Stock-Based Compensation, U.S. Cellular, Nonvested shares and other stock compensation disclosures (Details) (U.S. Cellular, U.S. Cellular Common Shares, USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
2005 and 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plans \| Restricted Stock Units
Stock based compensation, Nonvested shares rollforward, number of shares
Nonvested stock units, begin of period - Number of shares	1,170,000
Granted number of shares	370,000
Vested number of shares	(274,000)
Forfeited number of shares	(124,000)
Nonvested stock units, end of period - Number of shares	1,142,000	1,170,000
Stock based compensation, Nonvested shares weighted average grant date fair value
Nonvested stock units - begin of period weighted average grant date fair value	$ 36.46
Granted weighted average grant date fair value	$ 41.24	$ 32.06	$ 34.09
Vested weighted average grant date fair value	$ 41.92
Forfeited weighted average grant date fair value	$ 34.38
Nonvested stock units - end of period weighted average grant date fair value	$ 35.60	$ 36.46
Fair value of vested stock units	$ 11.1	$ 8.8	$ 8.9
2005 and 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plans \| Deferred Compensation Stock Units
Stock based compensation, Nonvested shares weighted average grant date fair value
Granted weighted average grant date fair value		$ 31.5	$ 36.34
Fair value of vested stock units		$ 0.1	$ 0.1
Non-Employee Directors' Plan
Shares issued and granted under stock compensation plans
Shares issued	14,200	13,000	7,600

Stock-Based Compensation, U.S. Cellular, Nonvested shares and other stock compensation disclosures (Details) (U.S. Cellular, U.S. Cellular Common Shares, USD $)
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

2005 and 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plans | Restricted Stock Units

Stock based compensation, Nonvested shares rollforward, number of shares

Nonvested stock units, begin of period - Number of shares

1,170,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= tds_USCellularSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember

Granted number of shares

370,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= tds_USCellularSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember

Vested number of shares

(274,000)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= tds_USCellularSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember

Forfeited number of shares

(124,000)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= tds_USCellularSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember

Nonvested stock units, end of period - Number of shares

1,142,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= tds_USCellularSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember

Stock based compensation, Nonvested shares weighted average grant date fair value

Nonvested stock units - begin of period weighted average grant date fair value

$ 36.46us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= tds_USCellularSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember

Granted weighted average grant date fair value

$ 41.24us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= tds_USCellularSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember

$ 32.06us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= tds_USCellularSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember

$ 34.09us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= tds_USCellularSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember

Vested weighted average grant date fair value

$ 41.92us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= tds_USCellularSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember

Forfeited weighted average grant date fair value

$ 34.38us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= tds_USCellularSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember

Nonvested stock units - end of period weighted average grant date fair value

$ 35.60us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= tds_USCellularSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember

Fair value of vested stock units

$ 11.1us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= tds_USCellularSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember

$ 8.8us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= tds_USCellularSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember

$ 8.9us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= tds_USCellularSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember

2005 and 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plans | Deferred Compensation Stock Units

Stock based compensation, Nonvested shares weighted average grant date fair value

Granted weighted average grant date fair value

$ 31.5us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DeferredCompensationShareBasedPaymentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= tds_USCellularSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember

$ 36.34us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DeferredCompensationShareBasedPaymentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= tds_USCellularSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember

Fair value of vested stock units

$ 0.1us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= tds_StockCompensationPlanDMember
/ tds_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DeferredCompensationShareBasedPaymentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= tds_USCellularSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember

Non-Employee Directors' Plan

Shares issued and granted under stock compensation plans

Shares issued

14,200us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensationGross
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= tds_NonEmployeeDirectorPlanMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= tds_USCellularSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember

13,000us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensationGross
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= tds_NonEmployeeDirectorPlanMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= tds_USCellularSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember

7,600us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensationGross
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= tds_NonEmployeeDirectorPlanMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= tds_USCellularSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= tds_USCellularCommonSharesMember

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that were forfeited during the reporting period.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(1)(iv)(3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Weighted average fair value as of the grant date of equity-based award plans other than stock (unit) option plans that were not exercised or put into effect as a result of the occurrence of a terminating event.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(2)(iii)(3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of grants made during the period on other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan).

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(2)(iii)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The weighted average fair value at grant date for nonvested equity-based awards issued during the period on other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan).

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(2)(iii)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of non-vested equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that validly exist and are outstanding as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(2)(i)-(ii)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The weighted average fair value of nonvested awards on equity-based plans excluding option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, revenue or profit achievement stock award plan) for which the employer is contingently obligated to issue equity instruments or transfer assets to an employee who has not yet satisfied service or performance criteria necessary to gain title to proceeds from the sale of the award or underlying shares or units.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(2)(i)-(ii)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The number of equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that vested during the reporting period.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(2)(iii)(2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Fair value of share-based awards for which the grantee gained the right by satisfying service and performance requirements, to receive or retain shares or units, other instruments, or cash.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (d)(2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The weighted average fair value as of grant date pertaining to an equity-based award plan other than a stock (or unit) option plan for which the grantee gained the right during the reporting period, by satisfying service and performance requirements, to receive or retain shares or units, other instruments, or cash in accordance with the terms of the arrangement.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(2)(iii)(2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Gross number of shares (or other type of equity) issued during the period as a result of any equity-based compensation plan other than an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). Shares issued could result from the issuance of restricted stock, the exercise of stock options, stock issued under employee stock purchase plans, and/or other employee benefit plans.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensationGross
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensationNetofForfeituresAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration