Consolidated Balance Sheet (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 398,541	$ 342,065
Short-term investments	40,056	50,104
Accounts receivable
Customers and agents, less allowances of $52,431 and $59,206, respectively	352,366	467,255
Roaming	26,833	30,136
Affiliated	667	980
Other, less allowances of $713 and $1,032, respectively	104,605	88,224
Inventory, net	218,882	238,188
Prepaid expenses	65,510	65,596
Net deferred income tax asset	99,105	99,105
Other current assets	19,702	19,538
Total current assets	1,326,267	1,401,191
Assets held for sale		16,027
Investments
Licenses	1,425,945	1,401,126
Goodwill	387,524	387,524
Investments in unconsolidated entities	289,842	265,585
Total investments	2,103,311	2,054,235
Property, plant and equipment
In service and under construction	7,715,292	7,717,512
Less: Accumulated depreciation	4,939,072	4,860,992
Property, plant and equipment, net	2,776,220	2,856,520
Other assets and deferred charges	132,536	117,735
Total assets	6,338,334	6,445,708
Current liabilities
Current portion of long-term debt	166	166
Accounts payable
Affiliated	9,266	11,243
Trade	347,459	405,583
Customer deposits and deferred revenues	255,230	256,740
Accrued taxes	58,574	73,820
Accrued compensation	35,930	66,566
Other current liabilities	161,446	192,055
Total current liabilities	868,071	1,006,173
Deferred liabilities and credits
Net deferred income tax liability	830,960	836,297
Other deferred liabilities and credits	330,467	315,073
Long-term debt	878,127	878,032
Commitments and contingencies
Noncontrolling interests with redemption features	543	536
U.S. Cellular shareholders' equity
Series A Common and Common Shares	88,074	88,074
Additional paid-in capital	1,429,148	1,424,729
Treasury Shares at cost	(165,577)	(164,692)
Retained earnings	2,061,561	2,043,095
Total U.S. Cellular shareholders' equity	3,413,206	3,391,206
Noncontrolling interests	16,960	18,391
Total equity	3,430,166	3,409,597
Total liabilities and equity	$ 6,338,334	$ 6,445,708