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Investments in Unconsolidated Entities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012
Equity and cost method investments |  |  |
Capital contributions, loans, advances and adjustments | $ 116,881 us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentAggregateCost | $ 121,571 us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentAggregateCost |
Cumulative share of income | 1,287,371 usm_EquityMethodInvestmentsCumulativeShareOfIncome | 1,152,916 usm_EquityMethodInvestmentsCumulativeShareOfIncome |
Cumulative share of distributions | (1,122,849)usm_EquityMethodInvestmentsCumulativeShareOfDistributions | (1,010,513)usm_EquityMethodInvestmentsCumulativeShareOfDistributions |
Equity method investments | 281,403 us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments | 263,974 us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments |
Cost method investments | 1,611 us-gaap_CostMethodInvestments | 1,611 us-gaap_CostMethodInvestments |
Total investments in unconsolidated entities | 283,014 us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures | 265,585 us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures |
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities | 129,764 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments | 131,949 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments | 90,364 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments
Los Angeles SMSA Limited Partnership |  |  |
Equity and cost method investments |  |  |
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities | 71,800 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = usm_LosAngelesSmsaLimitedPartnershipMember | 78,400 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = usm_LosAngelesSmsaLimitedPartnershipMember | 67,200 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = usm_LosAngelesSmsaLimitedPartnershipMember
Ownership interest in equity method investment | 5.50%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = usm_LosAngelesSmsaLimitedPartnershipMember | 5.50%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = usm_LosAngelesSmsaLimitedPartnershipMember | 5.50%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = usm_LosAngelesSmsaLimitedPartnershipMember
Aggregate equity method investments |  |  |
Equity method investments, combined assets |  |  |
Current | 691,519 us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationCurrentAssets / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = usm_AggregateEquityMethodInvestmentEntitiesMember | 489,659 us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationCurrentAssets / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = usm_AggregateEquityMethodInvestmentEntitiesMember |
Due from affiliates | 303,322 usm_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationDueFromAffiliates / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = usm_AggregateEquityMethodInvestmentEntitiesMember | 408,735 usm_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationDueFromAffiliates / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = usm_AggregateEquityMethodInvestmentEntitiesMember |
Property and other | 2,295,936 us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationNoncurrentAssets / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = usm_AggregateEquityMethodInvestmentEntitiesMember | 2,026,104 us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationNoncurrentAssets / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = usm_AggregateEquityMethodInvestmentEntitiesMember |
Total assets | 3,290,777 us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationAssets / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = usm_AggregateEquityMethodInvestmentEntitiesMember | 2,924,498 us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationAssets / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = usm_AggregateEquityMethodInvestmentEntitiesMember |
Equity method investments, combined liabilities and equity |  |  |
Current liabilities | 403,005 us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationCurrentLiabilities / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = usm_AggregateEquityMethodInvestmentEntitiesMember | 351,624 us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationCurrentLiabilities / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = usm_AggregateEquityMethodInvestmentEntitiesMember |
Deferred credits | 170,887 usm_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationDeferredCredits / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = usm_AggregateEquityMethodInvestmentEntitiesMember | 84,834 usm_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationDeferredCredits / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = usm_AggregateEquityMethodInvestmentEntitiesMember |
Long-term liabilities | 18,101 us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationNoncurrentLiabilities / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = usm_AggregateEquityMethodInvestmentEntitiesMember | 19,712 us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationNoncurrentLiabilities / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = usm_AggregateEquityMethodInvestmentEntitiesMember |
Long-term capital lease obligations | 1,722 usm_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationLongTermCapitalLeaseObligations / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = usm_AggregateEquityMethodInvestmentEntitiesMember | 707 usm_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationLongTermCapitalLeaseObligations / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = usm_AggregateEquityMethodInvestmentEntitiesMember |
Partners' capital and shareholders' equity | 2,697,062 us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationEquity / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = usm_AggregateEquityMethodInvestmentEntitiesMember | 2,467,621 us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationEquity / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = usm_AggregateEquityMethodInvestmentEntitiesMember |
Total liabilities and equity | 3,290,777 us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationLiabilitiesAndEquity / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = usm_AggregateEquityMethodInvestmentEntitiesMember | 2,924,498 us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationLiabilitiesAndEquity / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = usm_AggregateEquityMethodInvestmentEntitiesMember |
Equity method investments, combined income statements |  |  |
Revenues | 6,668,615 us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationRevenue / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = usm_AggregateEquityMethodInvestmentEntitiesMember | 6,218,067 us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationRevenue / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = usm_AggregateEquityMethodInvestmentEntitiesMember | 5,804,466 us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationRevenue / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = usm_AggregateEquityMethodInvestmentEntitiesMember
