Form 8-K - Current report

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 28, 2024

UNITED STATES CELLULAR CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware		001-09712		62-1147325
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)		(Commission File Number)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

8410 West Bryn Mawr, Chicago, Illinois 60631

(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (773) 399-8900

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Trading Symbol	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Shares, $1 par value	USM	New York Stock Exchange
6.25% Senior Notes due 2069	UZD	New York Stock Exchange
5.50% Senior Notes due 2070	UZE	New York Stock Exchange
5.50% Senior Notes due 2070	UZF	New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

Item 8.01. Other Events

On May 28, 2024, United States Cellular Corporation (“UScellular”) (i) issued a press release announcing that its board of directors unanimously approved the execution of a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) by and among Telephone and Data Systems, Inc., UScellular, T-Mobile US, Inc. (“Buyer”) and USCC Wireless Holdings, LLC, pursuant to which, among other things, UScellular has agreed to sell its wireless operations and select spectrum assets to Buyer for a purchase price, subject to adjustment as specified in the Purchase Agreement, (the “Purchase Price”) of $4,400,000,000, payable in cash and the assumption of up to approximately $2,000,000,000 in debt (the “Transaction”) and (ii) made available an investor presentation with regard to the Transaction. A copy of the press release is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1 and a copy of the investor presentation is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.2; both documents are incorporated in this Item 8.01 by reference.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) The following exhibits are being filed herewith:

Exhibit Number		Description of Exhibits
99.1		Press Release, dated May 28, 2024
99.2		Investor Presentation, dated May 28, 2024
104		Cover Page Interactive Data File - the cover page XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	UNITED STATES CELLULAR CORPORATION

Date: May 28, 2024	By:	/s/ Douglas W. Chambers
		Douglas W. Chambers
		Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

Exhibit 99.1

UScellular and TDS Announce Sale of Wireless Operations and Select Spectrum Assets to

T-Mobile for Approximately $4.4 Billion in Cash and Assumed Debt

T-Mobile, after acquiring UScellular’s wireless operations and customers, will use its greater resources to deliver benefits to UScellular customers, including lower prices, more robust plans, superior network experiences, and more added benefits

T-Mobile to enter into new MLA and be a long-term tenant on at least 2,600 of UScellular’s towers

UScellular retains its nearly 4,400 owned towers, its equity method investments, and approximately 70% of spectrum assets

UScellular and TDS to hold conference call at 8:30 a.m. Central Time

CHICAGO (May 28, 2024) – United States Cellular Corporation (“UScellular”) (NYSE: USM) and Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (“TDS”) (NYSE: TDS) today announced they have entered into a definitive agreement to sell UScellular’s wireless operations and select spectrum assets to T-Mobile for a purchase price of $4.4 billion, including a combination of cash and up to approximately $2 billion of assumed debt. Under the terms of the agreement, T-Mobile will acquire UScellular’s wireless operations and approximately 30% of spectrum assets across several spectrum bands. In addition, T-Mobile will enter into a new master license agreement (“MLA”) on more than 2,000 towers. The agreement follows a thorough strategic review process announced in August 2023 and has been unanimously recommended by the independent directors of UScellular and unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both UScellular and TDS, an 83 percent shareholder of UScellular.

Lower Prices, Faster Speeds, and More Reliable Performance on T-Mobile’s Nationwide 5G Network Committed to Serving Rural Americans

T-Mobile’s purchase and integration of UScellular’s wireless operations will provide more competitive choices for UScellular customers, as they will benefit from T-Mobile’s greater resources and ability to provide lower prices, more robust plans, and a better network experience. Access to T-Mobile’s 5G network, enhanced by UScellular’s spectrum and tower assets, will provide immediate value to UScellular customers through better coverage, speed and access to T-Mobile’s “Un-carrier” benefits including content offers, additional savings for seniors and robust customer service options.

