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Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges, divestitures (Details) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended |  | 2 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |  | 12 Months Ended | 14 Months Ended | 26 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 14 Months Ended | 26 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 24 Months Ended | 26 Months Ended | 24 Months Ended | 26 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 26 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 26 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2010 | Dec. 31, 2012 Divestiture transaction | Dec. 31, 2012 Bolingbrook customer care center | Jan. 02, 2013 Bolingbrook customer care center Divestiture | Dec. 31, 2012 Wireless market | Dec. 31, 2011 Wireless market | Dec. 31, 2013 Minimum Divestiture transaction Expected event | Dec. 31, 2013 Minimum Divestiture transaction Expected event | Dec. 31, 2014 Minimum Divestiture transaction Expected event | Dec. 31, 2013 Maximum Divestiture transaction Expected event | Dec. 31, 2013 Maximum Divestiture transaction Expected event | Dec. 31, 2014 Maximum Divestiture transaction Expected event | Dec. 31, 2014 Purchase price Divestiture transaction Expected event | Dec. 31, 2013 Purchase price Minimum Divestiture transaction Expected event | Dec. 31, 2013 Purchase price Maximum Divestiture transaction Expected event | Dec. 31, 2014 Reimbursement of transition and exit costs Minimum Divestiture transaction Expected event | Dec. 31, 2014 Reimbursement of transition and exit costs Minimum Divestiture transaction Expected event | Dec. 31, 2014 Reimbursement of transition and exit costs Maximum Divestiture transaction Expected event | Dec. 31, 2014 Reimbursement of transition and exit costs Maximum Divestiture transaction Expected event | Dec. 31, 2014 Net assets transferred Divestiture transaction Expected event | Dec. 31, 2014 Non-cash charges for the write-off and write-down of property under construction and related assets Minimum Divestiture transaction Expected event | Dec. 31, 2014 Non-cash charges for the write-off and write-down of property under construction and related assets Maximum Divestiture transaction Expected event | Dec. 31, 2012 Employee related costs including severance, retention and outplacement Divestiture transaction | Dec. 31, 2014 Employee related costs including severance, retention and outplacement Minimum Divestiture transaction Expected event | Dec. 31, 2014 Employee related costs including severance, retention and outplacement Maximum Divestiture transaction Expected event | Dec. 31, 2012 Contract termination costs Divestiture transaction | Dec. 31, 2014 Contract termination costs Minimum Divestiture transaction Expected event | Dec. 31, 2014 Contract termination costs Maximum Divestiture transaction Expected event | Dec. 31, 2014 Transaction costs Minimum Divestiture transaction Expected event | Dec. 31, 2014 Transaction costs Maximum Divestiture transaction Expected event | Dec. 31, 2014 Incremental depreciation, amortization and accretion, net of salvage values Minimum Divestiture transaction Expected event | Dec. 31, 2014 Incremental depreciation, amortization and accretion, net of salvage values Maximum Divestiture transaction Expected event | Dec. 31, 2014 Non-cash charges for the write-off and write-down of various operating assets and liabilities Divestiture transaction Expected event
Divestitures |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Business divestiture date |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Jan. 01, 2013 | Mar. 14, 2012 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Business divestiture description | On November 6, 2012, U.S. Cellular entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement with subsidiaries of Sprint Nextel Corporation (“Sprint”). The Purchase and Sale Agreement provides that U.S. Cellular will transfer customers and certain PCS license spectrum to Sprint in U.S. Cellular’s Chicago, central Illinois, St. Louis and certain Indiana/Michigan/Ohio markets (“Divestiture Markets”) in consideration for $480 million in cash at closing, subject to pro-rations of certain assets and liabilities. The Purchase and Sale Agreement also contemplates certain other agreements, collectively referred to as the “Divestiture Transaction.” U.S. Cellular will retain other assets and liabilities related to the Divestiture Markets, including network assets, retail stores and related equipment, and other buildings and facilities. The transaction does not affect spectrum licenses held by U.S. Cellular or VIEs that are not currently used in the operations of the Divestiture Markets. The Purchase and Sale Agreement also contemplates certain other agreements, including customer and network transition services agreements, which will require that U.S. Cellular provide customer, billing and network services to Sprint for a period of up to 24 months after the closing date. Sprint will reimburse U.S. Cellular for providing such services at an amount equal to U.S. Cellular’s cost, including applicable overhead allocations. In addition, these agreements will require Sprint to reimburse U.S. Cellular up to $200 million for certain network decommissioning costs, network site lease rent and termination costs, network access termination costs, and employee termination benefits for specified engineering employees. |  |  |  |  |  |  | Effective January 1, 2013, U.S. Cellular transferred its Bolingbrook Customer Care Center operations to an existing third party vendor. | On March 14, 2012, U.S. Cellular sold the majority of the assets and liabilities of a wireless market for $49.8 million in cash, net of working capital adjustments. At the time of the sale, a $4.2 million gain was recorded in (Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Gain of divestiture |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 4,200,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
