Consolidated Statement Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Operating revenues
Service	$ 851,063	$ 862,330	$ 2,548,149	$ 2,769,645
Equipment sales	149,356	76,906	335,854	246,467
Total operating revenues	1,000,419	939,236	2,884,003	3,016,112
Operating expenses
System operations (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below)	199,750	177,431	567,488	585,997
Cost of equipment sold	307,862	193,392	850,314	652,153
Selling, general and administrative (including charges from affiliates of $21.5 million and $22.7 million, respectively, for the three months, and $65.6 million and $71.2 million, respectively, for the nine months)	397,545	410,468	1,197,361	1,234,675
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	148,952	200,985	465,042	593,410
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net	7,947	1,701	16,774	16,153
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net	(10,283)	(1,534)	(27,694)	(243,627)
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges			(91,446)
Total operating expenses	1,051,773	982,443	2,977,839	2,838,761
Operating income (loss)	(51,354)	(43,207)	(93,836)	177,351
Investment and other income (expense)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	35,971	37,360	106,166	99,797
Interest and dividend income	3,572	1,095	6,029	2,967
Gain (loss) on investments				18,527
Interest expense	(13,514)	(11,329)	(42,712)	(32,393)
Other, net	95	47	281	153
Total investment and other income	26,124	27,173	69,764	89,051
Income (loss) before income taxes	(25,230)	(16,034)	(24,072)	266,402
Income tax expense (benefit)	(1,459)	(6,433)	746	121,618
Net income (loss)	(23,771)	(9,601)	(24,818)	144,784
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	(1,606)	258	(3,346)	6,338
Net income (loss) attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	$ (22,165)	$ (9,859)	$ (21,472)	$ 138,446
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	84,233	84,005	84,262	83,897
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	$ (0.26)	$ (0.12)	$ (0.25)	$ 1.65
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	84,233	84,005	84,262	84,676
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	$ (0.26)	$ (0.12)	$ (0.25)	$ 1.64
Special dividend per share to U.S. Cellular shareholders				$ 5.75