XML 43 R76.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Stock-Based Compensation Option Rollforward (Details) (Common Shares, 2005 and 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plans, Stock Options, USD $)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Common Shares | 2005 and 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plans | Stock Options
     
Stock compensation, stock option rollforward schedule, number of options      
Outstanding, begin of period 2,714,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
3,214,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
2,834,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
Exercisable options, begin of period 1,359,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
1,928,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
1,533,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
Granted options 1,116,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
1,213,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
677,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
Exercised options (233,000)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
(892,000)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
(47,000)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
Forfeited options (144,000)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriod
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
(574,000)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriod
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
(117,000)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriod
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
Expired options (65,000)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExpirationsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
(247,000)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExpirationsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
(133,000)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExpirationsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
Outstanding, end of period 3,388,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
2,714,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
3,214,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
Exercisable options, end of period 1,586,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
1,359,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
1,928,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
Stock compensation, stock option rollforward schedule, other information      
Options outstanding, begin of period - weighted average exercise price $ 42.22us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
$ 41.58us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
$ 43.07us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
Options exercisable, begin of period - weighted average exercise price $ 46.91us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
$ 43.99us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
$ 46.23us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
Options granted, weighted average exercise price $ 41.21us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
$ 32.45us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
$ 34.91us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
Options exercised, weighted average exercise price $ 32.80us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
$ 34.78us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
$ 29.82us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
Options forfeited, weighted average exercise price $ 35.09us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
$ 34.17us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
$ 38.45us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
Options expired, weighted average exercise price $ 45.68us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
$ 48.35us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
$ 46.17us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
Options outstanding, end of period - weighted average exercise price $ 41.51us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
$ 42.22us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
$ 41.58us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
Options exercisable, end of period - weighted average exercise price $ 45.28us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
$ 46.91us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
$ 43.99us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
Options granted, weighted average grant date fair value $ 10.68us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
$ 11.53us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
$ 12.61us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
Aggregate intrinsic value, options exercised $ 1,966,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
$ 6,787,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
$ 205,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
Aggregate intrinsic value, options outstanding 7,495,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingAggregateIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
   
Aggregate intrinsic value, options exercisable $ 2,984,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestExercisableAggregateIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= usm_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ usm_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
   
Weighted average remaining contractual life, outstanding 6 years 8 months    
Weighted average remaining contractual life, exercisable 4 years 5 months