Consolidated Balance Sheet Parenthetical (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Current assets
Customers and agents, allowances	$ 37,654	$ 59,206
Other, allowances	859	1,032
U.S. Cellular shareholders' equity
Authorized shares	190,000us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized	190,000us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized
Issued shares	88,074us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued	88,074us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued
Outstanding shares	84,080us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding	84,205us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding
Par value	88,074us-gaap_CommonStockValue	88,074us-gaap_CommonStockValue
Treasury shares	3,994us-gaap_TreasuryStockShares	3,869us-gaap_TreasuryStockShares
Common Shares
U.S. Cellular shareholders' equity
Authorized shares	140,000	140,000
Issued shares	55,068	55,068
Outstanding shares	51,074	51,199
Par value per share	$ 1.00	$ 1.00
Par value	55,068	55,068
Treasury shares	3,994	3,869
Series A Common Shares
U.S. Cellular shareholders' equity
Authorized shares	50,000	50,000
Issued shares	33,006	33,006
Outstanding shares	33,006	33,006
Par value per share	$ 1.00	$ 1.00
Par value	$ 33,006	$ 33,006

A valuation allowance for trade and other receivables due to an Entity within one year (or the normal operating cycle, whichever is longer) that are expected to be uncollectible.

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