United States Cellular Corporat (UZD) 10-K 25 Feb 15 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Jan. 31, 2015
Entity Registrant Name	United States Cellular Corporation
Entity Central Index Key	821130
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-14
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float		$547,778,270
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	USM
Common Shares
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding			51,010,000
Series A Common Shares
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding			33,006,000

Consolidated_Statement_Of_Oper

Consolidated Statement Of Operations (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Operating revenues
Service	$3,397,937	$3,594,773	$4,098,856
Equipment sales	494,810	324,063	353,228
Total operating revenues	3,892,747	3,918,836	4,452,084
Operating expenses
System operations (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below)	769,911	763,435	946,805
Cost of equipment sold	1,192,669	999,000	935,947
Selling, general and administrative (including charges from affiliates of $91.1 million, $99.2 million and $104.3 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012)	1,591,914	1,677,395	1,764,933
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	605,997	803,781	608,633
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net	21,469	30,606	18,088
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net	-32,830	-246,767	21,022
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges	-112,993	-255,479
Total operating expenses	4,036,137	3,771,971	4,295,428
Operating income (loss)	-143,390	146,865	156,656
Investment and other income (expense)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	129,764	131,949	90,364
Interest and dividend income	12,148	3,961	3,644
Gain (loss) on investments		18,556	-3,718
Interest expense	-57,386	-43,963	-42,393
Other, net	160	288	500
Total investment and other income (expense)	84,686	110,791	48,397
Income (loss) before income taxes	-58,704	257,656	205,053
Income tax expense (benefit)	-11,782	113,134	63,977
Net income (loss)	-46,922	144,522	141,076
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	-4,110	4,484	30,070
Net income (loss) attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	($42,812)	$140,038	$111,006
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	84,213	83,968	84,645
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	($0.51)	$1.67	$1.31
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	84,213	84,730	85,230
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	($0.51)	$1.65	$1.30
Special dividend per share to U.S. Cellular shareholders		$5.75

Consolidated_Statement_Of_Oper1

Consolidated Statement Of Operations Parenthetical (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Operating expenses
Selling, general and administrative, charges from affiliates	$91.10	$99.20	$104.30

Consolidated_Statement_of_Cash

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income (loss)	($46,922)	$144,522	$141,076
Add (deduct) adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flows from operating activities
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	605,997	803,781	608,633
Bad debts expense	101,282	98,864	67,372
Stock-based compensation expense	22,383	15,844	21,466
Deferred income taxes, net	57,604	-75,348	49,244
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	-129,764	-131,949	-90,364
Distributions from unconsolidated entities	112,336	125,660	84,417
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net	21,469	30,606	18,088
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net	-32,830	-246,767	21,022
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges	-112,993	-255,479
(Gain) loss on investments		-18,556	3,718
Noncash interest expense	1,155	1,059	-1,822
Other operating activities	26	646	546
Changes in assets and liabilities from operations
Accounts receivable	12,547	-291,168	-64,816
Equipment installment plans receivable	-188,829	-591
Inventory	-28,878	-82,422	-28,786
Accounts payable - trade	-95,587	85,199	-4,977
Accounts payable - affiliate	-2,590	147	-1,458
Customer deposits and deferred revenues	33,524	66,344	30,353
Accrued taxes	-99,483	30,037	73,064
Accrued interest	1,307	273	167
Other assets and liabilities	-59,412	-9,805	-27,652
Cash flows from operating activities	172,342	290,897	899,291
Cash flows from investing activities
Cash used for additions to property, plant and equipment	-605,083	-717,862	-826,400
Cash paid for aquisitions and licenses	-38,150	-16,540	-122,690
Cash received from divestitures	179,842	811,120	49,932
Cash paid for investments			-120,000
Cash received for investments	50,000	100,000	125,000
Federal Communications Commission deposit	-60,000
Other investing activities	2,619	-3,969	-2,453
Cash flows from investing activities	-470,772	172,749	-896,611
Cash flows from financing activities
Issuance of long-term debt	275,000
Repayment of borrowing under revolving credit facility	-150,000
Borrowing under revolving credit facility	150,000
Common shares reissued for benefit plans, net of tax payments	830	5,784	-2,205
Common shares repurchased	-18,943	-18,544	-20,045
Payment of debt issuance costs	-9,644	-23	-514
Acquisition of licenses in common control transaction	-76,298
Dividends paid		-482,270
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	-3,056	-3,766	-22,970
Payments to acquire additional interest in subsidiaries		-1,005	-3,167
Other financing activities	-11	-115	424
Cash flows from financing activities	167,878	-499,939	-48,477
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-130,552	-36,293	-45,797
Cash and cash equivalents
Beginning of period	342,065	378,358	424,155
End of period	$211,513	$342,065	$378,358

Consolidated_Balance_Sheet

Consolidated Balance Sheet (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$211,513	$342,065
Short-term investments		50,104
Accounts receivable
Customers and agents, less allowances of $37,654 and $59,206, respectively	466,048	467,255
Roaming	23,865	30,136
Affiliated	994	980
Other, less allowances of $859 and $1,032, respectively	66,051	88,224
Inventory, net	267,068	238,188
Prepaid expenses	59,744	65,596
Net deferred income tax asset	93,058	99,105
Other current assets	90,834	19,538
Total current assets	1,279,175	1,401,191
Assets held for sale	107,055	16,027
Investments
Licenses	1,443,438	1,401,126
Goodwill	370,151	387,524
Investments in unconsolidated entities	283,014	265,585
Total investments	2,096,603	2,054,235
Property, plant and equipment
In service and under construction	7,458,740	7,717,512
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization	4,730,523	4,860,992
Property, plant and equipment, net	2,728,217	2,856,520
Other assets and deferred charges	276,218	117,735
Total assets	6,487,268	6,445,708
Current liabilities
Current portion of long-term debt	46	166
Accounts payable
Affiliated	9,774	11,243
Trade	306,845	405,583
Customer deposits and deferred revenues	287,562	256,740
Accrued taxes	36,652	73,820
Accrued compensation	66,162	66,566
Other current liabilities	149,853	192,055
Total current liabilities	856,894	1,006,173
Liabilities held for sale	20,934
Deferred liabilities and credits
Net deferred income tax liability	859,867	836,297
Other deferred liabilities and credits	284,002	315,073
Long-term debt	1,151,819	878,032
Commitments and contingencies
Noncontrolling interests with redemption features	1,150	536
U.S. Cellular shareholders' equity
Series A Common and Common Shares	88,074	88,074
Additional paid-in capital	1,472,558	1,424,729
Treasury Shares, at cost	-169,139	-164,692
Retained earnings	1,910,498	2,043,095
Total U.S. Cellular shareholders' equity	3,301,991	3,391,206
Noncontrolling interests	10,611	18,391
Total equity	3,312,602	3,409,597
Total liabilities and equity	$6,487,268	$6,445,708

Consolidated_Balance_Sheet_Par

Consolidated Balance Sheet Parenthetical (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Current assets
Customers and agents, allowances	$37,654	$59,206
Other, allowances	859	1,032
U.S. Cellular shareholders' equity
Authorized shares	190,000	190,000
Issued shares	88,074	88,074
Outstanding shares	84,080	84,205
Par value	88,074	88,074
Treasury shares	3,994	3,869
Common Shares
U.S. Cellular shareholders' equity
Authorized shares	140,000	140,000
Issued shares	55,068	55,068
Outstanding shares	51,074	51,199
Par value per share	$1	$1
Par value	55,068	55,068
Treasury shares	3,994	3,869
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
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 (loss) attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	111,006				111,006	111,006
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests classified as equity	30,019						30,019
Repurchase of Common Shares	-20,045			-20,045		-20,045
Incentive and compensation plans	-2,042		137	7,138	-9,317	-2,042
Stock-based compensation awards	21,249		21,249			21,249
Tax windfall (shortfall) from stock awards	-1,518		-1,518			-1,518
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	-22,970						-22,970
Adjust investment in subsidiaries for noncontrolling interest purchases	3,658		5,244			5,244	-1,586
Other	-27						-27
Ending 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 (loss) attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	140,038				140,038	140,038
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests classified as equity	4,251						4,251
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	6,073		222	19,576	-13,725	6,073
Stock-based compensation awards	15,467		15,467			15,467
Tax windfall (shortfall) from stock awards	-3,267		-3,267			-3,267
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	-3,576						-3,576
Adjust investment in subsidiaries for noncontrolling interest purchases	-52		-146			-146	94
Deconsolidation of partnerships	-43,770						-43,770
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2013	3,409,597	88,074	1,424,729	-164,692	2,043,095	3,391,206	18,391
Add (Deduct)
Net income (loss) attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	-42,812				-42,812	-42,812
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests classified as equity	-4,787						-4,787
Repurchase of Common Shares	-18,943			-18,943		-18,943
Incentive and compensation plans	978			14,496	-13,518	978
Stock-based compensation awards	21,078		21,078			21,078
Tax windfall (shortfall) from stock awards	-1,161		-1,161			-1,161
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	-2,993						-2,993
Acquisition of licenses in common control transaction	-47,126		29,141		-76,267	-47,126
Adjust investment in subsidiaries for noncontrolling interest purchases	-1,229		-1,229			-1,229
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$3,312,602	$88,074	$1,472,558	($169,139)	$1,910,498	$3,301,991	$10,611

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure Text Block
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements	NOTE 1 SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
	United States Cellular Corporation (“U.S. Cellular”), a Delaware Corporation, is an 84%-owned subsidiary of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (“TDS”).
	Nature of Operations
	U.S. Cellular owns, operates and invests in wireless systems throughout the United States. As of December 31, 2014, U.S. Cellular served 4.8 million customers. U.S. Cellular has one reportable segment.
	Principles of Consolidation
	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”). Unless otherwise specified, references to accounting provisions and GAAP in these notes refer to the requirements of the FASB 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 variable interest entities (“VIEs”) in which U.S. Cellular is the primary beneficiary. Both VIE and primary beneficiary represent terms defined by GAAP.
	Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
	Reclassifications
	Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2014 financial statement presentation. These reclassifications did not affect consolidated net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders, cash flows, assets, liabilities or equity for the years presented.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect (a) the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and (b) the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates are involved in accounting for goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, income taxes, the loyalty reward program and equipment installment plans.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	Cash and cash equivalents include cash and short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.
	Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
	Accounts receivable consist primarily of amounts owed by customers for wireless services and equipment sales, including sales of certain devices under equipment installment plans, by agents for sales of equipment to them and by other wireless carriers whose customers have used U.S. Cellular's wireless systems.
	The allowance for doubtful accounts is the best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses related to existing billed and unbilled accounts receivable. The allowance is estimated based on historical experience, account aging and other factors that could affect collectability. Accounts receivable balances are reviewed on either an aggregate or individual basis for collectability depending on the type of receivable. When it is probable that an account balance will not be collected, the account balance is charged against the allowance for doubtful accounts. U.S. Cellular does not have any off-balance sheet credit exposure related to its customers.
	The changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
			2014		2013		2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Beginning balance		$	60,238	$	26,902	$	23,537
		Additions, net of recoveries		101,282		98,864		67,372
		Deductions		-116,942		-65,528		-64,007
	Ending balance (1)		$	44,578	$	60,238	$	26,902
	-1	In 2014, this balance includes a $6.1 million allowance related to the long-term portion of unbilled equipment installment receivables.
	Inventory
	Inventory consists primarily of wireless devices stated at the lower of cost or market, with cost determined using the first-in, first-out method and market determined by replacement costs or estimated net realizable value.
	Goodwill
	U.S. Cellular has Goodwill as a result of its acquisitions of wireless businesses. Such Goodwill represents the excess of the total purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired in these transactions.
	U.S. Cellular performs its annual impairment assessment of Goodwill as of November 1 of each year. For purposes of conducting its Goodwill impairment test in 2014 and 2013, U.S. Cellular identified four reporting units. The four reporting units represent four geographic groupings of operating markets, representing four geographic service areas. A discounted cash flow approach was used to value each reporting unit for purposes of the Goodwill impairment review.
	See Note 7 — Intangible Assets for additional details related to Goodwill.
	Licenses
	Licenses consist of direct and incremental costs incurred in acquiring Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) licenses to provide wireless service.
	U.S. Cellular has determined that wireless licenses are indefinite-lived intangible assets and, therefore, not subject to amortization based on the following factors:
	Radio spectrum is not a depleting asset.
	The ability to use radio spectrum is not limited to any one technology.
	U.S. Cellular and its consolidated subsidiaries are licensed to use radio spectrum through the FCC licensing process, which enables licensees to utilize specified portions of the spectrum for the provision of wireless service.
	U.S. Cellular and its consolidated subsidiaries are required to renew their FCC licenses every ten years or, in some cases, every fifteen years. To date, all of U.S. Cellular's license renewal applications have been granted by the FCC. Generally, license renewal applications filed by licensees otherwise in compliance with FCC regulations are routinely granted. If, however, a license renewal application is challenged either by a competing applicant for the license or by a petition to deny the renewal application, the license will be renewed if the licensee can demonstrate its entitlement to a “renewal expectancy.” Licensees are entitled to such an expectancy if they can demonstrate to the FCC that they have provided “substantial service” during their license term and have “substantially complied” with FCC rules and policies. U.S. Cellular believes that it is probable that its future license renewal applications will be granted.
	U.S. Cellular performs its annual impairment assessment of its licenses as of November 1 of each year. For purposes of its 2014 and 2013 impairment testing of Licenses, U.S. Cellular separated its FCC licenses into eleven units of accounting based on geographic service areas. In both 2014 and 2013, seven of the units of accounting represented geographic groupings of licenses which, because they were not being utilized and, therefore, were not expected to generate cash flows from operating activities in the foreseeable future, were considered separate units of accounting for purposes of impairment testing. U.S. Cellular estimates the fair value of built licenses for purposes of impairment testing using the build-out method. The build-out method estimates the fair value of Licenses by discounting to present value the future cash flows calculated based on a hypothetical cost to build-out U.S. Cellular's network.
	For units of accounting which consist of unbuilt licenses, the fair value of the unbuilt licenses is assumed to change by the same percentage, and in the same direction, that the fair value of built licenses measured using the build-out method changed during the period.
	See Note 7 — Intangible Assets for additional details related to Licenses.
	Investments in Unconsolidated Entities
	For its equity method investments for which financial information is readily available, U.S. Cellular records its equity in the earnings of the entity in the current period. For its equity method investments for which financial information is not readily available, U.S. Cellular records its equity in the earnings of the entity on a one quarter lag basis.
	Property, Plant and Equipment
	U.S. Cellular's Property, plant and equipment is stated at the original cost of construction or purchase including capitalized costs of certain taxes, payroll-related expenses, interest and estimated costs to remove the assets.
	Expenditures that enhance the productive capacity of assets in service or extend their useful lives are capitalized and depreciated. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs of assets in service are charged to System operations expense or Selling, general and administrative expense, as applicable. Retirements and disposals of assets are recorded by removing the original cost of the asset (along with the related accumulated depreciation) from plant in service and charging it, together with net removal costs (removal costs less an applicable accrued asset retirement obligation and salvage value realized), to (Gain) loss on asset disposals, net.
	U.S. Cellular capitalizes certain costs of developing new information systems.
	Depreciation and amortization
	Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the related asset.
	U.S. Cellular depreciates leasehold improvement assets associated with leased properties over periods ranging from one to thirty years; such periods approximate the shorter of the assets' economic lives or the specific lease terms.
	Useful lives of specific assets are reviewed throughout the year to determine if changes in technology or other business changes would warrant accelerating the depreciation of those specific assets. Due to the Divestiture Transaction more fully described in Note 6 — Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges, U.S. Cellular changed the useful lives of certain assets in 2013 and 2012. Other than the Divestiture Transaction, there were no other material changes to useful lives of property, plant and equipment in 2014, 2013 or 2012. See Note 9 — Property, Plant and Equipment for additional details related to useful lives.
	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.
	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 and network operations center. 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.
	Agent Liabilities
	U.S. Cellular has relationships with agents, which are independent businesses that obtain customers for U.S. Cellular. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, U.S. Cellular had accrued $95.3 million and $121.3 million, respectively, for amounts due to agents. This amount is included in Other current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
	Other Assets and Deferred Charges
	Other assets and deferred charges include underwriters' and legal fees and other charges related to issuing U.S. Cellular's various borrowing instruments and other long-term agreements, and are amortized over the respective term of each instrument. The amounts of deferred charges included in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2014 and 2013, are shown net of accumulated amortization of $34.2 million and $26.0 million, respectively. At December 31, 2014, Other assets and deferred charges includes a $60.0 million deposit made by Advantage Spectrum L.P. to the FCC to participate in Auction 97. See Note 13 — Variable Interest Entities for additional information.
	Asset Retirement Obligations
	U.S. Cellular accounts for asset retirement obligations by recording the fair value of a liability for legal obligations associated with an asset retirement in the period in which the obligations are incurred. At the time the liability is incurred, U.S. Cellular records a liability equal to the net present value of the estimated cost of the asset retirement obligation and increases the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset by an equal amount. Until the obligation is fulfilled, U.S. Cellular updates its estimates relating to cash flows required and timing of settlement. U.S. Cellular records the present value of the changes in the future value as an increase or decrease to the liability and the related carrying amount of the long-lived asset. The liability is accreted to future value over a period ending with the estimated settlement date of the respective asset retirement obligation. The carrying amount of the long-lived asset is depreciated over the useful life of the related asset. Upon settlement of the obligation, any difference between the cost to retire the asset and the recorded liability is recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.
	Treasury Shares
	Common Shares repurchased by U.S. Cellular are recorded at cost as treasury shares and result in a reduction of equity. Treasury shares are reissued as part of U.S. Cellular's stock-based compensation programs. When treasury shares are reissued, U.S. Cellular determines the cost using the first-in, first-out cost method. The difference between the cost of the treasury shares and reissuance price is included in Additional paid-in capital or Retained earnings.
	Revenue Recognition
	Revenues related to services are recognized as services are rendered. Revenues billed in advance or in arrears of the services being provided are estimated and deferred or accrued, as appropriate.
	Revenues from sales of equipment and accessories are recognized when title and risk of loss passes to the agent or end-user customer.
Multiple Deliverable Arrangements
U.S. Cellular sells multiple element service and equipment offerings. In these instances, revenues are allocated using the relative selling price method. Under this method, arrangement consideration, which consists of the amounts billed to the customer net of any cash-based discounts, is allocated to each element on the basis of its relative selling price. Revenue recognized for the delivered items is limited to the amount due from the customer that is not contingent upon the delivery of additional products or services.
Loyalty Reward Program
U.S. Cellular follows the deferred revenue method of accounting for its loyalty reward program. Under this method, revenue allocated to loyalty reward points is deferred. The amount allocated to the loyalty points is based on the estimated retail price of the products and services for which points may be redeemed divided by the number of loyalty points required to receive such products and services. This is calculated on a weighted average basis and requires U.S. Cellular to estimate the percentage of loyalty points that will be redeemed for each product or service.
As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, U.S. Cellular had deferred revenue related to loyalty reward points outstanding of $94.6 million and $116.2 million, respectively. These amounts are recorded in Customer deposits and deferred revenues (a current liability account) in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, as customers may redeem their reward points within the current period.
Revenue is recognized at the time of customer redemption or when such points have been depleted via an account maintenance charge. U.S. Cellular employs the proportional model to recognize revenues associated with breakage. Under the proportional model, U.S. Cellular allocates a portion of the estimated future breakage to each redemption and records revenue proportionally. U.S. Cellular periodically reviews and revises the redemption and depletion rates to estimate future breakage as appropriate based on history and related future expectations.
In the fourth quarter of 2013, U.S. Cellular issued loyalty reward points with a value of $43.5 million as a loyalty bonus in recognition of the inconvenience experienced by customers during U.S. Cellular's billing system conversion in 2013. The value of the loyalty bonus reduced Service revenues in the Consolidated Statement of Operations and increased Customer deposits and deferred revenues in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Equipment Installment Plans
Equipment revenue under equipment installment plan contracts is recognized at the time the device is delivered to the end-user customer for the selling price of the device, net of any deferred imputed interest or trade-in right, if applicable.   Imputed interest is reflected as a reduction to the receivable balance and recognized over the duration of the plan as a component of Interest and dividend income. See Note 3 — Equipment Installment Plans for additional information.
Incentives
Discounts and incentives are recognized as a reduction of Operating revenues concurrently with the associated revenue, and are allocated to the various products and services in the bundled offering based on their respective relative selling price.
U.S. Cellular issues rebates to its agents and end customers. These incentives are recognized as a reduction to revenue at the time the wireless device sale to the agent or customer occurs, respectively. The total potential rebates and incentives are reduced by U.S. Cellular's estimate of rebates that will not be redeemed by customers based on historical experience of such redemptions.
Activation Fees
U.S. Cellular charges its end customers activation fees in connection with the sale of certain services and equipment. Device activation fees charged at U.S. Cellular agent locations, where U.S. Cellular does not also sell a wireless device to the customer, are deferred and recognized over the average device life. Device activation fees charged as a result of device sales at U.S. Cellular company-owned retail stores are recognized at the time the device is delivered to the customer.
Amounts Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities – Gross vs. Net
U.S. Cellular records amounts collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities net within a tax liability account if the 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. 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 $97.0 million, $114.7 million and $135.7 million for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (“ETC”) Revenues
Telecommunications companies may be designated by states, or in some cases by the FCC, as an ETC to receive support payments from the Universal Service Fund if they provide specified services in “high cost” areas. ETC revenues recognized in the reporting period represent the amounts which U.S. Cellular is entitled to receive for such period, as determined and approved in connection with U.S. Cellular's designation as an ETC in various states.
Advertising Costs
U.S. Cellular expenses advertising costs as incurred. Advertising costs totaled $204.9 million, $199.9 million and $227.0 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Income Taxes
U.S. Cellular is included in a consolidated federal income tax return with other members of the TDS consolidated group. TDS and U.S. Cellular are parties to a Tax Allocation Agreement which provides that U.S. Cellular and its subsidiaries be included with the TDS affiliated group in a consolidated federal income tax return and in state income or franchise tax returns in certain situations. For financial statement purposes, U.S. Cellular and its subsidiaries calculate their income, income taxes and credits as if they comprised a separate affiliated group. Under the Tax Allocation Agreement, U.S. Cellular remits its applicable income tax payments to TDS. U.S. Cellular had a tax receivable balance with TDS of $74.3 million and a tax payable balance of $34.8 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Deferred taxes are computed using the liability method, whereby deferred tax assets are recognized for future deductible temporary differences and operating loss carryforwards, and deferred tax liabilities are recognized for future taxable temporary differences. Both deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the tax rates anticipated to be in effect when the temporary differences reverse. Temporary differences are the differences between the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. U.S. Cellular evaluates income tax uncertainties, assesses the probability of the ultimate settlement with the applicable taxing authority and records an amount based on that assessment.
Stock-Based Compensation
U.S. Cellular has established a long-term incentive plan and a Non-Employee Director compensation plan. These plans are described more fully in Note 16 — Stock-based Compensation. These plans are considered compensatory plans and, therefore, recognition of compensation cost for grants made under these plans is required.
U.S. Cellular values its share-based payment transactions using a Black-Scholes valuation model. Stock-based compensation cost recognized during the period is based on the portion of the share-based payment awards that are ultimately expected to vest. Accordingly, stock-based compensation cost recognized has been reduced for estimated forfeitures. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Pre-vesting forfeitures and expected life are estimated based on historical experience related to similar awards, giving consideration to the contractual terms of the stock-based awards, vesting schedules and expectations of future employee behavior. U.S. Cellular believes that its historical experience provides the best estimates of future pre-vesting forfeitures and future expected life. The expected volatility assumption is based on the historical volatility of U.S. Cellular's common stock over a period commensurate with the expected life. The dividend yield assumption is zero because U.S. Cellular has never paid a dividend, except a special cash dividend in June 2013, and has expressed its intention to retain all future earnings in the business. The risk-free interest rate assumption is determined using the U.S. Treasury Yield Curve Rate with a term length that approximates the expected life of the stock options.
The fair value of options is recognized as compensation cost over the respective requisite service period of the awards, which is generally the vesting period, on a straight-line basis for each separate vesting portion of the awards as if the awards were, in-substance, multiple awards (graded vesting attribution method).
Defined Contribution Plans
U.S. Cellular participates in a qualified noncontributory defined contribution pension plan sponsored by TDS; such plan provides pension benefits for the employees of U.S. Cellular and its subsidiaries. Under this plan, pension benefits and costs are calculated separately for each participant and are funded currently. Pension costs were $10.6 million, $10.4 million and $12.4 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
U.S. Cellular also participates in a defined contribution retirement savings plan (“401(k) plan”) sponsored by TDS. Total costs incurred for U.S. Cellular's contributions to the 401(k) plan were $14.9 million, $15.4 million and $17.1 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
On April 10, 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity (“ASU 2014-08”). ASU 2014-08 changes the requirements and disclosures for reporting discontinued operations. U.S. Cellular was required to adopt the provisions of ASU 2014-08 effective January 1, 2015, but early adoption was permitted. U.S. Cellular adopted the provisions of ASU 2014-08 upon its issuance. The adoption of ASU 2014-08 did not have a significant impact on U.S. Cellular's financial position or results of operations.
On May 28, 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”). ASU 2014-09 outlines a single comprehensive model to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers. U.S. Cellular is required to adopt the provisions of ASU 2014-09 effective January 1, 2017. Early adoption is prohibited. U.S. Cellular is evaluating what effects the adoption of ASU 2014-09 will have on U.S. Cellular's financial position and results of operations.
On August 27, 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-15, Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern (“ASU 2014-15”). ASU 2014-15 requires management to perform interim and annual assessments of an entity's ability to continue as a going concern within one year of the date financial statements are issued and provides guidance on determining when and how to disclose going concern uncertainties in financial statements. U.S. Cellular is required to adopt the provisions of ASU 2014-15 effective January 1, 2016, but early adoption is permitted. The adoption of ASU 2014-15 is not expected to impact U.S. Cellular's financial position or results of operations.
On January 9, 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-01, Simplifying Income Statement Presentation by Eliminating the Concept of Extraordinary Items (“ASU 2015-01”). ASU 2015-01 eliminates from GAAP the requirement to separately classify, present and disclose extraordinary events and transactions. U.S. Cellular is required to adopt the provisions of ASU 2015-01 effective January 1, 2016, but early adoption is permitted. The adoption of ASU 2015-01 is not expected to impact U.S. Cellular's financial position or results of operations.
On February 18, 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-02, Consolidation: Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis (“ASU 2015-02”). ASU 2015-02 simplifies consolidation accounting by reducing the number of consolidation models and changing various aspects of current GAAP, including certain consolidation criteria for variable interest entities. U.S. Cellular is required to adopt the provisions of ASU 2015-02 effective January 1, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. U.S. Cellular is still assessing the impact, if any, the adoption of ASU 2015-02 will have on U.S. Cellular's financial position or results of operations.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure Text Block
Fair Value Measurements	NOTE 2 FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
	As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, U.S. Cellular did not have any financial or nonfinancial assets or liabilities that were required to be recorded at fair value in its Consolidated Balance Sheet in accordance with GAAP.
	The provisions of GAAP establish a fair value hierarchy that contains three levels for inputs used in fair value measurements. Level 1 inputs include quoted market prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. Level 2 inputs include quoted market prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or quoted market prices for identical assets and liabilities in inactive markets. Level 3 inputs are unobservable. A financial instrument's level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. A financial instrument's level within the fair value hierarchy is not representative of its expected performance or its overall risk profile and, therefore, Level 3 assets are not necessarily higher risk than Level 2 assets or Level 1 assets.
	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.
				31-Dec-14				31-Dec-13
			Level within the Fair Value Hierarchy	Book Value			Fair Value	Book Value		Fair Value
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Cash and cash equivalents		1	$	211,513	$	211,513	$	342,065	$	342,065
	Short-term investments
		U.S. Treasury Notes	1		-		-		50,104		50,104
	Long-term debt
		Retail	2		617,000		608,462		342,000		309,852
		Institutional	2		532,722		513,647		532,449		507,697
	Short-term investments are designated as held-to-maturity investments and recorded at amortized cost in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. For these investments, U.S. Cellular's objective is to earn a higher rate of return on funds that are not anticipated to be required to meet liquidity needs in the near term, while maintaining a low level of investment risk.
	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. Long-term debt excludes capital lease obligations and the current portion of Long-term debt. The fair value of “Retail” Long-term debt was estimated using market prices for the 6.95% Senior Notes and 7.25% Senior Notes. U.S. Cellular's “Institutional” debt consists of the 6.7% Senior Notes which are traded over the counter. U.S. Cellular estimated the fair value of its Institutional debt through a discounted cash flow analysis using an estimated yield to maturity of 7.25% and 7.35% at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Equipment_Installment_Plans

