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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronoucements (Details) (USD $)
 12 Months Ended
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