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Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | Total | Series A Common and Common Shares | Additional Paid-In Capital | Treasury Shares | Retained Earnings | Total U.S. Cellular Shareholders' Equity | Noncontrolling Interests
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2013 | $ 3,409,597 us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest | $ 88,074 us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_CommonStockMember | $ 1,424,729 us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember | $ (164,692)us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember | $ 2,043,095 us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember | $ 3,391,206 us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_ParentMember | $ 18,391 us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember
Add (Deduct) |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders | 19,482 us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss |  |  |  | 19,482 us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember | 19,482 us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_ParentMember |
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests classified as equity | (1,107)usm_MinorityInterestInNetIncomeLossEquityMinorityInterests |  |  |  |  |  | (1,107)usm_MinorityInterestInNetIncomeLossEquityMinorityInterests / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember
Repurchase of Common Shares | (2,300)us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod |  |  | (2,300)us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember |  | (2,300)us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_ParentMember |
Incentive and compensation plans | 399 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation |  | 0 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember | 1,415 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember | (1,016)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember | 399 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_ParentMember |
Stock-based compensation awards | 4,576 us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue |  | 4,576 us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember |  |  | 4,576 us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_ParentMember |
Tax windfall (shortfall) from stock awards | (157)us-gaap_AdjustmentToAdditionalPaidInCapitalIncomeTaxEffectFromShareBasedCompensationNet |  | (157)us-gaap_AdjustmentToAdditionalPaidInCapitalIncomeTaxEffectFromShareBasedCompensationNet / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember |  |  | (157)us-gaap_AdjustmentToAdditionalPaidInCapitalIncomeTaxEffectFromShareBasedCompensationNet / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_ParentMember |
Distributions to noncontrolling interests | (324)us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders |  |  |  |  |  | (324)us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2014 | 3,430,166 us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest | 88,074 us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_CommonStockMember | 1,429,148 us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember | (165,577)us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember | 2,061,561 us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember | 3,413,206 us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_ParentMember | 16,960 us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2014 | 3,312,602 us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest | 88,074 us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_CommonStockMember | 1,472,558 us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember | (169,139)us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember | 1,910,498 us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember | 3,301,991 us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_ParentMember | 10,611 us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember
Add (Deduct) |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders | 160,064 us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss |  |  |  | 160,064 us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember | 160,064 us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_ParentMember |
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests classified as equity | (691)usm_MinorityInterestInNetIncomeLossEquityMinorityInterests |  |  |  |  |  | (691)usm_MinorityInterestInNetIncomeLossEquityMinorityInterests / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember
Repurchase of Common Shares | (2,302)us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod |  |  | (2,302)us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember |  | (2,302)us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_ParentMember |
Incentive and compensation plans | 413 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation |  | 186 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember | 897 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember | (670)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember | 413 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_ParentMember |
Stock-based compensation awards | 5,492 us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue |  | 5,492 us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember |  |  | 5,492 us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_ParentMember |
Tax windfall (shortfall) from stock awards | (206)us-gaap_AdjustmentToAdditionalPaidInCapitalIncomeTaxEffectFromShareBasedCompensationNet |  | (206)us-gaap_AdjustmentToAdditionalPaidInCapitalIncomeTaxEffectFromShareBasedCompensationNet / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember |  |  | (206)us-gaap_AdjustmentToAdditionalPaidInCapitalIncomeTaxEffectFromShareBasedCompensationNet / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_ParentMember |
Distributions to noncontrolling interests | (77)us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders |  |  |  |  |  | (77)us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember
Acquisition of towers in common control transaction | (1,552)usm_EquityImpactsOfCommonControlTransaction |  | 885 usm_EquityImpactsOfCommonControlTransaction / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember |  | (2,437)usm_EquityImpactsOfCommonControlTransaction / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember | (1,552)usm_EquityImpactsOfCommonControlTransaction / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_ParentMember |
Adjust investment in subsidiaries for noncontrolling interest purchases | (5)us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromRedemptions |  | (5)us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromRedemptions / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember |  |  | (5)us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromRedemptions / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_ParentMember |
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2015 | $ 3,473,738 us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest | $ 88,074 us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_CommonStockMember | $ 1,478,910 us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember | $ (170,544)us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember | $ 2,067,455 us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember | $ 3,463,895 us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_ParentMember | $ 9,843 us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember

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