Equipment Installment Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure Text Block
Equipment Installment Plans	NOTE 3 EQUIPMENT INSTALLMENT PLANS
	U.S. Cellular offers customers the option to purchase certain devices under equipment installment contracts over a period of up to 24 months. For certain equipment installment plans, after a specified period of time, the customer may have the right to upgrade to a new device and have the remaining unpaid equipment installment contract balance waived, subject to certain conditions, including trading in the original device in good working condition and signing a new equipment installment contract.  U.S. Cellular values this trade-in right as a guarantee liability.  The guarantee liability is initially measured at fair value and is determined based on assumptions including the probability and timing of the customer upgrading to a new device and the fair value of the device being traded-in at the time of trade-in. As of December 31, 2014, the guarantee liability related to these plans was $57.5 million and is reflected in Customer deposits and deferred revenues in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
	U.S. Cellular equipment installment plans do not provide for explicit interest charges. For equipment installment plans with duration of greater than twelve months, U.S. Cellular imputes interest.
	The following table summarizes the unbilled equipment installment plan receivables as of December 31, 2014 and 2013. Such amounts are presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as Accounts receivable – customers and agents and Other assets and deferred charges, where applicable.
	(Dollars in thousands)	31-Dec-14		31-Dec-13
	Short-term portion of unbilled equipment installment plan receivables, gross	$	127,400	$	611
	Short-term portion of unbilled deferred interest		-16,365		-
	Short-term portion of unbilled allowance for credit losses		-3,686		-20
	Short-term portion of unbilled equipment installment plan receivables, net	$	107,349	$	591
	Long-term portion of unbilled equipment installment plan receivables, gross	$	89,435	$	-
	Long-term portion of unbilled deferred interest		-2,791		-
	Long-term portion of unbilled allowance for credit losses		-6,065		-
	Long-term portion of unbilled equipment installment plan receivables, net	$	80,579	$	-
	U.S. Cellular considers the collectability of the equipment installment plan receivables based on historical payment experience, account aging and other qualitative factors. The credit profiles of U.S. Cellular's customers on equipment installment plans are similar to those of U.S. Cellular customers with traditional subsidized plans. Customers with a higher risk credit profile are required to make a deposit for equipment purchased through an installment contract.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure Text Block
Income Taxes	NOTE 4 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 current income taxes balances at December 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:
	December 31,		2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Federal income taxes receivable (payable)		$	73,510		$	-32,351
	Net state income taxes receivable (payable)			1,199			-1,545
	Income tax expense (benefit) is summarized as follows:
	Year Ended December 31,			2014			2013			2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Current
		Federal		$	-77,931		$	180,056		$	10,547
		State			8,545			8,426			4,186
	Deferred
		Federal			44,881			-69,917			54,490
		State			6,276			-5,431			-5,246
		State - valuation allowance adjustment			6,447			-			-
				$	-11,782		$	113,134		$	63,977
	A reconciliation of U.S. Cellular's income tax expense computed at the statutory rate to the reported income tax expense, and the statutory federal income tax expense rate to U.S. Cellular's effective income tax expense rate is as follows:
	Year Ended December 31,		2014						2013					2012
			Amount			Rate			Amount			Rate		Amount		Rate
	(Dollars in millions)
	Statutory federal income tax expense and rate		$	-20.5		35	%		$	90.2		35	%	$	71.8	35	%
	State income taxes, net of federal benefit (1)			12.2		-20.8				5.2		2			3.7	1.8
	Effect of noncontrolling interests			-5.8		9.8				-2.2		-0.9			-6.3	-3.1
	Gains (losses) on investments and sale of assets (2)			-		-				20.5		8			-	-
	Correction of deferred taxes (3)			-		-				-		-			-5.3	-2.6
	Other differences, net			2.3		-3.9				-0.6		-0.2			0.1	0.1
	Total income tax expense and rate		$	-11.8		20.1	%		$	113.1		43.9	%	$	64	31.2	%
	-1	State income taxes, net of federal benefit, include changes in unrecognized tax benefits as well as adjustments to the valuation allowance. During the third quarter of 2014 U.S. Cellular recorded a $6.4 million increase to income tax expense related to a valuation allowance recorded against certain state deferred tax assets. In each interim period, U.S. Cellular evaluates the available positive and negative evidence to assess whether deferred tax assets are realizable, on a more likely than not basis. During the year ended December 31, 2014, based on revised forecasts of future state income, U.S. Cellular concluded that the negative evidence related to the realization of certain state deferred tax assets outweighed the positive evidence. Accordingly, U.S. Cellular determined that such deferred tax assets related to certain states were not realizable, on a more likely than not basis.
	-2	Gains (losses) on investments and sale of assets represents 2013 tax expense related to the NY1 & NY2 Deconsolidation and the Divestiture Transaction.
	-3	Correction of deferred taxes reflects immaterial adjustments to correct deferred tax balances in 2012 related to tax basis and law changes that related to periods prior to 2012.
	Significant components of U.S. Cellular’s deferred income tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:
	December 31,			2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Deferred tax assets
		Current deferred tax assets		$	96,886		$	102,088
		Net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards			72,878			61,294
		Stock-based compensation			21,072			19,028
		Compensation and benefits - other			2,586			3,746
		Deferred rent			18,513			19,462
		Other			26,116			24,604
		Total deferred tax assets			238,051			230,222
		Less valuation allowance			-53,119			-43,375
		Net deferred tax assets			184,932			186,847
	Deferred tax liabilities
		Property, plant and equipment			520,723			503,491
		Licenses/intangibles			275,456			282,764
		Partnership investments			149,371			133,931
		Other			4,135			3,853
		Total deferred tax liabilities			949,685			924,039
	Net deferred income tax liability			$	764,753		$	737,192
	At December 31, 2014, U.S. Cellular and certain subsidiaries had $1,439.4 million of state NOL carryforwards (generating a $59.4 million deferred tax asset) available to offset future taxable income. The state NOL carryforwards expire between 2015 and 2034. Certain subsidiaries had federal NOL carryforwards (generating a $13.5 million deferred tax asset) available to offset their future taxable income. The federal NOL carryforwards expire between 2018 and 2034. A valuation allowance was established for certain state NOL carryforwards and federal NOL carryforwards since it is more likely than not that a portion of such carryforwards will expire before they can be utilized.
	A summary of U.S. Cellular’s deferred tax asset valuation allowance is as follows:
				2014			2013			2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Balance at January 1,			$	43,375		$	41,295		$	30,261
		Charged to income tax expense			9,744			-1,527			3,033
		Charged to other accounts			-			3,607			8,001
	Balance at December 31,			$	53,119		$	43,375		$	41,295
	As of December 31, 2014, the valuation allowance reduced current deferred tax assets by $3.8 million and noncurrent deferred tax assets by $49.2 million.
	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
				2014			2013			2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Unrecognized tax benefits balance at January 1,			$	28,813		$	26,460		$	28,745
	Additions for tax positions of current year			7,766			5,925			6,656
	Additions for tax positions of prior years			154			1,501			854
	Reductions for tax positions of prior years			-554			-45			-115
	Reductions for settlements of tax positions			-			-576			-
	Reductions for lapses in statutes of limitations			-104			-4,452			-9,680
Unrecognized tax benefits balance at December 31,			$	36,075		$	28,813		$	26,460
Unrecognized tax benefits are included in Accrued taxes and Other deferred liabilities and credits in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. If these benefits were recognized, they would have reduced income tax expense in 2014, 2013 and 2012 by $23.4 million, $18.7 million and $17.2 million, respectively, net of the federal benefit from state income taxes. As of December 31, 2014, it is reasonably possible that unrecognized tax benefits could decrease by approximately $10 million in the next twelve months. The nature of the uncertainty relates primarily to state income tax positions and their resolution or the expiration of statutes of limitation.
U.S. Cellular recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in Income tax expense. The amounts charged to income tax expense related to interest and penalties resulted in an expense of $3.5 million and $0.6 million in 2014 and 2013, respectively, and a benefit of $2.2 million in 2012. Net accrued interest and penalties were $16.2 million and $12.3 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
U.S. Cellular is included in TDS' consolidated federal income tax return. U.S. Cellular also files various state and local income tax returns. The TDS consolidated group remains subject to federal income tax audits for the tax years after 2011. With only a few exceptions, TDS is no longer subject to state income tax audits for years prior to 2010.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure Text Block
Earnings per Share	NOTE 5 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:
	Year ended December 31,		2014			2013		2012
	(Dollars and shares in thousands, except earnings per share)
	Net income (loss) attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders		$	-42,812		$	140,038	$	111,006
	Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings (loss) per share			84,213			83,968		84,645
	Effect of dilutive securities:
		Stock options (1)		-			211		184
		Restricted stock units (1)		-			551		401
	Weighted average number of shares used in diluted earnings (loss) per share			84,213			84,730		85,230
	Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders		$	-0.51		$	1.67	$	1.31
	Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders		$	-0.51		$	1.65	$	1.3
	(1) There were no effects of dilutive securities for the year ended December 31, 2014 due to the net loss for the year.
	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 (loss) 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.
	Year Ended December 31,		2014		2013		2012
	(Shares in thousands)
	Stock options		3,279		2,010		2,123
	Restricted stock units		1,186		190		369
	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 as of June 11, 2013. 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 (loss) per share calculation was fully reflected for all years presented.

Acquisitions_Divestitures_and_

Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure Text Block
Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges	NOTE 6 ACQUISITIONS, DIVESTITURES AND EXCHANGES
	Divestiture Transaction
	On November 6, 2012, U.S. Cellular entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement with subsidiaries of Sprint Corp., fka 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.”
	These other agreements included customer and network transition services agreements, which required 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 reimbursed U.S. Cellular for providing such services at an amount equal to U.S. Cellular's estimated costs, including applicable overhead allocations. These services were substantially complete as of March 31, 2014. 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 $175 million of the Sprint Cost Reimbursement will be recorded in (Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net and up to $25 million of the Sprint Cost Reimbursement will be recorded in System operations in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. In 2014 and 2013, $71.1 million and $10.6 million, respectively, 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. 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 December 31, 2014		Actual Amount Recognized Year Ended December 31, 2014		Actual Amount Recognized Year Ended December 31, 2013		Actual Amount Recognized Year Ended December 31, 2012
	(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		2013-2015		-120,000		-175,000		-111,970		-64,329		-47,641		-
		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			2012-2015		20,000		22,000		20,410		9,735		3		10,672
		Employee related costs including severance, retention and outplacement			2012-2015		13,000		16,000		14,147		-115		1,653		12,609
		Contract termination costs			2012-2015		70,000		100,000		84,320		24,736		59,525		59
		Transaction costs			2012-2015		5,000		7,000		6,284		719		4,428		1,137
			Total (Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net			$	-278,407	$	-296,407	$	-253,216	$	-29,254	$	-248,439	$	24,477
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense
		Incremental depreciation, amortization and accretion, net of salvage values			2012-2014		215,049		215,049		215,049		16,478		178,513		20,058
	(Increase) decrease in Operating income					$	-63,358	$	-81,358	$	-38,167	$	-12,776	$	-69,926	$	44,535
	Incremental depreciation, amortization and accretion, net of salvage values represents amounts 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 periods indicated, this is estimated depreciation, amortization and accretion recorded on assets and liabilities of the Divestiture Markets after the execution of the Purchase and Sale Agreement on November 6, 2012 less depreciation, amortization and accretion that would have been recorded on such assets and liabilities in the normal course, absent the Divestiture Transaction.
	In 2014, U.S. Cellular recorded $3.4 million of additional Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense for the Divestiture Markets due to higher asset retirement obligation remediation estimates.
	As a result of the transaction, U.S. Cellular recognized the following amounts in the Consolidated Balance Sheet:
						Year Ended December 31, 2014
	(Dollars in thousands)			Balance December 31, 2013		Costs Incurred		Cash Settlements (1)		Adjustments (2)		Balance December 31, 2014
	Accrued compensation
			Employee related costs including severance, retention, outplacement	$	2,053	$	127	$	-1,223	$	-242	$	715
	Accounts payable - trade
			Contract termination costs	$	-	$	4,018	$	-	$	-1,190	$	2,828
	Other current liabilities
			Contract termination costs	$	13,992	$	12,703	$	-22,210	$	3,747	$	8,232
	Other deferred liabilities and credits
			Contract termination costs	$	30,849	$	24,171	$	-3,569	$	-30,411	$	21,040
						Year Ended December 31, 2013
	(Dollars in thousands)			Balance December 31, 2012		Costs Incurred		Cash Settlements (1)		Adjustments (2)		Balance December 31, 2013
	Accrued compensation
			Employee related costs including severance, retention, outplacement	$	12,305	$	6,853	$	-11,905	$	-5,200	$	2,053
	Other current liabilities
			Contract termination costs	$	30	$	22,675	$	-8,713	$	-	$	13,992
	Other deferred liabilities and credits
			Contract termination costs	$	-	$	34,283	$	-3,434	$	-	$	30,849
	-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 in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.
	-2		Adjustment to liability represents changes to previously accrued amounts.
	Other Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges
	In December 2014, U.S. Cellular entered into an agreement with a third party to sell 595 towers and certain related contracts, assets, and liabilities for approximately $159 million. This transaction was accomplished in two closings. The first closing occurred in December 2014 and included the sale of 236 towers, without tenants, for $10.0 million. On this same date, U.S. Cellular received $7.5 million in earnest money. At the time of the first closing, a $3.8 million gain was recorded in (Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net. The second closing for the remaining 359 towers, primarily with tenants, took place in January 2015, at which time U.S. Cellular received $141.5 million in additional cash proceeds and recorded a gain of approximately $107 million. The assets and liabilities subject to the second closing have been classified as “held for sale” in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2014.
	In September 2014, U.S. Cellular entered into an agreement with a third party to exchange certain PCS and AWS licenses for certain other PCS and AWS licenses and $28.0 million of cash. This license exchange will be accomplished in two closing transactions. The first closing occurred in December 2014 at which time U.S. Cellular received licenses with an estimated fair value, per a market approach, of $51.5 million, recorded a $21.7 million gain in (Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges in the Consolidated Statement of Operations and recorded an $18.3 million deferred credit in Other current liabilities. The second closing is expected to occur in 2015. The license that will be transferred has been classified as “Assets held for sale” in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2014. At the time of the second closing, U.S. Cellular will recognize the deferred credit from the first closing and expects to record a gain on the license exchange.
	In September 2014, U.S. Cellular entered into an agreement with a third party to exchange certain of its PCS unbuilt licenses for PCS licenses located in U.S. Cellular's operating markets plus $117.0 million of cash. This transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to close in 2015. The book value of the licenses to be exchanged have been classified as “Assets held for sale” in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2014. U.S. Cellular expects to record a gain when this transaction closes.
	In May 2014, U.S. Cellular entered into a License Purchase and Customer Recommendation Agreement with Airadigm Communications, Inc. (“Airadigm”). TDS owns 100% of the common stock of Airadigm. Pursuant to the License Purchase and Customer Recommendation Agreement, on September 10, 2014, Airadigm transferred to U.S. Cellular Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) spectrum licenses and certain tower assets in certain markets in Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota and Michigan, in consideration for $91.5 million in cash. Since both parties to this transaction are controlled by TDS, upon closing, U.S. Cellular recorded the transferred assets at Airadigm's net book value of $15.2 million. The difference between the consideration paid and the net book value of the transferred assets was recorded as a reduction of U.S. Cellular's Retained earnings. In addition, a deferred tax asset was recorded for the difference between the consideration paid and the net book value of the transferred assets, which increased U.S. Cellular's Additional paid-in capital.
	In March 2014, U.S. Cellular sold the majority of its St. Louis area non-operating market spectrum license for $92.3 million. A gain of $75.8 million was recorded in (Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges in the Consolidated Statement of Operations in the first quarter of 2014.
	In February 2014, U.S. Cellular completed an exchange whereby U.S. Cellular received one E block PCS spectrum license covering Milwaukee, WI in exchange for one D block PCS spectrum license covering Milwaukee, WI. The exchange of licenses provided U.S. Cellular with spectrum to meet anticipated future capacity and coverage requirements. No cash, customers, network assets, other assets or liabilities were included in the exchange. As a result of this transaction, U.S. Cellular recognized a gain of $15.7 million, representing the difference between the $15.9 million fair value of the license surrendered, calculated using a market approach valuation method, and the $0.2 million carrying value of the license surrendered. This gain was recorded in (Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges in the Consolidated Statement of Operations in the first quarter of 2014.
	In October 2013, U.S. Cellular sold the majority of its Mississippi Valley non-operating market license (“unbuilt license”) for $308.0 million. At the time of the sale, a $250.6 million gain was recorded in (Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.
	In November 2012, U.S. Cellular acquired seven 700 MHz licenses covering portions of Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin for $57.7 million.
	In August 2012, U.S. Cellular acquired four 700 MHz licenses covering portions of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma for $34.0 million.
	In March 2012, U.S. Cellular sold the majority of the assets and liabilities of a wireless market for $49.8 million in cash. At the time of the sale, a $4.2 million gain was recorded in (Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.
	At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the following assets were classified in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as "Assets held for sale" and "Liabilities held for sale":
				Current Assets		Other Assets and Deferred Charges		Licenses		Goodwill		Property, Plant and Equipment		Total Assets Held for Sale
	(Dollars in thousands)
	2014
	Divestiture of Spectrum Licenses			$	-	$	-	$	56,809	$	-	$	-	$	56,809
	Sale of Business - Towers				1,466		773		-		16,281		31,726		50,246
		Total		$	1,466	$	773	$	56,809	$	16,281	$	31,726	$	107,055
	2013
	Divestiture of Spectrum Licenses			$	-	$	-	$	16,027	$	-	$	-	$	16,027
				Customer Deposits and Deferred Revenues		Other Current Liabilities		Other Deferred Liabilities and Credits		Total Liabilities Held for Sale
	(Dollars in thousands)
2014
Sale of Business - Towers			$	2,704	$	896	$	17,334	$	20,934

