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Consolidated Balance Sheet Parenthetical - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015
--- | --- | ---
Current assets |  |
Customers and agents, allowances | $ 51 | $ 45
Other, allowances | $ 1 | $ 1
U.S. Cellular shareholders' equity |  |
Authorized shares | 190 | 190
Issued shares | 88 | 88
Outstanding shares | 85 | 84
Par value | $ 88 | $ 88
Treasury shares | 3 | 4
Variable Interest Entities VIE's |  |
Total VIE assets that can be used to settle only the VIEs' obligations | $ 827 | $ 658
Total VIE liabilities for which creditors have no recourse | $ 19 | $ 1
Series A Common Shares |  |
U.S. Cellular shareholders' equity |  |
Authorized shares | 50 | 50
Issued shares | 33 | 33
Outstanding shares | 33 | 33
Par value per share | $ 1.00 | $ 1.00
Par value | $ 33 | $ 33
Common Shares |  |
U.S. Cellular shareholders' equity |  |
Authorized shares | 140 | 140
Issued shares | 55 | 55
Outstanding shares | 52 | 51
Par value per share | $ 1.00 | $ 1.00
Par value | $ 55 | $ 55
Treasury shares | 3 | 4

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