Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Series A Common and Common Shares	Capital in Excess of Par Value	Treasury Common Shares	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Retained Earnings	Total TDS Shareholders' Equity	Preferred Shares	Noncontrolling Interests
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 4,656,327	$ 1,327	$ 2,304,122	$ (750,099)	$ (8,132)	$ 2,464,318	$ 4,011,536	$ 825	$ 643,966
Add (Deduct)
Net income (loss) attributable to TDS shareholders	147,984					147,984	147,984
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests classified as equity	26,301								26,301
Net unrealized gain (loss) on equity investments	51				51		51
Change in foreign currency translation adjustment	(19)				(19)		(19)
Change related to retirement plan	(556)				(556)		(556)
TDS Common and Series A Common Share dividends	(41,393)					(41,393)	(41,393)
TDS Preferred dividend requirement	(37)					(37)	(37)
U.S. Cellular dividends paid to noncontrolling public shareholders	(75,235)								(75,235)
Repurchase of Common Shares	(5,813)			(5,813)			(5,813)
Dividend reinvestment plan	6,458		671	11,751		(5,964)	6,458
Incentive and compensation plans	7,973		532	16,584		(9,143)	7,973
Adjust investment in subsidiaries for repurchases, issuances and other compensation plans	(6,861)		(2,399)				(2,399)		(4,462)
Stock-based compensation awards	10,381		10,381				10,381
Tax windfall (shortfall) from stock awards	(1,002)		(1,002)				(1,002)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(3,447)								(3,447)
Adjust investment in subsidiaries for noncontrolling interest purchases	(5,028)		(10,322)				(10,322)		5,294
Deconsolidation of partnerships	(43,770)								(43,770)
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2013	4,672,314	1,327	2,301,983	(727,577)	(8,656)	2,555,765	4,122,842	825	548,647
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2013	4,670,097	1,327	2,308,807	(721,354)	(569)	2,529,626	4,117,837	824	551,436
Add (Deduct)
Net income (loss) attributable to TDS shareholders	(119,814)					(119,814)	(119,814)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests classified as equity	(7,209)								(7,209)
Net unrealized gain (loss) on equity investments	341				341		341
Change in foreign currency translation adjustment	17				17		17
Change related to retirement plan	(1,096)				(1,096)		(1,096)
TDS Common and Series A Common Share dividends	(43,538)					(43,538)	(43,538)
TDS Preferred dividend requirement	(37)					(37)	(37)
Repurchase of Common Shares	(31,794)			(31,794)			(31,794)
Dividend reinvestment plan	7,387		2,119	5,268			7,387
Incentive and compensation plans	917		(303)	1,220			917
Adjust investment in subsidiaries for repurchases, issuances and other compensation plans	827		9,831				9,831		(9,004)
Stock-based compensation awards	9,821		9,821				9,821
Tax windfall (shortfall) from stock awards	(601)		(601)				(601)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(517)								(517)
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2014	$ 4,484,801	$ 1,327	$ 2,329,674	$ (746,660)	$ (1,307)	$ 2,366,237	$ 3,949,271	$ 824	$ 534,706