Consolidated Statement Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Operating revenues
Service	$ 1,036,370	$ 1,036,609	$ 3,089,932	$ 3,023,752
Equipment sales	103,987	73,830	246,946	219,961
Total operating revenues	1,140,357	1,110,439	3,336,878	3,243,713
Operating expenses
System operations (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below)	249,245	241,852	725,636	687,256
Cost of equipment sold	248,029	196,229	626,765	563,717
Selling, general and administrative (including charges from affiliates of $25.6 million and $23.8 million, respectively, for the three months, and $77.6 million and $75.7 million, respectively, for the nine months)	438,526	438,774	1,315,823	1,302,436
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	145,151	141,664	439,391	431,581
(Gain) loss on asset disposals and exchanges, net	11,327	(9,700)	11,819	(5,741)
Total operating expenses	1,092,278	1,008,819	3,119,434	2,979,249
Operating income	48,079	101,620	217,444	264,464
Investment and other income (expense)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	24,816	21,929	71,584	65,289
Interest and dividend income	935	869	2,823	2,466
Gain (loss) on investment			(3,728)	13,373
Interest expense	(9,501)	(11,522)	(35,272)	(51,905)
Other, net	200	(97)	173	(47)
Total investment and other income (expense)	16,450	11,179	35,580	29,176
Income before income taxes	64,529	112,799	253,024	293,640
Income tax expense	22,389	43,292	82,624	102,771
Net income	42,140	69,507	170,400	190,869
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	(6,689)	(7,367)	(19,772)	(18,629)
Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	$ 35,451	$ 62,140	$ 150,628	$ 172,240
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	84,737	84,547	84,671	84,984
Basic earnings per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	$ 0.42	$ 0.73	$ 1.78	$ 2.03
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	85,152	84,940	85,090	85,448
Diluted earnings per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	$ 0.42	$ 0.73	$ 1.77	$ 2.02