Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2014 number	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures
Accounts receivable, Other	$ 163,438,000		$ 179,503,000
TDS Telecom \| American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 Grants
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures
Accounts receivable, Other	15,700,000		23,600,000
Recovery Act Grants Awarded	105,100,000
Recovery Act Projects Company Funds	30,900,000
Recovery Act Projects	44
Recovery Act Grants Received	12,000,000	34,600,000
Recovery Act Cumulative Grants Received	$ 75,600,000

The cumulative amount of grants received under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

No definition available.

Name:	tds_RecoveryActCumulativeGrantsReceived
Namespace Prefix:	tds_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of grants received under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	tds_RecoveryActGrantsReceived
Namespace Prefix:	tds_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Total number of projects to be completed as a result of grants awarded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The aim of these projects is to provide broadband access in unserved areas.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	tds_RecoveryActProjects
Namespace Prefix:	tds_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Company funds to be contributed for projects also funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	tds_RecoveryActProjectsFundsContributed
Namespace Prefix:	tds_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Dollar amount of federal grants awarded under the Amercian Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	tds_RecoveryActProjectsGrantsAwarded
Namespace Prefix:	tds_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Carrying amounts due as of the balance sheet date from parties or arising from transactions not otherwise specified in the taxonomy.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.8)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 8

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherReceivables
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_SupplementalCashFlowInformationAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration