Consolidated Statement Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Operating revenues
Service	$ 853,613	$ 996,349
Equipment sales	72,198	85,397
Total operating revenues	925,811	1,081,746
Operating expenses
System operations (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below)	180,607	216,299
Cost of equipment sold	270,474	241,691
Selling, general and administrative (including charges from affiliates of $21.2 million and $23.5 million, respectively)	395,564	420,080
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	167,753	189,845
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net	1,934	5,434
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net	(6,900)	6,931
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges	(91,446)
Total operating expenses	917,986	1,080,280
Operating income	7,825	1,466
Investment and other income (expense)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	37,075	26,835
Interest and dividend income	884	903
Interest expense	(14,862)	(10,910)
Other, net	86	(215)
Total investment and other income	23,183	16,613
Income before income taxes	31,008	18,079
Income tax expense	12,604	7,369
Net income	18,404	10,710
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	(1,078)	5,796
Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	$ 19,482	$ 4,914
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	84,213	83,838
Basic earnings per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	$ 0.23	$ 0.06
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	85,065	84,588
Diluted earnings per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	$ 0.23	$ 0.06