Intangible_Assets

Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure Text Block
Intangible Assets	NOTE 7 INTANGIBLE ASSETS
	Changes in U.S. Cellular's Licenses and Goodwill are presented below. See Note 6 — Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges for information regarding transactions which affected Licenses during the periods.
	Licenses
	Year Ended December 31,		2014		2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Balance, beginning of year		$	1,401,126	$	1,456,794
	Acquisitions			41,707		16,540
	Divestitures			-		-59,419
	Transferred to Assets held for sale			-56,809		-16,027
	Exchanges, net			55,780		-
	Other			1,634		3,238
	Balance, end of year		$	1,443,438	$	1,401,126
	Goodwill
	Year Ended December 31,		2014		2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Balance, beginning of year		$	387,524	$	421,743
		Divestitures		-1,092		-505
		Transferred to Assets held for sale		-16,281		-
		NY1 & NY2 Deconsolidation		-		-33,714
	Balance, end of year		$	370,151	$	387,524

Investments_in_Unconsolidated_

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure Text Block
Investments in Unconsolidated Entities	NOTE 8 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 as shown in the following table:
	December 31,		2014		2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Equity method investments:
		Capital contributions, loans, advances and adjustments	$	116,881	$	121,571
		Cumulative share of income		1,287,371		1,152,916
		Cumulative share of distributions		-1,122,849		-1,010,513
				281,403		263,974
	Cost method investments			1,611		1,611
	Total investments in unconsolidated entities		$	283,014	$	265,585
	Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities totaled $129.8 million, $131.9 million and $90.4 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively; of those amounts, U.S. Cellular's investment in the Los Angeles SMSA Limited Partnership (“LA Partnership”) contributed $71.8 million, $78.4 million and $67.2 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. U.S. Cellular held a 5.5% ownership interest in the LA Partnership throughout and at the end of each of these years.
	The following tables, which are based on information provided in part by third parties, summarize the combined assets, liabilities and equity, and the combined results of operations of U.S. Cellular's equity method investments:
	December 31,		2014		2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Assets
		Current	$	691,519	$	489,659
		Due from affiliates		303,322		408,735
		Property and other		2,295,936		2,026,104
			$	3,290,777	$	2,924,498
	Liabilities and Equity
		Current liabilities	$	403,005	$	351,624
		Deferred credits		170,887		84,834
		Long-term liabilities		18,101		19,712
		Long-term capital lease obligations		1,722		707
		Partners' capital and shareholders' equity		2,697,062		2,467,621
			$	3,290,777	$	2,924,498
	Year Ended December 31,		2014		2013		2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Results of Operations
		Revenues	$	6,668,615	$	6,218,067	$	5,804,466
		Operating expenses		5,035,544		4,473,722		4,363,399
		Operating income		1,633,071		1,744,345		1,441,067
		Other income, net		1,160		4,842		4,003
		Net income	$	1,634,231	$	1,749,187	$	1,445,070
	NY1 & NY2 Deconsolidation
	U.S. Cellular holds a 60.00% interest in St. Lawrence Seaway RSA Cellular Partnership (“NY1”) and a 57.14% interest in New York RSA 2 Cellular Partnership (“NY2”)  (together with NY1, the “Partnerships”). The remaining interests in the Partnerships are held by Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless (“Verizon Wireless”). 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 with Verizon Wireless 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 (“NY1 & NY2 Deconsolidation”).  After the NY1 & NY2 Deconsolidation, U.S. Cellular retained the same ownership percentages in the Partnerships and continues to report the same percentages of income from the Partnerships. Effective April 3, 2013, U.S. Cellular's income from the Partnerships is reported in Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.
	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 (loss) on investments in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.
	The Partnerships were valued using a discounted cash flow approach and a guideline public company method. The discounted cash flow approach uses value drivers and risks specific to the industry and current economic factors and incorporates 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 guideline public company method develops an indication of fair value by calculating average market pricing multiples for selected publicly-traded companies. The developed multiples were applied to applicable financial measures of the Partnerships to determine fair value. The discounted cash flow approach and guideline public company method were weighted to arrive at the total fair value of the Partnerships.

Property_Plant_and_Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure Text Block
Property, Plant and Equipment	NOTE 9 PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
	Property, plant and equipment in service and under construction, and related accumulated depreciation and amortization, as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:
	December 31,	Useful Lives (Years)	2014		2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Land	N/A	$	35,031	$	36,266
	Buildings	20		296,502		304,272
	Leasehold and land improvements	30-Jan		1,086,718		1,197,520
	Cell site equipment	25-Jul		3,269,609		3,306,575
	Switching equipment	8-May		960,377		1,161,976
	Office furniture and equipment	5-Mar		553,630		539,248
	Other operating assets and equipment	5-Mar		89,663		92,456
	System development	7-Jan		1,042,195		962,698
	Work in process	N/A		125,015		116,501
				7,458,740		7,717,512
	Accumulated depreciation and amortization			-4,730,523		-4,860,992
			$	2,728,217	$	2,856,520
	Depreciation and amortization expense totaled $593.2 million, $791.1 million and $597.7 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. As a result of the Divestiture Transaction, U.S. Cellular recognized incremental depreciation and amortization in 2014, 2013 and 2012. See Note 6 — Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges for additional information.
	In 2014, 2013 and 2012, (Gain) loss on asset disposals, net included charges of $21.5 million, $30.6 million and $18.1 million, respectively, related to disposals of assets, trade-ins of older assets for replacement assets and other retirements of assets from service in the normal course of business.

Asset_Retirement_Obligation

Asset Retirement Obligation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure Text Block
Asset Retirement Obligation	NOTE 10 ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS
	U.S. Cellular is subject to asset retirement obligations associated with its leased cell sites, switching office sites, retail store sites and office locations in its operating markets. Asset retirement obligations generally include obligations to restore leased land and retail store and office premises to their pre-lease conditions. These obligations are included in Other deferred liabilities and credits and Other current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
	In 2014 and 2013, U.S. Cellular performed a review of the assumptions and estimated costs related to its asset retirement obligations. The results of the reviews (identified as “Revisions in estimated cash outflows”) and other changes in asset retirement obligations during 2014 and 2013 were as follows:
	(Dollars in thousands)		2014		2013
	Balance, beginning of period		$	195,568	$	179,607
		Additional liabilities accrued		2,507		635
		Revisions in estimated cash outflows		-2,792		6,268
		Disposition of assets		-44,403		-3,534
		Accretion expense		12,534		12,592
		Transferred to Liabilities held for sale		-10,902		-
	Balance, end of period (1)		$	152,512	$	195,568
	-1	The total amount of asset retirement obligations related to the Divestiture Transaction included in Other current liabilities was $5.9 million and $37.7 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Debt

Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure Text Block
Debt	NOTE 11 DEBT
	Revolving Credit Facility
	At December 31, 2014, U.S. Cellular had a revolving credit facility available for general corporate purposes. Amounts under the revolving credit facility may be borrowed, repaid and reborrowed from time to time until maturity. U.S. Cellular borrowed and repaid amounts under its revolving credit facility in 2014. U.S. Cellular did not borrow under its revolving credit facility in 2013 or 2012 except for standby letters of credit.
	In certain circumstances, U.S. Cellular's interest cost on its revolving credit facility may be subject to increase if its current credit rating from nationally recognized credit rating agencies is lowered, and may be subject to decrease if the rating is raised.
	In 2014, certain nationally recognized credit rating agencies downgraded the U.S. Cellular corporate and senior debt credit ratings. After these downgrades, U.S. Cellular is rated at sub-investment grade. As a result of these downgrades, the commitment fee on the revolving credit facility increased to 0.30% per annum. The downgrades also increased the interest rate on any borrowings by 0.25% per annum. The revolving credit facility does not cease to be available nor does the maturity date accelerate solely as a result of a downgrade in U.S. Cellular's credit rating. However, downgrades in U.S. Cellular's credit rating could adversely affect its ability to renew the revolving credit facility or obtain access to other credit facilities in the future.
	The maturity date of any borrowings under the U.S. Cellular revolving credit facility would accelerate in the event of a change in control.
	The following table summarizes the terms of the revolving credit facility as of December 31, 2014:
	(Dollars in millions)
	Maximum borrowing capacity			$	300
	Letters of credit outstanding			$	17.5
	Amount borrowed			$	-
	Amount available for use			$	282.5
	Borrowing rate: One-month London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") plus contractual spread (1)				1.92	%
		Sample LIBOR Rate			0.17	%
		Contractual spread			1.75	%
	Range of commitment fees on amount available for use (2)
		Low			0.13	%
		High			0.3	%
	Agreement date				Dec-10
	Maturity date				Dec-17
	Fees incurred attributable to the Revolving Credit Facility are as follows:
		Fees incurred as a percent of Maximum borrowing capacity for 2014			0.42	%
		Fees incurred, amount
			2014	$	1.3
			2013	$	0.8
			2012	$	1.1
	-1	Borrowings under the revolving credit facility bear interest at LIBOR plus a contractual spread based on U.S. Cellular’s credit rating or, at U.S. Cellular’s option, an alternate “Base Rate” as defined in the revolving credit agreement. U.S. Cellular may select a borrowing period of either one, two, three or six months (or other period of twelve months or less if requested by U.S. Cellular and approved by the lenders). If U.S. Cellular provides notice of intent to borrow the same business day, interest on borrowing is at the Base Rate plus the contractual spread.
	-2	The revolving credit facility has commitment fees based on the unsecured senior debt ratings assigned to U.S. Cellular by certain ratings agencies.
	The continued availability of the revolving credit facility requires U.S. Cellular to comply with certain negative and affirmative covenants, maintain certain financial ratios and make representations regarding certain matters at the time of each borrowing. U.S. Cellular believes it was in compliance as of December 31, 2014 with all covenants and other requirements set forth in the revolving credit facility.
	In connection with U.S. Cellular's revolving credit facility, TDS and U.S. Cellular entered into a subordination agreement dated December 17, 2010 together with the administrative agent for the lenders under U.S. Cellular's revolving credit agreement. Pursuant to this subordination agreement, (a) any consolidated funded indebtedness from U.S. Cellular to TDS will be unsecured and (b) any (i) consolidated funded indebtedness from U.S. Cellular to TDS (other than “refinancing indebtedness” as defined in the subordination agreement) in excess of $105,000,000, and (ii) refinancing indebtedness in excess of $250,000,000, will be subordinated and made junior in right of payment to the prior payment in full of obligations to the lenders under U.S. Cellular's revolving credit agreement. As of December 31, 2014, U.S. Cellular had no outstanding consolidated funded indebtedness or refinancing indebtedness that was subordinated to the revolving credit agreement pursuant to the subordination agreement.
	In July 2014, U.S. Cellular entered into an amendment to the revolving credit facility agreement which increased the Consolidated Leverage Ratio (the ratio of Consolidated Funded Indebtedness to Consolidated Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) that U.S. Cellular is required to maintain. Beginning July 1, 2014, U.S. Cellular is required to maintain the Consolidated Leverage Ratio at a level not to exceed 3.75 to 1.00 for the period of the four fiscal quarters most recently ended (this was 3.00 to 1.00 prior to July 1, 2014). The terms of the amendment decrease the maximum permitted Consolidated Leverage Ratio beginning January 1, 2016, with further decreases effective July 1, 2016 and January 1, 2017 (and will return to 3.00 to 1.00 at that time). For the twelve months ended December 31, 2014, the actual Consolidated Leverage Ratio was 2.35 to 1.00. Future changes in U.S. Cellular's financial condition could negatively impact its ability to meet the financial covenants and requirements in its revolving credit facility agreement.
	Long-Term Financing
	Long-term debt as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 was as follows:
										December 31,
	(Dollars in thousands)					Issuance date	Maturity date	Call date	2014		2013
			Unsecured Senior Notes
				6.70%		December 2003 and June 2004	Dec-33	Dec-03	$	544,000	$	544,000
				Less: 6.7% Unamortized discount						-11,278		-11,551
										532,722		532,449
				6.95%		May-11	May-60	May-16		342,000		342,000
				7.25%		Dec-14	Dec-63	Dec-19		275,000		-
			Obligation on capital leases							2,143		3,749
	Total long-term debt								$	1,151,865	$	878,198
			Long-term debt, current						$	46	$	166
			Long-term debt, noncurrent						$	1,151,819	$	878,032
	U.S. Cellular may redeem the 6.7% Senior Notes, in whole or in part, at any time prior to maturity at a redemption price equal to the greater of (a) 100% of the principal amount of such notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, or (b) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis at the Treasury Rate plus 30 basis points. U.S. Cellular may redeem the 6.95% Senior Notes and 7.25% Senior Notes, in whole or in part at any time after the call date, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest.
	Interest on the 6.7% Senior Notes is payable semi-annually, and is payable quarterly on the 6.95% and 7.25% Senior Notes.
	Capitalized debt issuance costs for Unsecured Senior Notes totaled $25.9 million and are included in Other assets and deferred charges (a long-term asset account). These costs are amortized over the life of the notes using the effective interest method.
	U.S. Cellular does not have any annual requirements for principal payments on long-term debt over the next five years (excluding capital lease obligations).
	The covenants associated with U.S. Cellular's long-term debt obligations, among other things, restrict U.S. Cellular's ability, subject to certain exclusions, to incur additional liens, enter into sale and leaseback transactions, and sell, consolidate or merge assets.
	U.S. Cellular's long-term debt indentures do not contain any provisions resulting in acceleration of the maturities of outstanding debt in the event of a change in U.S. Cellular's credit rating. However, a downgrade in U.S. Cellular's credit rating could adversely affect its ability to obtain long-term debt financing in the future.
	Term Loan Facility
	On January 21, 2015, U.S. Cellular entered into a term loan credit facility relating to $225.0 million in debt. The term loan must be drawn in one or more advances by the six month anniversary of the date of the agreement; amounts not drawn by that time will cease to be available. Amounts repaid or prepaid under the term loan facility may not be reborrowed. The term loan is available for general corporate purposes, including working capital, spectrum purchases and capital expenditures. The term loan is unsecured except for a lien on all investments in equity which U.S. Cellular may have in the loan administrative agent, CoBank ACB, subject to certain limitations.
	In certain circumstances, U.S. Cellular's interest cost on its term loan may be subject to increase if its current credit ratings from nationally recognized credit rating agencies are lowered, and may be subject to decrease if the ratings are raised. The term loan facility does not cease to be available nor does the maturity date accelerate solely as a result of a downgrade in U.S. Cellular's credit rating. However, downgrades in U.S. Cellular's credit rating could adversely affect its ability to renew or obtain access to credit facilities in the future.
	The maturity date of term loan would accelerate in the event of a change in control.
	The following table summarizes the terms of the term loan facility as of February 25, 2015:
	(Dollars in millions)
	Maximum borrowing capacity			$	225
	Amount borrowed			$	-
	Amount available for use			$	225
	Hypothetical Borrowing rate: One-month London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") plus contractual spread (1)				2.67	%
		Sample LIBOR Rate			0.17	%
		Contractual spread			2.5	%
	Range of commitment fees on amount available for use (2)
	Low			0.13	%
	High			0.3	%
Agreement date				21-Jan-15
Maturity date (3)				21-Jan-22
-1	Borrowings under the term loan credit facility bear interest at LIBOR plus a contractual spread based on U.S. Cellular’s credit rating or, at U.S. Cellular’s option, an alternate “Base Rate” as defined in the term loan facility.
-2	The term loan credit facility has commitment fees based on the unsecured senior debt ratings assigned to U.S. Cellular by certain ratings agencies.
-3	Principal amounts outstanding on the term loan facility will be due and payable quarterly in equal installments beginning on the last day of the fifth fiscal quarter ending after the agreement date, in an amount equal to 1.25% of the aggregate term loan facility commitment. Any amounts owing under the term loan facility not previously repaid will be due and payable on the maturity date.
The continued availability of the term loan facility requires U.S. Cellular to comply with certain negative and affirmative covenants, maintain certain financial ratios and make representations regarding certain matters at the time of each borrowing, that are substantially the same as those in the U.S. Cellular revolving credit facility described above.
In connection with U.S. Cellular's term credit facility, TDS and U.S. Cellular entered into a subordination agreement dated January 21, 2015 together with the administrative agent for the lenders under U.S. Cellular's term loan credit agreement, which is substantially the same as the subordination agreement in the U.S. Cellular revolving credit facility described above. As of February 25, 2015, U.S. Cellular had no outstanding consolidated funded indebtedness or refinancing indebtedness that was subordinated to the term loan facility pursuant to this subordination agreement.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure Text Block
Commitments and Contingencies	NOTE 12 COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	Agreements
	On November 25, 2014, U.S. Cellular executed a Master Statement of Work and certain other documents with Amdocs Software Systems Limited (“Amdocs”), effective October 1, 2014, that inter-relate with but rearrange the structure under previous Amdocs Agreements. The agreement provides that U.S. Cellular will now outsource to Amdocs certain support functions for its Billing and Operational Support System (“B/OSS”). Such functions include application support, billing operations and some infrastructure services. The agreement has a term through September 30, 2019, subject to five one-year renewal periods at U.S. Cellular's option. The total estimated amount to be paid to Amdocs with respect to the agreement during the initial five-year term is approximately $110 million (exclusive of travel and expenses and subject to certain potential adjustments).
	During 2013, U.S. Cellular entered into agreements with Apple to purchase certain minimum quantities of Apple iPhone products and fund marketing programs related to the Apple iPhone and iPad products over a three-year period beginning in November 2013. Based on current forecasts, U.S. Cellular estimates that the remaining contractual commitment as of December 31, 2014 under these agreements is approximately $818 million. At this time, U.S. Cellular expects to meet its contractual commitments with Apple.
	Lease Commitments
	U.S. Cellular is a party to various lease agreements, both as lessee and lessor, for office space, retail store sites, cell sites and equipment which are accounted for as operating leases. Certain leases have renewal options and/or fixed rental increases. Renewal options that are reasonably assured of exercise are included in determining the lease term. Any rent abatements or lease incentives, in addition to fixed rental increases, are included in the calculation of rent expense and calculated on a straight-line basis over the defined lease term.
	As of December 31, 2014, future minimum rental payments required under operating leases and rental receipts expected under operating leases that have noncancellable lease terms in excess of one year were as follows:
		Operating Leases Future Minimum Rental Payments*		Operating Leases Future Minimum Rental Receipts
	(Dollars in thousands)
	2015	$	139,286	$	54,715
	2016		125,458		44,110
	2017		107,987		34,780
	2018		90,687		24,174
	2019		74,640		12,082
	Thereafter		740,501		8,567
	Total	$	1,278,559	$	178,428
	*Includes $88.4 million of future lease payments associated with leases transferred in January 2015 per the second closing of the tower sale. See Note 6 — Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges for additional information.
	Rent expense totaled $152.4 million, $162.1 million and $183.9 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	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 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 $0.4 million and $0.3 million with respect to legal proceedings and unasserted claims as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. U.S. Cellular has not accrued any amount for legal proceedings if it cannot 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.

Variable_Interest_Entities

Variable Interest Entities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure Text Block
Variable Interest Entities	NOTE 13 VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES (VIEs)
	U.S. Cellular consolidates variable interest entities in which it has a controlling financial interest and is the primary beneficiary. A controlling financial interest will have both of the following characteristics: (a) the power to direct the VIE activities that most significantly impact economic performance and (b) the obligation to absorb the VIE losses and right to receive benefits that are significant to the VIE. U.S. Cellular reviews these criteria initially at the time it enters into agreements and subsequently when reconsideration events occur.
	Consolidated VIEs
	As of December 31, 2014, U.S. Cellular holds a variable interest in and consolidates the following VIEs under GAAP:
	Advantage Spectrum L.P. (“Advantage Spectrum”) and Frequency Advantage L.P., the general partner of Advantage Spectrum;
	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 Advantage Spectrum, 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.
	December 31,		2014		2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Assets
		Cash and cash equivalents	$	2,588	$	2,076
		Other current assets		278		1,184
		Licenses		312,977		310,475
		Property, plant and equipment, net		10,671		18,600
		Other assets and deferred charges		60,059		511
		Total assets	$	386,573	$	332,846
	Liabilities
		Current liabilities	$	110	$	46
		Deferred liabilities and credits		622		3,139
		Total liabilities	$	732	$	3,185
	Other Related Matters
	An FCC auction of AWS-3 spectrum licenses, referred to as Auction 97, began in November 2014 and ended in January 2015. U.S. Cellular participated in Auction 97 indirectly through its interest in Advantage Spectrum. A subsidiary of U.S. Cellular is a limited partner in Advantage Spectrum. Advantage Spectrum qualified as a “designated entity,” and thereby was eligible for bid credits with respect to spectrum purchased in Auction 97. To participate in this auction, a $60.0 million deposit was made to the FCC in 2014. Such amount is reflected in Other Assets and Deferred Charges in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Advantage Spectrum was the provisional winning bidder for 124 licenses for an aggregate bid of $338.3 million, net of its anticipated designated entity discount of 25%. Advantage Spectrum's bid amount, less the initial deposit of $60.0 million, plus certain other charges totaling $2.3 million, are required to be paid to the FCC by March 2, 2015.
	Advantage Spectrum, 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 those described in the “Risk Factors” in U.S. Cellular's Annual Report on Form 10-K.
	U.S. Cellular's capital contributions and advances made to its VIEs totaled $60.9 million in the year ended December 31, 2014. In 2013, there were no capital contributions or advances made to VIEs or their general partners that were not VIEs.
	U.S. Cellular may agree to make additional capital contributions and/or advances to Advantage Spectrum, Aquinas Wireless or 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.
	The limited partnership agreements of Advantage Spectrum, Aquinas Wireless and King Street Wireless also provide the general partner with a put option whereby the general partner may require the limited partner, a subsidiary of U.S. Cellular, to purchase its interest in the limited partnership.  The general partner's put options related to its interests in King Street Wireless and Aquinas Wireless will become exercisable in 2019 and 2020, respectively. The general partner's put options related to its interest in Advantage Spectrum will become exercisable on the fifth and sixth anniversaries of the issuance of any license.  The put option price is determined pursuant to a formula that takes into consideration fixed interest rates and the market value of U.S. Cellular's Common Shares.  Upon exercise of the put option, the general partner is required to repay borrowings due to U.S. Cellular.  If the general partner does not elect to exercise its put option, the general partner may trigger an appraisal process in which the limited partner (a subsidiary of U.S. Cellular) may have the right, but not the obligation, to purchase the general partner's interest in the limited partnership at a price and on other terms and conditions specified in the limited partnership agreement.  In accordance with requirements under GAAP, U.S. Cellular is required to calculate a theoretical redemption value for all of the put options assuming they are exercisable at the end of each reporting period, even though such exercise is not contractually permitted.  Pursuant to GAAP, this theoretical redemption value, net of amounts payable to U.S. Cellular for loans and accrued interest thereon made by U.S. Cellular to the general partners the (“net put value”), was $1.2 million and $0.5 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The net put value is recorded as Noncontrolling interests with redemption features in U.S. Cellular's Consolidated Balance Sheet.  Also in accordance with GAAP, changes in the redemption value of the put options, net of interest accrued on the loans, are recorded as a component of Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax, in U.S. Cellular's Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Noncontrolling_Interests

Noncontrolling Interests	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure Text Block
Noncontrolling Interests	NOTE 14 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, where the terms of the underlying partnership 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.  The termination dates of these mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests range from 2085 to 2113.
	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 on December 31, 2014, net of estimated liquidation costs, is $9.9 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 prior to their scheduled termination dates.  The corresponding carrying value of the mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests in finite-lived consolidated partnerships at December 31, 2014 was $7.8 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.  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.

