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Variable Interest Entities, Narrative (Details)
$ in Millions
 1 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2017
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2016
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2015
USD ($)
Variable Interest Entities, Other Disclosures        
Federal Communications Commission deposit   $ 0 $ 143 $ 0
Capital contributions, loans or advances   821 98 281
Investments in unconsolidated entities   415 413  
Noncontrolling interests with redemption features   $ 1 1  
King Street Wireless out-of-period adjustment        
Variable Interest Entities, Other Disclosures        
Out-of-period adjustment description   During 2015, U.S. Cellular recorded out-of-period adjustments attributable to the third quarter of 2013 through the second quarter of 2015 related to an agreement with King Street Wireless. U.S. Cellular determined that these adjustments were not material to the quarterly periods or the annual results for 2015. These out-of-period adjustments had the impact of reducing Net income by $3 million and Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders by $4 million in 2015.    
Net income | King Street Wireless out-of-period adjustment        
Variable Interest Entities, Other Disclosures        
Out-of-period adjustment       (3)
Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders | King Street Wireless out-of-period adjustment        
Variable Interest Entities, Other Disclosures        
Out-of-period adjustment       $ (4)
USCC EIP LLC        
Variable Interest Entities, Other Disclosures        
Capital contributions, loans or advances   $ 790    
Unconsolidated Variable Interest Entities        
Variable Interest Entities, Other Disclosures        
Investments in unconsolidated entities   $ 4 $ 6  
King Street Wireless L.P.        
Variable Interest Entities, Other Disclosures        
Cash distributions paid $ 60      
King Street Wireless, L.P. distribution paid to U.S. Cellular 54      
King Street Wireless, L.P. distribution paid to King Street Wireless, Inc. $ 6      
Advantage Spectrum L.P.        
Variable Interest Entities, Other Disclosures        
Licenses won 124      
Total winning bid $ 338      
Designated entity auction discount 25.00%      
Other auction charges $ 2