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Debt, revolving credit facilities (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012
Revolving credit |  |  |  |
Subordination agreement description | In connection with U.S. Cellular’s revolving credit facility, TDS and U.S. Cellular entered into a subordination agreement dated December 17, 2010 together with the administrative agent for the lenders under U.S. Cellular’s revolving credit agreement. Pursuant to this subordination agreement, (a) any consolidated funded indebtedness from U.S. Cellular to TDS will be unsecured and (b) any (i) consolidated funded indebtedness from U.S. Cellular to TDS (other than “refinancing indebtedness” as defined in the subordination agreement) in excess of $105,000,000, and (ii) refinancing indebtedness in excess of $250,000,000, will be subordinated and made junior in right of payment to the prior payment in full of obligations to the lenders under U.S. Cellular’s revolving credit agreement. As of December 31, 2014, U.S. Cellular had no outstanding consolidated funded indebtedness or refinancing indebtedness that was subordinated to the revolving credit agreement pursuant to the subordination agreement. |  |  |
Revolving credit facility, terms of agreement | In July 2014, TDS and U.S. Cellular entered into amendments to the revolving credit facilities agreements which increased the Consolidated Leverage Ratio (the ratio of Consolidated Funded Indebtedness to Consolidated Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) that the companies are required to maintain. Beginning July 1, 2014, TDS and U.S. Cellular are required to maintain the Consolidated Leverage Ratio at a level not to exceed 3.75 to 1.00 for the period of the four fiscal quarters most recently ended (this was 3.00 to 1.00 prior to July 1, 2014). The terms of the amendment decrease the maximum permitted Consolidated Leverage Ratio beginning January 1, 2016, with further decreases effective July 1, 2016 and January 1, 2017 (and will return to 3.00 to 1.00 at that time). For the twelve months ended December 31, 2014, the actual Consolidated Leverage Ratio was 2.50 to 1.00. Future changes in TDS’ and U.S. Cellular’s financial condition could negatively impact their ability to meet the financial covenants and requirements in their revolving credit facilities agreements. TDS also has certain other non-material credit facilities from time to time. |  |  |
TDS Revolving credit facility | TDS Parent Company |  |  |  |
Revolving credit |  |  |  |
Maximum borrowing capacity | $ 400.0 us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_RevolvingCreditFacilityBMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember |  |  |
Letters of credit outstanding | 0.6 tds_LineOfCreditFacilityLettersOfCreditOutstanding / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_RevolvingCreditFacilityBMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember |  |  |
Amount available for use | 399.4 us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_RevolvingCreditFacilityBMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember |  |  |
Sample LIBOR rate | 0.17%tds_LiborRate / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_RevolvingCreditFacilityBMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember | [1] |  |
Contractual spread | 1.75%tds_LineOfCreditFacilityContractualSpread / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_RevolvingCreditFacilityBMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember | [1] |  |
Borrowing rate: One-month London InterBank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") plus contractual spread | 1.92%us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityInterestRateAtPeriodEnd / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_RevolvingCreditFacilityBMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember | [1] |  |
Fees incurred as a percent of Maximum borrowing capacity for 2013 | 0.42%us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityInterestRateDuringPeriod / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_RevolvingCreditFacilityBMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember |  |  |
Fees incurred, amount | 1.7 us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeeAmount / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_RevolvingCreditFacilityBMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember |  | 0.9 us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeeAmount / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_RevolvingCreditFacilityBMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember | 1.3 us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeeAmount / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_RevolvingCreditFacilityBMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Agreement date | Dec. 17, 2010 |  |  |
Maturity date | Dec. 17, 2017 |  |  |
Debt issuance cost, net of accumulated amortization | 5.4 us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_RevolvingCreditFacilityBMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember |  |  |
TDS Revolving credit facility | TDS Parent Company | Minimum |  |  |  |
Revolving credit |  |  |  |
Range of commitment fees on amount available for use | 0.13%us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_RevolvingCreditFacilityBMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MinimumMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember | [2] |  |
TDS Revolving credit facility | TDS Parent Company | Maximum |  |  |  |
Revolving credit |  |  |  |
Range of commitment fees on amount available for use | 0.30%us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_RevolvingCreditFacilityBMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MaximumMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember | [2] |  |
U.S. Cellular Revolving credit facility | U.S. Cellular |  |  |  |
Revolving credit |  |  |  |
Maximum borrowing capacity | 300.0 us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_RevolvingCreditFacilityCMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember |  |  |
Letters of credit outstanding | 17.5 tds_LineOfCreditFacilityLettersOfCreditOutstanding / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_RevolvingCreditFacilityCMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember |  |  |
Amount available for use | 282.5 us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_RevolvingCreditFacilityCMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember |  |  |
Sample LIBOR rate | 0.17%tds_LiborRate / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_RevolvingCreditFacilityCMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember | [1] |  |
