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Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended |
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012
Goodwill |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance, beginning of period | $ 836,843,000 us-gaap_Goodwill |  | $ 797,194,000 us-gaap_Goodwill | [1] |  |
Acquisitions | 33,610,000 us-gaap_GoodwillAcquiredDuringPeriod |  | 76,915,000 us-gaap_GoodwillAcquiredDuringPeriod |  |  |
Loss on impairment | (87,802,000)us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss |  |  |  |  |
Divestitures | (2,855,000)us-gaap_GoodwillWrittenOffRelatedToSaleOfBusinessUnit |  | (135,000)us-gaap_GoodwillWrittenOffRelatedToSaleOfBusinessUnit |  |  |
NY1 & NY2 Deconsolidation |  |  | (37,131,000)tds_GoodwillDeconsolidated |  |  |
Transferred to Assets held for sale | (8,444,000)tds_AssetsHeldForSaleGoodwillTransferred |  |  |  |  |
Balance, end of period | 771,352,000 us-gaap_Goodwill |  | 836,843,000 us-gaap_Goodwill |  |  |
Licenses |  |  |  |  |  |
Licenses and Franchise Rights |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance, beginning of period | 1,423,779,000 us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill / us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_LicensingAgreementsMember |  | 1,480,039,000 us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill / us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_LicensingAgreementsMember |  |  |
Acquisitions | 44,410,000 us-gaap_IndefinitelivedIntangibleAssetsAcquired / us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_LicensingAgreementsMember |  | 16,540,000 us-gaap_IndefinitelivedIntangibleAssetsAcquired / us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_LicensingAgreementsMember |  |  |
Transferred to Assets held for sale | (56,809,000)tds_AssetsHeldForSaleIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTransferred / us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_LicensingAgreementsMember |  | (16,027,000)tds_AssetsHeldForSaleIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTransferred / us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_LicensingAgreementsMember |  |  |
Exchanges, net | 55,780,000 tds_IncreaseDecreaseLicensesExchange / us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_LicensingAgreementsMember |  |  |  |  |
Divestitures | (15,220,000)us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsWrittenOffRelatedToSaleOfBusinessUnit / us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_LicensingAgreementsMember |  | (59,419,000)us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsWrittenOffRelatedToSaleOfBusinessUnit / us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_LicensingAgreementsMember |  |  |
Other | 1,634,000 tds_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsOtherChanges / us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_LicensingAgreementsMember |  | 2,646,000 tds_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsOtherChanges / us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_LicensingAgreementsMember |  |  |
Balance, end of period | 1,453,574,000 us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill / us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_LicensingAgreementsMember |  | 1,423,779,000 us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill / us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_LicensingAgreementsMember |  |  |
U.S. Cellular |  |  |  |  |  |
Goodwill |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance, beginning of period | 232,041,000 us-gaap_Goodwill / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember |  | 269,307,000 us-gaap_Goodwill / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember | [1] |  |
Divestitures | (291,000)us-gaap_GoodwillWrittenOffRelatedToSaleOfBusinessUnit / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember |  | (135,000)us-gaap_GoodwillWrittenOffRelatedToSaleOfBusinessUnit / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember |  |  |
NY1 & NY2 Deconsolidation |  |  | (37,131,000)tds_GoodwillDeconsolidated / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember |  |  |
Transferred to Assets held for sale | (4,344,000)tds_AssetsHeldForSaleGoodwillTransferred / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember |  |  |  |  |
Balance, end of period | 227,406,000 us-gaap_Goodwill / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember |  | 232,041,000 us-gaap_Goodwill / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember |  |  |
Accumulated impairment losses in prior periods | 333,900,000 us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember |  |  |  |  |
U.S. Cellular | Licenses |  |  |  |  |  |
Licenses and Franchise Rights |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance, beginning of period | 1,405,759,000 us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill / us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_LicensingAgreementsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember |  | 1,462,019,000 us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill / us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_LicensingAgreementsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember |  |  |
Acquisitions | 41,707,000 us-gaap_IndefinitelivedIntangibleAssetsAcquired / us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_LicensingAgreementsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember |  | 16,540,000 us-gaap_IndefinitelivedIntangibleAssetsAcquired / us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_LicensingAgreementsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember |  |  |
Transferred to Assets held for sale | (56,809,000)tds_AssetsHeldForSaleIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTransferred / us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_LicensingAgreementsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember |  | (16,027,000)tds_AssetsHeldForSaleIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTransferred / us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_LicensingAgreementsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember |  |  |
