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Common Shareholders' Equity (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012
Share repurchases |  |  |
Amount | $ 18,943 us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod | $ 18,544 us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod | $ 20,045 us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod
Treasury Shares |  |  |
Share repurchases |  |  |
Amount | 18,943 us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember | 18,544 us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember | 20,045 us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
Common Shares |  |  |
Common shareholders' equity, other disclosures |  |  |
Voting rights, board of directors | 25% |  |
Common Shares | 401(k) |  |  |
Common shareholders' equity, other disclosures |  |  |
Shares reserved | 67,215 us-gaap_CommonStockCapitalSharesReservedForFutureIssuance / usm_DefinedContributionPlansDisclosuresDefinedContributionPlansAxis = us-gaap_TrustForBenefitOfEmployeesMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_CommonClassBMember |  |
Common Shares | Treasury Shares |  |  |
Common shareholders' equity, other disclosures |  |  |
Shares reissued | 371,000 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_CommonClassBMember / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember | 536,000 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_CommonClassBMember / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember | 182,000 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_CommonClassBMember / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
Share repurchases |  |  |
Number of shares acquired | 496,000 us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_CommonClassBMember / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember | 499,000 us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_CommonClassBMember / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember | 571,000 us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_CommonClassBMember / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
Average cost per share | $ 38.19 us-gaap_TreasuryStockAcquiredAverageCostPerShare / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_CommonClassBMember / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember | $ 37.19 us-gaap_TreasuryStockAcquiredAverageCostPerShare / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_CommonClassBMember / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember | $ 35.11 us-gaap_TreasuryStockAcquiredAverageCostPerShare / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_CommonClassBMember / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
Amount | $ 18,943 us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_CommonClassBMember / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember | $ 18,544 us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_CommonClassBMember / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember | $ 20,045 us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_CommonClassBMember / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
Common share repurchase authorization | On November 17, 2009, the Board of Directors of U.S. Cellular authorized the repurchase of up to 1,300,000 Common Shares on an annual basis beginning in 2009 and continuing each year thereafter, on a cumulative basis. These purchases will be made pursuant to open market purchases, block purchases, private purchases, or otherwise, depending on market prices and other conditions. |  |
Repurchase authorization, additional number of shares | 1,300,000 usm_StockRepurchaseProgramAdditionalNumberOfSharesAuthorizedToBeRepurchased / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_CommonClassBMember / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember |  |
Repurchase expiration | This authorization does not have an expiration date. |  |
Series A Common Shares |  |  |
Common shareholders' equity, other disclosures |  |  |
Voting rights, board of directors | 75% |  |

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