Contractual spread | 1.75%tds_LineOfCreditFacilityContractualSpread / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_RevolvingCreditFacilityCMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember | [1] |  |
Borrowing rate: One-month London InterBank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") plus contractual spread | 1.92%us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityInterestRateAtPeriodEnd / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_RevolvingCreditFacilityCMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember | [1] |  |
Fees incurred as a percent of Maximum borrowing capacity for 2013 | 0.42%us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityInterestRateDuringPeriod / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_RevolvingCreditFacilityCMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember |  |  |
Fees incurred, amount | $ 1.3 us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeeAmount / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_RevolvingCreditFacilityCMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember |  | $ 0.8 us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeeAmount / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_RevolvingCreditFacilityCMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember | $ 1.1 us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeeAmount / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_RevolvingCreditFacilityCMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember
Agreement date | Dec. 17, 2010 |  |  |
Maturity date | Dec. 17, 2017 |  |  |
U.S. Cellular Revolving credit facility | U.S. Cellular | Minimum |  |  |  |
Revolving credit |  |  |  |
Range of commitment fees on amount available for use | 0.13%us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_RevolvingCreditFacilityCMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MinimumMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember | [2] |  |
U.S. Cellular Revolving credit facility | U.S. Cellular | Maximum |  |  |  |
Revolving credit |  |  |  |
Range of commitment fees on amount available for use | 0.30%us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_RevolvingCreditFacilityCMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MaximumMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember | [2] |  |
[1] | Borrowings under the revolving credit facility bear interest at LIBOR plus a contractual spread based on TDS' or U.S. Cellular’s credit rating or, at TDS' or U.S. Cellular’s option, an alternate “Base Rate” as defined in the revolving credit agreement. TDS and U.S. Cellular may select a borrowing period of either one, two, three or six months (or other period of twelve months or less if requested by TDS or U.S. Cellular and approved by the lenders). If TDS or U.S. Cellular provides notice of intent to borrow less than three business days in advance of a borrowing, interest on borrowing is at the Base Rate plus the contractual spread.
[2] | The revolving credit facility has commitment fees based on the unsecured senior debt ratings assigned to TDS and U.S. Cellular by certain ratings agencies.

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- Definition The effective LIBOR interest rate at the end of the reporting period. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The percentage points added to the LIBOR interest rate to compute the variable rate on the line of credit at the end of the reporting period. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Amount of Letters of credit outstanding on revolving credit facility. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition For an unclassified balance sheet, the carrying amount (net of accumulated amortization) as of the balance sheet date of capitalized costs associated with the issuance of debt instruments (for example, legal, accounting, underwriting, printing, and registration costs) that will be charged against earnings over the life of the debt instruments to which such costs pertain. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 835 -SubTopic 30 -Section 45 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28555-108399 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.17) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 17 -Article 5 + Details
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- Details
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- Definition Amount of the fee for available but unused credit capacity under the credit facility. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19, 22 -Article 5 + Details
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- Definition Description of the conditions for borrowing under the credit facility including the nature of any restrictions. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19, 22 -Article 5 + Details
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- Definition Description of the terms of a credit facility arrangement. Terms typically include interest rate, collateral required, guarantees required, repayment requirements, and restrictions on use of assets and activities of the entity. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19, 22 -Article 5 + Details
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- Definition Date the credit facility terminates, in CCYY-MM-DD format. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19, 22 -Article 5 + Details
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- Definition Date the credit facility first became available, in CCYY-MM-DD format. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19, 22 -Article 5 + Details
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- Definition The effective interest rate at the end of the reporting period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19, 22 -Article 5 + Details
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- Definition The effective interest rate during the reporting period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19, 22 -Article 5 + Details
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- Definition Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19, 22 -Article 5 + Details
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- Definition Amount of borrowing capacity currently available under the credit facility (current borrowing capacity less the amount of borrowings outstanding). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19, 22 -Article 5 + Details
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- Definition The fee, expressed as a percentage of the line of credit facility, for available but unused credit capacity under the credit facility. + References No definition available. + Details
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