Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2010		Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2010
Basic earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders:
Net income available to common shareholders of TDS used in basic earnings per share	$ 71,282		$ 41,407		$ 206,715		$ 131,668
Adjustments to compute diluted earnings:
Noncontrolling interest	(239)	[1]	(160)	[1]	(783)	[1]	(466)	[1]
Preferred dividend	12	[2]	12	[2]	37	[2]	37	[2]
Net income attributable to common shareholders of TDS used in diluted earnings per share	$ 71,055		$ 41,259		$ 205,969		$ 131,239
Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings per share:
Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings per share	103,487		104,881		103,672		105,443
Effects of dilutive securities:
Stock options	9		123		149		119
Restricted stock units	244		244		207		188
Preferred shares	66		50		66		50
Weighted average number of shares used in diluted earnings per share	103,806		105,298		104,094		105,800
Basic earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders	$ 0.69		$ 0.39		$ 1.99		$ 1.25
Diluted earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders	$ 0.68		$ 0.39		$ 1.98		$ 1.24
Common Shares
Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings per share:
Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings per share	49,985		49,898		49,965		49,873
Common Shares | Stock Options
Effects of dilutive securities:
Antidilutive shares	547		620		480		606
Special Common Shares
Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings per share:
Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings per share	46,975		48,479		47,189		49,071
Special Common Shares | Stock Options
Effects of dilutive securities:
Antidilutive shares	6,449		4,447		4,672		3,714
Special Common Shares | Restricted Stock Units
Effects of dilutive securities:
Antidilutive shares	192				122		76
Series A Common Shares
Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings per share:
Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings per share	6,527		6,504		6,518		6,499

[1] The noncontrolling income adjustment reflects the additional noncontrolling share of U.S. Cellular's income computed as if all of U.S. Cellular's issuable securities were outstanding.

[2] The preferred dividend adjustment reflects the dividend reduction related to preferred securities that were dilutive, and therefore treated as if converted for shares.