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Debt, long-term debt (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Long term debt
Total long-term debt	$ 1,994,394,000us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations	$ 1,721,720,000us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
Debt issuance cost	53,900,000us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsGross
Long-term debt, current	808,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsCurrent	1,646,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsCurrent
Long-term debt, noncurrent	1,993,586,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations	1,720,074,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
TDS Parent Company
Long term debt
Long term debt	837,347,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember	837,347,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Long term debt maturities
Scheduled principal payments 2015	800,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInNextTwelveMonths / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Scheduled principal payments 2016	3,800,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearTwo / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Scheduled principal payments 2017	100,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearThree / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Scheduled principal payments 2018	100,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFour / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Scheduled principal payments 2019	100,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFive / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
TDS Parent Company | 7% Senior Notes
Long term debt
Interest rate on debt	7.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_UnsecuredDebtBMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Date of debt issuance	Mar. 21, 2011
Maturity date of debt issued	Mar. 15, 2060
Call date of debt issued	Mar. 15, 2016
Long term debt	300,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_UnsecuredDebtBMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember	300,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_UnsecuredDebtBMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
TDS Parent Company | 6.625% Senior Notes
Long term debt
Interest rate on debt	6.625%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_UnsecuredDebtDMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Date of debt issuance	Mar. 31, 2005
Maturity date of debt issued	Mar. 31, 2045
Call date of debt issued	Mar. 31, 2010
Long term debt	116,250,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_UnsecuredDebtDMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember	116,250,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_UnsecuredDebtDMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
TDS Parent Company | 6.875% Senior Notes
Long term debt
Interest rate on debt	6.875%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_UnsecuredDebtEMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Date of debt issuance	Nov. 16, 2010
Maturity date of debt issued	Nov. 15, 2059
Call date of debt issued	Nov. 15, 2015
Long term debt	225,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_UnsecuredDebtEMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember	225,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_UnsecuredDebtEMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
TDS Parent Company | 5.875% Senior Notes
Long term debt
Interest rate on debt	5.875%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_UnsecuredDebtHMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Date of debt issuance	Nov. 26, 2012
Maturity date of debt issued	Dec. 01, 2061
Call date of debt issued	Dec. 01, 2017
Long term debt	195,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_UnsecuredDebtHMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember	195,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_UnsecuredDebtHMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
TDS Parent Company | Long term notes
Long term debt
Interest rate on debt	6.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_LongTermNotesOtherMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Date of debt issuance	Oct. 03, 2001
Maturity date of debt issued	Oct. 03, 2021
Purchase contracts	1,097,000us-gaap_OtherLoansPayableLongTerm / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_LongTermNotesOtherMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember	1,097,000us-gaap_OtherLoansPayableLongTerm / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_LongTermNotesOtherMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
U.S. Cellular
Long term debt
Obligation on capital leases	2,143,000us-gaap_CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsPresentValueOfNetMinimumPayments / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember	3,749,000us-gaap_CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsPresentValueOfNetMinimumPayments / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember
U.S. Cellular | 6.95% Senior Notes
Long term debt
Interest rate on debt	6.95%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_UnsecuredDebtCMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember
Date of debt issuance	May 09, 2011
Maturity date of debt issued	May 15, 2060
Call date of debt issued	May 15, 2016
Long term debt	342,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_UnsecuredDebtCMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember	342,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_UnsecuredDebtCMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember
U.S. Cellular | 6.7% Senior Notes
Long term debt
Interest rate on debt	6.70%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_UnsecuredDebtFMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember
Maturity date of debt issued	Dec. 15, 2033
Call date of debt issued	Dec. 31, 2003
Long term debt, face value	544,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_UnsecuredDebtFMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember	544,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_UnsecuredDebtFMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember
Unamortized discount	(11,278,000)us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_UnsecuredDebtFMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember	(11,551,000)us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_UnsecuredDebtFMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember
Long term debt	532,722,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_UnsecuredDebtFMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember	532,449,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_UnsecuredDebtFMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember
U.S. Cellular | 6.7% Senior Notes | Maximum
Long term debt
Date of debt issuance	Jun. 28, 2004
U.S. Cellular | 6.7% Senior Notes | Minimum
Long term debt
Date of debt issuance	Dec. 08, 2003
U.S. Cellular | 7.25% Senior Notes
Long term debt
Interest rate on debt	7.25%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_UnsecuredDebtGMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember
Date of debt issuance	Dec. 01, 2014
Maturity date of debt issued	Dec. 01, 2063
Call date of debt issued	Dec. 08, 2019
Long term debt	275,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_UnsecuredDebtGMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_USCellularSegmentMember
TDS Telecom
Long term debt
Obligation on capital leases	768,000us-gaap_CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsPresentValueOfNetMinimumPayments / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_TDSTelecomSegmentMember	779,000us-gaap_CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsPresentValueOfNetMinimumPayments / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_TDSTelecomSegmentMember
TDS Telecom | Rural Utility Service and other notes
Long term debt
Long term debt	699,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_RuralUtilityServiceDebtMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_TDSTelecomSegmentMember	749,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_RuralUtilityServiceDebtMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_TDSTelecomSegmentMember
Other
Long term debt
Obligation on capital leases	29,000us-gaap_CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsPresentValueOfNetMinimumPayments / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_OtherSegmentMember	35,000us-gaap_CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsPresentValueOfNetMinimumPayments / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_OtherSegmentMember
Other | Long term notes
Long term debt
Long term debt	3,686,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_LongTermNotesOtherMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_OtherSegmentMember	4,612,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_LongTermNotesOtherMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_OtherSegmentMember
Other | Long term notes | Maximum
Long term debt
Interest rate on debt	4.80%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_LongTermNotesOtherMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MaximumMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_OtherSegmentMember
Maturity date of debt issued	Dec. 02, 2016
Other | Long term notes | Minimum
Long term debt
Interest rate on debt	3.70%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = tds_LongTermNotesOtherMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MinimumMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = tds_OtherSegmentMember
Total Subsidiaries
Long term debt
Total long-term debt	$ 1,157,047,000us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember	$ 884,373,000us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember

X

- Definition

Present value of minimum lease payments for capital leases net of executory costs, including amounts paid by the lessee to the lessor for insurance, maintenance and taxes.

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Sum of the carrying values as of the balance sheet date of all debt, including all short-term borrowings, long-term debt, and capital lease obligations.

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Earliest date before maturity when the issuer can call the outstanding debt instrument for repayment or conversion to equity, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

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Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

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Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

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Date when the debt instrument is scheduled to be fully repaid, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

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Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, including current and noncurrent amounts. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

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Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirements, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the fourth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

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-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

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-Section S99

-Paragraph 3

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Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirements, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the third fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6802200&loc=d3e1835-112601



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Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirements, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the second fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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This element represents the carrying value of loans payable or the portion of loans payable which are not scheduled or required to be repaid for more than one year from the balance sheet date or operating cycle, if longer, and which are not otherwise defined in the taxonomy.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

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-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

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