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Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges, acquisitions (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
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Mar. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014
Acquisitions, divestitures and exchanges |  |
Total winning bid | 338.3 usm_FccLicenseAuctionTotalWinningBid |
Auction 97 |  |
Acquisitions, divestitures and exchanges |  |
Description of acquired entity | An FCC auction of AWS-3 spectrum licenses, referred to as Auction 97, ended in January 2015. U.S. Cellular participated in Auction 97 indirectly through its limited partnership interest in Advantage Spectrum L.P. (“Advantage Spectrum”). Advantage Spectrum was the provisional winning bidder of 124 licenses for an aggregate winning bid of $338.3 million, after its designated entity discount of 25%. Advantage Spectrum’s bid amount, less the initial deposit amount of $60.0 million paid in 2014, was paid to the FCC in March 2015. These licenses are expected to be granted by the FCC during 2015. See Note 9 — Variable Interest Entities (VIEs) for additional information. |
License Acquisitions | Auction 97 |  |
Acquisitions, divestitures and exchanges |  |
Federal Communications Commission deposit |  | 60.0 usm_FccLicenseAuctionDepositPayment / usm_AcquisitionEventAxis = usm_Auction97AcquisitionEventMember / us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis = usm_LicensesMember
Total winning bid | 338.3 usm_FccLicenseAuctionTotalWinningBid / usm_AcquisitionEventAxis = usm_Auction97AcquisitionEventMember / us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis = usm_LicensesMember |
Designated entity auction discount | 25.00%usm_FccLicenseAuctionDesignatedEntityDiscount / usm_AcquisitionEventAxis = usm_Auction97AcquisitionEventMember / us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis = usm_LicensesMember |
Licenses won | 124 usm_FccLicenseAuctionTotalLicensesWon / usm_AcquisitionEventAxis = usm_Auction97AcquisitionEventMember / us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis = usm_LicensesMember |

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