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Equipment Installment Plans (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Equipment installment plan receivables
Equipment installment plan payment period	24 months
Guarantee liability	$ 67,800,000us-gaap_GuarantyLiabilities	$ 57,500,000us-gaap_GuarantyLiabilities
Short-term
Equipment installment plan receivables
Unbilled equipment installment plan receivables, gross	166,551,000us-gaap_NotesReceivableGross / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = usm_CurrentAssetsMember	127,400,000us-gaap_NotesReceivableGross / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = usm_CurrentAssetsMember
Unbilled deferred interest	(17,739,000)us-gaap_DeferredDiscountsFinanceChargesAndInterestIncludedInReceivables / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = usm_CurrentAssetsMember	(16,365,000)us-gaap_DeferredDiscountsFinanceChargesAndInterestIncludedInReceivables / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = usm_CurrentAssetsMember
Unbilled allowance for credit losses	(5,631,000)us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = usm_CurrentAssetsMember	(3,686,000)us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = usm_CurrentAssetsMember
Unbilled equipment installment plan receivables, net	143,181,000us-gaap_NotesReceivableNet / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = usm_CurrentAssetsMember	107,349,000us-gaap_NotesReceivableNet / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = usm_CurrentAssetsMember
Long-term
Equipment installment plan receivables
Unbilled equipment installment plan receivables, gross	83,215,000us-gaap_NotesReceivableGross / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = usm_NoncurrentAssetsMember	89,435,000us-gaap_NotesReceivableGross / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = usm_NoncurrentAssetsMember
Unbilled deferred interest	(1,585,000)us-gaap_DeferredDiscountsFinanceChargesAndInterestIncludedInReceivables / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = usm_NoncurrentAssetsMember	(2,791,000)us-gaap_DeferredDiscountsFinanceChargesAndInterestIncludedInReceivables / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = usm_NoncurrentAssetsMember
Unbilled allowance for credit losses	(5,805,000)us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = usm_NoncurrentAssetsMember	(6,065,000)us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = usm_NoncurrentAssetsMember
Unbilled equipment installment plan receivables, net	$ 75,825,000us-gaap_NotesReceivableNet / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = usm_NoncurrentAssetsMember	$ 80,579,000us-gaap_NotesReceivableNet / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = usm_NoncurrentAssetsMember

X

- Definition

Unearned discounts (other than cash or quantity discounts and the like), finance charges, and interest included in the face amount of receivables, that are shown as a deduction from the related receivables. For example, 1) finance charges booked as a receivable when a loan is made and recognized as income at a later date; and 2) interest charges deducted from the face loan amount, resulting in a discounted amount actually advanced to the borrower (wherein the receivable includes the amount actually advanced to the borrower and the as yet unearned interest income).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 8

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28367877&loc=d3e4519-111522

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X

- Definition

A valuation allowance for financing receivables that are expected to be uncollectible.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 11B

-Subparagraph (c)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35738203&loc=SL6953423-111524

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- Definition

This item represents a non-contingent liability for the fair value of an obligation to stand ready to perform over the term of a guaranty issued in the event that specified triggering events or conditions occur.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.15)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910



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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878



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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 460

-SubTopic 10

-Section 25

-Paragraph 4

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7661617&loc=d3e11049-110243



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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7661617&loc=d3e11019-110243

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X

- Definition

Amount representing an agreement for an unconditional promise by the maker to pay the entity (holder) a definite sum of money at a future date. Such amount may include accrued interest receivable in accordance with the terms of the note. The note also may contain provisions and related items including a discount or premium, payable on demand, secured, or unsecured, interest bearing or noninterest bearing, among a myriad of other features and characteristics. Excludes amounts related to receivables held-for-sale.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.10(3))

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 10

-Subparagraph 3

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- Definition

Net amount of the investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, credit card receivables, notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets. Excludes trade accounts receivable with contractual maturity of one year or less and arose from the sale of goods or services.

+ 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 210.5-02.3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682



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X

- Definition

The maximum payment period under an equipment installment plan contract.

+ References

No definition available.

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