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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronoucements (Details) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2011 number | Dec. 31, 2010 | Dec. 31, 2009
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements |  |  |
Number of customers | 5,900,000 |  |
Short-term investments | $ 127,039,000 | $ 146,586,000 |
Long-term investments | 30,057,000 | 46,033,000 |
Agent liability | 75,300,000 | 71,300,000 |
Amounts recorded gross in revenues that are billed to customers and remitted to governmental authorities | 125,200,000 | 137,600,000 | 109,100,000
Advertising costs | 257,800,000 | 265,200,000 | 256,900,000
Income taxes receivable | 74,791,000 | 41,397,000 |
Depreciation method used | Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the assets. U.S. Cellular depreciates leasehold improvement assets associated with leased properties over periods ranging from one to thirty years; such periods approximate the shorter of the assets' economic lives or the specific lease terms. Useful lives of specific assets are reviewed throughout the year to determine if changes in technology or other business changes would warrant accelerating the depreciation of those specific assets. U.S. Cellular did not materially change the useful lives of its property, plant and equipment in 2011, 2010 or 2009. |  |
Accumulated amortization of deferred charges | 9,600,000 | 11,900,000 |
TDS |  |  |
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements |  |  |
TDS ownership of U.S. Cellular | 84.00% |  |
Income taxes receivable | 73,700,000 | 39,800,000 |
401(k) |  |  |
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements |  |  |
Defined contribution cost | 15,500,000 | 15,300,000 | 14,300,000
Pension |  |  |
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements |  |  |
Defined contribution cost | 11,600,000 | 11,600,000 | 12,800,000
Allowance for doubtful accounts |  |  |
Accounts receivable |  |  |
Allowance for doubtful accounts, beginning balance | 25,816,000 | 26,624,000 | 8,372,000
Additions, net of recoveries | 62,157,000 | 76,292,000 | 107,991,000
Deductions | (64,436,000) | (77,100,000) | (89,739,000)
Allowance for doubtful accounts, ending balance | 23,537,000 | 25,816,000 | 26,624,000
Loyalty Rewards Program |  |  |
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements |  |  |
Deferred revenue | $ 38,900,000 | $ 7,100,000 |

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