Exchanges, net | 55,780,000 tds_IncreaseDecreaseLicensesExchange / us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_LicensingAgreementsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember |  |  |  |  |
Divestitures |  |  | (59,419,000)us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsWrittenOffRelatedToSaleOfBusinessUnit / us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_LicensingAgreementsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember |  |  |
Other | 1,634,000 tds_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsOtherChanges / us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_LicensingAgreementsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember |  | 2,646,000 tds_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsOtherChanges / us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_LicensingAgreementsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember |  |  |
Balance, end of period | 1,448,071,000 us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill / us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_LicensingAgreementsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember |  | 1,405,759,000 us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill / us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_LicensingAgreementsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember |  |  |
Wireline |  |  |  |  |  |
Goodwill |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance, beginning of period | 420,458,000 us-gaap_Goodwill / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_TDSTelecomWirelineSegmentMember | [2] |  |  | 420,458,000 us-gaap_Goodwill / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_TDSTelecomWirelineSegmentMember | [1],[2]
Divestitures | (2,564,000)us-gaap_GoodwillWrittenOffRelatedToSaleOfBusinessUnit / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_TDSTelecomWirelineSegmentMember | [2] |  |  |  |
Transferred to Assets held for sale | (4,100,000)tds_AssetsHeldForSaleGoodwillTransferred / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_TDSTelecomWirelineSegmentMember | [2] |  |  |  |
Balance, end of period | 413,794,000 us-gaap_Goodwill / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_TDSTelecomWirelineSegmentMember | [2] |  |  | 420,458,000 us-gaap_Goodwill / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_TDSTelecomWirelineSegmentMember | [1],[2]
Accumulated impairment losses in prior periods | 29,400,000 us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_TDSTelecomWirelineSegmentMember |  |  |  |  |
Wireline | Licenses |  |  |  |  |  |
Licenses and Franchise Rights |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance, beginning of period |  |  |  |  | 2,800,000 us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill / us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_LicensingAgreementsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_TDSTelecomWirelineSegmentMember |
Balance, end of period | 2,800,000 us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill / us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_LicensingAgreementsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_TDSTelecomWirelineSegmentMember |  | 2,800,000 us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill / us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_LicensingAgreementsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_TDSTelecomWirelineSegmentMember |  | 2,800,000 us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill / us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_LicensingAgreementsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_TDSTelecomWirelineSegmentMember |
Cable |  |  |  |  |  |
Goodwill |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance, beginning of period | 61,712,000 us-gaap_Goodwill / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_TDSTelecomCableSegmentMember |  |  |  |  |
Acquisitions | 33,610,000 us-gaap_GoodwillAcquiredDuringPeriod / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_TDSTelecomCableSegmentMember |  | 61,712,000 us-gaap_GoodwillAcquiredDuringPeriod / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_TDSTelecomCableSegmentMember |  |  |
Balance, end of period | 95,322,000 us-gaap_Goodwill / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_TDSTelecomCableSegmentMember |  | 61,712,000 us-gaap_Goodwill / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_TDSTelecomCableSegmentMember |  |  |
Cable | Licenses |  |  |  |  |  |
Licenses and Franchise Rights |  |  |  |  |  |
Acquisitions | 2,703,000 us-gaap_IndefinitelivedIntangibleAssetsAcquired / us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_LicensingAgreementsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_TDSTelecomCableSegmentMember |  |  |  |  |
Balance, end of period | 2,703,000 us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill / us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_LicensingAgreementsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_TDSTelecomCableSegmentMember |  |  |  |  |
Cable | Franchise rights |  |  |  |  |  |
Licenses and Franchise Rights |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance, beginning of period | 123,668,000 us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill / us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_FranchiseRightsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_TDSTelecomCableSegmentMember |  |  |  |  |
Acquisitions | 120,979,000 us-gaap_IndefinitelivedIntangibleAssetsAcquired / us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_FranchiseRightsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_TDSTelecomCableSegmentMember |  | 123,668,000 us-gaap_IndefinitelivedIntangibleAssetsAcquired / us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_FranchiseRightsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_TDSTelecomCableSegmentMember |  |  |
