Subsequent Events (Details) (Subsequent event, BendBroadband, USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013 number	May 01, 2014
Subsequent event | BendBroadband
Subsequent events
Acquisition agreement description	On May 1, 2014, TDS entered into an agreement to acquire substantially all of the assets of a group of companies operating as BendBroadband, headquartered in Bend, Oregon for $261 million in cash, subject to working capital and other adjustments. BendBroadband is a full-service communications company, offering an extensive range of broadband, fiber connectivity, cable television and telephone services for commercial and residential customers in Central Oregon. The agreement also includes a Tier III data center providing colocation and managed services and a cable advertising and broadcast business. At December 31, 2013, BendBroadband passed approximately 79,000 homes and businesses, with approximately 36,000 video subscribers, 41,000 high-speed broadband subscribers and 22,000 digital voice subscribers. BendBroadband generated annual revenues of $70 million in 2013. The transaction is subject to governmental regulatory approvals, compliance with the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act and other conditions. Subject to approvals, the transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2014.
Acquisition agreement amount			$ 261.0
Homes and businesses passed		79,000
Video subscribers		36,000
High-speed broadband subscribers		41,000
Digital voice subscribers		22,000
Acquired entity revenues		$ 70.0