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Stock-Based Compensation, U.S. Cellular, Stock option rollforward schedules (Details) (U.S. Cellular, U.S. Cellular Common Shares, 2005 and 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plans, Stock Options, USD $) | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012
U.S. Cellular | U.S. Cellular Common Shares | 2005 and 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plans | Stock Options |  |  |
Stock compensation, stock option rollforward schedule, number of shares |  |  |
Outstanding, begin of period | 2,714,000 us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember | 3,214,000 us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember | 2,834,000 us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember
Exercisable options, begin of period | 1,359,000 us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember | 1,928,000 us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember | 1,533,000 us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember
Granted options | 1,116,000 us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember | 1,213,000 us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember | 677,000 us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember
Exercised options | (233,000)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember | (892,000)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember | (47,000)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember
Forfeited options | (144,000)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriod / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember | (574,000)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriod / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember | (117,000)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriod / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember
Expired options | (65,000)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExpirationsInPeriod / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember | (247,000)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExpirationsInPeriod / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember | (133,000)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExpirationsInPeriod / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember
Outstanding, end of period | 3,388,000 us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember | 2,714,000 us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember | 3,214,000 us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember
Exercisable options, end of period | 1,586,000 us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember | 1,359,000 us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember | 1,928,000 us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember
Stock compensation, stock option rollforward schedule, other information |  |  |
Options outstanding, begin of period - weighted average exercise price | $ 42.22 us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember | $ 41.58 us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember | $ 43.07 us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember
Options exercisable, begin of period - weighted average exercise price | $ 46.91 us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember | $ 43.99 us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember | $ 46.23 us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember
Options granted, weighted average exercise price | $ 41.21 us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember | $ 32.45 us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember | $ 34.91 us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember
Options exercised, weighted average exercise price | $ 32.80 us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember | $ 34.78 us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember | $ 29.82 us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember
Options forfeited, weighted average exercise price | $ 35.09 us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember | $ 34.17 us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember | $ 38.45 us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember
Options expired, weighted average exercise price | $ 45.68 us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember | $ 48.35 us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember | $ 46.17 us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember
Options outstanding, end of period - weighted average exercise price | $ 41.51 us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember | $ 42.22 us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember | $ 41.58 us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember
Options exercisable, end of period - weighted average exercise price | $ 45.28 us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember | $ 46.91 us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember | $ 43.99 us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember
Options granted, weighted average grant date fair value | $ 10.68 us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember | $ 11.53 us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember | $ 12.61 us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember
Aggregate intrinsic value, options exercised | $ 1,966,000 us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember | $ 6,787,000 us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember | $ 205,000 us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember
Aggregate intrinsic value, options outstanding | 7,495,000 us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingAggregateIntrinsicValue / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember |  |
Aggregate intrinsic value, options exercisable | $ 2,984,000 us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestExercisableAggregateIntrinsicValue / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember / tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember |  |
Weighted average remaining contractual life, outstanding | 6 years 8 months |  |
Weighted average remaining contractual life, exercisable | 4 years 5 months |  |

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- Definition The number of shares into which fully or partially vested stock options outstanding as of the balance sheet date can be currently converted under the option plan. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (c)(1)(iii) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
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- Definition The weighted-average price as of the balance sheet date at which grantees can acquire the shares reserved for issuance on vested portions of options outstanding and currently exercisable under the stock option plan. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (c)(1)(iii) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
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- Definition Weighted average remaining contractual term for vested portions of options outstanding and currently exercisable or convertible, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
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- Definition Amount of accumulated difference between fair value of underlying shares on dates of exercise and exercise price on options exercised (or share units converted) into shares. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (d)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
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- Definition Number of options or other stock instruments for which the right to exercise has lapsed under the terms of the plan agreements. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (c)(1)(iv)(4) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
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- Definition The number of shares under options that were cancelled during the reporting period as a result of occurrence of a terminating event specified in contractual agreements pertaining to the stock option plan. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (c)(1)(iv)(3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
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- Definition Gross number of share options (or share units) granted during the period. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The weighted average grant-date fair value of options granted during the reporting period as calculated by applying the disclosed option pricing methodology. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (d)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
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- Definition Number of options outstanding, including both vested and non-vested options. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (c)(1)(i)-(ii) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
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- Definition Weighted average price at which grantees can acquire the shares reserved for issuance under the stock option plan. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (c)(1)(i) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
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- Definition Weighted average remaining contractual term for option awards outstanding, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (e)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
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- Definition Amount of difference between fair value of the underlying shares reserved for issuance and exercise price of fully vested and expected to vest options that are exercisable. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (e)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
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- Definition Amount by which the current fair value of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price of fully vested and expected to vest options outstanding. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (e) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
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- Definition Weighted average price at which option holders acquired shares when converting their stock options into shares. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Weighted average price at which grantees could have acquired the underlying shares with respect to stock options of the plan that expired. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Weighted average price at which grantees could have acquired the underlying shares with respect to stock options that were terminated. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Weighted average per share amount at which grantees can acquire shares of common stock by exercise of options. + References No definition available. + Details
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