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Variable Interest Entities VIEs (Details) (USD $) | 6 Months Ended |  |
--- | --- | --- | ---
Jun. 30, 2012 | Jun. 30, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2010
Assets |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 437,624,000 | $ 418,428,000 | $ 424,155,000 | $ 276,915,000
Other current assets | 11,197,000 |  | 10,096,000 |
Licenses | 1,484,202,000 | 1,454,901,000 | 1,470,769,000 | 1,452,101,000
Property, plant and equipment, net | 2,883,118,000 |  | 2,790,302,000 |
Other assets and deferred charges | 71,194,000 |  | 59,290,000 |
Liabilities |  |  |  |
Customer deposits and deferred revenues | 202,485,000 |  | 181,355,000 |
Current liabilities | 642,713,000 |  | 722,280,000 |
Capital contributions and advances | 5,000,000 | 6,800,000 |  |
Variable Interest Entities (VIE's) |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents | 7,933,000 |  | 12,086,000 |
Other current assets | 156,000 |  | 47,000 |
Licenses | 486,136,000 |  | 483,059,000 |
Property, plant and equipment, net | 13,140,000 |  | 9,450,000 |
Other assets and deferred charges | 836,000 |  | 153,000 |
Total assets | 508,201,000 |  | 504,795,000 |
Liabilities |  |  |  |
Current liabilities | 624,000 |  | 957,000 |
Deferred liabilities and credits | 1,620,000 |  |  |
Total liabilities | $ 2,244,000 |  | $ 957,000 |
Barat Wireless, Inc. |  |  |  |
Business Acquisition, Preexisting Relationship |  |  |  |
Date of acquisition agreement | May 21, 2012 |  |  |
Voting stock acquired | 100.00% |  |  |
Acquired entity | Barat Wireless, Inc. |  |  |
Acquisition agreement description | On May 21, 2012, U.S. Cellular entered into an agreement to acquire 100% of the ownership interest in Barat Wireless, Inc., the general partner of Barat Wireless L.P., for an immaterial amount. The acquisition requires approval from the FCC and, if approved, is expected to close in the third quarter of 2012. Following the closing, Barat Wireless L.P. and Barat Wireless, Inc. will cease to be VIEs but will continue to be consolidated. |  |  |

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