Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified		Total		Series A Common , Special Common and Common Shares		Capital in Excess of Par Value		Treasury Shares		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Retained Earnings		Total TDS Shareholders' Equity		Preferred Shares	Noncontrolling Interests
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2010		$ 4,465,738		$ 1,270		$ 2,107,929		$ (738,695)		$ (3,208)	$ 2,450,599		$ 3,817,895		$ 830	$ 647,013
Add (deduct)
Net income attributable to TDS shareholders		43,504									43,504		43,504
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests classified as equity		10,754														10,754
Changes related to retirement plan		49								49			49
Common, Special Common and Series A Common Shares dividends		(12,185)									(12,185)		(12,185)
Preferred dividend requirement		(12)									(12)		(12)
Repurchase of shares		(11,603)						(11,603)					(11,603)
Dividend reinvestment plan		975				32		1,238			(295)		975
Incentive and compensation plans		1,031				489		997			(455)		1,031
Adjust investment in subsidiaries for repurchases, issuances, other compensation plans and noncontrolling interest purchases		(10,216)				1,985							1,985			(12,201)
Stock-based compensation awards	[1]	3,667				3,667							3,667
Tax windfall (shortfall) from stock awards	[2]	(254)				(254)							(254)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests		(686)														(686)
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2011		4,490,762		1,270		2,113,848		(748,063)		(3,159)	2,481,156		3,845,052		830	644,880
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2011		4,602,679		1,326	[3]	2,268,711	[3]	(750,921)	[3]	(8,854)	2,451,899	[3]	3,962,161	[3]	830	639,688
Add (deduct)
Net income attributable to TDS shareholders		52,254									52,254	[3]	52,254	[3]
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests classified as equity		15,252	[3]													15,252
Changes related to retirement plan		159	[3]							159			159	[3]
Common, Special Common and Series A Common Shares dividends	[3]	(13,289)									(13,289)		(13,289)
Preferred dividend requirement		(12)									(12)	[3]	(12)	[3]
Dividend reinvestment plan	[3]	1,414				296		2,703			(1,585)		1,414
Incentive and compensation plans	[3]	343				444		1,230			(1,331)		343
Adjust investment in subsidiaries for repurchases, issuances, other compensation plans and noncontrolling interest purchases		5,835	[3]			4,157	[3]						4,157	[3]		1,678
Stock-based compensation awards	[1],[3]	4,845				4,845							4,845
Tax windfall (shortfall) from stock awards	[2],[3]	(69)				(69)							(69)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests		(218)	[3]													(218)
Other		84	[3]													84
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2012		$ 4,669,277		$ 1,326	[3]	$ 2,278,384	[3]	$ (746,988)	[3]	$ (8,695)	$ 2,487,936	[3]	$ 4,011,963	[3]	$ 830	$ 656,484

[1] Reflects TDS Corporate and TDS Telecom's current year stock-based compensation awards impact on Capital in excess of par value. U.S. Cellular's amounts are included in Adjust investment in subsidiaries for repurchases, issuances and other compensation plans.

[2] Reflects tax windfalls/(shortfalls) associated with the exercise of options and the vesting of restricted stock awards of TDS Common Shares and TDS Special Common Shares. U.S. Cellular's tax windfalls/(shortfalls) associated with the exercise of options and vesting of restricted stock awards of U.S. Cellular are included in Adjust investment in subsidiaries for repurchases, issuances, and other compensation plans.

[3] The December 31, 2011 amounts reflect the impact of the Share Consolidation Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of TDS, as approved by the TDS shareholders on January 13, 2012.