Common_Shareholders_Equity

Common Shareholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure Text Block
Common Shareholder's Equity	NOTE 15 COMMON SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
	Tax-Deferred Savings Plan
	U.S. Cellular has reserved 67,215 Common Shares for issuance under the TDS Tax-Deferred Savings Plan, a qualified profit-sharing plan pursuant to Sections 401(a) and 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Participating employees have the option of investing their contributions in a U.S. Cellular Common Share fund, a TDS Common Share fund or certain unaffiliated funds.
	Series A Common Shares
	Series A Common Shares are convertible on a share-for-share basis into Common Shares. In matters other than the election of directors, each Series A Common Share is entitled to ten votes per share, compared to one vote for each Common Share. The Series A Common Shares are entitled to elect 75% of the directors (rounded down), and the Common Shares elect 25% of the directors (rounded up). As of December 31, 2014, a majority of U.S. Cellular's outstanding Common Shares and all of U.S. Cellular's outstanding Series A Common Shares were held by TDS.
	Common Share Repurchase Program
	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:
	Year Ended December 31,
	(Shares and dollar amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)		Number of Shares	Average Cost Per Share			Total Cost
	2014
		U.S. Cellular Common Shares	496	$	38.19		$	18,943
	2013
		U.S. Cellular Common Shares	499	$	37.19		$	18,544
	2012
		U.S. Cellular Common Shares	571	$	35.11		$	20,045
	Pursuant to certain employee and non-employee benefit plans, U.S. Cellular reissued the following Treasury Shares:
	Year Ended December 31,		2014	2013		2012
	(Shares in thousands)
	Treasury Shares Reissued		371	536		182

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure Text Block
Stock-Based Compensation	NOTE 16 STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
	U.S. Cellular has established the following stock-based compensation plans: Long-Term Incentive Plans and a Non-Employee Director compensation plan.
	Under the U.S. Cellular Long-Term Incentive Plans, U.S. Cellular may grant fixed and performance based incentive and non-qualified stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, and deferred compensation stock unit awards to key employees. At December 31, 2014, the only types of awards outstanding are fixed non-qualified stock option awards, restricted stock unit awards, and deferred compensation stock unit awards.
	On June 25, 2013, U.S. Cellular paid a special cash dividend to all holders of U.S. Cellular Common Shares and Series A Common Shares as of June 11, 2013. Outstanding U.S. Cellular stock options, restricted stock unit awards and deferred compensation stock units were equitably adjusted for the special cash dividend. The impact of such adjustments are fully reflected for all years presented. See Note 5 – Earnings Per Share for additional information.
	At December 31, 2014, U.S. Cellular had reserved 9,782,000 Common Shares for equity awards granted and to be granted under the Long-Term Incentive Plans.
	U.S. Cellular also has established a Non-Employee Director compensation plan under which it has reserved 197,000 Common Shares at December 31, 2014 for issuance as compensation to members of the Board of Directors who are not employees of U.S. Cellular or TDS.
	U.S. Cellular uses treasury stock to satisfy requirements for Common Shares issued pursuant to its various stock-based compensation plans.
	Long-Term Incentive Plans—Stock Options—Stock options granted to key employees are exercisable over a specified period not in excess of ten years. Stock options generally vest over a period of three years from the date of grant. Stock options outstanding at December 31, 2014 expire between 2015 and 2024. However, vested stock options typically expire 30 days after the effective date of an employee's termination of employment for reasons other than retirement. Employees who leave at the age of retirement have 90 days (or one year if they satisfy certain requirements) within which to exercise their vested stock options. The exercise price of options equals the market value of U.S. Cellular Common Shares on the date of grant.
	U.S. Cellular estimated the fair value of stock options granted during 2014, 2013, and 2012 using the Black-Scholes valuation model and the assumptions shown in the table below.
		2014		2013		2012
	Expected life	4.5 years		4.6-9.0 years		4.5 years
	Expected annual volatility rate	28.0%-28.1%		29.2%-39.6%		40.7%-42.6%
	Dividend yield	0%		0%		0%
	Risk-free interest rate	1.4%-1.5%		0.7%-2.4%		0.5%-0.9%
	Estimated annual forfeiture rate	9.40%		0.0%-8.1%		0.0%-9.1%
	The fair value of options is recognized as compensation cost using an accelerated attribution method over the requisite service periods of the awards, which is generally the vesting period.
	A summary of U.S. Cellular stock options outstanding (total and portion exercisable) and changes during the three years ended December 31, 2014, is presented in the table below:
	Common Share Options			Number of Options		Weighted Average Exercise Price			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value		Aggregate Intrinsic Value		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)
	Outstanding at December 31, 2011			2,834,000		$	43.07
	(1,533,000 exercisable)						46.23
		Granted		677,000			34.91		$	12.61
		Exercised		-47,000			29.82				$	205,000
		Forfeited		-117,000			38.45
		Expired		-133,000			46.17
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012			3,214,000		$	41.58
	(1,928,000 exercisable)						43.99
		Granted		1,213,000			32.45		$	11.53
		Exercised		-892,000			34.78				$	6,787,000
		Forfeited		-574,000			34.17
		Expired		-247,000			48.35
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013			2,714,000		$	42.22
	(1,359,000 exercisable)					$	46.91
		Granted		1,116,000			41.21		$	10.68
		Exercised		-233,000			32.8				$	1,966,000
		Forfeited		-144,000			35.09
		Expired		-65,000			45.68
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014			3,388,000		$	41.51				$	7,495,000	6.7
	(1,586,000 exercisable)					$	45.28				$	2,984,000	4.4
	The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the difference between U.S. Cellular's closing stock price and the exercise price multiplied by the number of in-the-money options) that was received by the option holders upon exercise or that would have been received by option holders had all options been exercised on December 31, 2014.
	Long-Term Incentive Plans—Restricted Stock Units—U.S. Cellular grants restricted stock unit awards, which generally vest after three years, to key employees.
	U.S. Cellular estimates the fair value of restricted stock units based on the closing market price of U.S. Cellular shares on the date of grant. The fair value is then recognized as compensation cost on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods of the awards, which is generally the vesting period.
	A summary of U.S. Cellular nonvested restricted stock units at December 31, 2014 and changes during the year then ended is presented in the table below:
	Common Restricted Stock Units	Number		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
	Nonvested at December 31, 2013	1,170,000		$	36.46
	Granted	370,000			41.24
	Vested	-274,000			41.92
	Forfeited	-124,000			34.38
	Nonvested at December 31, 2014	1,142,000		$	35.6
	The total fair value of restricted stock units that vested during 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $11.1 million, $8.8 million and $8.9 million, respectively, as of the respective vesting dates. The weighted average grant date fair value of restricted stock units granted in 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $41.24, $32.06 and $34.09, respectively.
	Long-Term Incentive Plans—Deferred Compensation Stock Units—Certain U.S. Cellular employees may elect to defer receipt of all or a portion of their annual bonuses and to receive a company matching contribution on the amount deferred. All bonus compensation that is deferred by employees electing to participate is immediately vested and is deemed to be invested in U.S. Cellular Common Share stock units. The amount of U.S. Cellular's matching contribution depends on the portion of the annual bonus that is deferred. Participants receive a 25% match for amounts deferred up to 50% of their total annual bonus and a 33% match for amounts that exceed 50% of their total annual bonus; such matching contributions also are deemed to be invested in U.S. Cellular Common Share stock units.
	There were no deferred compensation stock units granted or that vested during 2014. The total fair value of deferred compensation stock units that vested during 2013 and 2012 was less than $0.1 million in each year. The weighted average grant date fair value of deferred compensation stock units granted in 2013 and 2012 was $31.50 and $36.34, respectively. As of December 31, 2014, there were no vested or unissued deferred compensation stock units outstanding.
	Compensation of Non-Employee Directors—U.S. Cellular issued 14,200, 13,000 and 7,600 Common Shares in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, under its Non-Employee Director compensation plan.
	Stock-Based Compensation Expense
	The following table summarizes stock-based compensation expense recognized during 2014, 2013 and 2012:
	Year Ended December 31,	2014			2013			2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Stock option awards	$	9,513		$	5,810		$	8,471
	Restricted stock unit awards		12,125			9,485			12,300
	Deferred compensation bonus and matching stock unit awards		185			2			240
	Awards under Non-Employee Director compensation plan		560			547			455
	Total stock-based compensation, before income taxes		22,383			15,844			21,466
	Income tax benefit		-8,454			-5,984			-8,121
	Total stock-based compensation expense, net of income taxes	$	13,929		$	9,860		$	13,345
	The following table provides a summary of the stock-based compensation expense included in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the years ended:
December 31,			2014			2013			2012
(Dollars in thousands)
Selling, general and administrative expense		$	19,429		$	12,933		$	18,437
System operations			2,954			2,911			3,029
Total stock-based compensation expense		$	22,383		$	15,844		$	21,466
At December 31, 2014, unrecognized compensation cost for all U.S. Cellular stock-based compensation awards was $24.1 million and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.0 years.
U.S. Cellular's tax benefits realized from the exercise of stock options and other awards totaled $5.3 million in 2014.

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Disclos

Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure Text Block
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures	NOTE 17 SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW DISCLOSURES
	Following are supplemental cash flow disclosures regarding interest paid and income taxes paid.
	Year Ended December 31,	2014		2013		2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Interest paid	$	54,955	$	42,904	$	44,048
	Income taxes paid (refunded)		33,276		157,778		-58,609
	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.
	Year Ended December 31,	2014		2013		2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Common Shares withheld		163,355		606,582		92,846
	Aggregate value of Common Shares withheld	$	6,868	$	25,179	$	3,604
	Cash receipts upon exercise of stock options		5,166		10,468		900
	Cash disbursements for payment of taxes		-4,336		-4,684		-3,105
	Net cash receipts (disbursements) from exercise of stock options and vesting of other stock awards	$	830	$	5,784	$	-2,205
	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 when received reduce the carrying amount of the assets to which they relate or offset operating expenses. In connection with these winning bids, in June 2013, U.S. Cellular provided $17.4 million letters of credit to the FCC, of which the entire amount remained outstanding as of December 31, 2014. U.S. Cellular has received $13.4 million in support funds as of December 31, 2014, of which $1.9 million is included as a component of Other assets and deferred charges in the Consolidated Balance Sheet and $11.5 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.

Related_Parties

Related Parties	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure Text Block
Related Parties	NOTE 18 RELATED PARTIES
	U.S. Cellular is billed for all services it receives from TDS, pursuant to the terms of various agreements between it and TDS. These billings are included in U.S. Cellular's Selling, general and administrative expenses. Some of these agreements were established at a time prior to U.S. Cellular's initial public offering when TDS owned more than 90% of U.S. Cellular's outstanding capital stock and may not reflect terms that would be obtainable from an unrelated third party through arms-length negotiations. Billings from TDS to U.S. Cellular are based on expenses specifically identified to U.S. Cellular and on allocations of common expenses. Such allocations are based on the relationship of U.S. Cellular's assets, employees, investment in property, plant and equipment and expenses relative to all subsidiaries in the TDS consolidated group. Management believes the method TDS uses to allocate common expenses is reasonable and that all expenses and costs applicable to U.S. Cellular are reflected in its financial statements. Billings to U.S. Cellular from TDS totaled $91.1 million, $99.2 million and $104.3 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	The Audit committee of the Board of Directors of U.S. Cellular is responsible for the review and evaluation of all related party transactions as such term is defined by the rules of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”).

