XML 34 R6.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.3.0.15

Consolidated Balance Sheet Parenthetical (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data | Dec. 31, 2010 | Dec. 31, 2009
--- | --- | ---
Current assets |  |
Customers and agents, less allowances of $24,455 and $26,260, respectively | $ 24,455 | $ 26,260
Other, less allowances of $1,361 and $364, respectively | 1,361 | 364
Investments |  |
Customer lists, net of accumulated amortization of $96,153 and $92,829, respectively | 96,153 | 92,829
U.S. Cellular shareholders' equity |  |
Shares authorized | 190,000 | 190,000
Shares issued | 88,074 | 88,074
Shares outstanding | 85,547 | 86,540
Par value per share | $ 1.00 | $ 1.00
Par value | 88,074 | 88,074
Treasury shares | 2,527 | 1,534
Common Shares |  |
U.S. Cellular shareholders' equity |  |
Shares authorized | 140,000 | 140,000
Shares issued | 55,068 | 55,068
Shares outstanding | 52,541 | 53,534
Par value per share | $ 1.00 | $ 1.00
Par value | 55,068 | 55,068
Treasury shares | 2,527 | 1,534
Series A Common Shares |  |
U.S. Cellular shareholders' equity |  |
Shares authorized | 50,000 | 50,000
Shares issued | 33,006 | 33,006
Shares outstanding | 33,006 | 33,006
Par value per share | $ 1.00 | $ 1.00
Par value | $ 33,006 | $ 33,006

X
- Definition A valuation allowance for trade and other receivables due to an Entity within one year (or the normal operating cycle, whichever is longer) that are expected to be uncollectible. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 4 -Article 5 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_AssetsCurrentAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Face amount or stated value of common stock per share; generally not indicative of the fair market value per share. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 129 -Paragraph 4 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 30 -Article 5 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap
Data Type: | us-types:perShareItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The maximum number of common shares permitted to be issued by an entity's charter and bylaws. + 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
Name: | us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap
Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Total number of common shares of an entity that have been sold or granted to shareholders (includes common shares that were issued, repurchased and remain in the treasury). These shares represent capital invested by the firm's shareholders and owners, and may be all or only a portion of the number of shares authorized. Shares issued include shares outstanding and shares held in the treasury. + 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
Name: | us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap
Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Total number of shares of common stock held by shareholders. May be all or portion of the number of common shares authorized. These shares represent the ownership interest of the common shareholders. Excludes common shares repurchased by the entity and held as Treasury shares. Shares outstanding equals shares issued minus shares held in treasury. Does not include common shares that have been repurchased. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 12 -Paragraph 10 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Article 3 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 30 -Article 5 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap
Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- 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
Name: | us-gaap_CommonStockValue
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The accumulated amount of amortization of a major finite-lived intangible asset class. A major class is composed of intangible assets that can be grouped together because they are similar, either by their nature or by their use in the operations of a company. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 142 -Paragraph 45 -Subparagraph a(1) + Details
Name: | us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LongTermInvestmentsAndReceivablesNetAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Number of common and preferred shares that were previously issued and that were repurchased by the issuing entity and held in treasury on the financial statement date. This stock has no voting rights and receives no dividends. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 29, 30 -Article 5 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_TreasuryStockShares
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap
Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition A valuation allowance for other receivables not otherwise specified in the taxonomy due to an Entity within one year (or the normal operating cycle, whichever is longer) that are expected to be uncollectible. + Details
Name: | usm_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableOtherCurrent
Namespace Prefix: | usm
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant