Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges, acquisitions (Details) (TDS Telecom ILEC, Businesses, Baja Broadband, LLC, USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013 number
TDS Telecom ILEC \| Businesses \| Baja Broadband, LLC
Acquisitions, divestitures and exchanges
Date of acquisition agreement	Feb. 25, 2013
Acquisition agreement description	On February 25, 2013, TDS entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with Baja Broadband, LLC (“Baja”) to acquire substantially all of the assets of Baja for $267.5 million in cash, subject to a working capital adjustment. Baja is a cable company that passes approximately 212,000 households in markets in Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah and offers video, broadband and voice services. The transaction is subject to governmental regulatory approvals, compliance with the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act and other conditions. Subject to approvals, the transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2013.
Business acquisition agreement amount	$ 267.5
Households passed	212,000

Acquisitions, divestitures and exchanges

On February 25, 2013, TDS entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with Baja Broadband, LLC (“Baja”) to acquire substantially all of the assets of Baja for $267.5 million in cash, subject to a working capital adjustment. Baja is a cable company that passes approximately 212,000 households in markets in Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah and offers video, broadband and voice services. The transaction is subject to governmental regulatory approvals, compliance with the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act and other conditions. Subject to approvals, the transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2013.

212,000