Consolidated Statement Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Operating revenues
Service	$ 1,080,242	$ 1,198,902
Equipment and product sales	115,720	109,671
Total operating revenues	1,195,962	1,308,573
Operating expenses
Cost of services (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below)	275,958	299,127
Cost of equipment and products	306,647	260,765
Selling, general and administrative	463,669	486,903
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	224,919	242,077
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net	2,430	5,616
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net	(6,900)	6,931
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges	(91,446)
Total operating expenses	1,175,277	1,301,419
Operating income	20,685	7,154
Investment and other income (expense)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	37,327	27,089
Interest and dividend income	2,486	1,578
Interest expense	(28,707)	(24,498)
Other, net	160	(154)
Total investment and other income	11,266	4,015
Income before income taxes	31,951	11,169
Income tax expense	11,657	4,180
Net income	20,294	6,989
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	2,040	5,570
Net income attributable to TDS shareholders	18,254	1,419
TDS Preferred dividend requirement	(12)	(12)
Net income available to common shareholders	$ 18,242	$ 1,407
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	108,988	108,255
Basic earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders	$ 0.17	$ 0.01
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	109,672	108,693
Diluted earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders	$ 0.16	$ 0.01
Dividends per share to TDS shareholders	$ 0.1340	$ 0.1275