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Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges, divestitures (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended | 26 Months Ended | 1 Months Ended | 38 Months Ended | 36 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Mar. 31, 2012 | Oct. 31, 2013 | Mar. 31, 2014 | Jan. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014 number | Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2015
Divestitures |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
(Increase) decrease in Operating Income | $ 143,390 us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss |  | $ (146,865)us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss |  | $ (156,656)us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges | (112,993)usm_GainLossOnLicenseSalesAndExchanges |  | (255,479)usm_GainLossOnLicenseSalesAndExchanges |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Divestiture Financial Impacts |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash received from divestitures | (179,842)us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses |  | (811,120)us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses |  | (49,932)us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total (Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net | (32,830)us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfBusiness |  | (246,767)us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfBusiness |  | 21,022 us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfBusiness |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Incremental depreciation, amortization and accretion, net of salvage values | 605,997 us-gaap_DepreciationAmortizationAndAccretionNet |  | 803,781 us-gaap_DepreciationAmortizationAndAccretionNet |  | 608,633 us-gaap_DepreciationAmortizationAndAccretionNet |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets held for sale |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Current assets | 1,466 us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationPrepaidAndOtherAssetsCurrent |  |  |  |  | 1,466 us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationPrepaidAndOtherAssetsCurrent |  |  |  |  | 1,466 us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationPrepaidAndOtherAssetsCurrent |  |
Other assets and deferred charges | 773 us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOtherCurrentAssets |  |  |  |  | 773 us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOtherCurrentAssets |  |  |  |  | 773 us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOtherCurrentAssets |  |
Licenses | 56,809 us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationIntangibleAssetsCurrent |  |  |  |  | 56,809 us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationIntangibleAssetsCurrent |  |  |  |  | 56,809 us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationIntangibleAssetsCurrent |  |
Goodwill | 16,281 us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationGoodwillCurrent |  |  |  |  | 16,281 us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationGoodwillCurrent |  |  |  |  | 16,281 us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationGoodwillCurrent |  |
Property, plant and equipment | 31,726 us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationPropertyPlantAndEquipmentCurrent |  |  |  |  | 31,726 us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationPropertyPlantAndEquipmentCurrent |  |  |  |  | 31,726 us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationPropertyPlantAndEquipmentCurrent |  |
Total assets held for sale | 107,055 us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCurrent |  | 16,027 us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCurrent |  |  | 107,055 us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCurrent |  |  |  |  | 107,055 us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCurrent |  |
Liabilities held for sale |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total liabilities held for sale | 20,934 us-gaap_LiabilitiesOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCurrent |  |  |  |  | 20,934 us-gaap_LiabilitiesOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCurrent |  |  |  |  | 20,934 us-gaap_LiabilitiesOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCurrent |  |
Divestiture transaction |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Divestitures |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Business divestiture description | On November 6, 2012, U.S. Cellular entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement with subsidiaries of Sprint Corp., fka Sprint Nextel Corporation (“Sprint”). Pursuant to the Purchase and Sale Agreement, on May 16, 2013, U.S. Cellular transferred customers and certain PCS license spectrum to Sprint in U.S. Cellular’s Chicago, central Illinois, St. Louis and certain Indiana/Michigan/Ohio markets (“Divestiture Markets”) in consideration for $480 million in cash. The Purchase and Sale Agreement also contemplated certain other agreements, together with the Purchase and Sale Agreement collectively referred to as the “Divestiture Transaction.” These other agreements included customer and network transition services agreements, which required U.S. Cellular to provide customer, billing and network services to Sprint for a period of up to 24 months after the May 16, 2013 closing date. Sprint reimbursed U.S. Cellular for providing such services at an amount equal to U.S. Cellular’s estimated costs, including applicable overhead allocations. These services were substantially complete as of March 31, 2014. In addition, these agreements require Sprint to reimburse U.S. Cellular up to $200 million (the “Sprint Cost Reimbursement”) for certain network decommissioning costs, network site lease rent and termination costs, network access termination costs, and employee termination benefits for specified engineering employees. |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
(Increase) decrease in Operating Income | (12,776)us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember |  | (69,926)us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember |  | 44,535 us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember | (38,167)us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Divestiture Financial Impacts |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net assets transferred |  |  | 213,593 usm_BusinessDivestitureNetAssetsTransferred / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember |  |  | 213,593 usm_BusinessDivestitureNetAssetsTransferred / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Non-cash charges for the write-off and write-down of property under construction and related assets | 9,735 usm_NonCashChargesWriteOffWriteDownPropertyAndRelatedAssets / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember |  | 3 usm_NonCashChargesWriteOffWriteDownPropertyAndRelatedAssets / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember |  | 10,672 usm_NonCashChargesWriteOffWriteDownPropertyAndRelatedAssets / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember | 20,410 usm_NonCashChargesWriteOffWriteDownPropertyAndRelatedAssets / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Employee related costs including severance, retention and outplacement | (115)us-gaap_SeveranceCosts1 / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember |  | 1,653 us-gaap_SeveranceCosts1 / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember |  | 12,609 us-gaap_SeveranceCosts1 / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember | 14,147 us-gaap_SeveranceCosts1 / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Contract termination costs | 24,736 us-gaap_BusinessExitCosts1 / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember |  | 59,525 us-gaap_BusinessExitCosts1 / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember |  | 59 us-gaap_BusinessExitCosts1 / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember | 84,320 us-gaap_BusinessExitCosts1 / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Transaction costs | 719 us-gaap_OtherRestructuringCosts / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember |  | 4,428 us-gaap_OtherRestructuringCosts / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember |  | 1,137 us-gaap_OtherRestructuringCosts / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember | 6,284 us-gaap_OtherRestructuringCosts / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total (Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net | (29,254)us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfBusiness / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember |  | (248,439)us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfBusiness / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember |  | 24,477 us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfBusiness / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember | (253,216)us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfBusiness / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Incremental depreciation, amortization and accretion, net of salvage values | 16,478 us-gaap_DepreciationAmortizationAndAccretionNet / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember |  | 178,513 us-gaap_DepreciationAmortizationAndAccretionNet / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember |  | 20,058 us-gaap_DepreciationAmortizationAndAccretionNet / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember | 215,049 us-gaap_DepreciationAmortizationAndAccretionNet / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Wireless market |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Divestitures |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Business divestiture description | In March 2012, U.S. Cellular sold the majority of the assets and liabilities of a wireless market for $49.8 million in cash. At the time of the sale, a $4.2 million gain was recorded in (Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Divestiture Financial Impacts |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash received from divestitures |  |  |  |  |  |  | (49,800)us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_WirelessMarketMember |  |  |  |  |  |
Total (Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net |  |  |  |  |  |  | (4,200)us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfBusiness / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_WirelessMarketMember |  |  |  |  |  |
Non-operating market licenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets held for sale |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Licenses | 56,809 us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationIntangibleAssetsCurrent / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_NonOperatingLicensesMember |  |  |  |  | 56,809 us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationIntangibleAssetsCurrent / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_NonOperatingLicensesMember |  |  |  |  | 56,809 us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationIntangibleAssetsCurrent / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_NonOperatingLicensesMember |  |
Total assets held for sale | 56,809 us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCurrent / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_NonOperatingLicensesMember |  |  |  |  | 56,809 us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCurrent / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_NonOperatingLicensesMember |  |  |  |  | 56,809 us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCurrent / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_NonOperatingLicensesMember |  |
Mississippi Valley |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Divestitures |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Business divestiture description | In October 2013, U.S. Cellular sold the majority of its Mississippi Valley non-operating market license (“unbuilt license”) for $308.0 million. At the time of the sale, a $250.6 million gain was recorded in (Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (250,600)usm_GainLossOnLicenseSalesAndExchanges / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_NonOperatingLicensesMississippiValleyMember |  |  |  |  |
Divestiture Financial Impacts |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash received from divestitures |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (308,000)us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_NonOperatingLicensesMississippiValleyMember |  |  |  |  |
St. Louis |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Divestitures |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Business divestiture description | In March 2014, U.S. Cellular sold the majority of its St. Louis area non-operating market spectrum license for $92.3 million. A gain of $75.8 million was recorded in (Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges in the Consolidated Statement of Operations in the first quarter of 2014. |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (75,800)usm_GainLossOnLicenseSalesAndExchanges / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_NonOperatingLicensesStLouisMember |  |  |  |
Divestiture Financial Impacts |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash received from divestitures |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (92,300)us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_NonOperatingLicensesStLouisMember |  |  |  |
Assets held for sale |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Licenses |  |  | 16,027 us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationIntangibleAssetsCurrent / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_NonOperatingLicensesStLouisMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Tower sale |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Divestitures |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of towers | 595 usm_NumberOfTowers / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_TowerSaleMember |  |  |  |  | 595 usm_NumberOfTowers / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_TowerSaleMember |  |  |  |  | 595 usm_NumberOfTowers / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_TowerSaleMember |  |
Tower sale | Divestiture |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Divestiture Financial Impacts |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash received from divestitures |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (159,000)us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_TowerSaleMember / us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis = usm_DivestitureMember |  |  |
