Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures (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
Supplemental cash flow disclosures
Net cash receipts from exercise of stock options and vesting of other stock awards			$ 1,402		$ 1,183
Dividends declared			36,459		35,465
Dividends per share declared	$ 0.1175	$ 0.1125	$ 0.3525		$ 0.3375
Dividends paid			36,496		35,502
Dividends per share paid			$ 0.3525		$ 0.3375
TDS Parent Company | Special Common Shares
Supplemental cash flow disclosures
Shares withheld			5	[1]
Aggregate value of shares withheld			167
Cash receipts upon exercise of stock options			1,462		1,183
Cash disbursements for payments of taxes			(60)	[2]
Net cash receipts from exercise of stock options and vesting of other stock awards			1,402		1,183
US Cellular | US Cellular Common Shares
Supplemental cash flow disclosures
Shares withheld			120	[1]	269	[1]
Aggregate value of shares withheld			5,942		11,597
Cash receipts upon exercise of stock options			5,258		2,621
Cash disbursements for payments of taxes			(3,503)	[2]	(1,883)	[2]
Net cash receipts from exercise of stock options and vesting of other stock awards			$ 1,755		$ 738

[1] Such shares were withheld to cover the exercise price of stock options, if applicable, and required tax withholdings.

[2] In certain situations, TDS and U.S. Cellular withhold shares that are issuable upon the exercise of stock options or the vesting of restricted shares to cover, and with a value equivalent to, the exercise price and/or the amount of taxes required to be withheld from the stock award holder at the time of the exercise or vesting. TDS and U.S. Cellular then pay the amount of the required tax withholdings to the taxing authorities in cash.