Common Share Repurchases (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Share repurchases
Amount	$ 5,813,000
Treasury Shares
Share repurchases
Amount	5,813,000
Common Shares | TDS Parent Company
Share repurchases
Number of shares acquired	205,000
Average cost per share	$ 28.42
Amount	5,813,000
Common share repurchase authorization	On August 2, 2013, the Board of Directors of TDS authorized a $250 million stock repurchase program for the purchase of TDS Common Shares from time to time pursuant to open market purchases, block transactions, private purchases or otherwise, depending on market conditions. This authorization does not have an expiration date. In 2012, TDS had a prior share repurchase authorization for $250 million that expired on November 19, 2012.
Repurchase authorization, dollar value	250,000,000
Repurchase expiration	does not have an expiration date
US Cellular Common Shares | U.S. Cellular
Share repurchases
Number of shares acquired	499,000
Average cost per share	$ 37.19
Amount	$ 18,544,000
Common share repurchase authorization	On November 17, 2009, the Board of Directors of U.S. Cellular authorized the repurchase of up to 1,300,000 Common Shares on an annual basis beginning in 2009 and continuing each year thereafter, on a cumulative basis. These purchases will be made pursuant to open market purchases, block purchases, private purchases, or otherwise, depending on market prices and other conditions. This authorization does not have an expiration date.
Repurchase authorization, additional number of shares	1,300,000
Repurchase expiration	does not have an expiration date