Name:	tds_AccruedAgentCommissionCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	tds_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Asset Groups

No definition available.

Name:	tds_AssetGroups
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Period Type:	instant

Number of broadband, video and voice connections.

No definition available.

Name:	tds_BroadbandVideoAndVoiceConnections
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Remaining amortization period for implementation costs related to cloud-hosted arrangements, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

No definition available.

Name:	tds_CloudHostedArrangementsRemainingAmortizationPeriod
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FCC Licenses, Number of Accounting Units

No definition available.

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FCC Licenses, Number of Accounting Units, Built Licenses

No definition available.

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FCC Licenses, Number of Accounting Units, Unbuilt Licenses

No definition available.

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FCC Licenses, Period of Renewal

No definition available.

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Intangible Assets, Renewal Period

No definition available.

Name:	tds_IntangibleAssetsRenewalPeriod
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Number of wireless connections.

No definition available.

Name:	tds_NumberOfWirelessConnections
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Amount charged to advertising expense for the period, which are expenses incurred with the objective of increasing revenue for a specified brand, product or product line.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 720
-SubTopic 35
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6420018&loc=d3e36677-107848

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Total loss recognized during the period from the impairment of goodwill plus the loss recognized in the period resulting from the impairment of the carrying amount of intangible assets, other than goodwill.

No definition available.

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	duration

Amount of amortization expense for capitalized implementation cost from hosting arrangement that is service contract.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 350
-SubTopic 40
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118198657&loc=SL118198666-228104

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 360
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391035&loc=d3e2868-110229

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	duration

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

No definition available.

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Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
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Period Type:	instant

Number of reporting units tested for impairment of goodwill. A reporting unit is an operating segment or one level below an operating segment.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_NumberOfReportingUnits
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

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Useful life of long lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. Examples include, but not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife
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Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=tds_USCellularSegmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=tds_TDSTelecomSegmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

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

Name:	srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis=tds_TDSTelecomSegmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis=us-gaap_FranchiseRightsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	srt_RangeAxis=srt_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis=us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	srt_RangeAxis=srt_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
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