Noncontrolling Interests (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
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	$ 1,419,000	$ 52,254,000
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	(1,012,000)	(428,000)
Change in TDS' Capital in excess of par value from U.S. Cellular's repurchase of U.S. Cellular shares	3,470,000
Net transfers (to) from noncontrolling interests	2,458,000	(428,000)
Change from net income attributable to TDS shareholders and transfers (to) from noncontrolling interests	3,877,000	51,826,000
Redeemable noncontrolling interest
Settlement value of mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests	149,200,000
Carrying value of mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests	$ 54,500,000
Termination date range of mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests - begin	2085
Termination date range of mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests - end	2107