Basis of Presentation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Basis of Presentation [Line Items]
Amounts recorded gross in revenues that are billed to customers and remitted to governmental authorities	$ 15	$ 19	$ 49	$ 60
TDS
Basis of Presentation [Line Items]
TDS ownership of U.S. Cellular	83.00%		83.00%

The total Universal Service Funds and other surcharges recorded gross in revenues that are billed to customers and remitted to governmental authorities.

No definition available.

Name:	usm_AmountsCollectedAndRemittedToGovernmentalAuthorities
Namespace Prefix:	usm_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration