Consolidated Statement Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Operating revenues
Service	$ 1,073,091	$ 1,080,242
Equipment and product sales	178,502	115,720
Total operating revenues	1,251,593	1,195,962
Operating expenses
Cost of services (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below)	293,647	275,958
Cost of equipment and products	271,981	306,647
Selling, general and administrative	438,040	463,669
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	206,575	224,919
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net	5,377	2,430
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net	(123,783)	(6,900)
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net	(122,873)	(91,446)
Total operating expenses	968,964	1,175,277
Operating income	282,629	20,685
Investment and other income (expense)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	34,641	37,327
Interest and dividend income	8,385	2,486
Interest expense	(33,830)	(28,707)
Other, net	(4)	160
Total investment and other income (expense)	9,192	11,266
Income before income taxes	291,821	31,951
Income tax expense	116,020	11,657
Net income	175,801	20,294
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	30,061	2,040
Net income attributable to TDS shareholders	145,740	18,254
TDS Preferred dividend requirement	(12)	(12)
Net income available to common shareholders	$ 145,728	$ 18,242
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	108,169	108,988
Basic earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders	$ 1.35	$ 0.17
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	108,946	109,672
Diluted earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders	$ 1.33	$ 0.16
Dividends per share to TDS shareholders	$ 0.141	$ 0.134