Consolidated Balance Sheet (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 273,798	$ 342,065
Short-term investments	40,014	50,104
Accounts receivable
Customers and agents, less allowances of $37,270 and $59,206, respectively	411,029	467,255
Roaming	32,003	30,136
Affiliated	13	980
Other, less allowances of $746 and $1,032, respectively	73,328	88,224
Inventory, net	184,822	238,188
Prepaid expenses	62,158	65,596
Net deferred income tax asset	97,856	99,105
Other current assets	23,237	19,538
Total current assets	1,198,258	1,401,191
Assets held for sale	68,288	16,027
Investments
Licenses	1,390,672	1,401,126
Goodwill	387,524	387,524
Investments in unconsolidated entities	296,900	265,585
Total investments	2,075,096	2,054,235
Property, plant and equipment
In service and under construction	7,647,406	7,717,512
Less: Accumulated depreciation	4,900,957	4,860,992
Property, plant and equipment, net	2,746,449	2,856,520
Other assets and deferred charges	168,984	117,735
Total assets	6,257,075	6,445,708
Current liabilities
Current portion of long-term debt	46	166
Accounts payable
Affiliated	10,367	11,243
Trade	395,484	405,583
Customer deposits and deferred revenues	294,377	256,740
Accrued taxes	55,091	73,820
Accrued compensation	57,573	66,566
Other current liabilities	132,294	192,055
Total current liabilities	945,232	1,006,173
Deferred liabilities and credits
Net deferred income tax liability	790,618	836,297
Other deferred liabilities and credits	305,891	315,073
Long-term debt	876,756	878,032
Commitments and contingencies
Noncontrolling interests with redemption features	1,007	536
U.S. Cellular shareholders' equity
Series A Common and Common Shares	88,074	88,074
Additional paid-in capital	1,468,781	1,424,729
Treasury Shares at cost	(167,061)	(164,692)
Retained earnings	1,933,641	2,043,095
Total U.S. Cellular shareholders' equity	3,323,435	3,391,206
Noncontrolling interests	14,136	18,391
Total equity	3,337,571	3,409,597
Total liabilities and equity	$ 6,257,075	$ 6,445,708

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

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of obligations incurred (and for which invoices have typically been received) and payable to vendors for goods and services received that are used in an entity's business. Used to reflect the current portion of the liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer).