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Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to TDS shareholders |  |  |  |
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders of TDS used in basic earnings (loss) per share |  | $ 218,988 | $ (136,404) | $ 141,878
Adjustments to compute diluted earnings |  |  |  |
Noncontrolling interest adjustment |  | (1,525) |  | (1,058)
Preferred dividend adjustment |  | 49 |  | 49
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders of TDS used in diluted earnings (loss) per share |  | $ 217,512 | $ (136,404) | $ 140,869
Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings (loss) per share |  |  |  |
Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings (loss) per share |  | 108,645 | 108,485 | 108,490
Effects of dilutive securities: |  |  |  |
Stock options | [1] | 773 |  | 209
Restricted stock units | [1] | 436 |  | 375
Preferred shares | [1] | 56 |  | 58
Weighted average number of shares used in diluted earnings (loss) per share |  | 109,910 | 108,485 | 109,132
Earnings per share, Other disclosures |  |  |  |
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to TDS shareholders |  | $ 2.02 | $ (1.26) | $ 1.31
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to TDS shareholders |  | $ 1.98 | $ (1.26) | $ 1.29
U.S. Cellular |  |  |  |
Earnings per share, Other disclosures |  |  |  |
Dividend payable date |  |  |  | Jun. 25, 2013
Dividend date of record |  |  |  | Jun. 11, 2013
Series A Common and Common Shares, dividends per share paid |  |  |  | $ 5.75
Series A Common and Common Shares, dividends paid |  |  |  | $ 482,300
Stock Options |  |  |  |
Earnings per share, Other disclosures |  |  |  |
Antidilutive shares |  | 4,499 | 8,984 | 7,120
Restricted Stock Units |  |  |  |
Earnings per share, Other disclosures |  |  |  |
Antidilutive shares |  | 190 | 839 | 171
Preferred Shares |  |  |  |
Earnings per share, Other disclosures |  |  |  |
Antidilutive shares |  |  | 56 |
Common Shares |  |  |  |
Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings (loss) per share |  |  |  |
Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings (loss) per share |  | 101,453 | 101,304 | 101,339
Series A Common Shares |  |  |  |
Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings (loss) per share |  |  |  |
Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings (loss) per share |  | 7,192 | 7,181 | 7,151
[1] | There were no effects of dilutive securities in 2014 due to the net loss for the year.

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