Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill
Assigned value at time of acquisition			$ 1,257,438
Accumulated impairment losses in prior periods			(363,855)
Other			(56,740)
Balance, beginning of period	836,843
Acquisitions	33,002
Loss on impairment	(84,000)
Divestitures	(2,565)
Balance, end of period	783,280		836,843
Licenses
Licenses and Franchise Rights
Balance, beginning of period	1,423,779
Acquisitions	44,410
Transferred to Assets held for sale	(68,288)
Exchanges, net	15,719
Divestitures	(15,220)
Other	408
Balance, end of period	1,400,808
U.S. Cellular
Goodwill
Assigned value at time of acquisition			622,681
Accumulated impairment losses in prior periods			(333,900)
Other			(56,740)
Balance, end of period	232,041		232,041
U.S. Cellular | Licenses
Licenses and Franchise Rights
Balance, beginning of period	1,405,759
Acquisitions	41,707
Transferred to Assets held for sale	(68,288)
Exchanges, net	15,719
Other	408
Balance, end of period	1,395,305
Wireline
Goodwill
Assigned value at time of acquisition			449,898	[1]
Accumulated impairment losses in prior periods			(29,440)	[1]
Balance, beginning of period	420,458	[1]
Divestitures	(2,565)	[1]
Balance, end of period	417,893	[1]
Wireline | Licenses
Licenses and Franchise Rights
Balance, end of period	2,800		2,800
Cable
Goodwill
Assigned value at time of acquisition			61,712
Balance, beginning of period	61,712
Acquisitions	33,002
Balance, end of period	94,714
Cable | Licenses
Licenses and Franchise Rights
Acquisitions	2,703
Balance, end of period	2,703
Cable | Franchise rights
Licenses and Franchise Rights
Balance, beginning of period	123,668
Acquisitions	115,629
Divestitures	(347)
Balance, end of period	238,950
HMS
Goodwill
Assigned value at time of acquisition			118,830
Balance, beginning of period	118,830
Loss on impairment	(84,000)	[2]
Balance, end of period	34,830
Non-Reportable Segment
Goodwill
Assigned value at time of acquisition			4,317
Accumulated impairment losses in prior periods			(515)
Balance, end of period	3,802		3,802
Non-Reportable Segment | Licenses
Licenses and Franchise Rights
Balance, beginning of period	15,220
Divestitures	$ (15,220)
Discounted cash flow valuation approach | HMS
Fair Value Inputs
Revenue growth rate	6.10%
Terminal revenue growth rate	2.50%
Discount Rate	11.50%
Capital expenditures as a percentage of revenue	8.60%

[1] On July 31, 2014, TDS Telecom sold certain Wireline markets.

[2] Goodwill with a carrying amount of $118.8 million was written down to its implied fair value of $34.8 million, resulting in an impairment charge of $84.0 million, which was recorded in Loss on impairment of assets in the Consolidated Statement of Operations in the third quarter of 2014. See Note 6 — Intangible Assets for additional information.