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Stock-Based Compensation, TDS excluding U.S. Cellular, Stock option rollforward schedules (Details) - TDS Parent Company - Common Shares - Stock Options - 2011 and 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plans - USD ($)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Stock compensation, stock option rollforward schedule, number of shares      
Outstanding, begin of period 9,140,000    
Exercisable options, begin of period 6,487,000    
Granted options 998,000    
Exercised options (575,000)    
Forfeited options (21,000)    
Expired options (407,000)    
Outstanding, end of period 9,135,000 9,140,000  
Exercisable options, end of period 6,009,000 6,487,000  
Stock compensation, stock option rollforward schedule, other information      
Options outstanding, begin of period - weighted average exercise price $ 30.25    
Options exercisable, begin of period - weighted average exercise price 32.93    
Options granted, weighted average exercise price 29.26    
Options exercised, weighted average exercise price 23.11    
Options forfeited, weighted average exercise price 26.30    
Options expired, weighted average exercise price 37.09    
Options outstanding, end of period - weighted average exercise price 30.29 $ 30.25  
Options exercisable, end of period - weighted average exercise price 32.54 32.93  
Options granted, weighted average grant date fair value $ 7.66 $ 8.66 $ 7.01
Aggregate intrinsic value, options exercised $ 3,800,000 $ 200,000 $ 2,500,000
Aggregate intrinsic value, options outstanding 9,531,000    
Aggregate intrinsic value, options exercisable $ 5,548,000    
Weighted average remaining contractual life, outstanding 5 years 4 months    
Weighted average remaining contractual life, exercisable 3 years 10 months