Consolidated Statement Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Operating revenues	$ 1,308,573	$ 1,305,791
Operating expenses
Cost of services and products (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense reported below)	559,892	509,211
Selling, general and administrative	486,903	507,599
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	242,077	197,434
Loss on asset disposals, net	5,616	2,079
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net	6,931	(4,174)
Total operating expenses	1,301,419	1,212,149
Operating income	7,154	93,642
Investment and other income (expense)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	27,089	23,389
Interest and dividend income	1,578	2,183
Interest expense	(24,498)	(24,464)
Other, net	(154)	228
Total investment and other income (expense)	4,015	1,336
Income before income taxes	11,169	94,978
Income tax expense	4,180	27,412
Net income	6,989	67,566
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	(5,570)	(15,312)
Net income attributable to TDS shareholders	1,419	52,254
Preferred dividend requirement	(12)	(12)
Net income available to common shareholders	$ 1,407	$ 52,242
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	108,255	108,653
Basic earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders	$ 0.01	$ 0.48
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	108,693	109,098
Diluted earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders	$ 0.01	$ 0.48
Dividends per share	$ 0.1275	$ 0.1225