“For over 40 years, UScellular has delivered on its mission of connecting people to what matters most, and this transaction will ensure customers have access to the level of service they deserve,” said LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr., Chair of the Board of Directors of UScellular. “In the face of rising competition and increasing capital intensity required to keep pace with the latest technologies, and following our careful and deliberate strategic review, we are confident that continuing to deliver on our mission requires a level of scale and investment that is best achieved by integrating our wireless operations with those of T-Mobile. T-Mobile has the resources to provide UScellular’s customers with an unparalleled network experience, lower prices and higher-quality services. We are pleased that T-Mobile also shares our commitment to bringing best-in-class connectivity to rural Americans, who today comprise nearly 40% percent of the population that UScellular serves.”

“The decisions we announced today are in the best interests of our customers and our shareholders. T-Mobile is the right partner for our wireless operations and will ensure that customers have access to best-in-class wireless speeds and performance, including 5G and a nationwide network, at compelling prices,” said Laurent Therivel, Chief Executive Officer of UScellular. “We are committed to serving the needs of our customers and supporting our associates as we work to complete the transaction.”

“This deal will create opportunity for T-Mobile to bring millions of UScellular customers lower prices and the Un-carrier’s superior value on our best-in-class nationwide 5G network, offering much needed choice and more real competition across the wireless industry,” said Mike Sievert, CEO of T-Mobile. “Bringing together UScellular’s network resources with ours will enable us to fill gaps in connectivity that will create a better experience for all of our customers with more coverage and more capacity. And this is just some of the goodness this deal will bring. This will be a real win for consumers across the U.S.”

Service Continuity and a Transformed UScellular Tower Business

In connection with the agreement, T-Mobile will enter into a new long-term MLA on a minimum of 2,015 incremental towers owned by UScellular and extend the lease term for the approximately 600 towers where T-Mobile is already a tenant. This will ensure continued, uninterrupted service for UScellular customers following the transaction and create a long-term contracted revenue stream from a strong anchor tenant for at least 15 years after the close of the transaction. With the inclusion of the towers occupied by other existing third-party tenants, UScellular’s tower assets will represent one of the largest and most attractive tower businesses in the United States.

Retained Spectrum and Equity-Method Investments

UScellular retains approximately 70% of its spectrum portfolio across several spectrum bands and will seek to opportunistically monetize these retained assets.

UScellular also retains significant equity method investment interests, primarily from its wireless partnerships, that generated $158 million of equity method income and $150 million in distributions in 2023.

Other Transaction Details

T-Mobile expects to finance the transaction with existing cash on hand, and the consummation of the transaction is not subject to any financing contingencies. In connection with the transaction, T-Mobile expects to conduct an exchange offer under which holders of certain UScellular debt with a face value of approximately $2 billion will be offered the opportunity to participate in an exchange offer of their UScellular debt for T-Mobile debt. Specific details of the expected exchange offer will be provided in due course. The amount of any debt exchanged will serve to reduce the cash payable to UScellular. Further, up to $100 million of the cash purchase price is contingent on achieving certain financial and operational metrics between signing and closing. The purchase price is also subject to other potential adjustments, as specified in the purchase agreement.

UScellular anticipates being in a position to return capital to shareholders after the close of the transaction, but any decisions regarding capital allocation or use of proceeds will be made by the UScellular Board of Directors in due course.

In order to provide financial perspective on the impact of this transaction, in the next few months, UScellular expects to provide both pro forma financial statements regarding this transaction, and segment financial statements which show the results of UScellular’s wireless operations and tower business separately.

The transaction has been unanimously recommended by the independent directors of UScellular and unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both UScellular and TDS. In addition, TDS, in its role as the 83 percent shareholder of UScellular, has delivered its written consent approving the transaction. No further action by UScellular’s shareholders will be needed or solicited in connection with the transaction.

The transaction is expected to close in mid-2025, subject to the receipt of regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

Advisors

Citigroup Global Markets Inc. is serving as lead financial advisor, Centerview Partners LLC is serving as financial advisor and Sidley Austin LLP is serving as lead legal advisor to TDS. TD Securities (USA) LLC and Wells Fargo are also serving as financial advisors to TDS for the transaction. PJT Partners LP is serving as financial advisor and Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP is serving as legal advisor to the independent directors of UScellular. Clifford Chance LLP and Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP are also serving as legal regulatory advisors to UScellular and TDS for the transaction.

Conference Call Information

UScellular and TDS will hold a joint conference call on May 28, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. Central Time.

Access the live call on UScellular Events & Presentations or TDS Events & Presentations or at https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/598119900

Access the call by phone at (800) 715-9871 (U.S./Canada), conference ID: 2264212

Before the call, information to be discussed during the call will be posted to UScellular Events & Presentations. The call will be archived on UScellular Events & Presentations and TDS Events & Presentations.

About UScellular

United States Cellular Corporation provides a comprehensive range of wireless products and services, excellent customer support, and a high-quality network to customers with 4.5 million retail connections in 21 states. The Chicago-based company had 4,300 full- and part-time associates as of March 31, 2024. At the end of the first quarter of 2024, Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. owned approximately 83 percent of UScellular. For more information about UScellular, visit uscellular.com.

Contacts

Media:

FGS Global, Bryan Locke, Jim Finkle, Amy Corser

UScellular@FGSGlobal.com

Investors:

Colleen Thompson, Vice President – Corporate Relations

colleen.thompson@tdsinc.com

Julie Mathews, IRC, Director – Investor Relations

julie.mathews@tdsinc.com

Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: All information set forth in this news release, except historical and factual information, represents forward-looking statements. This includes all statements about the company’s plans, beliefs, estimates, and expectations about the consummation and benefits of the proposed transactions, including anticipated synergies, and T-Mobile’s and UScellular’s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions, and the expected timing of completion of the proposed transaction. These statements are based on current plans, estimates, projections, and assumptions, and the anticipated timing of completion of the proposed transactions, which involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that may affect these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: the failure to obtain, or delays in obtaining, required regulatory approvals and the risk that such approvals may be conditioned upon or result in the imposition of terms or conditions that could adversely affect the expected benefits of the proposed transaction; the failure to satisfy any of the other conditions to the proposed transaction on a timely basis, or at all; the occurrence of events that may allow one or more parties to terminate the definitive agreement; the adverse effects on UScellular’s or T-Mobile’s common stock and on UScellular’s or T-Mobile’s operating results because of a failure to complete the proposed transactions in the anticipated timeframe or at all; adverse changes in the ratings of UScellular’s or T-Mobile’s debt securities or adverse conditions or disruptions in the financial or credit markets; negative effects of the announcement, pendency or consummation of the transaction on UScellular’s operating results, including as a result of changes in key customer, supplier, employee or other business relationships; significant transaction costs and unknown liabilities; failure to realize the expected benefits and synergies of the proposed transaction in the expected timeframes or at all; costs or difficulties related to the integration of UScellular’s network and operations into T-Mobile; the risk of litigation or regulatory actions, including antitrust litigation; the risk that certain contractual restrictions contained in the definitive agreement during the pendency of the proposed transaction could adversely affect UScellular’s ability to pursue business opportunities or strategic transactions; effects of changes in the state or federal regulatory environment in which UScellular and T-Mobile operate; intense competition; the ability of UScellular and T-Mobile to retain and attract people of outstanding talent throughout all levels of the organization; the ability of UScellular to obtain or maintain leases for its towers; advances in technology; the ability of the company to successfully construct and manage its towers; difficulties involving third parties with which UScellular does business; uncertainties in UScellular’s future cash flows and liquidity and access to the capital markets; the ability to make payments on UScellular indebtedness or comply with the terms of debt covenants; changes in tax rules or pronouncements; the possibility that the Board of Directors of UScellular will not declare dividends; conditions in the U.S. telecommunications industry; the value of assets and investments; pending and future litigation; cyber-attacks or other breaches of network or information technology security; potential conflicts of interests between TDS and UScellular; deterioration of U.S. or global economic conditions; unpredictability and severity of catastrophic events, including but not limited to acts of terrorism, war or hostilities, as well as management’s response to any of the aforementioned factors; and the impact, duration and severity of public health emergencies. Investors are encouraged to consider these and other risks and uncertainties that are more fully described under “Risk Factors” in the most recent filing of UScellular’s Form 10-K.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