Certain_Relationships_and_Rela

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure Text Block
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions	NOTE 19 CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
	The following persons are partners of Sidley Austin LLP, the principal law firm of U.S. Cellular and its subsidiaries: Walter C.D. Carlson, a director of U.S. Cellular, a director and non-executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of TDS and a trustee and beneficiary of a voting trust that controls TDS; William S. DeCarlo, the General Counsel of TDS and an Assistant Secretary of TDS and certain subsidiaries of TDS; and Stephen P. Fitzell, the General Counsel of U.S. Cellular and TDS Telecommunications Corporation and an Assistant Secretary of U.S. Cellular and certain other subsidiaries of TDS. Walter C.D. Carlson does not provide legal services to TDS, U.S. Cellular or their subsidiaries. U.S. Cellular and its subsidiaries incurred legal costs from Sidley Austin LLP of $10.7 million in 2014, $13.2 million in 2013 and $10.7 million in 2012.
	In December 2014, U.S. Cellular entered into an agreement to sell 595 towers outside of its core markets to a third party for $159 million. The sale of certain of the towers was completed in December 2014, and the sale of the remaining towers was completed in January 2015. See Note 6 – Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Of the 595 towers, six towers were acquired by U.S. Cellular from Airadigm for a total of $2.6 million. These six towers were included as part of the sale of towers by U.S. Cellular in order to avoid the need for two sets of transaction documents. The value of $2.6 million paid by U.S. Cellular to Airadigm for such six towers was determined using the same method of valuation that was used to value the towers owned by U.S. Cellular that were sold to the third party. The Audit Committee of the board of directors reviewed and evaluated this transaction between U.S. Cellular and Airadigm.
	In December 2013, TDS initially proposed to have Airadigm Communications, Inc. (“Airadigm”) sell to U.S. Cellular the FCC spectrum licenses, towers and customers in certain Airadigm markets for $110 million in cash. Because TDS owns 100% of the common stock of Airadigm and approximately 84% of the common stock of U.S. Cellular, this proposal was a related party transaction. Accordingly, the U.S. Cellular Board of Directors formed a Special Committee comprised entirely of independent and disinterested directors with exclusive authority to consider, negotiate and, if appropriate, approve any such transaction with Airadigm without any further involvement of the full board. The U.S. Cellular Special Committee engaged independent financial advisors and legal counsel. The transaction was negotiated between representatives of TDS and Airadigm, on the one hand, and the Special Committee and its representatives, on the other hand. The U.S. Cellular Special Committee also received a fairness opinion from its independent financial advisor. Following these events, the Special Committee approved a License Purchase and Customer Recommendation Agreement between U.S. Cellular and Airadigm. Pursuant to the License Purchase and Customer Recommendation Agreement, on September 10, 2014, Airadigm transferred to U.S. Cellular Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) spectrum licenses and certain tower assets in certain markets in Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota and Michigan, in consideration for $91.5 million in cash. See Note 6 – Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
	The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of U.S. Cellular is responsible for the review and evaluation of all related-party transactions as such term is defined by the rules of the New York Stock Exchange.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Significant Accounting Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies
Nature of Operations	U.S. Cellular owns, operates and invests in wireless systems throughout the United States. As of December 31, 2014, U.S. Cellular served 4.8 million customers. U.S. Cellular has one reportable segment.
Principles of Consolidation	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”). Unless otherwise specified, references to accounting provisions and GAAP in these notes refer to the requirements of the FASB 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 variable interest entities (“VIEs”) in which U.S. Cellular is the primary beneficiary. Both VIE and primary beneficiary represent terms defined by GAAP.
	Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Reclassifications	Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2014 financial statement presentation. These reclassifications did not affect consolidated net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders, cash flows, assets, liabilities or equity for the years presented.
Use of Estimates	The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect (a) the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and (b) the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates are involved in accounting for goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, income taxes, the loyalty reward program and equipment installment plans.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and cash equivalents include cash and short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.
Accounts Receivable	Accounts receivable consist primarily of amounts owed by customers for wireless services and equipment sales, including sales of certain devices under equipment installment plans, by agents for sales of equipment to them and by other wireless carriers whose customers have used U.S. Cellular's wireless systems.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	The allowance for doubtful accounts is the best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses related to existing billed and unbilled accounts receivable. The allowance is estimated based on historical experience, account aging and other factors that could affect collectability. Accounts receivable balances are reviewed on either an aggregate or individual basis for collectability depending on the type of receivable. When it is probable that an account balance will not be collected, the account balance is charged against the allowance for doubtful accounts. U.S. Cellular does not have any off-balance sheet credit exposure related to its customers.
Inventory	Inventory consists primarily of wireless devices stated at the lower of cost or market, with cost determined using the first-in, first-out method and market determined by replacement costs or estimated net realizable value.
Intangible Assets	Goodwill
	U.S. Cellular has Goodwill as a result of its acquisitions of wireless businesses. Such Goodwill represents the excess of the total purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired in these transactions.
	U.S. Cellular performs its annual impairment assessment of Goodwill as of November 1 of each year. For purposes of conducting its Goodwill impairment test in 2014 and 2013, U.S. Cellular identified four reporting units. The four reporting units represent four geographic groupings of operating markets, representing four geographic service areas. A discounted cash flow approach was used to value each reporting unit for purposes of the Goodwill impairment review.
	See Note 7 — Intangible Assets for additional details related to Goodwill.
	Licenses
	Licenses consist of direct and incremental costs incurred in acquiring Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) licenses to provide wireless service.
	U.S. Cellular has determined that wireless licenses are indefinite-lived intangible assets and, therefore, not subject to amortization based on the following factors:
	Radio spectrum is not a depleting asset.
	The ability to use radio spectrum is not limited to any one technology.
	U.S. Cellular and its consolidated subsidiaries are licensed to use radio spectrum through the FCC licensing process, which enables licensees to utilize specified portions of the spectrum for the provision of wireless service.
	U.S. Cellular and its consolidated subsidiaries are required to renew their FCC licenses every ten years or, in some cases, every fifteen years. To date, all of U.S. Cellular's license renewal applications have been granted by the FCC. Generally, license renewal applications filed by licensees otherwise in compliance with FCC regulations are routinely granted. If, however, a license renewal application is challenged either by a competing applicant for the license or by a petition to deny the renewal application, the license will be renewed if the licensee can demonstrate its entitlement to a “renewal expectancy.” Licensees are entitled to such an expectancy if they can demonstrate to the FCC that they have provided “substantial service” during their license term and have “substantially complied” with FCC rules and policies. U.S. Cellular believes that it is probable that its future license renewal applications will be granted.
	U.S. Cellular performs its annual impairment assessment of its licenses as of November 1 of each year. For purposes of its 2014 and 2013 impairment testing of Licenses, U.S. Cellular separated its FCC licenses into eleven units of accounting based on geographic service areas. In both 2014 and 2013, seven of the units of accounting represented geographic groupings of licenses which, because they were not being utilized and, therefore, were not expected to generate cash flows from operating activities in the foreseeable future, were considered separate units of accounting for purposes of impairment testing. U.S. Cellular estimates the fair value of built licenses for purposes of impairment testing using the build-out method. The build-out method estimates the fair value of Licenses by discounting to present value the future cash flows calculated based on a hypothetical cost to build-out U.S. Cellular's network.
	For units of accounting which consist of unbuilt licenses, the fair value of the unbuilt licenses is assumed to change by the same percentage, and in the same direction, that the fair value of built licenses measured using the build-out method changed during the period.
	See Note 7 — Intangible Assets for additional details related to Licenses.
Investments in Unconsolidated Entities	For its equity method investments for which financial information is readily available, U.S. Cellular records its equity in the earnings of the entity in the current period. For its equity method investments for which financial information is not readily available, U.S. Cellular records its equity in the earnings of the entity on a one quarter lag basis.
Property, Plant and Equipment	U.S. Cellular's Property, plant and equipment is stated at the original cost of construction or purchase including capitalized costs of certain taxes, payroll-related expenses, interest and estimated costs to remove the assets.
	Expenditures that enhance the productive capacity of assets in service or extend their useful lives are capitalized and depreciated. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs of assets in service are charged to System operations expense or Selling, general and administrative expense, as applicable. Retirements and disposals of assets are recorded by removing the original cost of the asset (along with the related accumulated depreciation) from plant in service and charging it, together with net removal costs (removal costs less an applicable accrued asset retirement obligation and salvage value realized), to (Gain) loss on asset disposals, net.
	U.S. Cellular capitalizes certain costs of developing new information systems.
Depreciation and amortization	Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the related asset.
	U.S. Cellular depreciates leasehold improvement assets associated with leased properties over periods ranging from one to thirty years; such periods approximate the shorter of the assets' economic lives or the specific lease terms.
	Useful lives of specific assets are reviewed throughout the year to determine if changes in technology or other business changes would warrant accelerating the depreciation of those specific assets. Due to the Divestiture Transaction more fully described in Note 6 — Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges, U.S. Cellular changed the useful lives of certain assets in 2013 and 2012. Other than the Divestiture Transaction, there were no other material changes to useful lives of property, plant and equipment in 2014, 2013 or 2012. See Note 9 — Property, Plant and Equipment for additional details related to useful lives.
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.
	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 and network operations center. 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.
Agent Liabilities	U.S. Cellular has relationships with agents, which are independent businesses that obtain customers for U.S. Cellular. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, U.S. Cellular had accrued $95.3 million and $121.3 million, respectively, for amounts due to agents. This amount is included in Other current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Other Assets and Deferred Charges	Other assets and deferred charges include underwriters' and legal fees and other charges related to issuing U.S. Cellular's various borrowing instruments and other long-term agreements, and are amortized over the respective term of each instrument. The amounts of deferred charges included in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2014 and 2013, are shown net of accumulated amortization of $34.2 million and $26.0 million, respectively. At December 31, 2014, Other assets and deferred charges includes a $60.0 million deposit made by Advantage Spectrum L.P. to the FCC to participate in Auction 97. See Note 13 — Variable Interest Entities for additional information.
Asset Retirement Obligations	U.S. Cellular accounts for asset retirement obligations by recording the fair value of a liability for legal obligations associated with an asset retirement in the period in which the obligations are incurred. At the time the liability is incurred, U.S. Cellular records a liability equal to the net present value of the estimated cost of the asset retirement obligation and increases the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset by an equal amount. Until the obligation is fulfilled, U.S. Cellular updates its estimates relating to cash flows required and timing of settlement. U.S. Cellular records the present value of the changes in the future value as an increase or decrease to the liability and the related carrying amount of the long-lived asset. The liability is accreted to future value over a period ending with the estimated settlement date of the respective asset retirement obligation. The carrying amount of the long-lived asset is depreciated over the useful life of the related asset. Upon settlement of the obligation, any difference between the cost to retire the asset and the recorded liability is recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.
Treasury Shares	Common Shares repurchased by U.S. Cellular are recorded at cost as treasury shares and result in a reduction of equity. Treasury shares are reissued as part of U.S. Cellular’s stock-based compensation programs. When treasury shares are reissued, U.S. Cellular determines the cost using the first-in, first-out cost method. The difference between the cost of the treasury shares and reissuance price is included in Additional paid-in capital or Retained earnings.
Revenue Recognition	Revenues related to services are recognized as services are rendered. Revenues billed in advance or in arrears of the services being provided are estimated and deferred or accrued, as appropriate.
	Revenues from sales of equipment and accessories are recognized when title and risk of loss passes to the agent or end-user customer.
	Multiple Deliverable Arrangements
	U.S. Cellular sells multiple element service and equipment offerings. In these instances, revenues are allocated using the relative selling price method. Under this method, arrangement consideration, which consists of the amounts billed to the customer net of any cash-based discounts, is allocated to each element on the basis of its relative selling price. Revenue recognized for the delivered items is limited to the amount due from the customer that is not contingent upon the delivery of additional products or services.
	Loyalty Reward Program
	U.S. Cellular follows the deferred revenue method of accounting for its loyalty reward program. Under this method, revenue allocated to loyalty reward points is deferred. The amount allocated to the loyalty points is based on the estimated retail price of the products and services for which points may be redeemed divided by the number of loyalty points required to receive such products and services. This is calculated on a weighted average basis and requires U.S. Cellular to estimate the percentage of loyalty points that will be redeemed for each product or service.
	As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, U.S. Cellular had deferred revenue related to loyalty reward points outstanding of $94.6 million and $116.2 million, respectively. These amounts are recorded in Customer deposits and deferred revenues (a current liability account) in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, as customers may redeem their reward points within the current period.
	Revenue is recognized at the time of customer redemption or when such points have been depleted via an account maintenance charge. U.S. Cellular employs the proportional model to recognize revenues associated with breakage. Under the proportional model, U.S. Cellular allocates a portion of the estimated future breakage to each redemption and records revenue proportionally. U.S. Cellular periodically reviews and revises the redemption and depletion rates to estimate future breakage as appropriate based on history and related future expectations.
	In the fourth quarter of 2013, U.S. Cellular issued loyalty reward points with a value of $43.5 million as a loyalty bonus in recognition of the inconvenience experienced by customers during U.S. Cellular's billing system conversion in 2013. The value of the loyalty bonus reduced Service revenues in the Consolidated Statement of Operations and increased Customer deposits and deferred revenues in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
	Equipment Installment Plans
	Equipment revenue under equipment installment plan contracts is recognized at the time the device is delivered to the end-user customer for the selling price of the device, net of any deferred imputed interest or trade-in right, if applicable.   Imputed interest is reflected as a reduction to the receivable balance and recognized over the duration of the plan as a component of Interest and dividend income. See Note 3 — Equipment Installment Plans for additional information.
	Incentives
	Discounts and incentives are recognized as a reduction of Operating revenues concurrently with the associated revenue, and are allocated to the various products and services in the bundled offering based on their respective relative selling price.
	U.S. Cellular issues rebates to its agents and end customers. These incentives are recognized as a reduction to revenue at the time the wireless device sale to the agent or customer occurs, respectively. The total potential rebates and incentives are reduced by U.S. Cellular's estimate of rebates that will not be redeemed by customers based on historical experience of such redemptions.
	Activation Fees
	U.S. Cellular charges its end customers activation fees in connection with the sale of certain services and equipment. Device activation fees charged at U.S. Cellular agent locations, where U.S. Cellular does not also sell a wireless device to the customer, are deferred and recognized over the average device life. Device activation fees charged as a result of device sales at U.S. Cellular company-owned retail stores are recognized at the time the device is delivered to the customer.
	Amounts Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities – Gross vs. Net
	U.S. Cellular records amounts collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities net within a tax liability account if the 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. 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 $97.0 million, $114.7 million and $135.7 million for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (“ETC”) Revenues
	Telecommunications companies may be designated by states, or in some cases by the FCC, as an ETC to receive support payments from the Universal Service Fund if they provide specified services in “high cost” areas. ETC revenues recognized in the reporting period represent the amounts which U.S. Cellular is entitled to receive for such period, as determined and approved in connection with U.S. Cellular's designation as an ETC in various states.
Advertising Costs	U.S. Cellular expenses advertising costs as incurred. Advertising costs totaled $204.9 million, $199.9 million and $227.0 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Income Taxes	U.S. Cellular is included in a consolidated federal income tax return with other members of the TDS consolidated group. TDS and U.S. Cellular are parties to a Tax Allocation Agreement which provides that U.S. Cellular and its subsidiaries be included with the TDS affiliated group in a consolidated federal income tax return and in state income or franchise tax returns in certain situations. For financial statement purposes, U.S. Cellular and its subsidiaries calculate their income, income taxes and credits as if they comprised a separate affiliated group. Under the Tax Allocation Agreement, U.S. Cellular remits its applicable income tax payments to TDS. U.S. Cellular had a tax receivable balance with TDS of $74.3 million and a tax payable balance of $34.8 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Deferred taxes are computed using the liability method, whereby deferred tax assets are recognized for future deductible temporary differences and operating loss carryforwards, and deferred tax liabilities are recognized for future taxable temporary differences. Both deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the tax rates anticipated to be in effect when the temporary differences reverse. Temporary differences are the differences between the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. U.S. Cellular evaluates income tax uncertainties, assesses the probability of the ultimate settlement with the applicable taxing authority and records an amount based on that assessment.
Stock-Based Compensation	U.S. Cellular has established a long-term incentive plan and a Non-Employee Director compensation plan. These plans are described more fully in Note 16 — Stock-based Compensation. These plans are considered compensatory plans and, therefore, recognition of compensation cost for grants made under these plans is required.
	U.S. Cellular values its share-based payment transactions using a Black-Scholes valuation model. Stock-based compensation cost recognized during the period is based on the portion of the share-based payment awards that are ultimately expected to vest. Accordingly, stock-based compensation cost recognized has been reduced for estimated forfeitures. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Pre-vesting forfeitures and expected life are estimated based on historical experience related to similar awards, giving consideration to the contractual terms of the stock-based awards, vesting schedules and expectations of future employee behavior. U.S. Cellular believes that its historical experience provides the best estimates of future pre-vesting forfeitures and future expected life. The expected volatility assumption is based on the historical volatility of U.S. Cellular's common stock over a period commensurate with the expected life. The dividend yield assumption is zero because U.S. Cellular has never paid a dividend, except a special cash dividend in June 2013, and has expressed its intention to retain all future earnings in the business. The risk-free interest rate assumption is determined using the U.S. Treasury Yield Curve Rate with a term length that approximates the expected life of the stock options.
	The fair value of options is recognized as compensation cost over the respective requisite service period of the awards, which is generally the vesting period, on a straight-line basis for each separate vesting portion of the awards as if the awards were, in-substance, multiple awards (graded vesting attribution method).
Defined Contribution Plans	U.S. Cellular participates in a qualified noncontributory defined contribution pension plan sponsored by TDS; such plan provides pension benefits for the employees of U.S. Cellular and its subsidiaries. Under this plan, pension benefits and costs are calculated separately for each participant and are funded currently. Pension costs were $10.6 million, $10.4 million and $12.4 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	U.S. Cellular also participates in a defined contribution retirement savings plan (“401(k) plan”) sponsored by TDS. Total costs incurred for U.S. Cellular's contributions to the 401(k) plan were $14.9 million, $15.4 million and $17.1 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements	On April 10, 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity (“ASU 2014-08”). ASU 2014-08 changes the requirements and disclosures for reporting discontinued operations. U.S. Cellular was required to adopt the provisions of ASU 2014-08 effective January 1, 2015, but early adoption was permitted. U.S. Cellular adopted the provisions of ASU 2014-08 upon its issuance. The adoption of ASU 2014-08 did not have a significant impact on U.S. Cellular's financial position or results of operations.
	On May 28, 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”). ASU 2014-09 outlines a single comprehensive model to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers. U.S. Cellular is required to adopt the provisions of ASU 2014-09 effective January 1, 2017. Early adoption is prohibited. U.S. Cellular is evaluating what effects the adoption of ASU 2014-09 will have on U.S. Cellular's financial position and results of operations.
	On August 27, 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-15, Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern (“ASU 2014-15”). ASU 2014-15 requires management to perform interim and annual assessments of an entity's ability to continue as a going concern within one year of the date financial statements are issued and provides guidance on determining when and how to disclose going concern uncertainties in financial statements. U.S. Cellular is required to adopt the provisions of ASU 2014-15 effective January 1, 2016, but early adoption is permitted. The adoption of ASU 2014-15 is not expected to impact U.S. Cellular's financial position or results of operations.
	On January 9, 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-01, Simplifying Income Statement Presentation by Eliminating the Concept of Extraordinary Items (“ASU 2015-01”). ASU 2015-01 eliminates from GAAP the requirement to separately classify, present and disclose extraordinary events and transactions. U.S. Cellular is required to adopt the provisions of ASU 2015-01 effective January 1, 2016, but early adoption is permitted. The adoption of ASU 2015-01 is not expected to impact U.S. Cellular's financial position or results of operations.
	On February 18, 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-02, Consolidation: Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis (“ASU 2015-02”). ASU 2015-02 simplifies consolidation accounting by reducing the number of consolidation models and changing various aspects of current GAAP, including certain consolidation criteria for variable interest entities. U.S. Cellular is required to adopt the provisions of ASU 2015-02 effective January 1, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. U.S. Cellular is still assessing the impact, if any, the adoption of ASU 2015-02 will have on U.S. Cellular's financial position or results of operations.
Variable Interest Entities	U.S. Cellular consolidates variable interest entities in which it has a controlling financial interest and is the primary beneficiary. A controlling financial interest will have both of the following characteristics: (a) the power to direct the VIE activities that most significantly impact economic performance and (b) the obligation to absorb the VIE losses and right to receive benefits that are significant to the VIE. U.S. Cellular reviews these criteria initially at the time it enters into agreements and subsequently when reconsideration events occur.
Legal proceedings	U.S. Cellular is involved or may be involved from time to time in legal proceedings before the 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.

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Table)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts	The changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
			2014		2013		2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Beginning balance		$	60,238	$	26,902	$	23,537
		Additions, net of recoveries		101,282		98,864		67,372
		Deductions		-116,942		-65,528		-64,007
	Ending balance (1)		$	44,578	$	60,238	$	26,902
	-1	In 2014, this balance includes a $6.1 million allowance related to the long-term portion of unbilled equipment installment receivables.

Fair_Value_Measurements_Table

Fair Value Measurements (Table)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures
Fair value measurements				31-Dec-14				31-Dec-13
			Level within the Fair Value Hierarchy	Book Value			Fair Value	Book Value		Fair Value
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Cash and cash equivalents		1	$	211,513	$	211,513	$	342,065	$	342,065
	Short-term investments
		U.S. Treasury Notes	1		-		-		50,104		50,104
	Long-term debt
		Retail	2		617,000		608,462		342,000		309,852
		Institutional	2		532,722		513,647		532,449		507,697

Equipment_Installment_Plans_Ta

Equipment Installment Plans (Table)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Equipment Installment Plans
Equipment installment plans	The following table summarizes the unbilled equipment installment plan receivables as of December 31, 2014 and 2013. Such amounts are presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as Accounts receivable – customers and agents and Other assets and deferred charges, where applicable.
	(Dollars in thousands)	31-Dec-14		31-Dec-13
	Short-term portion of unbilled equipment installment plan receivables, gross	$	127,400	$	611
	Short-term portion of unbilled deferred interest		-16,365		-
	Short-term portion of unbilled allowance for credit losses		-3,686		-20
	Short-term portion of unbilled equipment installment plan receivables, net	$	107,349	$	591
	Long-term portion of unbilled equipment installment plan receivables, gross	$	89,435	$	-
	Long-term portion of unbilled deferred interest		-2,791		-
	Long-term portion of unbilled allowance for credit losses		-6,065		-
	Long-term portion of unbilled equipment installment plan receivables, net	$	80,579	$	-

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure
Income taxes receivable (payable)	December 31,		2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Federal income taxes receivable (payable)		$	73,510		$	-32,351
	Net state income taxes receivable (payable)			1,199			-1,545
Income tax expense (benefit)	Income tax expense (benefit) is summarized as follows:
	Year Ended December 31,			2014			2013			2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Current
		Federal		$	-77,931		$	180,056		$	10,547
		State			8,545			8,426			4,186
	Deferred
		Federal			44,881			-69,917			54,490
		State			6,276			-5,431			-5,246
		State - valuation allowance adjustment			6,447			-			-
				$	-11,782		$	113,134		$	63,977
Income tax reconciliation	Year Ended December 31,		2014						2013					2012
			Amount			Rate			Amount			Rate		Amount		Rate
	(Dollars in millions)
	Statutory federal income tax expense and rate		$	-20.5		35	%		$	90.2		35	%	$	71.8	35	%
	State income taxes, net of federal benefit (1)			12.2		-20.8				5.2		2			3.7	1.8
	Effect of noncontrolling interests			-5.8		9.8				-2.2		-0.9			-6.3	-3.1
	Gains (losses) on investments and sale of assets (2)			-		-				20.5		8			-	-
	Correction of deferred taxes (3)			-		-				-		-			-5.3	-2.6
	Other differences, net			2.3		-3.9				-0.6		-0.2			0.1	0.1
	Total income tax expense and rate		$	-11.8		20.1	%		$	113.1		43.9	%	$	64	31.2	%
	-1	State income taxes, net of federal benefit, include changes in unrecognized tax benefits as well as adjustments to the valuation allowance. During the third quarter of 2014 U.S. Cellular recorded a $6.4 million increase to income tax expense related to a valuation allowance recorded against certain state deferred tax assets. In each interim period, U.S. Cellular evaluates the available positive and negative evidence to assess whether deferred tax assets are realizable, on a more likely than not basis. During the year ended December 31, 2014, based on revised forecasts of future state income, U.S. Cellular concluded that the negative evidence related to the realization of certain state deferred tax assets outweighed the positive evidence. Accordingly, U.S. Cellular determined that such deferred tax assets related to certain states were not realizable, on a more likely than not basis.
	-2	Gains (losses) on investments and sale of assets represents 2013 tax expense related to the NY1 & NY2 Deconsolidation and the Divestiture Transaction.
	-3	Correction of deferred taxes reflects immaterial adjustments to correct deferred tax balances in 2012 related to tax basis and law changes that related to periods prior to 2012.
Temporary income tax differences	Significant components of U.S. Cellular’s deferred income tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:
	December 31,			2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Deferred tax assets
		Current deferred tax assets		$	96,886		$	102,088
		Net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards			72,878			61,294
		Stock-based compensation			21,072			19,028
		Compensation and benefits - other			2,586			3,746
		Deferred rent			18,513			19,462
		Other			26,116			24,604
		Total deferred tax assets			238,051			230,222
		Less valuation allowance			-53,119			-43,375
		Net deferred tax assets			184,932			186,847
	Deferred tax liabilities
		Property, plant and equipment			520,723			503,491
		Licenses/intangibles			275,456			282,764
		Partnership investments			149,371			133,931
		Other			4,135			3,853
		Total deferred tax liabilities			949,685			924,039
	Net deferred income tax liability			$	764,753		$	737,192
Deferred tax valuation allowance	A summary of U.S. Cellular’s deferred tax asset valuation allowance is as follows:
				2014			2013			2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Balance at January 1,			$	43,375		$	41,295		$	30,261
		Charged to income tax expense			9,744			-1,527			3,033
		Charged to other accounts			-			3,607			8,001
	Balance at December 31,			$	53,119		$	43,375		$	41,295
	As of December 31, 2014, the valuation allowance reduced current deferred tax assets by $3.8 million and noncurrent deferred tax assets by $49.2 million.
Income tax unrecognized benefits summary	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
				2014			2013			2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Unrecognized tax benefits balance at January 1,			$	28,813		$	26,460		$	28,745
		Additions for tax positions of current year			7,766			5,925			6,656
		Additions for tax positions of prior years			154			1,501			854
		Reductions for tax positions of prior years			-554			-45			-115
		Reductions for settlements of tax positions			-			-576			-
		Reductions for lapses in statutes of limitations			-104			-4,452			-9,680
	Unrecognized tax benefits balance at December 31,			$	36,075		$	28,813		$	26,460

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share
Earnings per share	Year ended December 31,		2014			2013		2012
	(Dollars and shares in thousands, except earnings per share)
	Net income (loss) attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders		$	-42,812		$	140,038	$	111,006
	Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings (loss) per share			84,213			83,968		84,645
	Effect of dilutive securities:
		Stock options (1)		-			211		184
		Restricted stock units (1)		-			551		401
	Weighted average number of shares used in diluted earnings (loss) per share			84,213			84,730		85,230
	Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders		$	-0.51		$	1.67	$	1.31
	Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders		$	-0.51		$	1.65	$	1.3
	(1) There were no effects of dilutive securities for the year ended December 31, 2014 due to the net loss for the year.
Summary of antidilutive shares	Year Ended December 31,		2014		2013		2012
	(Shares in thousands)
	Stock options		3,279		2,010		2,123
	Restricted stock units		1,186		190		369

Acquisitions_Divestitures_and_1

Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Divestiture Financial Impacts
Business divestiture financial impacts
	(Dollars in thousands)				Expected Period of Recognition	Projected Range				Cumulative Amount Recognized as of December 31, 2014		Actual Amount Recognized Year Ended December 31, 2014		Actual Amount Recognized Year Ended December 31, 2013		Actual Amount Recognized Year Ended December 31, 2012
	(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		2013-2015		-120,000		-175,000		-111,970		-64,329		-47,641		-
		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			2012-2015		20,000		22,000		20,410		9,735		3		10,672
		Employee related costs including severance, retention and outplacement			2012-2015		13,000		16,000		14,147		-115		1,653		12,609
		Contract termination costs			2012-2015		70,000		100,000		84,320		24,736		59,525		59
		Transaction costs			2012-2015		5,000		7,000		6,284		719		4,428		1,137
			Total (Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net			$	-278,407	$	-296,407	$	-253,216	$	-29,254	$	-248,439	$	24,477
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense
		Incremental depreciation, amortization and accretion, net of salvage values			2012-2014		215,049		215,049		215,049		16,478		178,513		20,058
	(Increase) decrease in Operating income					$	-63,358	$	-81,358	$	-38,167	$	-12,776	$	-69,926	$	44,535
	As a result of the transaction, U.S. Cellular recognized the following amounts in the Consolidated Balance Sheet:
						Year Ended December 31, 2014
	(Dollars in thousands)			Balance December 31, 2013		Costs Incurred		Cash Settlements (1)		Adjustments (2)		Balance December 31, 2014
	Accrued compensation
			Employee related costs including severance, retention, outplacement	$	2,053	$	127	$	-1,223	$	-242	$	715
	Accounts payable - trade
			Contract termination costs	$	-	$	4,018	$	-	$	-1,190	$	2,828
	Other current liabilities
			Contract termination costs	$	13,992	$	12,703	$	-22,210	$	3,747	$	8,232
	Other deferred liabilities and credits
			Contract termination costs	$	30,849	$	24,171	$	-3,569	$	-30,411	$	21,040
						Year Ended December 31, 2013
	(Dollars in thousands)			Balance December 31, 2012		Costs Incurred		Cash Settlements (1)		Adjustments (2)		Balance December 31, 2013
	Accrued compensation
			Employee related costs including severance, retention, outplacement	$	12,305	$	6,853	$	-11,905	$	-5,200	$	2,053
	Other current liabilities
			Contract termination costs	$	30	$	22,675	$	-8,713	$	-	$	13,992
	Other deferred liabilities and credits
			Contract termination costs	$	-	$	34,283	$	-3,434	$	-	$	30,849
	-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 in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.
	-2		Adjustment to liability represents changes to previously accrued amounts.
Assets and liabilities held for sale	At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the following assets were classified in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as "Assets held for sale" and "Liabilities held for sale":
				Current Assets		Other Assets and Deferred Charges		Licenses		Goodwill		Property, Plant and Equipment		Total Assets Held for Sale
	(Dollars in thousands)
	2014
	Divestiture of Spectrum Licenses			$	-	$	-	$	56,809	$	-	$	-	$	56,809
	Sale of Business - Towers				1,466		773		-		16,281		31,726		50,246
		Total		$	1,466	$	773	$	56,809	$	16,281	$	31,726	$	107,055
	2013
	Divestiture of Spectrum Licenses			$	-	$	-	$	16,027	$	-	$	-	$	16,027
				Customer Deposits and Deferred Revenues		Other Current Liabilities		Other Deferred Liabilities and Credits		Total Liabilities Held for Sale
	(Dollars in thousands)
	2014
	Sale of Business - Towers			$	2,704	$	896	$	17,334	$	20,934

Intangible_Assets_Tables

Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Licenses
Licenses	Licenses
	Year Ended December 31,		2014		2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Balance, beginning of year		$	1,401,126	$	1,456,794
	Acquisitions			41,707		16,540
	Divestitures			-		-59,419
	Transferred to Assets held for sale			-56,809		-16,027
	Exchanges, net			55,780		-
	Other			1,634		3,238
	Balance, end of year		$	1,443,438	$	1,401,126
Goodwill
Goodwill	Goodwill
	Year Ended December 31,		2014		2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Balance, beginning of year		$	387,524	$	421,743
		Divestitures		-1,092		-505
		Transferred to Assets held for sale		-16,281		-
		NY1 & NY2 Deconsolidation		-		-33,714
	Balance, end of year		$	370,151	$	387,524

