Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) Share data in Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings per share
Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	$ 19,482,000	$ 4,914,000
Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings per share
Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings per share	84,213	83,838
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options	203	151
Restricted stock units	649	599
Weighted average number of shares used in diluted earnings per share	85,065	84,588
Earnings per share, Other disclosures
Basic earnings per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	$ 0.23	$ 0.06
Diluted earnings per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	$ 0.23	$ 0.06
Dividend payable date	Jun. 25, 2013
Dividend date of record	Jun. 11, 2013
Series A Common and Common Shares, dividends per share paid			$ 5.75
Series A Common and Common Shares, dividends paid			$ 482,300,000
Stock Options
Earnings per share, Other disclosures
Antidilutive securities	1,276	2,226
Restricted Stock Units
Earnings per share, Other disclosures
Antidilutive securities		1