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Stock-Based Compensation (Table)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]  
Stock-based compensation, fair value assumptions
U.S. Cellular did not grant stock option awards in 2018 or 2017. U.S. Cellular estimated the fair value of stock options granted during 2016 using the Black-Scholes valuation model and the assumptions shown in the table below.
 
2016
Expected life
4.7 years

Expected annual volatility rate
30.5
%
Dividend yield
—
%
Risk-free interest rate
1.2
%
Estimated annual forfeiture rate
9.4
%
Summary of stock options
A summary of U.S. Cellular stock options outstanding (total and portion exercisable) and changes during 2018 is presented in the table below:
Common Share Options
Number of
Options
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
 
Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
(in millions)
 
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)
Outstanding at December 31, 2017
3,495,000

 
$
41.10

 
 
 
 
(2,475,000 exercisable)
 
 
$
40.79

 
 
 
 
Exercised
(2,318,000
)
 
$
39.45

 
 
 
 
Forfeited
(19,000
)
 
$
43.12

 
 
 
 
Expired
(352,000
)
 
$
47.29

 
 
 
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2018
806,000

 
$
43.10

 
$
7

 
6.0
(420,000 exercisable)
 
 
$
42.39

 
$
4

 
5.7
Summary of nonvested restricted stock units
A summary of U.S. Cellular nonvested restricted stock units at December 31, 2018, and changes during the year then ended is presented in the table below:
Common Restricted Stock Units
Number
 
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Nonvested at December 31, 2017
1,483,000

 
$
39.67

Granted
559,000

 
$
38.19

Vested
(395,000
)
 
$
37.30

Forfeited
(78,000
)
 
$
39.78

Nonvested at December 31, 2018
1,569,000

 
$
39.74

 
Summary of nonvested performance share awards
A summary of U.S. Cellular’s nonvested performance shares and changes during 2018 is presented in the table below:
Common Performance Shares
Number
 
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Nonvested at December 31, 2017
342,000

 
$
36.92

Granted
357,000

 
$
38.81

Change in units based on approved performance factors
111,000

 
$
36.92

Forfeited
(42,000
)
 
$
37.37

Nonvested at December 31, 2018
768,000

 
$
37.78
Stock-based compensation
The following table summarizes stock‑based compensation expense recognized during 2018, 2017 and 2016:
Year Ended December 31,
2018
 
2017
 
2016
(Dollars in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
Stock option awards
$
2

 
$
6

 
$
11

Restricted stock unit awards
21

 
19

 
14

Performance share awards
13

 
4

 
—

Awards under Non-Employee Director compensation plan
1

 
1

 
1

Total stock-based compensation expense, before income taxes
37

 
30

 
26

Income tax benefit
(9
)
 
(11
)
 
(10
)
Total stock-based compensation expense, net of income taxes
$
28

 
$
19

 
$
16

 
Stock-based compensation, allocation by financial statement line item
The following table provides a summary of the classification of stock-based compensation expense included in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the years ended:
December 31,
2018
 
2017
 
2016
(Dollars in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
Selling, general and administrative expense
$
33

 
$
27

 
$
23

System operations expense
4

 
3

 
3

Total stock-based compensation expense
$
37

 
$
30

 
$
26