Tower sale - first closing |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Divestitures |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Business divestiture description | In December 2014, U.S. Cellular entered into an agreement with a third party to sell 595 towers and certain related contracts, assets, and liabilities for approximately $159 million. This transaction was accomplished in two closings. The first closing occurred in December 2014 and included the sale of 236 towers, without tenants, for $10.0 million. On this same date, U.S. Cellular received $7.5 million in earnest money. At the time of the first closing, a $3.8 million gain was recorded in (Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net. |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of towers | 236 usm_NumberOfTowers / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_TowerSaleClose1Member |  |  |  |  | 236 usm_NumberOfTowers / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_TowerSaleClose1Member |  |  |  |  | 236 usm_NumberOfTowers / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_TowerSaleClose1Member |  |
Divestiture Financial Impacts |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash received from divestitures |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (10,000)us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_TowerSaleClose1Member |  |
Total (Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (3,800)us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfBusiness / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_TowerSaleClose1Member |  |
Tower sale - second closing |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets held for sale |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Current assets | 1,466 us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationPrepaidAndOtherAssetsCurrent / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_TowerSaleClose2Member |  |  |  |  | 1,466 us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationPrepaidAndOtherAssetsCurrent / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_TowerSaleClose2Member |  |  |  |  | 1,466 us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationPrepaidAndOtherAssetsCurrent / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_TowerSaleClose2Member |  |
Other assets and deferred charges | 773 us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOtherCurrentAssets / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_TowerSaleClose2Member |  |  |  |  | 773 us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOtherCurrentAssets / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_TowerSaleClose2Member |  |  |  |  | 773 us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOtherCurrentAssets / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_TowerSaleClose2Member |  |
Goodwill | 16,281 us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationGoodwillCurrent / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_TowerSaleClose2Member |  |  |  |  | 16,281 us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationGoodwillCurrent / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_TowerSaleClose2Member |  |  |  |  | 16,281 us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationGoodwillCurrent / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_TowerSaleClose2Member |  |
Property, plant and equipment | 31,726 us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationPropertyPlantAndEquipmentCurrent / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_TowerSaleClose2Member |  |  |  |  | 31,726 us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationPropertyPlantAndEquipmentCurrent / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_TowerSaleClose2Member |  |  |  |  | 31,726 us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationPropertyPlantAndEquipmentCurrent / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_TowerSaleClose2Member |  |
Total assets held for sale | 50,246 us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCurrent / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_TowerSaleClose2Member |  |  |  |  | 50,246 us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCurrent / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_TowerSaleClose2Member |  |  |  |  | 50,246 us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCurrent / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_TowerSaleClose2Member |  |
Liabilities held for sale |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Customer deposits and deferred revenues | 2,704 us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationDeferredRevenueCurrent / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_TowerSaleClose2Member |  |  |  |  | 2,704 us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationDeferredRevenueCurrent / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_TowerSaleClose2Member |  |  |  |  | 2,704 us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationDeferredRevenueCurrent / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_TowerSaleClose2Member |  |
Other current liabilities | 896 us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOtherCurrentLiabilities / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_TowerSaleClose2Member |  |  |  |  | 896 us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOtherCurrentLiabilities / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_TowerSaleClose2Member |  |  |  |  | 896 us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOtherCurrentLiabilities / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_TowerSaleClose2Member |  |
Other deferred liabilities and credits | 17,334 usm_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOtherDeferredLiabilitiesCreditsCurrent / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_TowerSaleClose2Member |  |  |  |  | 17,334 usm_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOtherDeferredLiabilitiesCreditsCurrent / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_TowerSaleClose2Member |  |  |  |  | 17,334 usm_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOtherDeferredLiabilitiesCreditsCurrent / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_TowerSaleClose2Member |  |
Total liabilities held for sale | 20,934 us-gaap_LiabilitiesOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCurrent / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_TowerSaleClose2Member |  |  |  |  | 20,934 us-gaap_LiabilitiesOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCurrent / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_TowerSaleClose2Member |  |  |  |  | 20,934 us-gaap_LiabilitiesOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCurrent / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_TowerSaleClose2Member |  |
Tower sale - second closing | Divestiture |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Divestitures |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Business divestiture description | The second closing for the remaining 359 towers, primarily with tenants, took place in January 2015, at which time U.S. Cellular received $141.5 million in additional cash proceeds and recorded a gain of approximately $107 million. The assets and liabilities subject to the second closing have been classified as “held for sale” in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2014. |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of towers |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 359 usm_NumberOfTowers / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_TowerSaleClose2Member / us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis = usm_DivestitureMember |  |  |
