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Variable Interest Entities VIEs (Details) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended |  |
--- | --- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2010 | Dec. 31, 2009
Assets |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 378,358,000 | $ 424,155,000 | $ 276,915,000 | $ 302,991,000
Other current assets | 16,745,000 | 10,096,000 |  |
Licenses | 1,456,794,000 | 1,470,769,000 | 1,452,101,000 |
Property, plant and equipment, net | 3,022,588,000 | 2,790,302,000 |  |
Other assets and deferred charges | 78,148,000 | 59,290,000 |  |
Liabilities |  |  |  |
Customer deposits and deferred revenues | 192,113,000 | 181,355,000 |  |
Current liabilities | 754,999,000 | 722,280,000 |  |
Capital contributions and advances | 10,000,000 | 15,800,000 |  |
Noncontrolling interests with redemption features | 493,000 | 1,005,000 |  |
Variable Interest Entities (VIE's) |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents | 5,849,000 | 12,086,000 |  |
Other current assets | 120,000 | 47,000 |  |
Licenses | 308,091,000 | 483,059,000 |  |
Property, plant and equipment, net | 16,443,000 | 9,450,000 |  |
Other assets and deferred charges | 887,000 | 153,000 |  |
Total assets | 331,390,000 | 504,795,000 |  |
Liabilities |  |  |  |
Current liabilities | 1,013,000 | 957,000 |  |
Deferred liabilities and credits | 3,024,000 |  |  |
Total liabilities | $ 4,037,000 | $ 957,000 |  |
VIE put options | true |  |  |
Put option exercisable dates | The limited partnership agreements of Aquinas Wireless and King Street Wireless also provide the general partner with a put option whereby the general partner may require the limited partner, a subsidiary of U.S. Cellular, to purchase its interest in the limited partnership. The general partner’s put options related to its interests in King Street Wireless and Aquinas Wireless will become exercisable in 2019 and 2020, respectively. |  |  |
Carroll PCS |  |  |  |
Business Acquisition, Preexisting Relationship |  |  |  |
Date of acquisition | Dec. 05, 2012 |  |  |
Voting stock acquired | 100.00% |  |  |
Acquired entity | Carroll PCS, Inc. |  |  |
Acquisition description | On September 7, 2012, U.S. Cellular acquired 100% of the ownership interest in Barat Wireless, Inc., the general partner of Barat Wireless, for an immaterial amount. On December 5, 2012, U.S. Cellular acquired 100% of the ownership interest in Carroll PCS, Inc., the general partner of Carroll Wireless, for an immaterial amount. Prior to these acquisitions, U.S. Cellular consolidated Barat Wireless, Barat Wireless, Inc., Carroll Wireless, and Carroll PCS, Inc. as VIEs. Subsequent to the acquisition dates these entities ceased to be VIEs but continue to be consolidated based on U.S. Cellular’s controlling financial interest in the entities. |  |  |
Barat Wireless, Inc. |  |  |  |
Business Acquisition, Preexisting Relationship |  |  |  |
Date of acquisition | Sep. 07, 2012 |  |  |
Voting stock acquired | 100.00% |  |  |
Acquired entity | Barat Wireless, Inc. |  |  |
Acquisition description | On September 7, 2012, U.S. Cellular acquired 100% of the ownership interest in Barat Wireless, Inc., the general partner of Barat Wireless, for an immaterial amount. On December 5, 2012, U.S. Cellular acquired 100% of the ownership interest in Carroll PCS, Inc., the general partner of Carroll Wireless, for an immaterial amount. Prior to these acquisitions, U.S. Cellular consolidated Barat Wireless, Barat Wireless, Inc., Carroll Wireless, and Carroll PCS, Inc. as VIEs. Subsequent to the acquisition dates these entities ceased to be VIEs but continue to be consolidated based on U.S. Cellular’s controlling financial interest in the entities. |  |  |

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