UScellular will prepare an information statement on Schedule 14C for its shareholders with respect to the approval of the transaction described herein. When completed, the information statement will be mailed to UScellular’s shareholders. You may obtain copies of all documents filed by UScellular with the SEC regarding this transaction, free of charge, at the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov or from UScellular’s website at https://investors.uscellular.com.

Exhibit 99.2

Sale of Wireless Operations and Select Spectrum Assets May 28, 2024

Contains UScellular confidential information. Not for external use or disclosure without proper authorization. Forward-Looking Statements 2 Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: All information set forth in this presentation, except historical and factual information, represents forward-looking statements. This includes all statements about the company’s plans, beliefs, estimates, and expectations about the consummation and benefits of the proposed transactions, including anticipated synergies, and T-Mobile’s and UScellular’s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions, and the expected timing of completion of the proposed transaction. These statements are based on current plans, estimates, projections, and assumptions, and the anticipated timing of completion of the proposed transactions, which involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that may affect these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: the failure to obtain, or delays in obtaining, required regulatory approvals and the risk that such approvals may be conditioned upon or result in the imposition of terms or conditions that could adversely affect the expected benefits of the proposed transaction; the failure to satisfy any of the other conditions to the proposed transaction on a timely basis, or at all; the occurrence of events that may allow one or more parties to terminate the definitive agreement; the adverse effects on UScellular’s or T-Mobile’s common stock and on UScellular’s or T-Mobile’s operating results because of a failure to complete the proposed transactions in the anticipated timeframe or at all; adverse changes in the ratings of UScellular’s or T-Mobile’s debt securities or adverse conditions or disruptions in the financial or credit markets; negative effects of the announcement, pendency or consummation of the transaction on UScellular’s operating results, including as a result of changes in key customer, supplier, employee or other business relationships; significant transaction costs and unknown liabilities; failure to realize the expected benefits and synergies of the proposed transaction in the expected timeframes or at all; costs or difficulties related to the integration of UScellular’s network and operations into T-Mobile’s; the risk of litigation or regulatory actions, including antitrust litigation; the risk that certain contractual restrictions contained in the definitive agreement during the pendency of the proposed transaction could adversely affect UScellular’s ability to pursue business opportunities or strategic transactions; effects of changes in the state or federal regulatory environment in which UScellular and T-Mobile operate; intense competition; the ability of UScellular and T-Mobile to retain and attract people of outstanding talent throughout all levels of the organization; the ability of UScellular to obtain or maintain leases for its towers; advances in technology; the ability of the company to successfully construct and manage its towers; difficulties involving third parties with which UScellular does business; uncertainties in UScellular’s future cash flows and liquidity and access to the capital markets; the ability to make payments on UScellular indebtedness or comply with the terms of debt covenants; changes in tax rules or pronouncements; the possibility that the Board of Directors of UScellular will not declare dividends; conditions in the U.S. telecommunications industry; the value of assets and investments; pending and future litigation; cyber-attacks or other breaches of network or information technology security; potential conflicts of interests between TDS and UScellular; deterioration of U.S. or global economic conditions; unpredictability and severity of catastrophic events, including but not limited to acts of terrorism, war or hostilities, as well as management’s response to any of the aforementioned factors; and the impact, duration and severity of public health emergencies. Investors are encouraged to consider these and other risks and uncertainties that are more fully described under “Risk Factors” in the most recent filing of UScellular’s Form 10-K. Additional Information and Where to Find It UScellular will prepare an information statement on Schedule 14C for its shareholders with respect to the approval of the transaction described herein. When completed, the information statement will be mailed to UScellular’s shareholders. You may obtain copies of all documents filed by UScellular with the SEC regarding this transaction, free of charge, at the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov or from UScellular’s website at https://investors.uscellular.com.

Contains UScellular confidential information. Not for external use or disclosure without proper authorization. 3 Call Participants Laurent “LT” Therivel President and Chief Executive Officer, UScellular Doug Chambers Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, UScellular Vicki Villacrez Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, TDS

Contains UScellular confidential information. Not for external use or disclosure without proper authorization. Transaction Overview 4 • Sale of wireless operations and select spectrum assets to T-Mobile for $4.4 billion purchase price payable in combination of cash and up to $2 billion in assumed debt • Wireless operations include: subscribers, network assets and operations (excluding owned towers), sales and distribution, and customer care • Up to $100 million of the purchase price is contingent on certain financial and operational metrics between signing and closing and is subject to other adjustments as specified in the purchase agreement • Transaction expected to close in mid-2025, subject to regulatory approval and satisfaction of customary closing conditions Wireless Operations • T-Mobile to enter into a new, 15-year Master License Agreement (MLA) with UScellular on a minimum of 2,015 incremental UScellular towers following the transaction • T-Mobile to extend the term of its tenancy on the ~600 sites where T-Mobile is already a tenant for 15 years post-transaction Tower MLA • T-Mobile will acquire approximately 30% of UScellular’s spectrum portfolio, including all of the company’s 600 MHz(1) and 2.5 GHz, as well as the majority of its 700 MHz A Block, AWS and PCS holdings Spectrum (1) ~39% subject to a put/call agreement. To the extent the put/call is exercised, an incremental $106 million of purchase price will be due.

Contains UScellular confidential information. Not for external use or disclosure without proper authorization. Transaction Delivers Significant Benefits to Customers 5 Lower Prices UScellular customers will have the opportunity to change to T-Mobile's lower-priced comparable plans with no switching costs Increased Rural Coverage Significantly expands coverage across rural America for the customers of both companies Better Network Experience Customers will get a superior performance and speed experience on the integrated network More Choices Access to T-Mobile’s “Un-carrier” benefits including content offers, additional savings for seniors, and more robust customer service options

Contains UScellular confidential information. Not for external use or disclosure without proper authorization. Unlocking Value for All Stakeholders – “What’s Staying” 6 Retained Spectrum UScellular retains a majority of existing wireless spectrum portfolio – including Cellular, C-Band, and 3.45 GHz Transformed Tower Business Long-term MLA with T-Mobile + Existing third-party colocations solidify the 5 th largest tower portfolio in the US Equity Method Investment Interests Retained equity method investment interests generate meaningful income and distributions

Contains UScellular confidential information. Not for external use or disclosure without proper authorization. UScellular is Retaining ~70% of its Spectrum Portfolio 7 Spectrum • T-Mobile to acquire bands of UScellular’s spectrum that most seamlessly integrate into their existing network • UScellular will seek to opportunistically monetize retained spectrum Acquired Retained Low & Mid-Band MHz POPs (1) 4,161mm MHz POPs(3) 1,969mm MHz POPs(3) 594 319 563 443 50 8,973 700 MHz (A Block) (30%) 700 MHz (B/C Block) Cellular AWS (4%) PCS (7%) 3.45 GHz CBRS C-Band 28 GHz(3) 37/39 GHz(3) (1) King Street and Advantage MHz POPs are included in the graph. (2) ~39% subject to a put/call agreement. To the extent the put/call is exercised, an incremental $106 million of purchase price will be due. (3) Quantification of mmWave MHz POPs not included in the graph. 133 333 663 25 33 1,252 78 1,644 7,492 9,967 Band MHz POPs 600 MHz(2) 700 MHz (A Block) (70%) AWS (96%) PCS (93%) 2.5 GHz 24 GHz(3) Band MHz POPs

