Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Series A Common and Common Shares	Capital in Excess of Par Value	Treasury Shares	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Retained Earnings	Total TDS Shareholders' Equity	Preferred Shares	Noncontrolling Interests
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 4,602,679	$ 1,326	$ 2,268,711	$ (750,921)	$ (8,854)	$ 2,451,899	$ 3,962,161	$ 830	$ 639,688
Add (deduct)
Net income attributable to TDS shareholders	52,254					52,254	52,254
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests classified as equity	15,252								15,252
Changes related to retirement plan	159				159		159
Common and Series A Common Shares dividends	(13,289)					(13,289)	(13,289)
Preferred dividend requirement	(12)					(12)	(12)
Dividend reinvestment plan	1,414		296	2,703		(1,585)	1,414
Incentive and compensation plans	343		444	1,230		(1,331)	343
Adjust investment in subsidiaries for repurchases, issuances, other compensation plans and noncontrolling interest purchases	5,835		4,157				4,157		1,678
Stock-based compensation awards	4,845		4,845				4,845
Tax windfall (shortfall) from stock awards	(69)		(69)				(69)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(218)								(218)
Other	84								84
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2012	4,669,277	1,326	2,278,384	(746,988)	(8,695)	2,487,936	4,011,963	830	656,484
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2012	4,656,327	1,327	2,304,122	(750,099)	(8,132)	2,464,318	4,011,536	825	643,966
Add (deduct)
Net income attributable to TDS shareholders	1,419					1,419	1,419
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests classified as equity	5,597								5,597
Change in foreign currency translation adjustment	15				15		15
Changes related to retirement plan	(186)				(186)		(186)
Common and Series A Common Shares dividends	(13,780)					(13,780)	(13,780)
Preferred dividend requirement	(12)					(12)	(12)
Dividend reinvestment plan	1			3		(2)	1
Incentive and compensation plans	576		534	2,265		(2,223)	576
Adjust investment in subsidiaries for repurchases, issuances, other compensation plans and noncontrolling interest purchases	(18,444)		(3,734)				(3,734)		(14,710)
Stock-based compensation awards	2,395		2,395				2,395
Tax windfall (shortfall) from stock awards	(532)		(532)				(532)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(2,396)								(2,396)
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2013	$ 4,630,980	$ 1,327	$ 2,302,785	$ (747,831)	$ (8,303)	$ 2,449,720	$ 3,997,698	$ 825	$ 632,457