Investment_in_Unconsolidated_E

Investment in Unconsolidated Entities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information
Equity and cost method investments	December 31,		2014		2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Equity method investments:
		Capital contributions, loans, advances and adjustments	$	116,881	$	121,571
		Cumulative share of income		1,287,371		1,152,916
		Cumulative share of distributions		-1,122,849		-1,010,513
				281,403		263,974
	Cost method investments			1,611		1,611
	Total investments in unconsolidated entities		$	283,014	$	265,585
Equity method investments, summarized financial position	December 31,		2014		2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Assets
		Current	$	691,519	$	489,659
		Due from affiliates		303,322		408,735
		Property and other		2,295,936		2,026,104
			$	3,290,777	$	2,924,498
	Liabilities and Equity
		Current liabilities	$	403,005	$	351,624
		Deferred credits		170,887		84,834
		Long-term liabilities		18,101		19,712
		Long-term capital lease obligations		1,722		707
		Partners' capital and shareholders' equity		2,697,062		2,467,621
			$	3,290,777	$	2,924,498
Equity method investments, summarized results of operations	Year Ended December 31,		2014		2013		2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Results of Operations
		Revenues	$	6,668,615	$	6,218,067	$	5,804,466
		Operating expenses		5,035,544		4,473,722		4,363,399
		Operating income		1,633,071		1,744,345		1,441,067
		Other income, net		1,160		4,842		4,003
		Net income	$	1,634,231	$	1,749,187	$	1,445,070
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	%

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_T

Property, Plant and Equipment (Table)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure Text Block
Property, plant and equipment	December 31,	Useful Lives (Years)	2014		2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Land	N/A	$	35,031	$	36,266
	Buildings	20		296,502		304,272
	Leasehold and land improvements	30-Jan		1,086,718		1,197,520
	Cell site equipment	25-Jul		3,269,609		3,306,575
	Switching equipment	8-May		960,377		1,161,976
	Office furniture and equipment	5-Mar		553,630		539,248
	Other operating assets and equipment	5-Mar		89,663		92,456
	System development	7-Jan		1,042,195		962,698
	Work in process	N/A		125,015		116,501
				7,458,740		7,717,512
	Accumulated depreciation and amortization			-4,730,523		-4,860,992
			$	2,728,217	$	2,856,520

Asset_Retirement_Obligations_T

Asset Retirement Obligations (Table)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Asset Retirement Obligations
Asset retirement obligations	(Dollars in thousands)		2014		2013
	Balance, beginning of period		$	195,568	$	179,607
		Additional liabilities accrued		2,507		635
		Revisions in estimated cash outflows		-2,792		6,268
		Disposition of assets		-44,403		-3,534
		Accretion expense		12,534		12,592
		Transferred to Liabilities held for sale		-10,902		-
	Balance, end of period (1)		$	152,512	$	195,568
	-1	The total amount of asset retirement obligations related to the Divestiture Transaction included in Other current liabilities was $5.9 million and $37.7 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Debt_Table

Debt (Table)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure
Debt instrument facilities	The following table summarizes the terms of the revolving credit facility as of December 31, 2014:
	(Dollars in millions)
	Maximum borrowing capacity			$	300
	Letters of credit outstanding			$	17.5
	Amount borrowed			$	-
	Amount available for use			$	282.5
	Borrowing rate: One-month London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") plus contractual spread (1)				1.92	%
		Sample LIBOR Rate			0.17	%
		Contractual spread			1.75	%
	Range of commitment fees on amount available for use (2)
		Low			0.13	%
		High			0.3	%
	Agreement date				Dec-10
	Maturity date				Dec-17
	Fees incurred attributable to the Revolving Credit Facility are as follows:
		Fees incurred as a percent of Maximum borrowing capacity for 2014			0.42	%
		Fees incurred, amount
			2014	$	1.3
			2013	$	0.8
			2012	$	1.1
	-1	Borrowings under the revolving credit facility bear interest at LIBOR plus a contractual spread based on U.S. Cellular’s credit rating or, at U.S. Cellular’s option, an alternate “Base Rate” as defined in the revolving credit agreement. U.S. Cellular may select a borrowing period of either one, two, three or six months (or other period of twelve months or less if requested by U.S. Cellular and approved by the lenders). If U.S. Cellular provides notice of intent to borrow the same business day, interest on borrowing is at the Base Rate plus the contractual spread.
	-2	The revolving credit facility has commitment fees based on the unsecured senior debt ratings assigned to U.S. Cellular by certain ratings agencies.
	The following table summarizes the terms of the term loan facility as of February 25, 2015:
	(Dollars in millions)
	Maximum borrowing capacity			$	225
	Amount borrowed			$	-
	Amount available for use			$	225
	Hypothetical Borrowing rate: One-month London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") plus contractual spread (1)				2.67	%
		Sample LIBOR Rate			0.17	%
		Contractual spread			2.5	%
	Range of commitment fees on amount available for use (2)
		Low			0.13	%
		High			0.3	%
	Agreement date				21-Jan-15
	Maturity date (3)				21-Jan-22
	-1	Borrowings under the term loan credit facility bear interest at LIBOR plus a contractual spread based on U.S. Cellular’s credit rating or, at U.S. Cellular’s option, an alternate “Base Rate” as defined in the term loan facility.
	-2	The term loan credit facility has commitment fees based on the unsecured senior debt ratings assigned to U.S. Cellular by certain ratings agencies.
	-3	Principal amounts outstanding on the term loan facility will be due and payable quarterly in equal installments beginning on the last day of the fifth fiscal quarter ending after the agreement date, in an amount equal to 1.25% of the aggregate term loan facility commitment. Any amounts owing under the term loan facility not previously repaid will be due and payable on the maturity date.
Long term debt	Long-Term Financing
	Long-term debt as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 was as follows:
										December 31,
	(Dollars in thousands)					Issuance date	Maturity date	Call date	2014		2013
			Unsecured Senior Notes
				6.70%		December 2003 and June 2004	Dec-33	Dec-03	$	544,000	$	544,000
				Less: 6.7% Unamortized discount						-11,278		-11,551
										532,722		532,449
				6.95%		May-11	May-60	May-16		342,000		342,000
				7.25%		Dec-14	Dec-63	Dec-19		275,000		-
			Obligation on capital leases							2,143		3,749
	Total long-term debt								$	1,151,865	$	878,198
			Long-term debt, current						$	46	$	166
			Long-term debt, noncurrent						$	1,151,819	$	878,032

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure
Lease Commitments		Operating Leases Future Minimum Rental Payments*		Operating Leases Future Minimum Rental Receipts
	(Dollars in thousands)
	2015	$	139,286	$	54,715
	2016		125,458		44,110
	2017		107,987		34,780
	2018		90,687		24,174
	2019		74,640		12,082
	Thereafter		740,501		8,567
	Total	$	1,278,559	$	178,428
	*Includes $88.4 million of future lease payments associated with leases transferred in January 2015 per the second closing of the tower sale. See Note 6 — Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges for additional information.

Variable_Interest_Entities_VIE

Variable Interest Entities VIEs (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Variable Interest Entities VIEs
Consolidated VIE assets and liabilities	December 31,		2014		2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Assets
		Cash and cash equivalents	$	2,588	$	2,076
		Other current assets		278		1,184
		Licenses		312,977		310,475
		Property, plant and equipment, net		10,671		18,600
		Other assets and deferred charges		60,059		511
		Total assets	$	386,573	$	332,846
	Liabilities
		Current liabilities	$	110	$	46
		Deferred liabilities and credits		622		3,139
		Total liabilities	$	732	$	3,185

Common_Shareholders_Equity_Tab

Common Shareholders' Equity (Table)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Common Shareholders' Equity
Common shareholders' equity	Year Ended December 31,
	(Shares and dollar amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)		Number of Shares	Average Cost Per Share			Total Cost
	2014
		U.S. Cellular Common Shares	496	$	38.19		$	18,943
	2013
		U.S. Cellular Common Shares	499	$	37.19		$	18,544
	2012
		U.S. Cellular Common Shares	571	$	35.11		$	20,045
	Year Ended December 31,		2014	2013		2012
	(Shares in thousands)
	Treasury Shares Reissued		371	536		182

StockBased_Compensation_Table

Stock-Based Compensation (Table)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Stock-based compensation
Stock-based compensation, fair value assumptions		2014		2013		2012
	Expected life	4.5 years		4.6-9.0 years		4.5 years
	Expected annual volatility rate	28.0%-28.1%		29.2%-39.6%		40.7%-42.6%
	Dividend yield	0%		0%		0%
	Risk-free interest rate	1.4%-1.5%		0.7%-2.4%		0.5%-0.9%
	Estimated annual forfeiture rate	9.40%		0.0%-8.1%		0.0%-9.1%
Summary of stock options	Common Share Options			Number of Options		Weighted Average Exercise Price			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value		Aggregate Intrinsic Value		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)
	Outstanding at December 31, 2011			2,834,000		$	43.07
	(1,533,000 exercisable)						46.23
		Granted		677,000			34.91		$	12.61
		Exercised		-47,000			29.82				$	205,000
		Forfeited		-117,000			38.45
		Expired		-133,000			46.17
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012			3,214,000		$	41.58
	(1,928,000 exercisable)						43.99
		Granted		1,213,000			32.45		$	11.53
		Exercised		-892,000			34.78				$	6,787,000
		Forfeited		-574,000			34.17
		Expired		-247,000			48.35
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013			2,714,000		$	42.22
	(1,359,000 exercisable)					$	46.91
		Granted		1,116,000			41.21		$	10.68
		Exercised		-233,000			32.8				$	1,966,000
		Forfeited		-144,000			35.09
		Expired		-65,000			45.68
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014			3,388,000		$	41.51				$	7,495,000	6.7
	(1,586,000 exercisable)					$	45.28				$	2,984,000	4.4
Summary of nonvested restricted stock units	Common Restricted Stock Units	Number		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
	Nonvested at December 31, 2013	1,170,000		$	36.46
	Granted	370,000			41.24
	Vested	-274,000			41.92
	Forfeited	-124,000			34.38
	Nonvested at December 31, 2014	1,142,000		$	35.6
Stock-based compensation	Year Ended December 31,	2014			2013			2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Stock option awards	$	9,513		$	5,810		$	8,471
	Restricted stock unit awards		12,125			9,485			12,300
	Deferred compensation bonus and matching stock unit awards		185			2			240
	Awards under Non-Employee Director compensation plan		560			547			455
	Total stock-based compensation, before income taxes		22,383			15,844			21,466
	Income tax benefit		-8,454			-5,984			-8,121
	Total stock-based compensation expense, net of income taxes	$	13,929		$	9,860		$	13,345
Stock-based compensation, allocation by financial statement line item	December 31,			2014			2013			2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Selling, general and administrative expense		$	19,429		$	12,933		$	18,437
	System operations			2,954			2,911			3,029
	Total stock-based compensation expense		$	22,383		$	15,844		$	21,466

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Disclos1

Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures (Table)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures
Supplemental cash flow disclosures	Year Ended December 31,	2014		2013		2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Interest paid	$	54,955	$	42,904	$	44,048
	Income taxes paid (refunded)		33,276		157,778		-58,609
	Year Ended December 31,	2014		2013		2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Common Shares withheld		163,355		606,582		92,846
	Aggregate value of Common Shares withheld	$	6,868	$	25,179	$	3,604
	Cash receipts upon exercise of stock options		5,166		10,468		900
	Cash disbursements for payment of taxes		-4,336		-4,684		-3,105
	Net cash receipts (disbursements) from exercise of stock options and vesting of other stock awards	$	830	$	5,784	$	-2,205

Summary_of_Significant_Account3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
	number
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Number of customers	4,800,000
Agent liability	$95,300,000		$121,300,000
Amounts recorded gross in revenues that are billed to customers and remitted to governmental authorities	97,000,000		114,700,000		135,700,000
Advertising costs	204,900,000		199,900,000		227,000,000
Accumulated amortization of deferred charges	34,200,000		26,000,000
Federal Communications Commission deposit	60,000,000
Long-term
Accounts receivable
Unbilled allowance for credit losses	6,065,000
TDS
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements
TDS ownership of U.S. Cellular	84.00%
Income taxes receivable	74,300,000
Income taxes (payable)			-34,800,000
401(k)
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Defined contribution cost	14,900,000		15,400,000		17,100,000
Pension
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Defined contribution cost	10,600,000		10,400,000		12,400,000
Allowance for doubtful accounts
Accounts receivable
Allowance for doubtful accounts, beginning balance	60,238,000	[1]	26,902,000	[1]	23,537,000
Additions, net of recoveries	101,282,000		98,864,000		67,372,000
Deductions	-116,942,000		-65,528,000		-64,007,000
Allowance for doubtful accounts, ending balance	44,578,000	[1]	60,238,000	[1]	26,902,000	[1]
Loyalty Rewards Program
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Deferred revenue	94,600,000		116,200,000
Loyalty Rewards Program | Special issuance
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Deferred revenue			$43,500,000
[1]	In 2014, this balance includes a $6.1 million allowance related to the long-term portion of unbilled equipment installment receivables.

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Cash and cash equivalents	211,513	342,065	$378,358	$424,155
Short-term investments		50,104
Fair Value | Level 1
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Cash and cash equivalents	211,513	342,065
Fair Value | Level 2 | Retail
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Long-term debt	608,462	309,852
Fair Value | Level 2 | Institutional
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Long-term debt	513,647	507,697
Fair Value | U.S. Treasury Notes | Level 1
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Short-term investments		50,104
Book Value
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Cash and cash equivalents	211,513	342,065
Book Value | Retail
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Long-term debt	617,000	342,000
Book Value | Institutional
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Long-term debt	532,722	532,449
Book Value | U.S. Treasury Notes
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Short-term investments		50,104
Institutional
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Fair value assumption, interest rate	7.25%	7.35%

Equipment_Installment_Plans_De

Equipment Installment Plans (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Equipment installment plan receivables
Equipment installment plan payment period	24 months
Guarantee liability	$57,500,000
Short-term
Equipment installment plan receivables
Unbilled equipment installment plan receivables, gross	127,400,000	611,000
Unbilled deferred interest	-16,365,000
Unbilled allowance for credit losses	-3,686,000	-20,000
Unbilled equipment installment plan receivables, net	107,349,000	591,000
Long-term
Equipment installment plan receivables
Unbilled equipment installment plan receivables, gross	89,435,000
Unbilled deferred interest	-2,791,000
Unbilled allowance for credit losses	-6,065,000
Unbilled equipment installment plan receivables, net	$80,579,000

Income_Taxes_Balances_Details

Income Taxes, Balances (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
State
Income Tax Disclosure
Income taxes receivable	$1,199
Income taxes (payable)		-1,545
Federal
Income Tax Disclosure
Income taxes receivable	73,510
Income taxes (payable)		($32,351)

Income_Taxes_Expense_Benefit_D

Income Taxes, Expense (Benefit) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income tax expense (benefit)
Current federal income tax expense (benefit)	($77,931)	$180,056	$10,547
Current state income tax expense	8,545	8,426	4,186
Deferred federal income tax expense (benefit)	44,881	-69,917	54,490
Deferred state income tax expense (benefit)	6,276	-5,431	-5,246
State - valuation allowance adjustment	6,447
Total income tax expense (benefit)	($11,782)	$113,134	$63,977

Income_Taxes_Expense_Reconcili

Income Taxes, Expense Reconciliation (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Income tax expense reconciliation
Statutory federal income tax expense	($20,500,000)		$90,200,000		$71,800,000
State income taxes, net of federal benefit	12,200,000	[1]	5,200,000	[1]	3,700,000	[1]
Effect of noncontrolling interests	-5,800,000		-2,200,000		-6,300,000
Gains (losses) on investments and sale of assets			20,500,000	[2]
Correction of deferred taxes					-5,300,000	[3]
Other differences, net	2,300,000		-600,000		100,000
Total income tax expense (benefit)	($11,782,000)		$113,134,000		$63,977,000
[1]	State income taxes, net of federal benefit, include changes in unrecognized tax benefits as well as adjustments to the valuation allowance. During the third quarter of 2014 U.S. Cellular recorded a $6.4 million increase to income tax expense related to a valuation allowance recorded against certain state deferred tax assets. In each interim period, U.S. Cellular evaluates the available positive and negative evidence to assess whether deferred tax assets are realizable, on a more likely than not basis. During the year ended December 31, 2014, based on revised forecasts of future state income, U.S. Cellular concluded that the negative evidence related to the realization of certain state deferred tax assets outweighed the positive evidence. Accordingly, U.S. Cellular determined that such deferred tax assets related to certain states were not realizable, on a more likely than not basis.
[2]	Gains (losses) on investments and sale of assets represents 2013 tax expense related to the NY1 & NY2 Deconsolidation and the Divestiture Transaction.
[3]	Correction of deferred taxes reflects immaterial adjustments to correct deferred tax balances in 2012 related to tax basis and law changes that related to periods prior to 2012.

Income_Taxes_Rate_Reconciliati

Income Taxes, Rate Reconciliation (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Income tax rate reconciliation
Statutory federal income tax rate	35.00%		35.00%		35.00%
State income taxes, net of federal benefit	-20.80%	[1]	2.00%	[1]	1.80%	[1]
Effect of noncontrolling interests	9.80%		-0.90%		-3.10%
Gains (losses) on investments and sale of assets			8.00%	[2]
Correction of deferred taxes					-2.60%	[3]
Other differences, net	-3.90%		-0.20%		0.10%
Total income tax rate	20.10%		43.90%		31.20%
[1]	State income taxes, net of federal benefit, include changes in unrecognized tax benefits as well as adjustments to the valuation allowance. During the third quarter of 2014 U.S. Cellular recorded a $6.4 million increase to income tax expense related to a valuation allowance recorded against certain state deferred tax assets. In each interim period, U.S. Cellular evaluates the available positive and negative evidence to assess whether deferred tax assets are realizable, on a more likely than not basis. During the year ended December 31, 2014, based on revised forecasts of future state income, U.S. Cellular concluded that the negative evidence related to the realization of certain state deferred tax assets outweighed the positive evidence. Accordingly, U.S. Cellular determined that such deferred tax assets related to certain states were not realizable, on a more likely than not basis.
[2]	Gains (losses) on investments and sale of assets represents 2013 tax expense related to the NY1 & NY2 Deconsolidation and the Divestiture Transaction.
[3]	Correction of deferred taxes reflects immaterial adjustments to correct deferred tax balances in 2012 related to tax basis and law changes that related to periods prior to 2012.

Income_Taxes_Components_of_Def

Income Taxes, Components of Deferred Income Tax (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred tax assets
Current deferred tax assets	$96,886	$102,088
Net operating loss ("NOL") carryforwards	72,878	61,294
Stock-based compensation	21,072	19,028
Compensation and benefits - other	2,586	3,746
Deferred rent	18,513	19,462
Other	26,116	24,604
Total deferred tax assets	238,051	230,222
Less valuation allowance	-53,119	-43,375
Net deferred tax assets	184,932	186,847
Deferred tax liabilities
Property, plant and equipment	520,723	503,491
Licenses/intangibles	275,456	282,764
Partnership investments	149,371	133,931
Other	4,135	3,853
Total deferred tax liabilities	949,685	924,039
Net deferred income tax liability	$764,753	$737,192

Income_Taxes_Net_Operating_Los

Income Taxes, Net Operating Losses (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
State
Operating Loss Carryforwards
State NOL carryforwards	1,439.40
Deferred tax asset for State NOL carryforwards	59.4
State | Minimum
Operating Loss Carryforwards
Expiration of NOL carryforwards	31-Dec-15
State | Maximum
Operating Loss Carryforwards
Expiration of NOL carryforwards	31-Dec-34
Federal
Operating Loss Carryforwards
Deferred tax asset for Federal NOL carryforward	13.5
Federal | Minimum
Operating Loss Carryforwards
Expiration of NOL carryforwards	31-Dec-18
Federal | Maximum
Operating Loss Carryforwards
Expiration of NOL carryforwards	31-Dec-34

Income_Taxes_Deferred_Tax_Valu

Income Taxes, Deferred Tax Valuation Allowance (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Deferred tax valuation allowance, rollfoward
Balance at end of period	$53,119,000	$43,375,000
Deferred tax assets, valuation allowance, current	3,800,000
Deferred tax assets valuation allowance noncurrent	49,200,000
Deferred tax asset valuation allowance
Deferred tax valuation allowance, rollfoward
Balance at beginning of period	43,375,000	41,295,000	30,261,000
Charged to income tax expense	9,744,000	-1,527,000	3,033,000
Charged to other accounts		3,607,000	8,001,000
Balance at end of period	$53,119,000	$43,375,000	$41,295,000

Income_Taxes_Unrecognized_Tax_

Income Taxes, Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Summary of unrecognized income tax benefits
Unrecognized tax benefit, beginning balance	$28,813,000	$26,460,000	$28,745,000
Additions for tax positions of current year	7,766,000	5,925,000	6,656,000
Additions for tax positions of prior years	154,000	1,501,000	854,000
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	-554,000	-45,000	-115,000
Reductions for settlements of tax positions		-576,000
Reductions for lapses in statutes of limitations	-104,000	-4,452,000	-9,680,000
Unrecognized tax benefit, ending balance	36,075,000	28,813,000	26,460,000
Effect of unrecognized tax benefit on income tax expense	$23,400,000	$18,700,000	$17,200,000

Income_Taxes_Additional_Disclo

Income Taxes, Additional Disclosures (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure
Range of potential change in unrecognized tax benefits due to state income tax positions and their resolution and expiration of statutes of limitations within the next year	$10,000,000
Net accrued interest and penalties	16,200,000	12,300,000
Accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized income tax benefits	$3,500,000	$600,000	($2,200,000)
State
Income Tax Disclosure
Open tax years by major tax jurisdiction	2010
Federal
Income Tax Disclosure
Open tax years by major tax jurisdiction	2012

Earnings_Per_Share_Details

Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Earnings per share
Net income (loss) attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	($42,812)	$140,038	$111,006
Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings (loss) per share
Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings (loss) per share	84,213	83,968	84,645
Effects of dilutive securities:
Stock options		211	184
Restricted stock units		551	401
Weighted average number of shares used in diluted earnings (loss) per share	84,213	84,730	85,230
Earnings per share, Other disclosures
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	($0.51)	$1.67	$1.31
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	($0.51)	$1.65	$1.30
Dividend payable date		25-Jun-13
Dividend date of record		11-Jun-13
Series A Common and Common Shares, dividends per share paid		$5.75
Series A Common and Common Shares, dividends paid		$482,270
Stock Options
Earnings per share, Other disclosures
Antidilutive securities	3,279	2,010	2,123
Restricted Stock Units
Earnings per share, Other disclosures
Antidilutive securities	1,186	190	369

Acquisitions_Divestitures_and_2

Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges, acquisitions (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 10, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Nov. 30, 2012
Acquisitions, divestitures and exchanges
Licenses		1,443,438,000	$1,401,126,000
Airadigm Communications, Inc.
Acquisitions, divestitures and exchanges
Purchase price	91,500,000
Description of acquired entity		In May 2014, U.S. Cellular entered into a License Purchase and Customer Recommendation Agreement with Airadigm Communications, Inc. (“Airadigm”). TDS owns 100% of the common stock of Airadigm. Pursuant to the License Purchase and Customer Recommendation Agreement, on September 10, 2014, Airadigm transferred to U.S. Cellular Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) spectrum licenses and certain tower assets in certain markets in Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota and Michigan, in consideration for $91.5 million in cash. Since both parties to this transaction are controlled by TDS, upon closing, U.S. Cellular recorded the transferred assets at Airadigm’s net book value of $15.2 million. The difference between the consideration paid and the net book value of the transferred assets was recorded as a reduction of U.S. Cellular’s Retained earnings. In addition, a deferred tax asset was recorded for the difference between the consideration paid and the net book value of the transferred assets, which increased U.S. Cellular’s Additional paid-in capital.
Book value transferred assets	15,200,000
TDS ownership percentage		100.00%
License Acquisitions | 700 MHz Acquisition 1
Acquisitions, divestitures and exchanges
Licenses				34,000,000
Description of acquired entity		In August 2012, U.S. Cellular acquired four 700 MHz licenses covering portions of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma for $34.0 million.
License Acquisitions | 700 MHz Acquisition 2
Acquisitions, divestitures and exchanges
Licenses					$57,700,000
Description of acquired entity		In November 2012, U.S. Cellular acquired seven 700 MHz licenses covering portions of Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin for $57.7 million.

