Noncontrolling Interests (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Noncontrolling interests
Net income (loss) attributable to TDS shareholders	$ 51,083	$ (116,030)	$ 219,869	$ (119,814)
Transfer (to) from the noncontrolling interests
Change in TDS' Capital in excess of par value from U.S. Cellular's issuance of U.S. Cellular shares			(13,768)	(11,042)
Change in TDS' Capital in excess of par value from U.S. Cellular's repurchase of U.S. Cellular shares			951	858
Purchase of ownership in subsidiaries from noncontrolling interests			240	7,484
Net transfers (to) from noncontrolling interests			(12,577)	(2,700)
Change from net income (loss) attributable to TDS shareholders and transfers (to) from noncontrolling interests			$ 207,292	$ (122,514)