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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Details)
$ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
USD ($)
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements      
Number of wireless customers 4,900,000    
Wireline and Cable connections 1,200,000    
Amounts recorded gross in revenues that are billed to customers and remitted to governmental authorities $ 95,300 $ 113,500 $ 131,000
Advertising costs 267,900 228,500 212,800
Other assets and deferred charges 196,461 282,037  
Long-term debt, net 2,439,827 1,941,069  
Service 4,321,969 4,328,654 4,443,491
Effect of adoption of new ASUs      
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements      
Other assets and deferred charges   (52,500)  
Long-term debt, net   (52,500)  
Long-term      
Accounts receivable      
Unbilled allowance for credit losses 5,537 6,065  
Allowance for doubtful accounts      
Accounts receivable      
Allowance for doubtful accounts, beginning balance 48,637 [1] 65,604 [1] 33,415
Additions, net of recoveries 112,292 107,861 105,629
Deductions (104,701) (124,828) (73,440)
Allowance for doubtful accounts, ending balance [1] $ 56,228 48,637 65,604
U.S. Cellular      
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements      
TDS ownership of U.S. Cellular 84.00%    
Agent liability $ 75,700 95,300  
Service 3,350,431 3,397,937 3,594,773
U.S. Cellular | Loyalty Rewards Program      
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements      
Deferred revenue   94,600  
Service 58,200    
U.S. Cellular | Loyalty Rewards Program | Special issuance      
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements      
Deferred revenue     43,500
TDS Telecom      
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements      
Service $ 985,656 $ 937,510 $ 853,067
[1] In 2015 and 2014, balance includes an allowance of $5.5 million and $6.1 million, respectively, related to the long-term portion of unbilled equipment installment plan receivables.