Basis of Presentation (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013 number	Sep. 30, 2012
Basis of Presentation
TDS ownership	84.00%		84.00%
Number of business segments			5
Business segments, additional information			Previously, TDS had reported the following reportable segments: U.S. Cellular, TDS Telecom’s incumbent local exchange carrier (“ILEC”), its competitive local exchange carrier (“CLEC”), its Hosted and Managed Services (“HMS”) operations and the Non-Reportable Segment which includes TDS’ majority-owned printing and distribution company, Suttle-Straus, Inc. (“Suttle-Straus”) and TDS’ wholly-owned wireless telephone subsidiary, Airadigm Communications, Inc. (“Airadigm”).  As a result of recent acquisitions and changes in TDS’ strategy, operations and internal reporting, TDS has reevaluated and changed its operating segments during the quarter ended September 30, 2013, which resulted in the following reportable segments: U.S. Cellular, TDS Telecom’s Wireline, Cable and HMS operations, and the Non-Reportable Segment.
Amounts recorded gross in revenues that are billed to customers and remitted to governmental authorities	$ 31.6	$ 36.2	$ 99.0	$ 114.7