Consolidated Statement Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011
Income Statement [Abstract]
Operating revenues	$ 1,370,108		$ 1,325,423		$ 3,999,068		$ 3,863,744
Operating expenses
Cost of services and products (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense reported below)	600,459		525,134		1,637,340		1,490,293
Selling, general and administrative	506,217		492,677		1,516,220		1,461,372
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	196,219		190,039		592,162		573,897
Loss on impairment of assets					515
(Gain) loss on asset disposals and exchanges, net	11,707		(9,351)		12,607		(4,970)
Total operating expenses	1,314,602		1,198,499		3,758,844		3,520,592
Operating income	55,506		126,924		240,224		343,152
Investment and other income (expense)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	25,015		22,053		73,796		64,031
Interest and dividend income	2,359		2,199		6,894		6,916
Gain (loss) on investment			12,730		(3,728)		26,103
Interest expense	(20,497)		(22,258)		(68,100)		(94,184)
Other, net	217		115		196		1,501
Total investment and other income (expense)	7,094		14,839		9,058		4,367
Income before income taxes	62,600		141,763		249,282		347,519
Income tax expense	22,442		53,545		85,619		95,264
Net income	40,158		88,218		163,663		252,255
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	(11,041)		(16,924)		(39,955)		(45,503)
Net income attributable to TDS shareholders	29,117		71,294		123,708		206,752
Preferred dividend requirement	(12)		(12)		(37)		(37)
Net income available to common shareholders	$ 29,105		$ 71,282		$ 123,671		$ 206,715
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	108,819	[1]	108,404	[1]	108,735	[1]	108,586	[1]
Basic earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders	$ 0.27	[1]	$ 0.66	[1]	$ 1.14	[1]	$ 1.90	[1]
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	109,246	[1]	108,732	[1]	109,018	[1]	109,194	[1]
Diluted earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders	$ 0.27	[1]	$ 0.65	[1]	$ 1.13	[1]	$ 1.89	[1]
Dividends per share	$ 0.1225	[2]	$ 0.1175	[2]	$ 0.3675	[2]	$ 0.3525	[2]

[1] On January 13, 2012, TDS shareholders approved a Share Consolidation Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of TDS. Average basic and diluted shares outstanding used to calculate earnings per share for the comparative periods presented have been retroactively restated to reflect the impact of the increased shares outstanding as a result of the Share Consolidation Amendment.

[2] Dividends per share reflects the amount paid per share outstanding at the date the dividend was declared and has not been retroactively adjusted to reflect the impact of the Share Consolidation Amendment.