(Increase) decrease in Operating Income | (156,656,000) | (280,780,000) | (201,473,000) | 44,535,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (122,000,000) |  |  |  | (10,000,000) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Divestiture financial impacts |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Expected period of realization / incurrence |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2013 | [1] |  |  |  | 2013 | [1] |  | 2014 | [1] | 2013 | [1] | 2012 | [1] | 2013 | [1] |  | 2012 | [1] | 2014 | [1] |  | 2012 | [1] | 2014 | [1] | 2012 | [1] | 2013 | [1] | 2012 | [1] | 2014 | [1] | 2013 | [1]
Cash received for divestitures |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (49,800,000) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 480,000,000 | 480,000,000 | 150,000,000 |  |  | 200,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net assets transferred |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 210,000,000 |  |  |  | 230,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Non-cash charges for the write-off and write-down of property under construction and related assets |  |  |  | 10,672,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 5,000,000 |  |  |  | 15,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Employee related costs including severance, retention and outplacement |  |  |  | 12,609,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 15,000,000 |  |  |  | 25,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Contract termination costs |  |  |  | 59,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 125,000,000 |  |  |  | 175,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Transaction costs |  |  |  | 1,137,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3,000,000 |  |  |  | 5,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total (Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net | 21,022,000 |  |  | 24,477,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (272,000,000) |  |  |  | (230,000,000) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Incremental depreciation, amortization and accretion, net of salvage values | 608,633,000 | 573,557,000 | 570,955,000 | 20,058,000 | [2] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 150,000,000 | [2] |  |  | 210,000,000 | [2] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Non-cash charges for the write-off and write-down of various operating assets and liabilities | 1,764,933,000 | 1,769,701,000 | 1,783,315,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 10,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance Sheet rollforward |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Costs incurred |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 12,609,000 |  |  |  |  | 59,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash settlements |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (304,000) |  |  |  |  | (29,000) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance, end of period |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 12,305,000 |  |  |  |  | 30,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets and liabilities held for sale |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Current assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 4,179,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Licenses | 140,599,000 |  |  | 140,599,000 |  |  |  |  |  | 31,920,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Goodwill | 72,994,000 |  |  | 72,994,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Other intangible assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 4,611,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Property, plant and equipment | 3,170,000 |  |  |  |  | 3,170,000 | [3] |  |  | 8,937,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total Assets held for sale | 216,763,000 | 49,647,000 |  | 213,593,000 |  | 3,170,000 | [3] |  |  | 49,647,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Liabilities held for sale | $ 19,594,000 | $ 1,051,000 |  | $ 19,594,000 | [4] |  |  |  |  | $ 1,051,000 | [4] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
[1] | Represents the estimated period in which a substantial majority of such amounts will be realized or incurred.
[2] | Represents incremental depreciation, amortization and accretion anticipated to be recorded in the specified time periods as a result of revising the useful life of certain assets and revising the settlement dates of certain asset retirement obligations in conjunction with the Divestiture Transaction. Specifically, for the years indicated, this is estimated depreciation, amortization and accretion recorded on assets and liabilities of the Divestiture Markets after the November 6, 2012 transaction date less depreciation, amortization and accretion that would have been recorded on such assets and liabilities in the normal course, absent the Divestiture Transaction.
[3] | Effective January 1, 2013, U.S. Cellular transferred its Bolingbrook Customer Care Center operations to an existing third party vendor.
[4] | Liabilities held for sale primarily consisted of Current liabilities in 2011 and Customer deposits and deferred revenues in 2012.

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- Definition Represents the sum of the carrying value of all the Assets Held-for-Sale at the balance sheet date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 205 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6360339&loc=d3e1361-107760 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 144 -Paragraph 47 -Subparagraph a -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. + Details
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- Definition Other assets that are held for sale apart from normal operations, not otherwise included elsewhere in the taxonomy and which are anticipated to be sold in less than one year, but by their nature which are not considered current (originally classified based on not being realized or converted to working capital within one year of the date of the statement of financial position or operating cycle, if longer). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 205 -SubTopic 20 -Section 45 -Paragraph 10 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6892542&loc=d3e1107-107759 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 144 -Paragraph 46 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. + Details
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