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	$ 88,074	$ 1,424,729	$ (164,692)	$ 2,043,095	$ 3,391,206	$ 18,391
Add (Deduct)
Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	19,482us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss				19,482	19,482
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests classified as equity	(1,107)						(1,107)
Repurchase of Common Shares	(2,300)			(2,300)		(2,300)
Incentive and compensation plans	399		0	1,415	(1,016)	399
Stock-based compensation awards	4,576		4,576			4,576
Tax windfall (shortfall) from stock awards	(157)		(157)			(157)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(324)						(324)
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2014	3,430,166	88,074	1,429,148	(165,577)	2,061,561	3,413,206	16,960
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2014	3,312,602	88,074	1,472,558	(169,139)	1,910,498	3,301,991	10,611
Add (Deduct)
Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	160,064us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss				160,064	160,064
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests classified as equity	(691)						(691)
Repurchase of Common Shares	(2,302)			(2,302)		(2,302)
Incentive and compensation plans	413		186	897	(670)	413
Stock-based compensation awards	5,492		5,492			5,492
Tax windfall (shortfall) from stock awards	(206)		(206)			(206)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(77)						(77)
Acquisition of towers in common control transaction	(1,552)		885		(2,437)	(1,552)
Adjust investment in subsidiaries for noncontrolling interest purchases	(5)		(5)			(5)
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2015	$ 3,473,738	$ 88,074	$ 1,478,910	$ (170,544)	$ 2,067,455	$ 3,463,895	$ 9,843

This element represents the amount of recognized equity-based compensation during the period, that is, the amount recognized as expense in the income statement (or as asset if compensation is capitalized). Alternate captions include the words "stock-based compensation".

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