Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity - USD ($) $ in Millions	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, 2014	$ 3,313	$ 88	$ 1,473	$ (169)	$ 1,910	$ 3,302	$ 11
Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	179				179	179
Repurchase of Common shares	(2)			(2)		(2)
Incentive and compensation plans	(2)			13	(15)	(2)
Stock-based compensation awards	11		11			11
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(1)						(1)
Acquisition of assets in common control transaction	(1)		1		(2)	(1)
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2015	3,497	88	1,485	(158)	2,072	3,487	10
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2015	3,571	88	1,497	(157)	2,133	3,561	10
Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	36				36	36
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests classified as equity	1						1
Repurchase of Common shares	(2)			(2)		(2)
Incentive and compensation plans	3			22	(19)	3
Stock-based compensation awards	13		13			13
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(1)						(1)
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2016	$ 3,621	$ 88	$ 1,510	$ (137)	$ 2,150	$ 3,611	$ 10