Consolidated Balance Sheet (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 467,421	$ 378,358
Short-term investments	110,352	100,676
Accounts receivable
Customers and agents, less allowances of $24,984 and $24,290, respectively	289,281	349,424
Roaming	34,460	31,782
Affiliated	21	375
Other, less allowances of $1,588 and $2,612, respectively	45,064	63,639
Inventory	163,433	155,886
Income taxes receivable		1,612
Prepaid expenses	68,063	62,560
Net deferred income tax asset	48,818	35,419
Other current assets	18,845	16,745
Total current assets	1,245,758	1,196,476
Assets held for sale	78,389	216,763
Investments
Licenses	1,396,179	1,456,794
Goodwill	387,360	421,743
Customer lists, net of accumulated amortization of $50,224 and $96,809, respectively	33	102
Investments in unconsolidated entities	276,363	144,531
Long-term investments	40,120	50,305
Total investments	2,100,055	2,073,475
Property, plant and equipment
In service and under construction	7,380,123	7,478,428
Less: Accumulated depreciation	4,556,614	4,455,840
Property, plant and equipment, net	2,823,509	3,022,588
Other assets and deferred charges	82,067	78,148
Total assets	6,329,778	6,587,450
Current liabilities
Current portion of long-term debt	100	92
Accounts payable
Affiliated	15,459	10,725
Trade	341,581	310,936
Customer deposits and deferred revenues	198,799	192,113
Accrued taxes	183,312	35,834
Accrued compensation	62,140	90,418
Other current liabilities	100,500	114,881
Total current liabilities	901,891	754,999
Liabilities held for sale	559	19,594
Deferred liabilities and credits
Net deferred income tax liability	835,808	849,818
Other deferred liabilities and credits	306,262	288,441
Long-term debt	879,121	878,858
Commitments and contingencies
Noncontrolling interests with redemption features	512	493
U.S. Cellular shareholders' equity
Series A Common and Common Shares	88,074	88,074
Additional paid-in capital	1,418,428	1,412,453
Treasury Shares at cost	(177,173)	(165,724)
Retained earnings	2,055,905	2,399,052
Total U.S. Cellular shareholders' equity	3,385,234	3,733,855
Noncontrolling interests	20,391	61,392
Total equity	3,405,625	3,795,247
Total liabilities and equity	$ 6,329,778	$ 6,587,450

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Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of obligations incurred (and for which invoices have typically been received) and payable to vendors for goods and services received that are used in an entity's business. Used to reflect the current portion of the liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer).