Common Share Repurchases (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Share repurchases
Amount		$ 31,794
Treasury Shares
Share repurchases
Amount		$ 31,794
Common Shares | TDS Parent Company | Treasury Shares
Share repurchases
Number of shares acquired		1,230
Average cost per share		$ 25.85
Amount		$ 31,794
Common share repurchase authorization	On August 2, 2013, the Board of Directors of TDS authorized a $250 million stock repurchase program for the purchase of TDS Common Shares from time to time pursuant to open market purchases, block transactions, private purchases or otherwise, depending on market conditions. This authorization does not have an expiration date.
Repurchase authorization, dollar value	$ 250,000
Repurchase expiration	does not have an expiration date
U.S. Cellular Common Shares | U.S. Cellular | Treasury Shares
Share repurchases
Number of shares acquired	154	384
Average cost per share	$ 34.85	$ 39.37
Amount	$ 5,362	$ 15,124
Common share repurchase authorization	On November 17, 2009, the Board of Directors of U.S. Cellular authorized the repurchase of up to 1,300,000 Common Shares on an annual basis beginning in 2009 and continuing each year thereafter, on a cumulative basis. These purchases will be made pursuant to open market purchases, block purchases, private purchases or otherwise, depending on market conditions. This authorization does not have an expiration date.
Repurchase authorization, additional number of shares	1,300
Repurchase expiration	does not have an expiration date