Divestitures | (347,000)us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsWrittenOffRelatedToSaleOfBusinessUnit / us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_FranchiseRightsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_TDSTelecomCableSegmentMember |  |  |  |  |
Balance, end of period | 244,300,000 us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill / us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_FranchiseRightsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_TDSTelecomCableSegmentMember |  | 123,668,000 us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill / us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_FranchiseRightsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_TDSTelecomCableSegmentMember |  |  |
HMS |  |  |  |  |  |
Goodwill |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance, beginning of period | 118,830,000 us-gaap_Goodwill / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_TDSTelecomHostedAndManagedServicesMember |  | 103,627,000 us-gaap_Goodwill / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_TDSTelecomHostedAndManagedServicesMember | [1] |  |
Acquisitions |  |  | 15,203,000 us-gaap_GoodwillAcquiredDuringPeriod / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_TDSTelecomHostedAndManagedServicesMember |  |  |
Loss on impairment | (84,000,000)us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_TDSTelecomHostedAndManagedServicesMember |  |  |  |  |
Balance, end of period | 34,830,000 us-gaap_Goodwill / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_TDSTelecomHostedAndManagedServicesMember |  | 118,830,000 us-gaap_Goodwill / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_TDSTelecomHostedAndManagedServicesMember |  |  |
Other |  |  |  |  |  |
Goodwill |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance, beginning of period | 3,802,000 us-gaap_Goodwill / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_OtherSegmentMember | [3] |  |  | 3,802,000 us-gaap_Goodwill / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_OtherSegmentMember | [1],[3]
Loss on impairment | (3,802,000)us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_OtherSegmentMember | [3] |  |  |  |
Balance, end of period |  |  |  |  | 3,802,000 us-gaap_Goodwill / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_OtherSegmentMember | [1],[3]
Accumulated impairment losses in prior periods | 500,000 us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_OtherSegmentMember |  |  |  |  |
Other | Licenses |  |  |  |  |  |
Licenses and Franchise Rights |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance, beginning of period | 15,220,000 us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill / us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_LicensingAgreementsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_OtherSegmentMember | [4] |  |  | 15,220,000 us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill / us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_LicensingAgreementsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_OtherSegmentMember | [4]
Divestitures | (15,220,000)us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsWrittenOffRelatedToSaleOfBusinessUnit / us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_LicensingAgreementsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_OtherSegmentMember | [4] |  |  |  |
Balance, end of period |  |  |  |  | $ 15,220,000 us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill / us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_LicensingAgreementsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_OtherSegmentMember | [4]
Discounted cash flow valuation approach | HMS |  |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value Inputs |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenue growth rate | 6.10%tds_FairValueInputsRevenueGrowthRate / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_TDSTelecomHostedAndManagedServicesMember / us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis = us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember |  |  |  |  |
Terminal revenue growth rate | 2.50%us-gaap_FairValueInputsLongTermRevenueGrowthRate / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_TDSTelecomHostedAndManagedServicesMember / us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis = us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember |  |  |  |  |
Discount Rate | 11.50%us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_TDSTelecomHostedAndManagedServicesMember / us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis = us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember |  |  |  |  |
Capital expenditures as a percentage of revenue | 8.60%tds_FairValueInputsCapitalExpenditurePercentage / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_TDSTelecomHostedAndManagedServicesMember / us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis = us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember |  |  |  |  |
[1] | Includes accumulated impairment losses in prior periods as follows: $333.9 million for U.S. Cellular, $29.4 million for Wireline and $0.5 million for Other.
[2] | In July 2014, TDS Telecom sold certain Wireline markets.
[3] | TDS performed its annual impairment review of Goodwill in the fourth quarter of 2014. Based on the results of this review, TDS concluded that the entire amount of Goodwill related to Suttle-Straus was impaired, which resulted in a $3.8 million loss on impairment.
[4] | Represents the transfer of licenses from Airadigm to U.S. Cellular in 2014. See Note 6 — Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges for additional information.

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