Divestiture Financial Impacts |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash received from divestitures |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (141,500)us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_TowerSaleClose2Member / us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis = usm_DivestitureMember |  |  |
Total (Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (107,000)us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfBusiness / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_TowerSaleClose2Member / us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis = usm_DivestitureMember |  |  |
Asset retirement obligation remediation | Divestiture transaction |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Divestiture Financial Impacts |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Incremental depreciation, amortization and accretion, net of salvage values | 3,400 us-gaap_DepreciationAmortizationAndAccretionNet / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_ScenarioActualMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Minimum | Divestiture transaction |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Divestiture Financial Impacts |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net assets transferred |  |  | 213,593 usm_BusinessDivestitureNetAssetsTransferred / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MinimumMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Incremental depreciation, amortization and accretion, net of salvage values |  |  |  |  |  | 215,049 us-gaap_DepreciationAmortizationAndAccretionNet / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MinimumMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Minimum | Expected event | Divestiture transaction |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Divestitures |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
(Increase) decrease in Operating Income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (63,358)us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MinimumMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_ScenarioForecastMember |
Divestiture Financial Impacts |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Non-cash charges for the write-off and write-down of property under construction and related assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 20,000 usm_NonCashChargesWriteOffWriteDownPropertyAndRelatedAssets / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MinimumMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_ScenarioForecastMember |
Employee related costs including severance, retention and outplacement |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 13,000 us-gaap_SeveranceCosts1 / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MinimumMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_ScenarioForecastMember |
Contract termination costs |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 70,000 us-gaap_BusinessExitCosts1 / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MinimumMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_ScenarioForecastMember |
Transaction costs |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 5,000 us-gaap_OtherRestructuringCosts / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MinimumMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_ScenarioForecastMember |
Total (Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (278,407)us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfBusiness / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MinimumMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_ScenarioForecastMember |
Maximum | Divestiture transaction |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Divestitures |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Transition services agreement duration | 24 months |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Divestiture Financial Impacts |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net assets transferred |  |  | 213,593 usm_BusinessDivestitureNetAssetsTransferred / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MaximumMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Incremental depreciation, amortization and accretion, net of salvage values |  |  |  |  |  | 215,049 us-gaap_DepreciationAmortizationAndAccretionNet / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MaximumMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Maximum | Expected event | Divestiture transaction |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Divestitures |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
(Increase) decrease in Operating Income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (81,358)us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MaximumMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_ScenarioForecastMember |
Divestiture Financial Impacts |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Non-cash charges for the write-off and write-down of property under construction and related assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 22,000 usm_NonCashChargesWriteOffWriteDownPropertyAndRelatedAssets / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MaximumMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_ScenarioForecastMember |
Employee related costs including severance, retention and outplacement |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 16,000 us-gaap_SeveranceCosts1 / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MaximumMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_ScenarioForecastMember |
Contract termination costs |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 100,000 us-gaap_BusinessExitCosts1 / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MaximumMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_ScenarioForecastMember |
Transaction costs |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 7,000 us-gaap_OtherRestructuringCosts / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MaximumMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_ScenarioForecastMember |
Total (Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (296,407)us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfBusiness / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MaximumMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_ScenarioForecastMember |
Purchase price | Divestiture transaction |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Divestiture Financial Impacts |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash received from divestitures |  |  | (480,000)us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = usm_PurchasePriceMember |  |  | (480,000)us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = usm_PurchasePriceMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Purchase price | Minimum | Divestiture transaction |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Divestiture Financial Impacts |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash received from divestitures |  |  | (480,000)us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MinimumMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = usm_PurchasePriceMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Purchase price | Maximum | Divestiture transaction |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Divestiture Financial Impacts |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash received from divestitures |  |  | (480,000)us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MaximumMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = usm_PurchasePriceMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Sprint