Consolidated Balance Sheet (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 419,696	$ 378,358
Short-term investments	110,585	100,676
Accounts receivable
Customers and agents, less allowances of $24,106 and $24,290, respectively	314,463	349,424
Roaming	29,132	31,782
Affiliated	44	375
Other, less allowances of $1,692 and $2,612, respectively	51,062	63,639
Inventory	139,136	155,886
Income taxes receivable	2,776	1,612
Prepaid expenses	64,365	62,560
Net deferred income tax asset	36,302	35,419
Other current assets	17,111	16,745
Total current assets	1,184,672	1,196,476
Assets held for sale	213,593	216,763
Investments
Licenses	1,470,944	1,456,794
Goodwill	421,743	421,743
Customer lists, net of accumulated amortization of $96,844 and $96,809, respectively	68	102
Investments in unconsolidated entities	165,529	144,531
Long-term investments	40,142	50,305
Total investments	2,098,426	2,073,475
Property, plant and equipment
In service and under construction	7,562,931	7,478,428
Less: Accumulated depreciation	4,614,423	4,455,840
Property, plant and equipment, net	2,948,508	3,022,588
Other assets and deferred charges	78,436	78,148
Total assets	6,523,635	6,587,450
Current liabilities
Current portion of long-term debt	93	92
Accounts payable
Affiliated	8,792	10,725
Trade	281,762	310,936
Customer deposits and deferred revenues	202,209	192,113
Accrued taxes	43,357	35,834
Accrued compensation	50,698	90,418
Other current liabilities	98,657	114,881
Total current liabilities	685,568	754,999
Liabilities held for sale	18,360	19,594	[1]
Deferred liabilities and credits
Net deferred income tax liability	857,439	849,818
Other deferred liabilities and credits	292,687	288,441
Long-term debt	878,975	878,858
Commitments and contingencies
Noncontrolling interests with redemption features	466	493
U.S. Cellular shareholders' equity
Series A Common and Common Shares	88,074	88,074
Additional paid-in capital	1,417,308	1,412,453
Treasury Shares, at cost, 4,383 and 3,906 Common Shares, respectively	(183,385)	(165,724)
Retained earnings	2,403,325	2,399,052
Total U.S. Cellular shareholders' equity	3,725,322	3,733,855
Noncontrolling interests	64,818	61,392
Total equity	3,790,140	3,795,247
Total liabilities and equity	$ 6,523,635	$ 6,587,450

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