Name:	us-gaap_IndefinitelivedIntangibleAssetsAcquired
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance and having a projected indefinite period of benefit.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26713463&loc=d3e16323-109275

Name:	us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsRollForward
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Indefinite-lived intangible assets that were transferred to assets held for sale during the period.

No definition available.

Name:	usm_AssetsHeldForSaleIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTransferred
Namespace Prefix:	usm_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

The net increase or decrease in Licenses (an indefinite lived intangible asset) carrying value as a result of exchanges that are primarily non-monetary in nature.

No definition available.

Name:	usm_IncreaseDecreaseLicensesExchange
Namespace Prefix:	usm_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Changes not otherwise specified in the taxonomy to the account balance of a major indefinite-lived intangible asset class during the period.

No definition available.