Consolidated Statement Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Operating revenues
Service	$ 1,029,742	$ 1,002,030	$ 2,053,562	$ 1,987,143
Equipment sales	74,658	74,152	142,959	146,131
Total operating revenues	1,104,400	1,076,182	2,196,521	2,133,274
Operating expenses
System operations (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below)	243,227	227,801	476,391	445,404
Cost of equipment sold	191,700	170,833	378,736	367,488
Selling, general and administrative (including charges from affiliates of $25.9 million and $25.8 million, respectively, for the three months, and $51.9 million and $51.9 million, respectively, for the six months)	435,053	423,953	877,297	863,662
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	147,555	146,577	294,240	289,917
Loss on asset disposals, net	2,702	2,922	492	3,959
Total operating expenses	1,020,237	972,086	2,027,156	1,970,430
Operating income	84,163	104,096	169,365	162,844
Investment and other income (expense)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	25,154	22,469	46,768	43,360
Interest and dividend income	845	748	1,888	1,597
Gain (loss) on investment	(3,728)	13,373	(3,728)	13,373
Interest expense	(12,360)	(25,197)	(25,771)	(40,383)
Other, net	(229)	175	(27)	50
Total investment and other income (expense)	9,682	11,568	19,130	17,997
Income before income taxes	93,845	115,664	188,495	180,841
Income tax expense	34,597	34,732	60,235	59,479
Net income	59,248	80,932	128,260	121,362
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	(6,563)	(5,993)	(13,083)	(11,262)
Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	$ 52,685	$ 74,939	$ 115,177	$ 110,100
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	84,707	84,930	84,638	85,206
Basic earnings per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	$ 0.62	$ 0.88	$ 1.36	$ 1.29
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	85,061	85,397	85,076	85,739
Diluted earnings per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	$ 0.62	$ 0.88	$ 1.35	$ 1.28