Acquisitions_Divestitures_and_3

Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges, divestitures (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended					26 Months Ended	1 Months Ended					38 Months Ended	36 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
											number
Divestitures
(Increase) decrease in Operating Income	$143,390		($146,865)		($156,656)
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges	-112,993		-255,479
Divestiture Financial Impacts
Cash received from divestitures	-179,842		-811,120		-49,932
Total (Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net	-32,830		-246,767		21,022
Incremental depreciation, amortization and accretion, net of salvage values	605,997		803,781		608,633
Assets held for sale
Current assets	1,466					1,466					1,466
Other assets and deferred charges	773					773					773
Licenses	56,809					56,809					56,809
Goodwill	16,281					16,281					16,281
Property, plant and equipment	31,726					31,726					31,726
Total assets held for sale	107,055		16,027			107,055					107,055
Liabilities held for sale
Total liabilities held for sale	20,934					20,934					20,934
Divestiture transaction
Divestitures
Business divestiture description	On November 6, 2012, U.S. Cellular entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement with subsidiaries of Sprint Corp., fka 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.” These other agreements included customer and network transition services agreements, which required 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 reimbursed U.S. Cellular for providing such services at an amount equal to U.S. Cellular’s estimated costs, including applicable overhead allocations. These services were substantially complete as of March 31, 2014. 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.
(Increase) decrease in Operating Income	-12,776		-69,926		44,535	-38,167
Divestiture Financial Impacts
Net assets transferred			213,593			213,593
Non-cash charges for the write-off and write-down of property under construction and related assets	9,735		3		10,672	20,410
Employee related costs including severance, retention and outplacement	-115		1,653		12,609	14,147
Contract termination costs	24,736		59,525		59	84,320
Transaction costs	719		4,428		1,137	6,284
Total (Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net	-29,254		-248,439		24,477	-253,216
Incremental depreciation, amortization and accretion, net of salvage values	16,478		178,513		20,058	215,049
Wireless market
Divestitures
Business divestiture description	In March 2012, U.S. Cellular sold the majority of the assets and liabilities of a wireless market for $49.8 million in cash. At the time of the sale, a $4.2 million gain was recorded in (Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.
Divestiture Financial Impacts
Cash received from divestitures							-49,800
Total (Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net							-4,200
Non-operating market licenses
Assets held for sale
Licenses	56,809					56,809					56,809
Total assets held for sale	56,809					56,809					56,809
Mississippi Valley
Divestitures
Business divestiture description	In October 2013, U.S. Cellular sold the majority of its Mississippi Valley non-operating market license (“unbuilt license”) for $308.0 million. At the time of the sale, a $250.6 million gain was recorded in (Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges								-250,600
Divestiture Financial Impacts
Cash received from divestitures								-308,000
St. Louis
Divestitures
Business divestiture description	In March 2014, U.S. Cellular sold the majority of its St. Louis area non-operating market spectrum license for $92.3 million. A gain of $75.8 million was recorded in (Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges in the Consolidated Statement of Operations in the first quarter of 2014.
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges									-75,800
Divestiture Financial Impacts
Cash received from divestitures									-92,300
Assets held for sale
Licenses			16,027
Tower sale
Divestitures
Number of towers	595					595					595
Tower sale | Divestiture
Divestiture Financial Impacts
Cash received from divestitures										-159,000
Tower sale - first closing
Divestitures
Business divestiture description	In December 2014, U.S. Cellular entered into an agreement with a third party to sell 595 towers and certain related contracts, assets, and liabilities for approximately $159 million. This transaction was accomplished in two closings. The first closing occurred in December 2014 and included the sale of 236 towers, without tenants, for $10.0 million. On this same date, U.S. Cellular received $7.5 million in earnest money. At the time of the first closing, a $3.8 million gain was recorded in (Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net.
Number of towers	236					236					236
Divestiture Financial Impacts
Cash received from divestitures											-10,000
Total (Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net											-3,800
Tower sale - second closing
Assets held for sale
Current assets	1,466					1,466					1,466
Other assets and deferred charges	773					773					773
Goodwill	16,281					16,281					16,281
Property, plant and equipment	31,726					31,726					31,726
Total assets held for sale	50,246					50,246					50,246
Liabilities held for sale
Customer deposits and deferred revenues	2,704					2,704					2,704
Other current liabilities	896					896					896
Other deferred liabilities and credits	17,334					17,334					17,334
Total liabilities held for sale	20,934					20,934					20,934
Tower sale - second closing | Divestiture
Divestitures
Business divestiture description	The second closing for the remaining 359 towers, primarily with tenants, took place in January 2015, at which time U.S. Cellular received $141.5 million in additional cash proceeds and recorded a gain of approximately $107 million. The assets and liabilities subject to the second closing have been classified as “held for sale” in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2014.
Number of towers										359
Divestiture Financial Impacts
Cash received from divestitures										-141,500
Total (Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net										-107,000
Asset retirement obligation remediation | Divestiture transaction
Divestiture Financial Impacts
Incremental depreciation, amortization and accretion, net of salvage values	3,400
Minimum | Divestiture transaction
Divestiture Financial Impacts
Net assets transferred			213,593
Incremental depreciation, amortization and accretion, net of salvage values						215,049
Minimum | Expected event | Divestiture transaction
Divestitures
(Increase) decrease in Operating Income												-63,358
Divestiture Financial Impacts
Non-cash charges for the write-off and write-down of property under construction and related assets												20,000
Employee related costs including severance, retention and outplacement												13,000
Contract termination costs												70,000
Transaction costs												5,000
Total (Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net												-278,407
Maximum | Divestiture transaction
Divestitures
Transition services agreement duration	24 months
Divestiture Financial Impacts
Net assets transferred			213,593
Incremental depreciation, amortization and accretion, net of salvage values						215,049
Maximum | Expected event | Divestiture transaction
Divestitures
(Increase) decrease in Operating Income												-81,358
Divestiture Financial Impacts
Non-cash charges for the write-off and write-down of property under construction and related assets												22,000
Employee related costs including severance, retention and outplacement												16,000
Contract termination costs												100,000
Transaction costs												7,000
Total (Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net												-296,407
Purchase price | Divestiture transaction
Divestiture Financial Impacts
Cash received from divestitures			-480,000			-480,000
Purchase price | Minimum | Divestiture transaction
Divestiture Financial Impacts
Cash received from divestitures			-480,000
Purchase price | Maximum | Divestiture transaction
Divestiture Financial Impacts
Cash received from divestitures			-480,000
Sprint Cost Reimbursement | Divestiture transaction | Cash received from divestitures
Divestiture Financial Impacts
Cash received from divestitures	-71,100		-10,600
Sprint Cost Reimbursement | Maximum | Expected event | Divestiture transaction
Divestiture Financial Impacts
Cash received from divestitures													-200,000
Sprint Cost Reimbursement | (Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net | Divestiture transaction
Divestiture Financial Impacts
Cash received from divestitures	-64,329		-47,641			-111,970
Sprint Cost Reimbursement | (Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net | Minimum | Expected event | Divestiture transaction
Divestiture Financial Impacts
Cash received from divestitures													-120,000
Sprint Cost Reimbursement | (Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net | Maximum | Expected event | Divestiture transaction
Divestiture Financial Impacts
Cash received from divestitures													-175,000
Sprint Cost Reimbursement | System operations | Maximum | Expected event | Divestiture transaction
Divestiture Financial Impacts
Cash received from divestitures													-25,000
Employee related costs including severance, retention and outplacement | Divestiture transaction
Balance Sheet rollforward
Balance, beginning of period	2,053		12,305										12,305
Costs incurred	127		6,853
Cash settlements	-1,223	[1]	-11,905	[1]
Adjustments	-242	[2]	-5,200	[2]
Balance, end of period	715		2,053			715					715
Contract termination costs | Other current liabilities | Divestiture transaction
Balance Sheet rollforward
Balance, beginning of period	13,992		30										30
Costs incurred	12,703		22,675
Cash settlements	-22,210	[1]	-8,713	[1]
Adjustments	3,747	[2]
Balance, end of period	8,232		13,992			8,232					8,232
Contract termination costs | Other deferred liabilities and credits | Divestiture transaction
Balance Sheet rollforward
Balance, beginning of period	30,849
Costs incurred	24,171		34,283
Cash settlements	-3,569	[1]	-3,434	[1]
Adjustments	-30,411	[2]
Balance, end of period	21,040		30,849			21,040					21,040
Contract termination costs | Accounts payable - trade | Divestiture transaction
Balance Sheet rollforward
Costs incurred	4,018
Adjustments	-1,190	[2]
Balance, end of period	2,828					2,828					2,828
Earnest money received | Tower sale - first closing
Divestiture Financial Impacts
Cash received from divestitures											($7,500)
[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 in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.
[2]	Adjustment to liability represents changes to previously accrued amounts.

Acquisitions_Divestitures_and_4

Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges, exchanges (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014
Exchanges
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges	($112,993,000)	($255,479,000)
Carrying value	1,443,438,000	1,401,126,000		1,443,438,000
Cash received from divestitures	179,842,000	811,120,000	49,932,000
Other current liabilities	149,853,000	192,055,000		149,853,000
PCS and AWS license exchange
Exchanges
Asset exchange description	In September 2014, U.S. Cellular entered into an agreement with a third party to exchange certain PCS and AWS licenses for certain other PCS and AWS licenses and $28.0 million of cash. This license exchange will be accomplished in two closing transactions. The first closing occurred in December 2014 at which time U.S. Cellular received licenses with an estimated fair value, per a market approach, of $51.5 million, recorded a $21.7 million gain in (Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges in the Consolidated Statement of Operations and recorded an $18.3 million deferred credit in Other current liabilities. The second closing is expected to occur in 2015. The license that will be transferred has been classified as “Assets held for sale” in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2014. At the time of the second closing, U.S. Cellular will recognize the deferred credit from the first closing and expects to record a gain on the license exchange.
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges				-21,700,000
Fair value	51,500,000			51,500,000
Asset exchange, valuation method	market approach valuation method
Other current liabilities	18,300,000			18,300,000
PCS license exchange
Exchanges
Asset exchange description	In September 2014, U.S. Cellular entered into an agreement with a third party to exchange certain of its PCS unbuilt licenses for PCS licenses located in U.S. Cellular’s operating markets plus $117.0 million of cash. This transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to close in 2015. The book value of the licenses to be exchanged have been classified as “Assets held for sale” in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2014. U.S. Cellular expects to record a gain when this transaction closes.
Expected event | PCS and AWS license exchange
Exchanges
Cash received from divestitures					28,000,000
Expected event | PCS license exchange
Exchanges
Cash received from divestitures					117,000,000
Spectrum exchange
Exchanges
Asset exchange description	In February 2014, U.S. Cellular completed an exchange whereby U.S. Cellular received one E block PCS spectrum license covering Milwaukee, WI in exchange for one D block PCS spectrum license covering Milwaukee, WI. The exchange of licenses provided U.S. Cellular with spectrum to meet anticipated future capacity and coverage requirements. No cash, customers, network assets, other assets or liabilities were included in the exchange. As a result of this transaction, U.S. Cellular recognized a gain of $15.7 million, representing the difference between the $15.9 million fair value of the license surrendered, calculated using a market approach valuation method, and the $0.2 million carrying value of the license surrendered. This gain was recorded in (Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges in the Consolidated Statement of Operations in the first quarter of 2014.
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges						-15,700,000
Fair value						15,900,000
Carrying value						$200,000
Asset exchange, valuation method	market approach valuation method

Intangible_Assets_Details

Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Licenses
Balance, beginning of period	$1,401,126	$1,456,794
Acquisitions	41,707	16,540
Divestitures		-59,419
Transferred to Assets held for sale	-56,809	-16,027
Exchanges, net	55,780
Other	1,634	3,238
Balance, end of period	1,443,438	1,401,126
Goodwill
Balance, beginning of year	387,524	421,743
Divestitures	-1,092	-505
Transferred to Assets held for sale	-16,281
NY1 & NY2 Deconsolidation		-33,714
Balance, end of year	$370,151	$387,524

Investments_in_Unconsolidated_1

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Equity and cost method investments
Capital contributions, loans, advances and adjustments	$116,881	$121,571
Cumulative share of income	1,287,371	1,152,916
Cumulative share of distributions	-1,122,849	-1,010,513
Equity method investments	281,403	263,974
Cost method investments	1,611	1,611
Total investments in unconsolidated entities	283,014	265,585
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	129,764	131,949	90,364
Los Angeles SMSA Limited Partnership
Equity and cost method investments
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	71,800	78,400	67,200
Ownership interest in equity method investment	5.50%	5.50%	5.50%
Aggregate equity method investments
Equity method investments, combined assets
Current	691,519	489,659
Due from affiliates	303,322	408,735
Property and other	2,295,936	2,026,104
Total assets	3,290,777	2,924,498
Equity method investments, combined liabilities and equity
Current liabilities	403,005	351,624
Deferred credits	170,887	84,834
Long-term liabilities	18,101	19,712
Long-term capital lease obligations	1,722	707
Partners' capital and shareholders' equity	2,697,062	2,467,621
Total liabilities and equity	3,290,777	2,924,498
Equity method investments, combined income statements
Revenues	6,668,615	6,218,067	5,804,466
Operating expenses	5,035,544	4,473,722	4,363,399
Operating income	1,633,071	1,744,345	1,441,067
Other income, net	1,160	4,842	4,003
Net income	$1,634,231	$1,749,187	$1,445,070

Investment_in_Unconsolidated_E1

Investment in Unconsolidated Entities, Deconsolidation (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Apr. 03, 2013
Deconsolidation of New York Partnerships
Investments in unconsolidated entities	$265,585,000	$283,014,000
St. Lawrence Seaway RSA Cellular Partnership
Deconsolidation of New York Partnerships
Ownership interest in equity method investment	60.00%
New York RSA 2 Cellular Partnership
Deconsolidation of New York Partnerships
Ownership interest in equity method investment	57.14%
St. Lawrence Seaway RSA Cellular Partnership and New York RSA 2 Cellular Partnership
Deconsolidation of New York Partnerships
Date of deconsolidation	3-Apr-13
Investments in unconsolidated entities			114,800,000
Deconsolidation gain	$18,500,000
Discounted cash flow valuation approach | St. Lawrence Seaway RSA Cellular Partnership and New York RSA 2 Cellular Partnership
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%
Discounted cash flow valuation approach | Minimum | St. Lawrence Seaway RSA Cellular Partnership and New York RSA 2 Cellular Partnership
Fair Value Inputs
Capital expenditures as a percentage of revenue	14.90%
Discounted cash flow valuation approach | Maximum | St. Lawrence Seaway RSA Cellular Partnership and New York RSA 2 Cellular Partnership
Fair Value Inputs
Capital expenditures as a percentage of revenue	18.80%

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_D

Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Property, Plant and Equipment
Land	$35,031,000	$36,266,000
Buildings	296,502,000	304,272,000
Leasehold and land improvements	1,086,718,000	1,197,520,000
Cell site equipment	3,269,609,000	3,306,575,000
Switching equipment	960,377,000	1,161,976,000
Office furniture and equipment	553,630,000	539,248,000
Other operating assets and equipment	89,663,000	92,456,000
System development	1,042,195,000	962,698,000
Work in process	125,015,000	116,501,000
Property, plant and equipment, gross	7,458,740,000	7,717,512,000
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	-4,730,523,000	-4,860,992,000
Property, plant and equipment, net	2,728,217,000	2,856,520,000
Depreciation and amortization expense	593,200,000	791,100,000	597,700,000
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net	$21,469,000	$30,606,000	$18,088,000
Buildings
Property, Plant and Equipment
Useful life	20 years
Leasehold and land improvements | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment
Useful life	1 year
Leasehold and land improvements | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment
Useful life	30 years
Cell site equipment | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment
Useful life	7 years
Cell site equipment | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment
Useful life	25 years
Switching equipment | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment
Useful life	5 years
Switching equipment | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment
Useful life	8 years
Office furniture and equipment | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment
Useful life	3 years
Office furniture and equipment | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment
Useful life	5 years
Other operating assets and equipment | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment
Useful life	3 years
Other operating assets and equipment | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment
Useful life	5 years
System development | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment
Useful life	1 year
System development | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment
Useful life	7 years

Asset_Retirement_Obligaion_Det

Asset Retirement Obligaion (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Asset retirement obligation
Asset retirement obligation - beginning balance	$195,568	[1]	$179,607
Additional liabilities accrued	2,507		635
Revisions in estimated cash outflows	-2,792		6,268
Disposition of assets	-44,403		-3,534
Accretion expense	12,534		12,592
Transferred to Liabilities held for sale	-10,902
Asset retirement obligation - ending balance	152,512	[1]	195,568	[1]
Other current liabilities
Asset retirement obligation
Asset retirement obligation - ending balance	$5,900		$37,700
[1]	The total amount of asset retirement obligations related to the Divestiture Transaction included in Other current liabilities was $5.9 million and $37.7 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Debt_revolving_credit_faciliti

Debt, revolving credit facilities (Details) (U.S. Cellular revolving credit facility, USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Revolving credit
Maximum borrowing capacity	$300
Letters of credit outstanding	17.5
Amount available for use	282.5
Sample LIBOR Rate	0.17%	[1]
Contractual spread	1.75%	[1]
Borrowing rate: One-month London InterBank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") plus contractual spread	1.92%	[1]
Fees incurred as a percent of Maximum borrowing capacity for 2014	0.42%
Fees incurred, amount	$1.30		$0.80	$1.10
Agreement date	17-Dec-10
Maturity date	17-Dec-17
Subordination agreement description	In connection with U.S. Cellular’s revolving credit facility, TDS and U.S. Cellular entered into a subordination agreement dated December 17, 2010 together with the administrative agent for the lenders under U.S. Cellular’s revolving credit agreement. Pursuant to this subordination agreement, (a) any consolidated funded indebtedness from U.S. Cellular to TDS will be unsecured and (b) any (i) consolidated funded indebtedness from U.S. Cellular to TDS (other than “refinancing indebtedness” as defined in the subordination agreement) in excess of $105,000,000, and (ii) refinancing indebtedness in excess of $250,000,000, will be subordinated and made junior in right of payment to the prior payment in full of obligations to the lenders under U.S. Cellular’s revolving credit agreement. As of December 31, 2014, U.S. Cellular had no outstanding consolidated funded indebtedness or refinancing indebtedness that was subordinated to the revolving credit agreement pursuant to the subordination agreement.
Revolving credit facility, terms of agreement	In July 2014, U.S. Cellular entered into an amendment to the revolving credit facility agreement which increased the Consolidated Leverage Ratio (the ratio of Consolidated Funded Indebtedness to Consolidated Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) that U.S. Cellular is required to maintain. Beginning July 1, 2014, U.S. Cellular is required to maintain the Consolidated Leverage Ratio at a level not to exceed 3.75 to 1.00 for the period of the four fiscal quarters most recently ended (this was 3.00 to 1.00 prior to July 1, 2014). The terms of the amendment decrease the maximum permitted Consolidated Leverage Ratio beginning January 1, 2016, with further decreases effective July 1, 2016 and January 1, 2017 (and will return to 3.00 to 1.00 at that time). For the twelve months ended December 31, 2014, the actual Consolidated Leverage Ratio was 2.35 to 1.00. Future changes in U.S. Cellular’s financial condition could negatively impact its ability to meet the financial covenants and requirements in its revolving credit facility agreement.
Minimum
Revolving credit
Range of commitment fees on amount available for use	0.13%	[2]
Maximum
Revolving credit
Range of commitment fees on amount available for use	0.30%	[2]
[1]	Borrowings under the revolving credit facility bear interest at LIBOR plus a contractual spread based on U.S. Cellularbs credit rating or, at U.S. Cellularbs option, an alternate bBase Rateb as defined in the revolving credit agreement. U.S. Cellular may select a borrowing period of either one, two, three or six months (or other period of twelve months or less if requested by U.S. Cellular and approved by the lenders). If U.S. Cellular provides notice of intent to borrow less than three business days in advance of a borrowing, interest on borrowing is at the Base Rate plus the contractual spread.
[2]	The revolving credit facility has commitment fees based on the unsecured senior debt ratings assigned to U.S. Cellular by certain ratings agencies.

