XML 1047 R43.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.0.6

Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified |  |  |  |  | 12 Months Ended |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2010 | Dec. 31, 2009 | Dec. 31, 2012 Minimum | Dec. 31, 2012 Maximum | Dec. 31, 2012 6.7% Senior Notes Minimum | Dec. 31, 2012 6.7% Senior Notes Maximum | Dec. 31, 2012 Fair Value Level 1 | Dec. 31, 2011 Fair Value Level 1 | Dec. 31, 2012 Fair Value Level 1 6.95% Senior Notes | Dec. 31, 2011 Fair Value Level 1 6.95% Senior Notes | Dec. 31, 2012 Fair Value Level 2 6.7% Senior Notes | Dec. 31, 2011 Fair Value Level 2 6.7% Senior Notes | Dec. 31, 2012 Fair Value Government backed securities Level 1 | Dec. 31, 2011 Fair Value Government backed securities Level 1 | Dec. 31, 2012 Book Value | Dec. 31, 2011 Book Value | Dec. 31, 2012 Book Value 6.95% Senior Notes | Dec. 31, 2011 Book Value 6.95% Senior Notes | Dec. 31, 2012 Book Value 6.7% Senior Notes | Dec. 31, 2011 Book Value 6.7% Senior Notes | Dec. 31, 2012 Book Value Government backed securities | Dec. 31, 2011 Book Value Government backed securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 378,358 | $ 424,155 | $ 276,915 | $ 302,991 |  |  |  |  | $ 378,358 | $ 424,155 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 378,358 |  | $ 424,155 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Short-term investments | 100,676 | 127,039 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 100,676 | [1],[2],[3] | 127,039 | [1],[2],[3] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 100,676 | [1],[2],[3] | 127,039 | [1],[2],[3]
Long-term investments | 50,305 | 30,057 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 50,339 | [1],[3],[4] | 30,140 | [1],[3],[4] | 50,305 | [1],[3],[4] | 30,057 | [1],[3],[4] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Long-term debt |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 376,610 | [5] | $ 364,162 | [5] | $ 582,744 | [5] | $ 534,860 | [5] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 342,000 | [5] | $ 342,000 | [5] | $ 532,194 | [5] | $ 534,111 | [5] |  |  |  |
Long term investment maturities |  |  |  |  | Mar. 15, 2014 | Dec. 15, 2014 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fair value assumption, interest rate |  |  |  |  |  |  | 6.09% | 6.85% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
[1] | Designated as held-to-maturity investments and are recorded at amortized cost in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
[2] | Maturities are less than twelve months from the respective balance sheet dates.
[3] | Includes U.S. treasuries and corporate notes guaranteed under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program.
[4] | Maturities range between 14 and 23 months from the balance sheet date.
[5] | Excludes capital lease obligations and current portion of Long-term debt.

X
- Definition Amount of currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. Includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits. Also includes short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Excludes cash and cash equivalents within disposal group and discontinued operation. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6361293&loc=d3e6676-107765 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Cash Equivalents -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6507016 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 8, 9 -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. Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 7, 26 -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. Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Cash -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6506951 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3044-108585 Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 7 -Footnote 1 -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. Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 1 -Article 5 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition This item represents investments in debt securities which are categorized as held-to-maturity and that have scheduled maturities within one year of the balance sheet date or the normal operating cycle, whichever is longer; such investments are measured at amortized cost (carrying value). The held-to-maturity category is for those securities that the Entity has the positive intent and ability to hold until maturity. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 8 -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. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 11 -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. Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6871852&loc=d3e26626-111562 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 43 -Section A -Paragraph 5 -Chapter 3 -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. Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 17 -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. Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 10 -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. Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 19 -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. Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 9 -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. Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 7 -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. Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 25 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7534914&loc=d3e22054-111558 Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 43 -Section A -Paragraph 4 -Chapter 3 -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
Name: | us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesCurrent
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Date of maturity of a debt security categorized as held-to-maturity, in CCYY-MM-DD format. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_HeldtomaturitySecuritiesDebtMaturitiesDate
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition This item represents investments in debt securities which are categorized as held-to-maturity and that have scheduled maturities more than one year from the balance sheet date or operating cycle, if longer; such investments are measured at amortized cost (carrying value). The held-to-maturity category is for those securities that the Entity has the positive intent and ability to hold until maturity. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 25 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7534914&loc=d3e22054-111558 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 19 -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. Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6871852&loc=d3e26626-111562 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 17 -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
Name: | us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, excluding amounts to be repaid within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer (current maturities). Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 22 -Article 5 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Interest rate assumption used in valuing an instrument. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | usm_FairValueAssumptionsInterestRate
Namespace Prefix: | usm_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration