Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to TDS shareholders
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders of TDS used in basic earnings per share	$ (9,524)	$ 29,105	$ 147,947	$ 123,671
Adjustments to compute diluted earnings
Noncontrolling interest adjustment		(211)	(1,065)	(867)
Preferred dividend adjustment		12	37	37
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders of TDS used in diluted earnings per share	$ (9,524)	$ 28,906	$ 146,919	$ 122,841
Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings (loss) per share
Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings (loss) per share	108,571	108,819	108,405	108,735
Effects of dilutive securities:
Stock options		15	170	4
Restricted stock units		357	363	224
Preferred shares		55	55	55
Weighted average number of shares used in diluted earnings (loss) per share	108,571	109,246	108,993	109,018
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to TDS shareholders	$ (0.09)	$ 0.27	$ 1.36	$ 1.14
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to TDS shareholders	$ (0.09)	$ 0.26	$ 1.35	$ 1.13
Stock Options
Effects of dilutive securities:
Antidilutive shares	9,199	8,375	7,225	7,983
Restricted Stock Units
Effects of dilutive securities:
Antidilutive shares	883		187	168
Convertible Preferred Shares
Effects of dilutive securities:
Antidilutive shares	55
Common Shares
Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings (loss) per share
Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings (loss) per share	101,422	101,683	101,256	101,602
Series A Common Shares
Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings (loss) per share
Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings (loss) per share	7,149	7,136	7,149	7,133