Consolidated Balance Sheet (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 183,101	$ 378,358
Short-term investments	45,162	100,676
Accounts receivable
Customers and agents, less allowances of $31,477 and $24,290, respectively	445,165	349,424
Roaming	35,784	31,782
Affiliated	397	375
Other, less allowances of $1,546 and $2,612, respectively	79,569	63,639
Inventory	142,560	155,886
Income taxes receivable		1,612
Prepaid expenses	71,047	62,560
Net deferred income tax asset	54,475	35,419
Other current assets	19,051	16,745
Total current assets	1,076,311	1,196,476
Assets held for sale	78,413	216,763
Investments
Licenses	1,397,888	1,456,794
Goodwill	387,360	421,743
Customer lists, net of accumulated amortization of $50,258 and $96,809, respectively		102
Investments in unconsolidated entities	309,481	144,531
Long-term investments	40,099	50,305
Total investments	2,134,828	2,073,475
Property, plant and equipment
In service and under construction	7,571,429	7,478,428
Less: Accumulated depreciation	4,696,836	4,455,840
Property, plant and equipment, net	2,874,593	3,022,588
Other assets and deferred charges	95,709	78,148
Total assets	6,259,854	6,587,450
Current liabilities
Current portion of long-term debt	102	92
Accounts payable
Affiliated	11,069	10,725
Trade	334,047	310,936
Customer deposits and deferred revenues	212,733	192,113
Accrued taxes	102,510	35,834
Accrued compensation	58,282	90,418
Other current liabilities	133,637	114,881
Total current liabilities	852,380	754,999
Liabilities held for sale	471	19,594
Deferred liabilities and credits
Net deferred income tax liability	829,247	849,818
Other deferred liabilities and credits	294,675	288,441
Long-term debt	878,939	878,858
Commitments and contingencies
Noncontrolling interests with redemption features	540	493
U.S. Cellular shareholders' equity
Series A Common and Common Shares	88,074	88,074
Additional paid-in capital	1,421,261	1,412,453
Treasury Shares at cost	(168,454)	(165,724)
Retained earnings	2,042,254	2,399,052
Total U.S. Cellular shareholders' equity	3,383,135	3,733,855
Noncontrolling interests	20,467	61,392
Total equity	3,403,602	3,795,247
Total liabilities and equity	$ 6,259,854	$ 6,587,450