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Basis of Presentation - Narrative (Details)	Mar. 31, 2019
U.S. Cellular
Basis of Presentation [Line Items]
TDS ownership of U.S. Cellular	82.00%

X

- Definition

Used to group disclosures related to significant accounting policies.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	tds_BasisOfPresentationLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	tds_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The parent entity's interest in net assets of the subsidiary, expressed as a percentage.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Details

Name:	srt_OwnershipAxis=tds_UnitedStatesCellularCorporationMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: