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		135,458									135,458		135,458
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests classified as equity		28,571														28,571
Change in net unrealized gain (loss) on equity investments		138								138			138
Changes related to retirement plan		98								98			98
Common, Special Common and Series A Common Shares dividends		(24,318)									(24,318)		(24,318)
Preferred dividend requirement		(25)									(25)		(25)
Repurchase of shares		(21,500)						(21,500)					(21,500)
Dividend reinvestment plan		1,951				66		2,534			(649)		1,951
Incentive and compensation plans		1,498				577		1,377			(456)		1,498
Adjust investment in subsidiaries for repurchases, issuances and other compensation plans		(51,414)				(8,133)							(8,133)			(43,281)
Stock-based compensation awards	[1]	8,115				8,115							8,115
Tax windfall (shortfall) from stock awards	[2]	(274)				(274)							(274)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests		(1,377)														(1,377)
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2011		4,542,659		1,270		2,108,280		(756,284)		(2,972)	2,560,609		3,910,903		830	630,926
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		94,591									94,591	[3]	94,591	[3]
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests classified as equity		28,869	[3]													28,869
Change in net unrealized gain (loss) on equity investments		49	[3]							49			49	[3]
Changes related to retirement plan		311	[3]							311			311	[3]
Common, Special Common and Series A Common Shares dividends	[3]	(26,585)									(26,585)		(26,585)
Preferred dividend requirement		(25)									(25)	[3]	(25)	[3]
Dividend reinvestment plan	[3]	3,149				581		6,764			(4,196)		3,149
Incentive and compensation plans	[3]	338				444		1,251			(1,357)		338
Adjust investment in subsidiaries for repurchases, issuances and other compensation plans		9,201	[3]			1,438	[3]						1,438	[3]		7,763
Stock-based compensation awards	[1],[3]	9,711				9,711							9,711
Tax windfall (shortfall) from stock awards	[2],[3]	(83)				(83)							(83)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests		(643)	[3]													(643)
Other		84	[3]													84
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2012		$ 4,721,646		$ 1,326	[3]	$ 2,280,802	[3]	$ (742,906)	[3]	$ (8,494)	$ 2,514,327	[3]	$ 4,045,055	[3]	$ 830	$ 675,761

[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.