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Consolidated Balance Sheet (USD $) In Thousands | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2010 | Dec. 31, 2009
Current assets |  |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 294,426 | $ 294,411
Short-term investments | 146,586 | 330
Accounts receivable |  |
Customers and agents, less allowances of $24,455 and $26,260, respectively | 331,452 | 339,825
Roaming | 37,218 | 28,450
Affiliated | 226 | 135
Other, less allowances of $1,361 and $364, respectively | 55,123 | 56,647
Inventory | 112,279 | 152,556
Prepaid Taxes | 41,397 | 717
Prepaid expenses | 53,356 | 63,463
Net deferred income tax asset | 26,757 | 21,570
Other current assets | 10,804 | 51,013
Total current assets | 1,109,624 | 1,009,117
Investments |  |
Licenses | 1,452,101 | 1,435,000
Goodwill | 494,737 | 494,737
Customer lists, net of accumulated amortization of $96,153 and $92,829, respectively | 759 | 4,083
Investments in unconsolidated entities | 160,847 | 161,481
Notes and interest receivable - long-term | 4,070 | 4,214
Long-term investments | 46,033 |
Total investments | 2,158,547 | 2,099,515
Property, plant and equipment |  |
In service and under construction | 6,340,537 | 5,844,962
Less: Accumulated depreciation | 3,766,015 | 3,284,102
Property, plant and equipment, net | 2,574,522 | 2,560,860
Other assets and deferred charges | 50,367 | 38,776
Total assets | 5,893,060 | 5,708,268
Current liabilities |  |
Current portion of long-term debt | 101 | 76
Accounts payable |  |
Affiliated | 10,791 | 14,732
Trade | 281,601 | 296,288
Customer deposits and deferred revenues | 146,428 | 140,248
Accrued taxes | 39,299 | 57,507
Accrued compensation | 65,952 | 62,242
Other current liabilities | 121,823 | 92,884
Total current liabilities | 665,995 | 663,977
Deferred liabilities and credits |  |
Net deferred income tax liability | 583,444 | 515,320
Other deferred liabilities and credits | 234,855 | 218,489
Long-term debt | 867,941 | 867,522
Commitments and contingencies |  |
Noncontrolling interests with redemption features | 855 | 727
U.S. Cellular shareholders' equity |  |
Series A Common and Common Shares | 88,074 | 88,074
Additional paid-in capital | 1,368,487 | 1,356,322
Treasury Shares, at cost | (105,616) | (69,616)
Retained earnings | 2,135,507 | 2,015,752
Total U.S. Cellular shareholders' equity | 3,486,452 | 3,390,532
Noncontrolling interests | 53,518 | 51,701
Total equity | 3,539,970 | 3,442,233
Total liabilities and equity | 5,893,060 | 5,708,268
Series A Common Shares |  |
U.S. Cellular shareholders' equity |  |
Series A Common and Common Shares | 33,006 | 33,006
Common Shares |  |
U.S. Cellular shareholders' equity |  |
Series A Common and Common Shares | $ 55,068 | $ 55,068

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- Definition Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Concepts (CON) -Number 6 -Paragraph 25 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 18 -Article 5 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 12 -Article 7 + Details
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- Definition Includes currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. It also includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits in that the Entity may deposit additional funds at any time and also effectively may withdraw funds at any time without prior notice or penalty. Cash equivalents, excluding items classified as marketable securities, include short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash, and so near their maturity that they present minimal risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Generally, only investments with original maturities of three months or less qualify under that definition. Original maturity means original maturity to the entity holding the investment. For example, both a three-month US Treasury bill and a three-year Treasury note purchased three months from maturity qualify as cash equivalents. However, a Treasury note purchased three years ago does not become a cash equivalent when its remaining maturity is three months. Compensating balance arrangements that do not legally restrict the withdrawal or usage of cash amounts may be reported as Cash and Cash Equivalents, while legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or company statements of intention with regard to particular deposits should not be reported as cash and cash equivalents. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 7, 26 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 8, 9 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 7 -Footnote 1 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 1 -Article 5 + Details
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- Definition Dollar value of issued common stock whether issued at par value, no par or stated value. This item includes treasury stock repurchased by the entity. Note: elements for number of common shares, par value and other disclosure concepts are in another section within stockholders' equity. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 30 -Article 5 + Details
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- Definition Total carrying amount of consideration received or receivable as of the balance sheet date on potential earnings that were not recognized as revenue or other forms of income in conformity with GAAP, and which are expected to be recognized as such within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 13 -Section A + Details
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- Definition For entities that net deferred tax assets and tax liabilities, represents the net amount of deferred tax assets (after reduction for valuation allowance) and liabilities as of the balance sheet date, which result from applying the applicable enacted tax rate to net temporary differences and carryforwards pertaining to assets or liabilities that are classified as current in the financial statements, or that are expected to reverse in the next twelve months (or normal operating cycle, if longer). A temporary difference is a difference between the tax basis of an asset or liability and its carrying amount in the financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles that will reverse in ensuing periods. In a classified statement of financial position, an enterprise shall separate deferred tax liabilities and assets into a current amount and a noncurrent amount. Deferred tax liabilities and assets shall be classified as current or noncurrent based on the classification of the related asset or liability for financial reporting. A deferred tax liability or asset that is not related to an asset or liability for financial reporting, including deferred tax assets related to carryforwards, shall be classified according to the expected reversal date of the temporary difference. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 41, 42, 43 + Details
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- Definition For entities that net deferred tax assets and tax liabilities, represents the net amount of deferred tax assets (after reduction for valuation allowance) and liabilities as of the balance sheet date, which result from applying the applicable enacted tax rate to net temporary differences and carryforwards pertaining to assets or liabilities that are classified as noncurrent in the financial statements, or that are expected to reverse after the next twelve months (or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer). A temporary difference is a difference between the tax basis of an asset or liability and its carrying amount in the financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles that will reverse in ensuing periods. In a classified statement of financial position, an enterprise shall separate deferred tax liabilities and assets into a current amount and a noncurrent amount. Deferred tax liabilities and assets shall be classified as current or noncurrent based on the classification of the related asset or liability for financial reporting. A deferred tax liability or asset that is not related to an asset or liability for financial reporting, including deferred tax assets related to carryforwards, shall be classified according to the expected reversal date of the temporary difference. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 41, 42, 43 + Details
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- Definition Amount of payable due to an entity that is affiliated with the reporting entity by means of direct or indirect ownership. Used to reflect the current portion of the liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Paragraph 12 -Subparagraph 3 -Article 6 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19 -Subparagraph a -Article 5 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 08 -Paragraph k -Subparagraph 1 -Article 4 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 57 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph d + Details
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- Definition Total of the carrying values as of the balance sheet date of obligations incurred through that date and payable for obligations related to services received from employees, such as accrued salaries and bonuses, payroll taxes and fringe benefits. Used to reflect the current portion of the liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 20 -Article 5 + Details
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- Definition Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date, which is the cumulative amount paid, adjusted for any amortization recognized prior to adoption of FAS 142 and for any impairment charges, in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired in one or more business combination transactions. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 142 -Paragraph 43 + Details
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- Definition Total of all Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity items. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 32 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 25 -Article 7 + Details
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- Definition Total of all Stockholders' Equity (deficit) items, net of receivables from officers, directors owners, and affiliates of the entity which is directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent (noncontrolling interest, minority interest). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 27 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 20 -Article 7 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 26 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph A3 -Appendix A + Details
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