Debt_longterm_debt_Details

Debt, long-term debt (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Long term debt
Debt issuance cost	$25,900,000
Obligation on capital leases	2,143,000	3,749,000
Total long-term debt	1,151,865,000	878,198,000
Long-term debt, current	46,000	166,000
Long-term debt, noncurrent	1,151,819,000	878,032,000
6.7% Senior Notes
Long term debt
Interest rate on debt	6.70%
Maturity date of debt issued	15-Dec-33
Call date of debt issued	31-Dec-03
Long term debt, face value	544,000,000	544,000,000
Unamortized discount	-11,278,000	-11,551,000
Long term debt	532,722,000	532,449,000
6.7% Senior Notes | Minimum
Long term debt
Date of debt issuance	8-Dec-03
6.7% Senior Notes | Maximum
Long term debt
Date of debt issuance	28-Jun-04
6.95% Senior Notes
Long term debt
Interest rate on debt	6.95%
Date of debt issuance	9-May-11
Maturity date of debt issued	15-May-60
Call date of debt issued	15-May-16
Long term debt	342,000,000	342,000,000
7.25% Senior Notes
Long term debt
Interest rate on debt	7.25%
Date of debt issuance	1-Dec-14
Maturity date of debt issued	1-Dec-63
Call date of debt issued	8-Dec-19
Long term debt	$275,000,000

Debt_term_loan_facility_Detail

Debt, term loan facility (Details) (U.S. Cellular Term loan facility, Subsequent event, USD $)	0 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 25, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
Subsequent events
Subsequent event, description			On January 21, 2015, U.S. Cellular entered into a term loan credit facility relating to $225.0 million in debt. The term loan must be drawn in one or more advances by the six month anniversary of the date of the agreement; amounts not drawn by that time will cease to be available. Amounts repaid or prepaid under the term loan facility may not be reborrowed. The term loan is available for general corporate purposes, including working capital, spectrum purchases and capital expenditures. The term loan is unsecured except for a lien on all investments in equity which U.S. Cellular may have in the loan administrative agent, CoBank ACB, subject to certain limitations.
Term loan
Maximum borrowing capacity	$225
Amount available for use	$225
Hypothetical Borrowing rate: One-month London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") plus contractual spread	2.67%	[1]
Sample LIBOR Rate	0.17%	[1]
Contractual spread	2.50%	[1]
Agreement date	21-Jan-15
Maturity date	21-Jan-22	[2]
Payment terms			Principal amounts outstanding on the term loan facility will be due and payable quarterly in equal installments beginning on the last day of the fifth fiscal quarter ending after the agreement date, in an amount equal to 1.25% of the aggregate term loan facility commitment. Any amounts owing under the term loan facility not previously repaid will be due and payable on the maturity date.
Subordination agreement description			In connection with U.S. Cellular’s term credit facility, TDS and U.S. Cellular entered into a subordination agreement dated January 21, 2015 together with the administrative agent for the lenders under U.S. Cellular’s term loan credit agreement, which is substantially the same as the subordination agreement in the U.S. Cellular revolving credit facility described above. As of February 25, 2015, U.S. Cellular had no outstanding consolidated funded indebtedness or refinancing indebtedness that was subordinated to the term loan facility pursuant to this subordination agreement.
Minimum
Term loan
Range of commitment fees on amount available for use	0.13%	[3]
Maximum
Term loan
Range of commitment fees on amount available for use	0.30%	[3]
[1]	Borrowings under the term loan credit facility bear interest at LIBOR plus a contractual spread based on U.S. Cellularbs credit rating or, at U.S. Cellularbs option, an alternate bBase Rateb as defined in the term loan facility.
[2]	Principal amounts outstanding on the term loan facility will be due and payable quarterly in equal installments beginning on the last day of the fifth fiscal quarter ending after the agreement date, in an amount equal to 1.25% of the aggregate term loan facility commitment. Any amounts owing under the term loan facility not previously repaid will be due and payable on the maturity date.
[3]	The term loan credit facility has commitment fees based on the unsecured senior debt ratings assigned to U.S. Cellular by certain ratings agencies.

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies, minimum lease obligations (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Jan. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies
Operating leases	U.S. Cellular is a party to various lease agreements, both as lessee and lessor, for office space, retail store sites, cell sites and equipment which are accounted for as operating leases. Certain leases have renewal options and/or fixed rental increases. Renewal options that are reasonably assured of exercise are included in determining the lease term. Any rent abatements or lease incentives, in addition to fixed rental increases, are included in the calculation of rent expense and calculated on a straight-line basis over the defined lease term.
Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due Abstract
Operating Leases - Future Minimum Rental Payments 2015	$139,286	[1]
Operating Leases - Future Minimum Rental Payments 2016	125,458	[1]
Operating Leases - Future Minimum Rental Payments 2017	107,987	[1]
Operating Leases - Future Minimum Rental Payments 2018	90,687	[1]
Operating Leases - Future Minimum Rental Payments 2019	74,640	[1]
Operating Leases - Future Minimum Rental Payments After 2019	740,501	[1]
Operating Leases - Future Minimum Rental Payments Total	1,278,559	[1]
Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Receivable Abstract
Operating Leases - Future Minimum Rental Receipts 2015	54,715
Operating Leases - Future Minimum Rental Receipts 2016	44,110
Operating Leases - Future Minimum Rental Receipts 2017	34,780
Operating Leases - Future Minimum Rental Receipts 2018	24,174
Operating Leases - Future Minimum Rental Receipts 2019	12,082
Operating Leases - Future Minimum Rental Receipts After 2019	8,567
Operating Leases - Future Minimum Rental Receipts Total	178,428
Subsequent event | Tower sale - second closing
Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due Abstract
Operating Leases - Future Minimum Rental Payments Total			$88,400
[1]	*Includes $88.4 million of future lease payments associated with leases transferred in January 2015 per the second closing of the tower sale. See Note 6 b Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges for additional information.

Commitments_and_Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies, additional lease informaton (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure
Rent expense	$152.40	$162.10	$183.90

Commitments_and_Contingencies_3

Commitments and Contingencies, purchase commitments (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Apple
Long Term Purchase Commitment
Purchase commitment agreement description	During 2013, U.S. Cellular entered into agreements with Apple to purchase certain minimum quantities of Apple iPhone products and fund marketing programs related to the Apple iPhone and iPad products over a three-year period beginning in November 2013. Based on current forecasts, U.S. Cellular estimates that the remaining contractual commitment as of December 31, 2014 under these agreements is approximately $818 million. At this time, U.S. Cellular expects to meet its contractual commitments with Apple.
Purchase commitment period	3 years
Purchase commitment remaining estimated payments	$818,000,000
Amdocs Software Systems Limited
Long Term Purchase Commitment
Purchase commitment agreement description	On November 25, 2014, U.S. Cellular executed a Master Statement of Work and certain other documents with Amdocs Software Systems Limited (“Amdocs”), effective October 1, 2014, that inter-relate with but rearrange the structure under previous Amdocs Agreements. The agreement provides that U.S. Cellular will now outsource to Amdocs certain support functions for its Billing and Operational Support System (“B/OSS”). Such functions include application support, billing operations and some infrastructure services. The agreement has a term through September 30, 2019, subject to five one-year renewal periods at U.S. Cellular’s option. The total estimated amount to be paid to Amdocs with respect to the agreement during the initial five-year term is approximately $110 million (exclusive of travel and expenses and subject to certain potential adjustments).
Purchase commitment period	5 years
Purchase commitment estimated payments	$110,000,000

Commitments_and_Contingencies_4

Commitments and Contingencies, legal accruals and unasserted claims (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Loss Contingency Estimate
Accrual for legal proceedings and unasserted claims	$0.40	$0.30

Variable_Interest_Entities_VIE1

Variable Interest Entities VIEs (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 31, 2015
					number
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$211,513,000	$342,065,000	$378,358,000	$424,155,000
Other current assets	90,834,000	19,538,000
Licenses	1,443,438,000	1,401,126,000
Property, plant and equipment, net	2,728,217,000	2,856,520,000
Other assets and deferred charges	276,218,000	117,735,000
Liabilities
Current liabilities	856,894,000	1,006,173,000
Variable Interest Entities, Other Disclosures
Federal Communications Commission deposit	60,000,000
Capital contributions, loans or advances	60,900,000
Noncontrolling interests with redemption features	1,150,000	536,000
Variable Interest Entities (VIE's)
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	2,588,000	2,076,000
Other current assets	278,000	1,184,000
Licenses	312,977,000	310,475,000
Property, plant and equipment, net	10,671,000	18,600,000
Other assets and deferred charges	60,059,000	511,000
Total assets	386,573,000	332,846,000
Liabilities
Current liabilities	110,000	46,000
Deferred liabilities and credits	622,000	3,139,000
Total liabilities	732,000	3,185,000
Variable Interest Entities, Other Disclosures
Put option, exercisable dates	The limited partnership agreements of Advantage Spectrum, Aquinas Wireless and King Street Wireless also provide the general partner with a put option whereby the general partner may require the limited partner, a subsidiary of U.S. Cellular, to purchase its interest in the limited partnership.  The general partner’s put options related to its interests in King Street Wireless and Aquinas Wireless will become exercisable in 2019 and 2020, respectively. The general partner’s put options related to its interest in Advantage Spectrum will become exercisable on the fifth and sixth anniversaries of the issuance of any license.
Advantage Spectrum L.P.
Variable Interest Entities, Other Disclosures
Federal Communications Commission deposit	60,000,000
Advantage Spectrum L.P. | Subsequent event
Subsequent Events
Subsequent event, description	An FCC auction of AWS-3 spectrum licenses, referred to as Auction 97, began in November 2014 and ended in January 2015. U.S. Cellular participated in Auction 97 indirectly through its interest in Advantage Spectrum. A subsidiary of U.S. Cellular is a limited partner in Advantage Spectrum. Advantage Spectrum qualified as a “designated entity,” and thereby was eligible for bid credits with respect to spectrum purchased in Auction 97. To participate in this auction, a $60.0 million deposit was made to the FCC in 2014. Such amount is reflected in Other Assets and Deferred Charges in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Advantage Spectrum was the provisional winning bidder for 124 licenses for an aggregate bid of $338.3 million, net of its anticipated designated entity discount of 25%. Advantage Spectrum’s bid amount, less the initial deposit of $60.0 million, plus certain other charges totaling $2.3 million, are required to be paid to the FCC by March 2, 2015.
Licenses won					124
Total winning bid					338,300,000
Designated entity auction discount					25.00%
Other auction charges					$2,300,000

Noncontrolling_Interests_Detai

Noncontrolling Interests (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Redeemable noncontrolling interest
Termination date range of mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests - begin	2085
Termination date range of mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests - end	2113
Settlement value of mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests	$9.90
Carrying value of mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests	$7.80

Common_Shareholders_Equity_Det

Common Shareholders' Equity (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Share repurchases
Amount	$18,943	$18,544	$20,045
Treasury Shares
Share repurchases
Amount	18,943	18,544	20,045
Common Shares
Common shareholders' equity, other disclosures
Voting rights, board of directors	25%
Common Shares | 401(k)
Common shareholders' equity, other disclosures
Shares reserved	67,215
Common Shares | Treasury Shares
Common shareholders' equity, other disclosures
Shares reissued	371,000	536,000	182,000
Share repurchases
Number of shares acquired	496,000	499,000	571,000
Average cost per share	$38.19	$37.19	$35.11
Amount	$18,943	$18,544	$20,045
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.
Repurchase authorization, additional number of shares	1,300,000
Repurchase expiration	This authorization does not have an expiration date.
Series A Common Shares
Common shareholders' equity, other disclosures
Voting rights, board of directors	75%

StockBased_Compensation_Overvi

Stock-Based Compensation Overview, Expense and Valuation Model (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Stock-based compensation
Stock-based compensation expense	$22,383,000	$15,844,000	$21,466,000
Income tax benefit	-8,454,000	-5,984,000	-8,121,000
Total stock-based compensation expense, net of income taxes	13,929,000	9,860,000	13,345,000
Unrecognized compensation cost for all stock-based compensation awards	24,100,000
Weighted average period for recognition of unrecognized compensation cost for all stock-based compensation awards	2 years
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options and other awards	5,300,000
System operations
Stock-based compensation
Stock-based compensation expense	2,954,000	2,911,000	3,029,000
Selling, general and administrative expense
Stock-based compensation
Stock-based compensation expense	19,429,000	12,933,000	18,437,000
2005 and 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plans
Stock-based compensation, overview
Terms of Award	Under the U.S. Cellular Long-Term Incentive Plans, U.S. Cellular may grant fixed and performance based incentive and non-qualified stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, and deferred compensation stock unit awards to key employees. At December 31, 2014, the only types of awards outstanding are fixed non-qualified stock option awards, restricted stock unit awards, and deferred compensation stock unit awards.
2005 and 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plans | Stock Options
Stock-based compensation, overview
Terms of Award	Stock options granted to key employees are exercisable over a specified period not in excess of ten years. Stock options generally vest over a period of three years from the date of grant. Stock options outstanding at December 31, 2014 expire between 2015 and 2024. However, vested stock options typically expire 30 days after the effective date of an employee’s termination of employment for reasons other than retirement. Employees who leave at the age of retirement have 90 days (or one year if they satisfy certain requirements) within which to exercise their vested stock options. The exercise price of options equals the market value of U.S. Cellular Common Shares on the date of grant.
Stock-based compensation
Stock-based compensation expense	9,513,000	5,810,000	8,471,000
2005 and 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plans | Stock Options | Minimum
Stock-based compensation, overview
Stock options expiration date	31-Mar-15
2005 and 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plans | Stock Options | Maximum
Stock-based compensation, overview
Stock options expiration date	14-Jul-24
2005 and 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plans | Restricted Stock Units
Stock-based compensation, overview
Terms of Award	U.S. Cellular grants restricted stock unit awards, which generally vest after three years, to key employees. U.S. Cellular estimates the fair value of restricted stock units based on the closing market price of U.S. Cellular shares on the date of grant. The fair value is then recognized as compensation cost on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods of the awards, which is generally the vesting period.
Stock-based compensation
Stock-based compensation expense	12,125,000	9,485,000	12,300,000
2005 and 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plans | Deferred Compensation Stock Units
Stock-based compensation, overview
Terms of Award	Certain U.S. Cellular employees may elect to defer receipt of all or a portion of their annual bonuses and to receive a company matching contribution on the amount deferred. All bonus compensation that is deferred by employees electing to participate is immediately vested and is deemed to be invested in U.S. Cellular Common Share stock units. The amount of U.S. Cellular’s matching contribution depends on the portion of the annual bonus that is deferred. Participants receive a 25% match for amounts deferred up to 50% of their total annual bonus and a 33% match for amounts that exceed 50% of their total annual bonus; such matching contributions also are deemed to be invested in U.S. Cellular Common Share stock units.
Stock-based compensation
Stock-based compensation expense	185,000	2,000	240,000
Non-Employee Directors' Plan
Stock-based compensation
Stock-based compensation expense	$560,000	$547,000	$455,000
Common Shares | 2005 and 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plans
Stock-based compensation
Shares reserved	9,782,000
Common Shares | 2005 and 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plans | Stock Options
Black Scholes valuation model assumptions
Expected life	4 years 6 months		4 years 6 months
Expected annual volatility rate, minimum	28.00%	29.20%	40.70%
Expected annual volatility rate, maximum	28.10%	39.60%	42.60%
Dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Risk-free interest rate, minimum	1.40%	0.70%	0.50%
Risk-free interest rate, maximum	1.50%	2.40%	0.90%
Estimated annual forfeiture rate	9.40%
Estimated annual forfeiture rate, minimum		0.00%	0.00%
Estimated annual forfeiture rate, maximum		8.10%	9.10%
Common Shares | 2005 and 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plans | Stock Options | Minimum
Black Scholes valuation model assumptions
Expected life		4 years 7 months
Common Shares | 2005 and 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plans | Stock Options | Maximum
Black Scholes valuation model assumptions
Expected life		9 years
Common Shares | Non-Employee Directors' Plan
Stock-based compensation
Shares reserved	197,000

StockBased_Compensation_Option

Stock-Based Compensation Option Rollforward (Details) (Common Shares, 2005 and 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plans, Stock Options, USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Common Shares | 2005 and 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plans | Stock Options
Stock compensation, stock option rollforward schedule, number of options
Outstanding, begin of period	2,714,000	3,214,000	2,834,000
Exercisable options, begin of period	1,359,000	1,928,000	1,533,000
Granted options	1,116,000	1,213,000	677,000
Exercised options	-233,000	-892,000	-47,000
Forfeited options	-144,000	-574,000	-117,000
Expired options	-65,000	-247,000	-133,000
Outstanding, end of period	3,388,000	2,714,000	3,214,000
Exercisable options, end of period	1,586,000	1,359,000	1,928,000
Stock compensation, stock option rollforward schedule, other information
Options outstanding, begin of period - weighted average exercise price	$42.22	$41.58	$43.07
Options exercisable, begin of period - weighted average exercise price	$46.91	$43.99	$46.23
Options granted, weighted average exercise price	$41.21	$32.45	$34.91
Options exercised, weighted average exercise price	$32.80	$34.78	$29.82
Options forfeited, weighted average exercise price	$35.09	$34.17	$38.45
Options expired, weighted average exercise price	$45.68	$48.35	$46.17
Options outstanding, end of period - weighted average exercise price	$41.51	$42.22	$41.58
Options exercisable, end of period - weighted average exercise price	$45.28	$46.91	$43.99
Options granted, weighted average grant date fair value	$10.68	$11.53	$12.61
Aggregate intrinsic value, options exercised	$1,966,000	$6,787,000	$205,000
Aggregate intrinsic value, options outstanding	7,495,000
Aggregate intrinsic value, options exercisable	$2,984,000
Weighted average remaining contractual life, outstanding	6 years 8 months
Weighted average remaining contractual life, exercisable	4 years 5 months

StockBased_Compensation_Nonves

Stock-Based Compensation Nonvested Shares and Other (Details) (Common Shares, USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
2005 and 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plans | Restricted Stock Units
Stock based compensation, Nonvested shares rollforward, number of shares
Nonvested stock units, begin of period - Number of shares	1,170,000
Granted number of shares	370,000
Vested number of shares	-274,000
Forfeited number of shares	-124,000
Nonvested stock units, end of period - Number of shares	1,142,000	1,170,000
Stock based compensation, Nonvested shares weighted average grant date fair value
Nonvested stock units - begin of period weighted average grant date fair value	$36.46
Granted weighted average grant date fair value	$41.24	$32.06	$34.09
Vested weighted average grant date fair value	$41.92
Forfeited weighted average grant date fair value	$34.38
Nonvested stock units - end of period weighted average grant date fair value	$35.60	$36.46
Fair value of vested stock units	$11.10	$8.80	$8.90
2005 and 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plans | Deferred Compensation Stock Units
Stock based compensation, Nonvested shares weighted average grant date fair value
Granted weighted average grant date fair value		$31.50	$36.34
Fair value of vested stock units		$0.10	$0.10
Non-Employee Directors' Plan
Shares issued and granted under stock compensation plans
Shares issued	14,200	13,000	7,600

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Disclos2

Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Supplemental cash flow disclosures
Interest paid	$54,955,000	$42,904,000	$44,048,000
Income taxes paid (refunded)	33,276,000	157,778,000	-58,609,000
Supplemental cash flows, stock based compensation
Cash receipts upon exercise of stock options	5,166,000	10,468,000	900,000
Cash disbursements for payments of taxes	-4,336,000	-4,684,000	-3,105,000
Net cash receipts (disbursements) from exercise of stock options and vesting of other stock awards	830,000	5,784,000	-2,205,000
Auction 901 Mobility Funds
Supplemental cash flow disclosures
FCC auction date	27-Sep-12
Letters of credit outstanding	17,400,000
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	1,900,000
Property, plant and equipment, net | Auction 901 Mobility Funds
Supplemental cash flow disclosures
FCC auction amount received	11,500,000
Maximum | Auction 901 Mobility Funds
Supplemental cash flow disclosures
FCC auction amount	300,000,000
FCC auction amount awarded	40,100,000
Common Shares
Supplemental cash flows, stock based compensation
Shares withheld	163,355	606,582	92,846
Aggregate value of shares withheld	$6,868,000	$25,179,000	$3,604,000

Related_Parties_Details

Related Parties (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Related Party Transactions
Billings to U.S. Cellular from TDS	$91.10	$99.20	$104.30
TDS
Related Party Transactions
Description of related transaction	U.S. Cellular is billed for all services it receives from TDS, pursuant to the terms of various agreements between it and TDS. These billings are included in U.S. Cellular's Selling, general and administrative expenses. Some of these agreements were established at a time prior to U.S. Cellular's initial public offering when TDS owned more than 90% of U.S. Cellular's outstanding capital stock and may not reflect terms that would be obtainable from an unrelated third party through arms-length negotiations. Billings from TDS to U.S. Cellular are based on expenses specifically identified to U.S. Cellular and on allocations of common expenses. Such allocations are based on the relationship of U.S. Cellular's assets, employees, investment in property, plant and equipment and expenses relative to all subsidiaries in the TDS consolidated group. Management believes the method TDS uses to allocate common expenses is reasonable and that all expenses and costs applicable to U.S. Cellular are reflected in its financial statements.

Certain_Relationships_and_Rela1

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2015	Sep. 10, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
						number
Certain relationships and related transactions
Cash received from divestitures	$179,842,000	$811,120,000	$49,932,000
Tower sale
Certain relationships and related transactions
Number of towers	595					595
Tower sale | Divestiture
Certain relationships and related transactions
Cash received from divestitures				159,000,000
Sidley Austin LLP
Certain relationships and related transactions
Legal expense	10,700,000	13,200,000	10,700,000
Description of related transaction	The following persons are partners of Sidley Austin LLP, the principal law firm of U.S. Cellular and its subsidiaries: Walter C.D. Carlson, a director of U.S. Cellular, a director and non-executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of TDS and a trustee and beneficiary of a voting trust that controls TDS; William S. DeCarlo, the General Counsel of TDS and an Assistant Secretary of TDS and certain subsidiaries of TDS; and Stephen P. Fitzell, the General Counsel of U.S. Cellular and TDS Telecommunications Corporation and an Assistant Secretary of U.S. Cellular and certain other subsidiaries of TDS. Walter C.D. Carlson does not provide legal services to TDS, U.S. Cellular or their subsidiaries. U.S. Cellular and its subsidiaries incurred legal costs from Sidley Austin LLP of $10.7 million in 2014, $13.2 million in 2013 and $10.7 million in 2012.
Airadigm Communications, Inc.
Certain relationships and related transactions
Description of related transaction	In December 2014, U.S. Cellular entered into an agreement to sell 595 towers outside of its core markets to a third party for $159 million. The sale of certain of the towers was completed in December 2014, and the sale of the remaining towers was completed in January 2015. See Note 6 – Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Of the 595 towers, six towers were acquired by U.S. Cellular from Airadigm for a total of $2.6 million. These six towers were included as part of the sale of towers by U.S. Cellular in order to avoid the need for two sets of transaction documents. The value of $2.6 million paid by U.S. Cellular to Airadigm for such six towers was determined using the same method of valuation that was used to value the towers owned by U.S. Cellular that were sold to the third party. The Audit Committee of the board of directors reviewed and evaluated this transaction between U.S. Cellular and Airadigm. In December 2013, TDS initially proposed to have Airadigm Communications, Inc. (“Airadigm”) sell to U.S. Cellular the FCC spectrum licenses, towers and customers in certain Airadigm markets for $110 million in cash. Because TDS owns 100% of the common stock of Airadigm and approximately 84% of the common stock of U.S. Cellular, this proposal was a related party transaction. Accordingly, the U.S. Cellular Board of Directors formed a Special Committee comprised entirely of independent and disinterested directors with exclusive authority to consider, negotiate and, if appropriate, approve any such transaction with Airadigm without any further involvement of the full board. The U.S. Cellular Special Committee engaged independent financial advisors and legal counsel. The transaction was negotiated between representatives of TDS and Airadigm, on the one hand, and the Special Committee and its representatives, on the other hand. The U.S. Cellular Special Committee also received a fairness opinion from its independent financial advisor. Following these events, the Special Committee approved a License Purchase and Customer Recommendation Agreement between U.S. Cellular and Airadigm. Pursuant to the License Purchase and Customer Recommendation Agreement, on September 10, 2014, Airadigm transferred to U.S. Cellular Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) spectrum licenses and certain tower assets in certain markets in Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota and Michigan, in consideration for $91.5 million in cash. See Note 6 – Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Purchase price					91,500,000	2,600,000
TDS ownership percentage	100.00%					100.00%
Number of towers purchased	6					6
Airadigm Communications, Inc. | Proposed purchase price
Certain relationships and related transactions
Purchase price							$110,000,000