Consolidated Statement Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Operating revenues
Service	$ 843,473	$ 910,966	$ 1,697,086	$ 1,907,315
Equipment sales	114,300	84,164	186,498	169,561
Total operating revenues	957,773	995,130	1,883,584	2,076,876
Operating expenses
System operations (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below)	187,131	192,267	367,738	408,566
Cost of equipment sold	271,978	217,070	542,452	458,761
Selling, general and administrative (including charges from affiliates of $22.9 million and $25.0 million, respectively, for the three months, and $44.1 million and $48.5 million, respectively, for the six months)	404,252	404,127	799,816	824,207
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	148,337	202,580	316,090	392,425
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net	6,893	9,018	8,827	14,452
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net	(10,511)	(249,024)	(17,411)	(242,093)
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges			(91,446)
Total operating expenses	1,008,080	776,038	1,926,066	1,856,318
Operating income (loss)	(50,307)	219,092	(42,482)	220,558
Investment and other income (expense)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	33,120	35,602	70,195	62,437
Interest and dividend income	1,573	969	2,457	1,872
Gain (loss) on investments		18,527		18,527
Interest expense	(14,336)	(10,154)	(29,198)	(21,064)
Other, net	100	321	186	106
Total investment and other income	20,457	45,265	43,640	61,878
Income (loss) before income taxes	(29,850)	264,357	1,158	282,436
Income tax expense (benefit)	(10,399)	120,682	2,205	128,051
Net income (loss)	(19,451)	143,675	(1,047)	154,385
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	(662)	284	(1,740)	6,080
Net income (loss) attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	$ (18,789)	$ 143,391	$ 693	$ 148,305
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	84,341	83,845	84,277	83,842
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	$ (0.22)	$ 1.71	$ 0.01	$ 1.77
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	84,341	84,661	85,041	84,655
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	$ (0.22)	$ 1.69	$ 0.01	$ 1.75
Special dividend per share to U.S. Cellular shareholders		$ 5.75		$ 5.75