Cost Reimbursement | Divestiture transaction | Cash received from divestitures |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Divestiture Financial Impacts |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash received from divestitures | (71,100)us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / usm_CashFlowLocationAxis = usm_CashReceivedFromDivestituresMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = usm_ReimbursementOfTransitionAndExitCostsMember |  | (10,600)us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / usm_CashFlowLocationAxis = usm_CashReceivedFromDivestituresMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = usm_ReimbursementOfTransitionAndExitCostsMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Sprint Cost Reimbursement | Maximum | Expected event | Divestiture transaction |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Divestiture Financial Impacts |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash received from divestitures |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (200,000)us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MaximumMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = usm_ReimbursementOfTransitionAndExitCostsMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_ScenarioForecastMember
Sprint Cost Reimbursement | (Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net | Divestiture transaction |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Divestiture Financial Impacts |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash received from divestitures | (64,329)us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = usm_GainLossOnSaleOfBusinessAndOtherExitCostsNetMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = usm_ReimbursementOfTransitionAndExitCostsMember |  | (47,641)us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = usm_GainLossOnSaleOfBusinessAndOtherExitCostsNetMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = usm_ReimbursementOfTransitionAndExitCostsMember |  |  | (111,970)us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = usm_GainLossOnSaleOfBusinessAndOtherExitCostsNetMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = usm_ReimbursementOfTransitionAndExitCostsMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Sprint Cost Reimbursement | (Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net | Minimum | Expected event | Divestiture transaction |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Divestiture Financial Impacts |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash received from divestitures |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (120,000)us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = usm_GainLossOnSaleOfBusinessAndOtherExitCostsNetMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MinimumMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = usm_ReimbursementOfTransitionAndExitCostsMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_ScenarioForecastMember
Sprint Cost Reimbursement | (Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net | Maximum | Expected event | Divestiture transaction |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Divestiture Financial Impacts |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash received from divestitures |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (175,000)us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = usm_GainLossOnSaleOfBusinessAndOtherExitCostsNetMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MaximumMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = usm_ReimbursementOfTransitionAndExitCostsMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_ScenarioForecastMember
Sprint Cost Reimbursement | System operations | Maximum | Expected event | Divestiture transaction |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Divestiture Financial Impacts |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash received from divestitures |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (25,000)us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = usm_SystemOperationsMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MaximumMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = usm_ReimbursementOfTransitionAndExitCostsMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_ScenarioForecastMember
Employee related costs including severance, retention and outplacement | Divestiture transaction |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance Sheet rollforward |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance, beginning of period | 2,053 us-gaap_RestructuringReserve / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember |  | 12,305 us-gaap_RestructuringReserve / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 12,305 us-gaap_RestructuringReserve / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
Costs incurred | 127 us-gaap_RestructuringCharges / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember |  | 6,853 us-gaap_RestructuringCharges / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash settlements | (1,223)us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember | [1] | (11,905)us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember | [1] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Adjustments | (242)us-gaap_RestructuringReserveAccrualAdjustment / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember | [2] | (5,200)us-gaap_RestructuringReserveAccrualAdjustment / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember | [2] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance, end of period | 715 us-gaap_RestructuringReserve / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember |  | 2,053 us-gaap_RestructuringReserve / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember |  |  | 715 us-gaap_RestructuringReserve / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember |  |  |  |  | 715 us-gaap_RestructuringReserve / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember |  |
Contract termination costs | Other current liabilities | Divestiture transaction |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance Sheet rollforward |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance, beginning of period | 13,992 us-gaap_RestructuringReserve / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = us-gaap_OtherCurrentLiabilitiesMember / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_ContractTerminationMember |  | 30 us-gaap_RestructuringReserve / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = us-gaap_OtherCurrentLiabilitiesMember / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_ContractTerminationMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 30 us-gaap_RestructuringReserve / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = us-gaap_OtherCurrentLiabilitiesMember / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_ContractTerminationMember
