Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) shares	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) shares	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($) shares
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures
Interest paid	$ 134,916	$ 108,510	$ 96,241
Income taxes paid, net of refunds received	57,442	48,876	175,629
Accounts receivable, Other	97,543	135,144
Other assets and deferred charges	196,461	282,037
Supplemental cash flows, stock based compensation
Net cash receipts from exercise of stock options and vesting of other stock awards	13,329	(2,019)	9,654
U.S. Cellular
Supplemental cash flows, stock based compensation
Cash receipts upon exercise of stock options	6,881	5,166	10,468
Cash disbursements for payments of taxes	(4,714)	(4,336)	(4,684)
Net cash receipts from exercise of stock options and vesting of other stock awards	$ 2,167	830	5,784
U.S. Cellular \| Auction 901 Mobility Funds
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures
FCC auction date	Sep. 27, 2012
FCC auction amount received	$ 13,400
FCC auction number of states won	10
Letters of credit outstanding	$ 17,400
Other assets and deferred charges	18,400
U.S. Cellular \| Maximum \| Auction 901 Mobility Funds
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures
FCC auction amount	300,000
FCC auction amount awarded	40,100
TDS Parent Company
Supplemental cash flows, stock based compensation
Cash receipts upon exercise of stock options	13,405	732	12,092
Cash disbursements for payments of taxes	(76)	(2,751)	(2,438)
TDS Telecom
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures
Recovery Act Projects Company Funds	$ 32,400
Recovery Act Projects	44
Recovery Act Grants Received	$ 15,100	15,300	$ 41,900
Recovery Act Cumulative Grants Received	$ 93,900
TDS Telecom \| American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 Grants
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures
Accounts receivable, Other		$ 14,200
Common Shares \| U.S. Cellular
Supplemental cash flows, stock based compensation
Shares withheld \| shares	228,011	163,355	606,582
Aggregate value of shares withheld	$ 8,448	$ 6,868	$ 25,179
Common Shares \| TDS Parent Company
Supplemental cash flows, stock based compensation
Shares withheld \| shares	3,163	109,061	265,748
Aggregate value of shares withheld	$ 76	$ 2,751	$ 7,639
U.S. Cellular Common Shares \| Other assets and deferred charges \| Auction 901 Mobility Funds
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures
FCC auction amount received		1,900
U.S. Cellular Common Shares \| Property, plant and equipment, net \| Auction 901 Mobility Funds
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures
FCC auction amount received		$ 11,500

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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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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Aggregate carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of noncurrent assets not separately disclosed in the balance sheet. Noncurrent assets are expected to be realized or consumed after one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer).

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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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