Revenue Recognition - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Amounts recorded gross in revenues that are billed to customers and remitted to governmental authorities	$ 61	$ 66	$ 56
Revenue recognized	176
Capitalized contract cost
Contract cost assets	131	126
Amortization of contract cost assets	$ 96	$ 99	$ 104

Amount of amortization expense for asset recognized from cost incurred to obtain or fulfill contract with customer.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 340
-SubTopic 40
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=126905575&loc=SL49131252-203054

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostAmortization
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount, after accumulated amortization and accumulated impairment loss, of asset recognized from cost incurred to obtain or fulfill contract with customer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 340
-SubTopic 40
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=126905575&loc=SL49131252-203054

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostNetAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of revenue recognized that was previously included in balance of obligation to transfer good or service to customer for which consideration from customer has been received or is due.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 606
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 8
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=126920106&loc=SL49130549-203045

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRevenueRecognized
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

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

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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