Consolidated Statement Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	$ 6,989	$ 67,566
Add (deduct) adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	242,077	197,434
Bad debts expense	17,874	15,105
Stock-based compensation expense	7,585	10,330
Deferred income taxes, net	3,009	6,187
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	(27,089)	(23,389)
Distributions from unconsolidated entities	8,089	2,938
Loss on asset disposals, net	5,616	2,079
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net	6,931	(4,174)
Noncash interest expense	497	862
Other operating activities	256	852
Changes in assets and liabilities from operations
Accounts receivable	34,038	38,941
Inventory	16,860	(4,842)
Accounts payable	(3,203)	(25,372)
Customer deposits and deferred revenues	7,904	10,745
Accrued taxes	5,309	82,014
Accrued interest	9,279	9,117
Other assets and liabilities	(95,669)	(104,148)
Cash flows from operating activities	246,352	282,245
Cash flows from investing activities
Cash used for additions to property, plant and equipment	(176,318)	(242,611)
Cash paid for acquisitions and licenses	(14,150)	(11,096)
Cash received from divestitures		50,036
Cash paid for investments		(10,000)
Cash received for investments		20,249
Other investing activities	6,364	(436)
Cash flows from investing activities	(184,104)	(193,858)
Cash flows from financing activities
Repayment of long-term debt	(328)	(493)
Issuance of long-term debt		358
TDS Common Shares and Special Common Shares reissued for benefit plans, net of tax payments	140	(33)
U.S. Cellular Common Shares reissued for benefit plans, net of tax payments	123	357
Repurchase of U.S. Cellular Common Shares	(18,425)
Dividends paid	(13,792)	(13,301)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(2,396)	(218)
Other financing activities	(1,351)	798
Cash flows from financing activities	(36,029)	(12,532)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	26,219	75,855
Cash and cash equivalents
Beginning of period	740,481	563,275
End of period	$ 766,700	$ 639,130