Costs incurred | 12,703 us-gaap_RestructuringCharges / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = us-gaap_OtherCurrentLiabilitiesMember / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_ContractTerminationMember |  | 22,675 us-gaap_RestructuringCharges / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = us-gaap_OtherCurrentLiabilitiesMember / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_ContractTerminationMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash settlements | (22,210)us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = us-gaap_OtherCurrentLiabilitiesMember / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_ContractTerminationMember | [1] | (8,713)us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = us-gaap_OtherCurrentLiabilitiesMember / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_ContractTerminationMember | [1] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Adjustments | 3,747 us-gaap_RestructuringReserveAccrualAdjustment / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = us-gaap_OtherCurrentLiabilitiesMember / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_ContractTerminationMember | [2] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance, end of period | 8,232 us-gaap_RestructuringReserve / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = us-gaap_OtherCurrentLiabilitiesMember / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_ContractTerminationMember |  | 13,992 us-gaap_RestructuringReserve / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = us-gaap_OtherCurrentLiabilitiesMember / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_ContractTerminationMember |  |  | 8,232 us-gaap_RestructuringReserve / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = us-gaap_OtherCurrentLiabilitiesMember / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_ContractTerminationMember |  |  |  |  | 8,232 us-gaap_RestructuringReserve / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = us-gaap_OtherCurrentLiabilitiesMember / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_ContractTerminationMember |  |
Contract termination costs | Other deferred liabilities and credits | Divestiture transaction |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance Sheet rollforward |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance, beginning of period | 30,849 us-gaap_RestructuringReserve / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = usm_OtherDeferredLiabilitiesAndCreditsMember / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_ContractTerminationMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Costs incurred | 24,171 us-gaap_RestructuringCharges / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = usm_OtherDeferredLiabilitiesAndCreditsMember / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_ContractTerminationMember |  | 34,283 us-gaap_RestructuringCharges / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = usm_OtherDeferredLiabilitiesAndCreditsMember / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_ContractTerminationMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash settlements | (3,569)us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = usm_OtherDeferredLiabilitiesAndCreditsMember / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_ContractTerminationMember | [1] | (3,434)us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = usm_OtherDeferredLiabilitiesAndCreditsMember / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_ContractTerminationMember | [1] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Adjustments | (30,411)us-gaap_RestructuringReserveAccrualAdjustment / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = usm_OtherDeferredLiabilitiesAndCreditsMember / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_ContractTerminationMember | [2] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance, end of period | 21,040 us-gaap_RestructuringReserve / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = usm_OtherDeferredLiabilitiesAndCreditsMember / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_ContractTerminationMember |  | 30,849 us-gaap_RestructuringReserve / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = usm_OtherDeferredLiabilitiesAndCreditsMember / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_ContractTerminationMember |  |  | 21,040 us-gaap_RestructuringReserve / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = usm_OtherDeferredLiabilitiesAndCreditsMember / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_ContractTerminationMember |  |  |  |  | 21,040 us-gaap_RestructuringReserve / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = usm_OtherDeferredLiabilitiesAndCreditsMember / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_ContractTerminationMember |  |
Contract termination costs | Accounts payable - trade | Divestiture transaction |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance Sheet rollforward |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Costs incurred | 4,018 us-gaap_RestructuringCharges / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = us-gaap_AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesMember / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_ContractTerminationMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Adjustments | (1,190)us-gaap_RestructuringReserveAccrualAdjustment / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = us-gaap_AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesMember / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_ContractTerminationMember | [2] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance, end of period | 2,828 us-gaap_RestructuringReserve / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = us-gaap_AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesMember / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_ContractTerminationMember |  |  |  |  | 2,828 us-gaap_RestructuringReserve / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = us-gaap_AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesMember / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_ContractTerminationMember |  |  |  |  | 2,828 us-gaap_RestructuringReserve / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = us-gaap_AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesMember / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_DivestitureTransactionMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_ContractTerminationMember |  |
Earnest money received | Tower sale - first closing |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Divestiture Financial Impacts |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash received from divestitures |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ (7,500)us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses / usm_BusinessDivestitureAxis = usm_TowerSaleClose1Member / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = usm_EarnestMoneyReceivedMember |  |
[1] | Cash settlement amounts are included in either the Net income or changes in Other assets and liabilities line items as part of Cash flows from operating activities in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.
[2] | Adjustment to liability represents changes to previously accrued amounts.

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- Definition Amount classified as assets attributable to disposal group held for sale or disposed of, expected to be disposed of within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 205 -SubTopic 20 -Section 45 -Paragraph 10 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6892542&loc=d3e1107-107759 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCurrent
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

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- Details
Name: | us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCurrentAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
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