Consolidated Statement Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income (loss)	$ (5,432)	$ 185,386
Add (deduct) adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flows from operating activities
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	429,486	496,280
Bad debts expense	52,098	35,187
Stock-based compensation expense	15,488	12,902
Deferred income taxes, net	(33,346)	(21,246)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	(72,117)	(62,694)
Distributions from unconsolidated entities	65,569	47,635
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net	10,333	13,935
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net	(4,289)	(296,103)
(Gain) loss on investments		(14,518)
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges	(91,446)
Noncash interest expense	1,014	997
Other operating activities	3	505
Changes in assets and liabilities from operations
Accounts receivable	40,459	(5,781)
Inventory	38,674	(8,105)
Accounts payable	(43,132)	58,204
Customer deposits and deferred revenues	13,139	7,897
Accrued taxes	1,049	150,425
Accrued interest	22	2,172
Other assets and liabilities	(101,930)	(81,586)
Cash flows from operating activities	315,642	521,492
Cash flows from investing activities
Cash used for additions to property, plant and equipment	(339,907)	(384,281)
Cash paid for acquisitions and licenses	(18,681)	(14,150)
Cash received from divestitures	125,905	480,000
Cash received for investments	10,000	15,000
Other investing activities	3,720	14,127
Cash flows from investing activities	(218,963)	110,696
Cash flows from financing activities
Repayment of long-term debt	(589)	(605)
TDS Common Shares reissued for benefit plans, net of tax payments	401	776
U.S. Cellular Common Shares reissued for benefit plans, net of tax payments	830	(2,206)
Repurchase of TDS Common Shares	(20,090)
Repurchase of U.S. Cellular Common Shares	(8,298)	(18,425)
Dividends paid to TDS shareholders	(29,107)	(27,598)
U.S. Cellular dividends paid to noncontrolling public shareholders		(75,235)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(482)	(3,292)
Other financing activities	5,502	331
Cash flows from financing activities	(51,833)	(126,254)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	44,846	505,934
Cash and cash equivalents
Beginning of period	830,014	740,481
End of period	$ 874,860	$ 1,246,415