Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures
Accounts receivable, Other	$ 135,144,000us-gaap_OtherReceivables	$ 179,503,000us-gaap_OtherReceivables
Interest paid	108,510,000us-gaap_InterestPaid	96,241,000us-gaap_InterestPaid	88,208,000us-gaap_InterestPaid
Income taxes paid (refunded)	48,876,000us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaidNet	175,629,000us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaidNet	(62,042,000)us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaidNet
Supplemental cash flows, stock based compensation
Net cash receipts (disbursements) from exercise of stock options and vesting of other stock awards	(2,019,000)	9,654,000	(1,119,000)
U.S. Cellular
Supplemental cash flows, stock based compensation
Cash receipts upon exercise of stock options	5,166,000	10,468,000	900,000
Cash disbursements for payments of taxes	(4,336,000)	(4,684,000)	(3,105,000)
Net cash receipts (disbursements) from exercise of stock options and vesting of other stock awards	830,000	5,784,000	(2,205,000)
U.S. Cellular \| Auction 901 Mobility Funds
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures
FCC auction date	Sep. 27, 2012
FCC auction amount received	13,400,000
FCC auction number of states won	10
Letters of credit outstanding	17,400,000
U.S. Cellular \| Other assets and deferred charges \| Auction 901 Mobility Funds
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures
FCC auction amount received	1,900,000
U.S. Cellular \| Property, plant and equipment, net \| Auction 901 Mobility Funds
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures
FCC auction amount received	11,500,000
U.S. Cellular \| Maximum \| Auction 901 Mobility Funds
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures
FCC auction amount	300,000,000
FCC auction amount awarded	40,100,000
TDS Parent Company
Supplemental cash flows, stock based compensation
Cash receipts upon exercise of stock options	732,000	12,092,000	16,000
Cash disbursements for payments of taxes	(2,751,000)	(2,438,000)	(1,135,000)
Net cash receipts (disbursements) from exercise of stock options and vesting of other stock awards	(2,019,000)	9,654,000	(1,119,000)
TDS Telecom
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures
Recovery Act Grants Awarded	105,100,000
Recovery Act Projects Company Funds	30,900,000
Recovery Act Projects	44
Recovery Act Grants Received	15,300,000	41,900,000	16,700,000
Recovery Act Cumulative Grants Received	78,900,000
TDS Telecom \| American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 Grants
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures
Accounts receivable, Other	14,200,000	23,600,000
Common Shares \| U.S. Cellular
Supplemental cash flows, stock based compensation
Shares withheld	163,355	606,582	92,846
Aggregate value of shares withheld	6,868,000	25,179,000	3,604,000
Common Shares \| TDS Parent Company
Supplemental cash flows, stock based compensation
Shares withheld	109,061	265,748	49,840
Aggregate value of shares withheld	2,751,000	7,639,000	1,102,000
Special Common Shares \| TDS Parent Company
Supplemental cash flows, stock based compensation
Shares withheld			1,381
Aggregate value of shares withheld			$ 33,000

The total amount the Federal Communications Commission will award to successful auction bidders.

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The amount the entity was awarded in the Federal Communications Commission auction.

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The amount the entity received resulting from the Federal Communications Commission auction.

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Month, date and year in which the Federal Communications Commission auction took place.

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The number of states the entity won in the Federal Communications Commission auction.

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Amount of Letters of credit outstanding on revolving credit facility.

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The cumulative amount of grants received under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

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The amount of grants received under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

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Total number of projects to be completed as a result of grants awarded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The aim of these projects is to provide broadband access in unserved areas.

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Company funds to be contributed for projects also funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

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Dollar amount of federal grants awarded under the Amercian Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

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For net-share settlement of share-based awards when the employer withholds shares for the exercise price and income tax withholding obligations, this element represents the number of shares the employees use to repay the employer.

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For net-share settlement of share-based awards when the employer withholds shares for the exercise price and income tax withholding obligations, this element represents the value of shares the employees use to repay the employer.

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The amount of cash paid during the current period to foreign, federal, state, and local authorities as taxes on income, net of any cash received during the current period as refunds for the overpayment of taxes.

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The amount of cash paid for interest during the period.

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Carrying amounts due as of the balance sheet date from parties or arising from transactions not otherwise specified in the taxonomy.

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Amount of cash outflow to satisfy an employee's income tax withholding obligation as part of a net-share settlement of a share-based award.

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The total cash inflow associated with the amount received from holders to acquire the entity's shares under incentive and share awards, including stock option exercises. This item inherently excludes any excess tax benefit, which the entity may have realized and reported separately.

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The cash inflow associated with the amount received from holders exercising their stock options. This item inherently excludes any excess tax benefit, which the entity may have realized and reported separately.

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