Consolidated Statement Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Operating revenues
Service	$ 862,330	$ 1,036,370	$ 2,769,645	$ 3,089,932
Equipment sales	76,906	103,987	246,467	246,946
Total operating revenues	939,236	1,140,357	3,016,112	3,336,878
Operating expenses
System operations (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below)	177,431	249,245	585,997	725,636
Cost of equipment sold	193,392	248,029	652,153	626,765
Selling, general and administrative (including charges from affiliates of $22.7 million and $25.6 million, respectively, for the three months, and $71.2 million and $77.6 million, respectively for the nine months)	410,468	438,526	1,234,675	1,315,823
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	200,985	145,151	593,410	439,391
Loss on asset disposals, net	1,701	11,262	16,153	15,967
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net	(1,534)	65	(243,627)	(4,148)
Total operating expenses	982,443	1,092,278	2,838,761	3,119,434
Operating income (loss)	(43,207)	48,079	177,351	217,444
Investment and other income (expense)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	37,360	24,816	99,797	71,584
Interest and dividend income	1,095	935	2,967	2,823
Gain (loss) on investments			18,527	(3,728)
Interest expense	(11,329)	(9,501)	(32,393)	(35,272)
Other, net	47	200	153	173
Total investment and other income (expense)	27,173	16,450	89,051	35,580
Income (loss) before income taxes	(16,034)	64,529	266,402	253,024
Income tax expense (benefit)	(6,433)	22,389	121,618	82,624
Net income (loss)	(9,601)	42,140	144,784	170,400
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	258	6,689	6,338	19,772
Net income (loss) attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	$ (9,859)	$ 35,451	$ 138,446	$ 150,628
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	84,005	84,737	83,897	84,671
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	$ (0.12)	$ 0.42	$ 1.65	$ 1.78
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	84,005	85,348	84,676	85,261
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	$ (0.12)	$ 0.42	$ 1.64	$ 1.77
Special dividend per share to U.S. Cellular shareholders			$ 5.75