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		206,752								206,752		206,752
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests classified as equity		45,435													45,435
Change in net unrealized gain (loss) on equity investments		138							138			138
Changes related to retirement plan		147							147			147
Common, Special Common and Series A Common Shares dividends		(36,459)								(36,459)		(36,459)
Preferred dividend requirement		(37)								(37)		(37)
Repurchase of Common Shares		(21,500)					(21,500)					(21,500)
Dividend reinvestment plan		2,860			73		4,131			(1,344)		2,860
Incentive and compensation plans		1,846			540		1,762			(456)		1,846
Adjust investment in subsidiaries for repurchases, issuances and other compensation plans		(46,242)			(4,515)							(4,515)			(41,727)
Stock-based compensation awards	[1]	12,317			12,317							12,317
Tax windfall (shortfall) from stock awards	[2]	(281)			(281)							(281)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests		(1,676)													(1,676)
Other		367													367
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2011		4,629,405	1,270		2,116,063		(754,302)		(2,923)	2,619,055		3,979,163		830	649,412
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		123,708								123,708		123,708
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests classified as equity		39,949													39,949
Change in net unrealized gain (loss) on equity investments		49							49			49
Changes related to retirement plan		462							462			462
Common, Special Common and Series A Common Shares dividends		(39,893)								(39,893)		(39,893)
Preferred dividend requirement		(37)								(37)		(37)
Repurchase of Preferred Shares		(20)								(16)		(16)		(4)
Dividend reinvestment plan		4,861			862		10,066			(6,067)		4,861
Incentive and compensation plans		354			444		1,295			(1,385)		354
Adjust investment in subsidiaries for repurchases, issuances and other compensation plans		17,002			7,581							7,581			9,421
Stock-based compensation awards	[1]	15,518			15,518							15,518
Tax windfall (shortfall) from stock awards	[2]	(108)			(108)							(108)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests		(1,491)													(1,491)
Other		57													57
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2012		$ 4,763,090	$ 1,326		$ 2,293,008		$ (739,560)		$ (8,343)	$ 2,528,209		$ 4,074,640		$ 826	$ 687,624

[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.