Noncontrolling Interests (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 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	$ 156,077,000	$ 42,337,000	$ 157,496,000	$ 94,591,000
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			(9,712,000)	(8,318,000)
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			(6,242,000)	(8,318,000)
Change from net income attributable to TDS shareholders and transfers (to) from noncontrolling interests			151,254,000	86,273,000
Redeemable noncontrolling interest
Settlement value of mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests	33,500,000		33,500,000
Carrying value of mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests	$ 10,000,000		$ 10,000,000
Termination date range of mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests - begin			2085
Termination date range of mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests - end			2107