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Common Share Repurchases (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Mar. 31, 2014
Share repurchases    
Amount $ 2,302us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod $ 2,300us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod
Treasury Shares    
Share repurchases    
Amount 2,302us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember		 2,300us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
Common Shares | Treasury Shares    
Share repurchases    
Number of shares acquired 66,000us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember		 59,000us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
Average cost per share $ 34.77us-gaap_TreasuryStockAcquiredAverageCostPerShare
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember		 $ 39.13us-gaap_TreasuryStockAcquiredAverageCostPerShare
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
Amount $ 2,302us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember		 $ 2,300us-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 conditions. This authorization does not have an expiration date.  
Repurchase authorization, additional number of shares 1,300,000usm_StockRepurchaseProgramAdditionalNumberOfSharesAuthorizedToBeRepurchased
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember		  
Repurchase expiration does not have an expiration date