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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Details) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2012 number | Dec. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2010
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements |  |  |
Number of customers | 5,800,000 |  |
Short-term investments | $ 100,676,000 | $ 127,039,000 |
Long-term investments | 50,305,000 | 30,057,000 |
Agent liability | 88,200,000 | 75,300,000 |
Amounts recorded gross in revenues that are billed to customers and remitted to governmental authorities | 135,700,000 | 125,200,000 | 137,600,000
Advertising costs | 227,000,000 | 257,800,000 | 265,200,000
Income taxes receivable | 1,612,000 | 74,791,000 |
Accumulated amortization of deferred charges | 12,700,000 | 9,600,000 |
TDS |  |  |
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements |  |  |
TDS ownership of U.S. Cellular | 84.00% |  |
Income taxes receivable |  | 73,700,000 |
Income taxes (payable) | (1,100,000) |  |
401(k) |  |  |
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements |  |  |
Defined contribution cost | 17,100,000 | 15,500,000 | 15,300,000
Pension |  |  |
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements |  |  |
Defined contribution cost | 12,400,000 | 11,600,000 | 11,600,000
Allowance for doubtful accounts |  |  |
Accounts receivable |  |  |
Allowance for doubtful accounts, beginning balance | 23,537,000 | 25,816,000 | 26,624,000
Additions, net of recoveries | 67,372,000 | 62,157,000 | 76,292,000
Deductions | (64,007,000) | (64,436,000) | (77,100,000)
Allowance for doubtful accounts, ending balance | 26,902,000 | 23,537,000 | 25,816,000
Loyalty Rewards Program |  |  |
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements |  |  |
Deferred revenue | $ 56,600,000 | $ 38,900,000 |

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