-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 p9FUbJGw2lTsAirp8O1ZJw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001128028-04-000004.txt : 20040120
<SEC-HEADER>0001128028-04-000004.hdr.sgml : 20040119
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040120095530
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001128028-04-000004
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	5
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031231
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040120

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TELEPHONE & DATA SYSTEMS INC /DE/
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001051512
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	TELEPHONE COMMUNICATIONS (NO RADIO TELEPHONE) [4813]
		IRS NUMBER:				362669023
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		30 NORTH LASALLE STREET
		STREET 2:		STE 4000
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60602
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3126301900

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		30 NORTH LASALLE STREET
		STREET 2:		STE 4000
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60602

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			KLEESPIES J TIMOTHY
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001141400

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		5
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14157
		FILM NUMBER:		04531235

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O TDS 8401 GREENWAY BLVD
		CITY:			MIDDLETON
		STATE:			WI
		ZIP:			53562
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3126301900

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O TDS
		STREET 2:		30 N LASALLE ST #4000
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60602
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>5
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>5</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-12-31</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <form3HoldingsReported>0</form3HoldingsReported>

    <form4TransactionsReported>0</form4TransactionsReported>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001051512</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>TELEPHONE &amp; DATA SYSTEMS INC /DE/</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>TDS</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001141400</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>KLEESPIES J TIMOTHY</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O TDS</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>30 N LASALLE ST #4000</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CHICAGO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60602</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Vice President - Tax</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>

        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Shares</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-12-31</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>0.2</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>85.54</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By 401K plan</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>

    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>

        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>114.44</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType></transactionFormType>
            </transactionCoding>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2010-09-16</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Shares</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>4800</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>4800</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>

        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option (right to Buy)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>99.44</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType></transactionFormType>
            </transactionCoding>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2001-12-15</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2011-04-30</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Shares</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1570</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1570</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>

        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option (Right to Buy)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>59</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType></transactionFormType>
            </transactionCoding>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2002-12-15</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2012-07-05</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Shares</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>3200</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3200</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>

        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option (Right to Buy)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>44.58</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType></transactionFormType>
            </transactionCoding>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2003-12-15</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2013-12-15</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Shares</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>4230</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>4230</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>

    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Voluntary reporting of shares acquired during 2003 in the TDS 401K plan.  The information is based on a plan statement dated 12/31/03.  The number of shares fluctuates is attributed to the price of the shares on 12/31/03.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Granted under the TDS 1998 Long Term Incentive Plan.  The option becomes exercisable with respect to 1200 common shares 12/15/01, 12/15/02, 12/15/03 and with respect to an additional 1200 on 12/15/04 for a total of 4800 common shares.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Granted under the 1998 Long Term Incentive Plan.</footnote>
    </footnotes>


    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Julie D. Mathews, by power of atty</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-01-20</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----