Contains UScellular confidential information. Not for external use or disclosure without proper authorization. A Transformed UScellular Tower Business 8 • T-Mobile to become a long-term tenant on a minimum of 2,015(2) incremental towers with expected minimum incremental cash rentals of $56 million in the first full year post-close • MLA term is subject to annual escalators at customary market rates • T-Mobile to extend its tenancy on the ~600 sites where T-Mobile is a tenant today for 15 years following the close of the transaction • 15-year committed term for new and existing T-Mobile tower leases provides substantial contracted revenue for UScellular • T-Mobile to have an interim lease on remaining towers to ensure a smooth network integration for T-Mobile and a seamless transition experience for UScellular’s wireless customers • Additional financial details on the tower business will be provided at a future date • Transaction solidifies position as the 5th largest tower company in the U.S. 34% 27% 26% 13% AT&T Verizon T-Mobile Other Current Tower Revenue Post-Transaction Tower Details Distribution(1) (as of 4Q’23) (1) Excluding the impact of new MLA. (2) Total commitment of 2,100 incremental towers; 2,015 towers in UScellular’s consolidated group, and 85 towers in entities where UScellular owns a noncontrolling interest

Contains UScellular confidential information. Not for external use or disclosure without proper authorization. UScellular Shareholders to Continue to Benefit from Cash Flows from Equity Method Investment Interests • UScellular to retain its non-operating equity method investment interests that generated $158 million of equity method income and $150 million in distributions in 2023 • Equity method investments expected to continue to deliver steady source of cash flows to UScellular 9

Contains UScellular confidential information. Not for external use or disclosure without proper authorization. Exchange Offer for UScellular Debt Holders T-Mobile to conduct exchange offer at par under which debt holders of the following UScellular debt will have the choice to exchange their UScellular debt for T-Mobile debt with the same coupon, maturity, and principal value 10 Exchangeable Notes Maturity Principal Value ($ in millions) Unsecured 6.7% Senior Notes Due 2033 Dec ’33 $544 Unsecured 6.3% Senior Notes Due 2069 Sep ’69 $500 Unsecured 5.5% Senior Notes Due 2070 Mar ’70 $500 Unsecured 5.5% Senior Notes Due 2070 Jun ’70 $500

Contains UScellular confidential information. Not for external use or disclosure without proper authorization. TDS Fully Supports the Transaction • Successful outcome creates significant value for UScellular and TDS stakeholders • Potential return of capital to UScellular shareholders (including TDS) would: • Enhance funding of the fiber program to expand broadband throughout the U.S. • Growing fiber footprint through the fiber expansion program • Bringing higher speeds to rural America though the Enhanced A-CAM program • Strengthen the TDS balance sheet • Resetting TDS capital allocation strategy: • Support advancement of fiber deployment • Improved leverage over time • Continue paying common share dividend but at a lower rate than previous levels 11 TDS remains committed to bringing connectivity to communities across the United States

Q&A

Cover	May 28, 2024
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	8-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	May 28, 2024
Entity File Number	001-09712
Entity Registrant Name	UNITED STATES CELLULAR CORPORATION
Entity Central Index Key	0000821130
Entity Tax Identification Number	62-1147325
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Address, Address Line One	8410 West Bryn Mawr
Entity Address, City or Town	Chicago
Entity Address, State or Province	IL
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	60631
City Area Code	773
Local Phone Number	399-8900
Written Communications	false
Soliciting Material	false
Pre-commencement Tender Offer	false
Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Common Stock [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Shares, $1 par value
Trading Symbol	USM
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
6.25% Senior Notes due 2069 [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	6.25% Senior Notes due 2069
Trading Symbol	UZD
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
5.50% Senior Notes due 2070 [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	5.50% Senior Notes due 2070
Trading Symbol	UZE
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
5.50% Senior Notes due 2070 [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	5.50% Senior Notes due 2070
Trading Symbol	UZF
Security Exchange Name	NYSE