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Equipment Installment Plans (Details) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended |
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013
Equipment installment plan receivables |  |
Equipment installment plan payment period | 24 months |
Guarantee liability | $ 57,500,000 us-gaap_GuarantyLiabilities |
Short-term |  |
Equipment installment plan receivables |  |
Unbilled equipment installment plan receivables, gross | 127,400,000 us-gaap_NotesReceivableGross / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = tds_CurrentAssetsMember | 611,000 us-gaap_NotesReceivableGross / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = tds_CurrentAssetsMember
Unbilled deferred interest | (16,365,000)us-gaap_DeferredDiscountsFinanceChargesAndInterestIncludedInReceivables / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = tds_CurrentAssetsMember |
Unbilled allowance for credit losses | (3,686,000)us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = tds_CurrentAssetsMember | (20,000)us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = tds_CurrentAssetsMember
Unbilled equipment installment plan receivables, net | 107,349,000 us-gaap_NotesReceivableNet / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = tds_CurrentAssetsMember | 591,000 us-gaap_NotesReceivableNet / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = tds_CurrentAssetsMember
Long-term |  |
Equipment installment plan receivables |  |
Unbilled equipment installment plan receivables, gross | 89,435,000 us-gaap_NotesReceivableGross / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = tds_NoncurrentAssetsMember |
Unbilled deferred interest | (2,791,000)us-gaap_DeferredDiscountsFinanceChargesAndInterestIncludedInReceivables / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = tds_NoncurrentAssetsMember |
Unbilled allowance for credit losses | (6,065,000)us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = tds_NoncurrentAssetsMember |
Unbilled equipment installment plan receivables, net | $ 80,579,000 us-gaap_NotesReceivableNet / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = tds_NoncurrentAssetsMember |

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- Definition The maximum payment period under an equipment installment plan contract. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Unearned discounts (other than cash or quantity discounts and the like), finance charges, and interest included in the face amount of receivables, that are shown as a deduction from the related receivables. For example, 1) finance charges booked as a receivable when a loan is made and recognized as income at a later date; and 2) interest charges deducted from the face loan amount, resulting in a discounted amount actually advanced to the borrower (wherein the receivable includes the amount actually advanced to the borrower and the as yet unearned interest income). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 8 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28367877&loc=d3e4519-111522 + Details
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- Definition A valuation allowance for financing receivables that are expected to be uncollectible. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 11B -Subparagraph (c)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35738203&loc=SL6953423-111524 + Details
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- Definition This item represents a non-contingent liability for the fair value of an obligation to stand ready to perform over the term of a guaranty issued in the event that specified triggering events or conditions occur. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.15) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.15) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 460 -SubTopic 10 -Section 25 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7661617&loc=d3e11049-110243 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 460 -SubTopic 10 -Section 25 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7661617&loc=d3e11019-110243 + Details
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- Definition Amount representing an agreement for an unconditional promise by the maker to pay the entity (holder) a definite sum of money at a future date. Such amount may include accrued interest receivable in accordance with the terms of the note. The note also may contain provisions and related items including a discount or premium, payable on demand, secured, or unsecured, interest bearing or noninterest bearing, among a myriad of other features and characteristics. Excludes amounts related to receivables held-for-sale. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.10(3)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 10 -Subparagraph 3 -Article 9 + Details
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- Definition Net amount of the investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, credit card receivables, notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets. Excludes trade accounts receivable with contractual maturity of one year or less and arose from the sale of goods or services. + 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 210.5-02.3) -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 3 -Article 5 + Details
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