Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2008
Earnings per share
Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	$ 136,074	$ 209,547	$ 35,705
Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings per share	86,128	86,946	87,457
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options	89	21	150
Restricted stock units	301	201	147
Weighted average number of shares used in diluted earnings per share	86,518	87,168	87,754
Basic earnings per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	$ 1.58	$ 2.41	$ 0.41
Diluted earnings per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	$ 1.57	$ 2.40	$ 0.41
Common Shares \| Stock Options Member
Effect of dilutive securities:
Antidilutive securities	1,771	2,045	1,103
Common Shares \| Restricted Stock Member
Effect of dilutive securities:
Antidilutive securities	224	193	176

Securities (including those issuable pursuant to contingent stock agreements) that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share (EPS) in the future that were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because to do so would increase EPS amounts or decrease loss per share amounts for the period presented.

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The amount of net income or loss for the period per each share of common stock outstanding during the reporting period.

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The amount of net income or loss for the period per each share of common stock and dilutive common stock equivalents outstanding during the reporting period.

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Contracts and securities that allow the holder to buy common stock from the entity. A call option that gives the holder the right, but not the obligation, to purchase shares of common stock from the entity in accordance with an agreement upon payment of a specified amount. A warrant is a security that gives the holder the right to purchase common stock in accordance with the terms of the instrument, usually upon payment of a specified amount. The dilutive effect of which is reflected in diluted EPS by application of the treasury stock method unless another method is required to be applied.

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Shares whose issuance for little or no cash is contingent upon the satisfaction of certain conditions and shall be considered outstanding and included in the computation of diluted Earnings Per Share.

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The portion of consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent. If the entity does not present consolidated financial statements, the amount of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes.

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The average number of shares issued and outstanding that are used in calculating diluted EPS, determined based on the timing of issuance of shares in the period.

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Number of [basic] shares, after adjustment for contingently issuable shares and other shares not deemed outstanding, determined by relating the portion of time within a reporting period that common shares have been outstanding to the total time in that period.

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