The cumulative amount of grants received under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

No definition available.

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- Definition

The amount of grants received under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Total number of projects to be completed as a result of grants awarded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The aim of these projects is to provide broadband access in unserved areas.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Company funds to be contributed for projects also funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Dollar amount of federal grants awarded under the Amercian Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

For net-share settlement of share-based awards when the employer withholds shares for the exercise price and income tax withholding obligations, this element represents the number of shares the employees use to repay the employer.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

For net-share settlement of share-based awards when the employer withholds shares for the exercise price and income tax withholding obligations, this element represents the value of shares the employees use to repay the employer.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	tds_
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- Definition

Aggregate dividends declared during the period for each share of common stock outstanding.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Article 3

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6959260&loc=d3e187085-122770

+ Details

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- Details

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- Definition

Carrying amounts due as of the balance sheet date from parties or arising from transactions not otherwise specified in the taxonomy.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.8)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 8

-Article 5

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- Definition

Cash outflow in the form of ordinary dividends to common shareholders, generally out of earnings.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 20

-Subparagraph a

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Financing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 18

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 15

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3291-108585

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- Definition

The cash outflow paid by the company to cover an employee's income tax withholding obligation as part of a net-share settlement of a share-based award.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

The total cash inflow associated with the amount received from holders to acquire the entity's shares under incentive and share awards, including stock option exercises. This item inherently excludes any excess tax benefit, which the entity may have realized and reported separately.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 14

-Subparagraph (a)

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

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-Paragraph 19

-Subparagraph a

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Financing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 18

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 123R

-Paragraph A240

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

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- Definition

The cash inflow associated with the amount received from holders exercising their stock options. This item inherently excludes any excess tax benefit, which the entity may have realized and reported separately.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 123R

-Paragraph A240

-Subparagraph i

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 14

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3255-108585

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Financing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 19

-Subparagraph a

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 18

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (j)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

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Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures (Details) (USD $) Share data in Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Supplemental cash flow disclosures
Accounts receivable, Other	$ 131,995,000		$ 164,608,000
Series A Common and Common Shares, dividends per share declared	$ 0.1275	$ 0.1225
Series A Common and Common Shares, dividends paid	13,780,000	13,289,000
Supplemental cash flows, stock based compensation
Net cash receipts (disbursements) from exercise of stock options and vesting of other stock awards	140,000	(33,000)
TDS Telecom
Supplemental cash flow disclosures
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 Grants Awarded	105,100,000
Recovery Act Projects Company Funds	30,900,000
Recovery Act Projects	44
Recovery Act Grants Received	19,900,000	4,300,000
Recovery Act Cumulative Grants Received	41,500,000
TDS Telecom \| American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 Grants
Supplemental cash flow disclosures
Accounts receivable, Other	16,200,000		27,600,000
Common Shares \| TDS Parent Company
Supplemental cash flows, stock based compensation
Shares withheld	2
Aggregate value of shares withheld	45,000
Cash receipts upon exercise of stock options	185,000
Cash disbursements for payments of taxes	(45,000)
Net cash receipts (disbursements) from exercise of stock options and vesting of other stock awards	140,000
Special Common Shares \| TDS Parent Company
Supplemental cash flows, stock based compensation
Shares withheld		1
Aggregate value of shares withheld		33,000
Cash disbursements for payments of taxes		(33,000)
Net cash receipts (disbursements) from exercise of stock options and vesting of other stock awards		(33,000)
US Cellular Common Shares \| U.S. Cellular
Supplemental cash flows, stock based compensation
Shares withheld	9
Aggregate value of shares withheld	328,000
Cash receipts upon exercise of stock options	129,000	357,000
Cash disbursements for payments of taxes	(6,000)
Net cash receipts (disbursements) from exercise of stock options and vesting of other stock awards	$ 123,000	$ 357,000