Name:	tds_ConsolidationLessThanWhollyOwnedSubsidiaryParentOwnershipInterestChangesAcquisitionOfAssetsInCommonControl
Namespace Prefix:	tds_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	duration

The earliest termination date, in a range of years, of mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests.

No definition available.

Name:	tds_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestEquitySettlementDateBegin
Namespace Prefix:	tds_
Data Type:	xbrli:gYearItemType
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Period Type:	duration

The latest termination date, in a range of years, of mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests.

No definition available.

Name:	tds_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestEquitySettlementDateEnd
Namespace Prefix:	tds_
Data Type:	xbrli:gYearItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

This element represents the total net income attributable to the parent for the period and the effect of net changes during the period impacting the parent's ownership interest in a subsidiary as it relates to the total (consolidated) equity attributable to the parent. The changes to the parent's ownership interest in a subsidiary represented by this element did not result in a deconsolidation of the subsidiary from the consolidated financial statements.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 810

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1A

-Subparagraph (d)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=18733093&loc=SL4573702-111684

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 810

-SubTopic 10

-Section 55

-Paragraph 4M

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35736750&loc=SL4591554-111686

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ConsolidationLessThanWhollyOwnedSubsidiaryParentOwnershipInterestChangeDueToNetIncomeAttributableToParentAndEffectsOfChangesNetAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
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Represents a sale (new stock issuance) by a subsidiary to noncontrolling interests (third parties, parties directly or indirectly unrelated to parent) during the period. The capital transaction by subsidiary does not result in a loss of control by the parent, but does effect a change in total (consolidated) equity attributable to the parent.

Name:	us-gaap_ConsolidationLessThanWhollyOwnedSubsidiaryParentOwnershipInterestChangesIssuanceOfEquityBySubsidiaryToNoncontrollingInterests
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

The increase (decrease) during the period impacting the parent's ownership interest in a subsidiary as it relates to the total (consolidated) equity attributable to the parent. The changes to the parent's ownership interest in a subsidiary represented by this element did not arise in a deconsolidation of the subsidiary from the consolidated financial statements.

Name:	us-gaap_ConsolidationLessThanWhollyOwnedSubsidiaryParentOwnershipInterestChangesNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Represents the purchase by the parent of an additional equity interest in a subsidiary during the period, thereby effecting a change in total (consolidated) equity attributable to the parent. The purchase of the additional equity interest represented by this element increases the parent's controlling interest in the subsidiary.

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	duration

Represents the repurchase of equity (treasury stock) by a subsidiary during the period, thereby effecting a change in total (consolidated) equity attributable to the parent; but not deconsolidation by the parent.

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 260

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6371337&loc=d3e3550-109257

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Other Comprehensive Income

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6519514

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Net Income

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6518256

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.19)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.18)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.22)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 19

-Article 5

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph 20

-Article 9

Name:	us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

As of the reporting date, the aggregate carrying amount of all noncontrolling interests which are redeemable by the (parent) entity (1) at a fixed or determinable price on a fixed or determinable date, (2) at the option of the holder of the noncontrolling interest, or (3) upon occurrence of an event that is not solely within the control of the (parent) entity. This item includes noncontrolling interest holder's ownership (or holders' ownership) regardless of the type of equity interest (common, preferred, other) including all potential organizational (legal) forms of the investee entity.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 480

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 3A

-Subparagraph 14

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011957&loc=SL6540498-122764

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 480

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 3A

-Subparagraph (16)(c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011957&loc=SL6540498-122764

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 480

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 3A

-Subparagraph 15

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011957&loc=SL6540498-122764

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 480

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 3A

-Subparagraph (12)(c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011957&loc=SL6540498-122764

Name:	us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestEquityCarryingAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

The aggregate fair value as of the reporting date of all noncontrolling interests which are redeemable by the (parent) entity (1) at a fixed or determinable price on a fixed or determinable date, (2) at the option of the holder of the noncontrolling interest, or (3) upon occurrence of an event that is not solely within the control of the (parent) entity. This item includes noncontrolling interest holder's ownership (or holders' ownership) regardless of the type of equity interest (common, preferred, other) including all potential organizational (legal) forms of the investee entity.