Consolidated Balance Sheet (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 404,058	$ 342,065
Short-term investments	40,035	50,104
Accounts receivable
Customers and agents, less allowances of $33,601 and $59,206, respectively	368,597	467,255
Roaming	32,138	30,136
Affiliated	1,244	980
Other, less allowances of $747 and $1,032, respectively	78,509	88,224
Inventory, net	199,859	238,188
Prepaid expenses	63,836	65,596
Net deferred income tax asset	99,105	99,105
Other current assets	20,908	19,538
Total current assets	1,308,289	1,401,191
Assets held for sale		16,027
Investments
Licenses	1,437,831	1,401,126
Goodwill	387,524	387,524
Investments in unconsolidated entities	270,215	265,585
Total investments	2,095,570	2,054,235
Property, plant and equipment
In service and under construction	7,670,466	7,717,512
Less: Accumulated depreciation	4,909,062	4,860,992
Property, plant and equipment, net	2,761,404	2,856,520
Other assets and deferred charges	133,704	117,735
Total assets	6,298,967	6,445,708
Current liabilities
Current portion of long-term debt	46	166
Accounts payable
Affiliated	9,937	11,243
Trade	348,223	405,583
Customer deposits and deferred revenues	267,533	256,740
Accrued taxes	51,249	73,820
Accrued compensation	54,993	66,566
Other current liabilities	139,229	192,055
Total current liabilities	871,210	1,006,173
Deferred liabilities and credits
Net deferred income tax liability	822,205	836,297
Other deferred liabilities and credits	318,793	315,073
Long-term debt	876,715	878,032
Commitments and contingencies
Noncontrolling interests with redemption features	911	536
U.S. Cellular shareholders' equity
Series A Common and Common Shares	88,074	88,074
Additional paid-in capital	1,434,045	1,424,729
Treasury Shares at cost	(161,137)	(164,692)
Retained earnings	2,032,355	2,043,095
Total U.S. Cellular shareholders' equity	3,393,337	3,391,206
Noncontrolling interests	15,796	18,391
Total equity	3,409,133	3,409,597
Total liabilities and equity	$ 6,298,967	$ 6,445,708