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Subsequent Events (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		6 Months Ended
Subsequent Events (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Aug. 01, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Subsequent event, description		In February 2016, U.S. Cellular entered into an agreement with a third party that provided for the transfer of certain AWS spectrum licenses and $2 million in cash to U.S. Cellular, in exchange for U.S. Cellular transferring certain AWS, PCS and 700 MHz licenses with a carrying value of $7 million to the third party. This transaction closed on August 1, 2016. U.S. Cellular expects to recognize a gain as a result of this exchange. See Note 5 — Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges for additional information.
Cash received from divestitures and exchanges		$ 17	$ 292
Subsequent event \| License exchange 2
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Cash received from divestitures and exchanges	$ 2
Licenses disposed of in exchange	$ 7