Operating expenses | 5,035,544 us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationCostOfSales / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = usm_AggregateEquityMethodInvestmentEntitiesMember | 4,473,722 us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationCostOfSales / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = usm_AggregateEquityMethodInvestmentEntitiesMember | 4,363,399 us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationCostOfSales / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = usm_AggregateEquityMethodInvestmentEntitiesMember
Operating income | 1,633,071 us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationGrossProfitLoss / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = usm_AggregateEquityMethodInvestmentEntitiesMember | 1,744,345 us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationGrossProfitLoss / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = usm_AggregateEquityMethodInvestmentEntitiesMember | 1,441,067 us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationGrossProfitLoss / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = usm_AggregateEquityMethodInvestmentEntitiesMember
Other income, net | 1,160 usm_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationOtherIncomeExpense / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = usm_AggregateEquityMethodInvestmentEntitiesMember | 4,842 usm_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationOtherIncomeExpense / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = usm_AggregateEquityMethodInvestmentEntitiesMember | 4,003 usm_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationOtherIncomeExpense / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = usm_AggregateEquityMethodInvestmentEntitiesMember
Net income | $ 1,634,231 us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationNetIncomeLoss / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = usm_AggregateEquityMethodInvestmentEntitiesMember | $ 1,749,187 us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationNetIncomeLoss / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = usm_AggregateEquityMethodInvestmentEntitiesMember | $ 1,445,070 us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationNetIncomeLoss / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = usm_AggregateEquityMethodInvestmentEntitiesMember

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- Definition Amount, after adjustment, of cost-method investment. Adjustments include, but are not limited to, dividends received in excess of earnings after date of investment that are considered a return of investment and other than temporary impairments. + 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 210.5-02.12) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 325 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6872867&loc=d3e40691-111596 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 325 -SubTopic 20 -Section 35 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=29638308&loc=d3e40346-111594 + Details
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- Definition The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 323 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (a)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33918-111571 + Details
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- Definition This item represents the carrying amount on the entity's balance sheet of its investment in common stock of an equity method investee. This is not an indicator of the fair value of the investment, rather it is the initial cost adjusted for the entity's share of earnings and losses of the investee, adjusted for any distributions (dividends) and other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses recognized. + 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 210.5-02.12) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 323 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35755396&loc=d3e33749-111570 + Details
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- Definition The amount of assets reported by an equity method investment of the entity. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(g)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 323 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33918-111571 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 323 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33912-111571 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 825 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (f) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6957238&loc=d3e14064-108612 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph bb -Article 1 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 08 -Paragraph g -Subparagraph 1, 2 -Article 4 Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph w -Article 1 + Details
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- Definition Amount of equity, including noncontrolling interest, reported by an equity method investment of the entity. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 825 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 28 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6957238&loc=d3e14064-108612 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 323 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33918-111571 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 825 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (f) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6957238&loc=d3e14064-108612 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.g) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690 + Details
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- Definition The amount of gross profit (loss) reported by an equity method investment of the entity. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(g)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 323 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33918-111571 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 323 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33912-111571 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 825 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (f) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6957238&loc=d3e14064-108612 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph bb -Article 1 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 08 -Paragraph g -Subparagraph 1, 2 -Article 4 Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph w -Article 1 + Details
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- Definition The amount of liabilities and equity reported by an equity method investment of the entity. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(g)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 323 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33918-111571 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 323 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33912-111571 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 825 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (f) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6957238&loc=d3e14064-108612 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph bb -Article 1 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 08 -Paragraph g -Subparagraph 1, 2 -Article 4 Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph w -Article 1 + Details
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