnership and New York RSA 2 Cellular Partnership	St. Lawrence Seaway RSA Cellular Partnership and New York RSA 2 Cellular Partnership	Discounted cash flow valuation approach	Discounted cash flow valuation approach	Discounted cash flow valuation approach
								Minimum	Maximum
Fair Value Inputs	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Average expected revenue growth rate (next ten years)	'	'	'	'	'	'	2.00%	'	'
Terminal revenue growth rate (after year ten)	'	'	'	'	'	'	2.00%	'	'
Discount rate	'	'	'	'	'	'	10.50%	'	'
Capital expenditures as a percentage of revenue	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	14.90%	18.80%
Deconsolidation of New York Partnerships	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Date of deconsolidation	'	'	'	'	3-Apr-13	'	'	'	'
Ownership interest in equity method investment	'	'	60.00%	57.14%	'	'	'	'	'
Investments in unconsolidated entities	$309,481,000	$144,531,000	'	'	'	$114,800,000	'	'	'
Deconsolidation description	'On April 3, 2013, U.S. Cellular entered into an agreement relating to the Partnerships. The agreement amends the Partnership Agreements in several ways which provide Verizon Wireless with substantive participating rights that allow Verizon Wireless to make decisions that are in the ordinary course of business of the Partnerships and which are significant to directing and executing the activities of the business. Accordingly, as required by GAAP, U.S. Cellular deconsolidated the Partnerships effective as of April 3, 2013 and thereafter reported them as equity method investments in its consolidated financial statements. After the NY1 & NY2 Deconsolidation, U.S. Cellular retained the same ownership percentages in the Partnerships and will continue to report the same percentages of income from the Partnerships, which will be recorded in Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. In addition to the foregoing described arrangements, U.S. Cellular has certain other arm’s length, ordinary business relationships with Verizon Wireless and its affiliates.	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Deconsolidation gain	'	'	'	'	$18,500,000	'	'	'	'

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies, purchase commitments (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
BOSS Installation	'
Long Term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]	'
Purchase commitment agreement description	'As previously disclosed, on August 17, 2010, U.S. Cellular and Amdocs Software Systems Limited (“Amdocs”) entered into a Software License and Maintenance Agreement (“SLMA”) and a Master Service Agreement (“MSA”) (collectively, the “Amdocs Agreements”) to develop a Billing and Operational Support System (“B/OSS”). In July 2013, U.S. Cellular implemented B/OSS, pursuant to an updated Statement of Work dated June 29, 2012. Total payments to Amdocs related to this implementation are estimated to be approximately $183.5 million (subject to certain potential adjustments) over the period from commencement of the SLMA through the first half of 2014. As of September 30, 2013, $133.3 million had been paid to Amdocs.
Purchase commitment required payments	$183,500,000
Purchase commitment required payments made	133,300,000
Apple Products	'
Long Term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]	'
Purchase commitment agreement description	'In March 2013, U.S. Cellular entered into an agreement with Apple to purchase an estimated $1.2 billion of Apple iPhone products over a three-year period beginning in November 2013.
Purchase commitment period	'three-year period beginning in November 2013
Purchase commitment estimated payments	$1,200,000,000

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies, legal accruals and unasserted claims (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Loss Contingency Estimate	'	'
Accrual for legal proceedings and unasserted claims	$1.70	$1.70

Variable_Interest_Entities_VIE1

Variable Interest Entities VIEs (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
Variable Interest Entities VIEs (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Assets	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$409,579,000	$183,101,000	$378,358,000	$424,155,000
Other current assets	'	19,051,000	16,745,000	'
Licenses	1,531,873,000	1,397,888,000	1,456,794,000	1,470,769,000
Property, plant and equipment, net	'	2,874,593,000	3,022,588,000	'
Other assets and deferred charges	'	95,709,000	78,148,000	'
Liabilities	'	'	'	'
Current liabilities	'	852,380,000	754,999,000	'
Capital contributions and advances	5,000,000	'	'	'
Variable Interest Entities (VIE's)	'	'	'	'
Assets	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	'	2,669,000	5,849,000	'
Other current assets	'	1,190,000	120,000	'
Licenses	'	308,091,000	308,091,000	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	'	17,535,000	16,443,000	'
Other assets and deferred charges	'	541,000	887,000	'
Total assets	'	330,026,000	331,390,000	'
Liabilities	'	'	'	'
Current liabilities	'	3,000	1,013,000	'
Deferred liabilities and credits	'	3,280,000	3,024,000	'
Total liabilities	'	$3,283,000	$4,037,000	'

Common_Share_Repurchases_Detai

Common Share Repurchases (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Share repurchases	'
Amount	$18,544
Treasury Shares	'
Share repurchases	'
Amount	18,544
Common Shares	'
Share repurchases	'
Number of shares acquired	499,000
Average cost per share	$37.19
Amount	$18,544
Common share repurchase authorization	'On November 17, 2009, the Board of Directors of U.S. Cellular authorized the repurchase of up to 1,300,000 Common Shares on an annual basis beginning in 2009 and continuing each year thereafter, on a cumulative basis. These purchases will be made pursuant to open market purchases, block purchases, private purchases, or otherwise, depending on market prices and other conditions. This authorization does not have an expiration date.
Repurchase authorization, additional number of shares	1,300,000
Repurchase expiration	'does not have an expiration date

Noncontrolling_Interests_Detai

Noncontrolling Interests (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	'
Termination date range of mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests - begin	'2085
Termination date range of mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests - end	'2107
Settlement value of mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests	$61.30
Carrying value of mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests	$17.40

Supplemental_Cash_Flows_Detail

Supplemental Cash Flows (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
Share data in Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Supplemental cash flow disclosures	'	'
Series A Common and Common Shares, dividends per share paid	$5.75	'
Series A Common and Common Shares, dividends paid	$482,270,000	'
Dividend payable date	25-Jun-13	'
Supplemental cash flows, stock based compensation	'	'
Net cash receipts (disbursements) from exercise of stock options and vesting of other stock awards	2,840,000	-2,299,000
Auction 901 Mobility Funds	'	'
Supplemental cash flow disclosures	'	'
FCC auction date	27-Sep-12	'
FCC auction amount received	13,400,000	'
FCC auction number of states won	10	'
Other assets and deferred charges \| Auction 901 Mobility Funds	'	'
Supplemental cash flow disclosures	'	'
FCC auction amount received	12,100,000	'
Property, plant and equipment, net \| Auction 901 Mobility Funds	'	'
Supplemental cash flow disclosures	'	'
FCC auction amount received	1,300,000	'
Maximum \| Auction 901 Mobility Funds	'	'
Supplemental cash flow disclosures	'	'
FCC auction amount	300,000,000	'
FCC auction amount received	40,100,000	'
Common Shares	'	'
Supplemental cash flows, stock based compensation	'	'
Shares withheld	524	78
Aggregate value of shares withheld	21,387,000	3,076,000
Cash receipts upon exercise of stock options	7,223,000	793,000
Cash disbursements for payments of taxes	-4,383,000	-3,092,000
Net cash receipts (disbursements) from exercise of stock options and vesting of other stock awards	$2,840,000	($2,299,000)