Noncontrolling Interests (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Change Due to Net Income Attributable to Parent and Effects of Changes, Net [Abstract]
Net income attributable to TDS shareholders	$ 29,117,000	$ 71,294,000	$ 123,708,000	$ 206,752,000
Transfer (to) from the noncontrolling interests
Change in TDS' Capital in excess of par value from U.S. Cellular's issuance of U.S. Cellular shares			(8,554,000)	(8,705,000)
Change in TDS' Capital in excess of par value from U.S. Cellular's repurchase of U.S. Cellular shares				(7,723,000)
Net transfers (to) from noncontrolling interests			(8,554,000)	(16,428,000)
Change from net income attributable to TDS and transfers (to) from noncontrolling interests			115,154,000	190,324,000
Redeemable noncontrolling interest
Settlement value of mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests	160,100,000		160,100,000
Carrying value of mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests	$ 65,100,000		$ 65,100,000
Termination date range of mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests - begin			2085
Termination date range of mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests - end			2107