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Stock-Based Compensation, U.S. Cellular, Overview and Valuation model (Details) (U.S. Cellular)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
2005 and 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plans
     
Stock-based compensation, overview      
Terms of award Under the U.S. Cellular Long-Term Incentive Plans, U.S. Cellular may grant fixed and performance based incentive and non-qualified stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, and deferred compensation stock unit awards to key employees. At December 31, 2014, the only types of awards outstanding are fixed non-qualified stock option awards, restricted stock unit awards, and deferred compensation stock unit awards.    
2005 and 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plans | Stock Options
     
Stock-based compensation, overview      
Terms of award Stock options granted to key employees are exercisable over a specified period not in excess of ten years. Stock options generally vest over a period of three years from the date of grant. Stock options outstanding at December 31, 2014 expire between 2015 and 2024. However, vested stock options typically expire 30 days after the effective date of an employee’s termination of employment for reasons other than retirement. Employees who leave at the age of retirement have 90 days (or one year if they satisfy certain requirements) within which to exercise their vested stock options. The exercise price of options equals the market value of U.S. Cellular Common Shares on the date of grant.    
2005 and 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plans | Stock Options | Minimum
     
Stock-based compensation, overview      
Stock options expiration date Mar. 31, 2015    
2005 and 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plans | Stock Options | Maximum
     
Stock-based compensation, overview      
Stock options expiration date Jul. 14, 2024    
2005 and 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plans | Restricted Stock Units
     
Stock-based compensation, overview      
Terms of award U.S. Cellular grants restricted stock unit awards, which generally vest after three years, to key employees. U.S. Cellular estimates the fair value of restricted stock units based on the closing market price of U.S. Cellular shares on the date of grant. The fair value is then recognized as compensation cost on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods of the awards, which is generally the vesting period.    
2005 and 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plans | Deferred Compensation Stock Units
     
Stock-based compensation, overview      
Terms of award Certain U.S. Cellular employees may elect to defer receipt of all or a portion of their annual bonuses and to receive a company matching contribution on the amount deferred. All bonus compensation that is deferred by employees electing to participate is immediately vested and is deemed to be invested in U.S. Cellular Common Share stock units. The amount of U.S. Cellular’s matching contribution depends on the portion of the annual bonus that is deferred. Participants receive a 25% match for amounts deferred up to 50% of their total annual bonus and a 33% match for amounts that exceed 50% of their total annual bonus; such matching contributions also are deemed to be invested in U.S. Cellular Common Share stock units.    
U.S. Cellular Common Shares | 2005 and 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plans
     
Stock-based compensation, overview      
Shares reserved 9,782,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= tds_USCellularSegmentMember
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= tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember
   
U.S. Cellular Common Shares | 2005 and 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plans | Stock Options
     
Black Scholes valuation model assumptions      
Expected life 4 years 6 months   4 years 6 months
Expected annual volatility rate, minimum 28.00%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRateMinimum
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= tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember
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= tds_USCellularSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember
29.20%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRateMinimum
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= tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
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/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= tds_USCellularSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember
40.70%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRateMinimum
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= tds_USCellularSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember
Expected annual volatility rate, maximum 28.10%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRateMaximum
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
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/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= tds_USCellularSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember
39.60%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRateMaximum
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= tds_USCellularSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember
42.60%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRateMaximum
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= tds_USCellularSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember
Dividend yield 0.00%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
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/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= tds_USCellularSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember
0.00%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= tds_USCellularSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember
0.00%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= tds_USCellularSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember
Risk-free interest rate, minimum 1.40%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRateMinimum
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= tds_USCellularSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember
0.70%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRateMinimum
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= tds_USCellularSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember
0.50%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRateMinimum
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= tds_USCellularSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember
Risk-free interest rate, maximum 1.50%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRateMaximum
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= tds_USCellularSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember
2.40%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRateMaximum
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= tds_USCellularSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember
0.90%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRateMaximum
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= tds_USCellularSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember
Estimated annual forfeiture rate 9.40%tds_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsEstimatedAnnualForfeitureRate
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= tds_USCellularSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember
   
Estimated annual forfeiture rate, minimum   0.00%tds_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsEstimatedAnnualForfeitureRateMinimum
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= tds_USCellularSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember
0.00%tds_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsEstimatedAnnualForfeitureRateMinimum
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= tds_USCellularSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember
Estimated annual forfeiture rate, maximum   8.10%tds_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsEstimatedAnnualForfeitureRateMaximum
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= tds_USCellularSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember
9.10%tds_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsEstimatedAnnualForfeitureRateMaximum
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= tds_USCellularSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember
U.S. Cellular Common Shares | 2005 and 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plans | Stock Options | Minimum
     
Black Scholes valuation model assumptions      
Expected life   4 years 7 months  
U.S. Cellular Common Shares | 2005 and 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plans | Stock Options | Maximum
     
Black Scholes valuation model assumptions      
Expected life   9 years  
U.S. Cellular Common Shares | Non-Employee Directors' Plan
     
Stock-based compensation, overview      
Shares reserved 197,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= tds_NonEmployeeDirectorPlanMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= tds_USCellularSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember