Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Series A Common and Common Shares	Additional Paid-In Capital	Treasury Shares	Retained Earnings	Total U.S. Cellular Shareholders' Equity	Noncontrolling Interests
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 3,409,597	$ 88,074	$ 1,424,729	$ (164,692)	$ 2,043,095	$ 3,391,206	$ 18,391
Add (Deduct)
Net income (loss) attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	(21,472)				(21,472)	(21,472)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests classified as equity	(3,738)						(3,738)
Repurchase of Common Shares	(15,124)			(15,124)		(15,124)
Incentive and compensation plans	1,040			12,755	(11,715)	1,040
Stock-based compensation awards	15,474		15,474			15,474
Tax windfall (shortfall) from stock awards	(563)		(563)			(563)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(517)						(517)
Acquisition of assets in common control transaction	(47,126)		29,141		(76,267)	(47,126)
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2014	3,337,571	88,074	1,468,781	(167,061)	1,933,641	3,323,435	14,136
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2014	3,312,602	88,074	1,472,558	(169,139)	1,910,498	3,301,991	10,611
Add (Deduct)
Net income (loss) attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	243,010				243,010	243,010
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests classified as equity	1,491						1,491
Repurchase of Common Shares	(5,362)			(5,362)		(5,362)
Incentive and compensation plans	(944)		186	14,796	(15,926)	(944)
Stock-based compensation awards	17,472		17,472			17,472
Tax windfall (shortfall) from stock awards	(445)		(445)			(445)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(437)						(437)
Acquisition of assets in common control transaction	(1,552)		885		(2,437)	(1,552)
Adjust investment in subsidiaries for noncontrolling interest purchases	(5)		(5)			(5)
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2015	$ 3,565,830	$ 88,074	$ 1,490,651	$ (159,705)	$ 2,135,145	$ 3,554,165	$ 11,665