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Stock-Based Compensation Restricted Stock Units (Details) - Long-Term Incentive Plans - Restricted Stock Units - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Terms of award	Restricted stock unit awards granted to key employees generally vest after three years. U.S. Cellular estimates the fair value of restricted stock units based on the closing market price of U.S. Cellular shares on the date of grant. The fair value is then recognized as compensation cost on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods of the awards, which is generally the vesting period.
Common Shares
Stock based compensation, Nonvested shares rollforward, number of shares
Nonvested stock units, begin of period - Number of shares	1,310,000
Granted number of shares	557,000
Vested number of shares	(294,000)
Forfeited number of shares	(90,000)
Nonvested stock units, end of period - Number of shares	1,483,000	1,310,000
Stock based compensation, Nonvested shares weighted average grant date fair value
Nonvested stock units - begin of period weighted average grant date fair value	$ 40.74
Granted weighted average grant date fair value	38.04	$ 43.32	$ 37.24
Vested weighted average grant date fair value	41.24
Forfeited weighted average grant date fair value	40.07
Nonvested stock units - end of period weighted average grant date fair value	$ 39.67	$ 40.74
Fair value of vested stock units	$ 11	$ 15	$ 13

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The number of equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that were forfeited during the reporting period.

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Weighted average fair value as of the grant date of equity-based award plans other than stock (unit) option plans that were not exercised or put into effect as a result of the occurrence of a terminating event.

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The number of grants made during the period on other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan).

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The weighted average fair value at grant date for nonvested equity-based awards issued during the period on other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan).

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The number of non-vested equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that validly exist and are outstanding as of the balance sheet date.

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A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

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The weighted average fair value of nonvested awards on equity-based plans excluding option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, revenue or profit achievement stock award plan) for which the employer is contingently obligated to issue equity instruments or transfer assets to an employee who has not yet satisfied service or performance criteria necessary to gain title to proceeds from the sale of the award or underlying shares or units.

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The number of equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that vested during the reporting period.

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Fair value of share-based awards for which the grantee gained the right by satisfying service and performance requirements, to receive or retain shares or units, other instruments, or cash.

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The weighted average fair value as of grant date pertaining to an equity-based award plan other than a stock (or unit) option plan for which the grantee gained the right during the reporting period, by satisfying service and performance requirements, to receive or retain shares or units, other instruments, or cash in accordance with the terms of the arrangement.

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Description of pertinent provisions of equity-based compensation awards that have actual or potential impact upon the company's financial statements.

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