Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Series A Common and Common Shares	Additional Paid-In Capital	Treasury Shares	Retained Earnings	Total U.S. Cellular Shareholders' Equity	Noncontrolling Interests
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2010	$ 3,539,970	$ 88,074	$ 1,368,487	$ (105,616)	$ 2,135,507	$ 3,486,452	$ 53,518
Add (Deduct)
Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	172,240				172,240	172,240
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests classified as equity	18,561						18,561
Repurchase of Common Shares	(62,294)			(62,294)		(62,294)
Incentive and compensation plans	1,786		72	14,899	(13,185)	1,786
Stock-based compensation awards	15,475		15,475			15,475
Tax windfall (shortfall) from stock awards	(1,208)		(1,208)			(1,208)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(1,176)						(1,176)
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2011	3,683,354	88,074	1,382,826	(153,011)	2,294,562	3,612,451	70,903
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2011	3,675,917	88,074	1,387,341	(152,817)	2,297,363	3,619,961	55,956
Add (Deduct)
Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	150,628				150,628	150,628
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests classified as equity	19,766						19,766
Incentive and compensation plans	(2,136)		137	6,958	(9,231)	(2,136)
Stock-based compensation awards	15,761		15,761			15,761
Tax windfall (shortfall) from stock awards	471		471			471
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(1,491)						(1,491)
Adjust investment in subsidiaries for noncontrolling interest purchases	2,907		2,907			2,907
Other	(28)						(28)
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2012	$ 3,861,795	$ 88,074	$ 1,406,617	$ (145,859)	$ 2,438,760	$ 3,787,592	$ 74,203