Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Series A Common and Common Shares	Capital in Excess of Par Value	Treasury Common Shares	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Retained Earnings	Total TDS Shareholders' Equity	Preferred Shares	Noncontrolling Interests
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 4,656,327	$ 1,327	$ 2,304,122	$ (750,099)	$ (8,132)	$ 2,464,318	$ 4,011,536	$ 825	$ 643,966
Add (Deduct)
Net income (loss) attributable to TDS shareholders	157,496					157,496	157,496
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests classified as equity	27,871								27,871
Net unrealized gain (loss) on equity investments	51				51		51
Change in foreign currency translation adjustment	15				15		15
Change related to retirement plan	(372)				(372)		(372)
TDS Common and Series A Common Share dividends	(27,573)					(27,573)	(27,573)
TDS Preferred dividend requirement	(25)					(25)	(25)
U.S. Cellular dividends paid to noncontrolling public shareholders	(75,235)								(75,235)
Dividend reinvestment plan	3,822		448	7,914		(4,540)	3,822
Incentive and compensation plans	1,212		533	3,788		(3,109)	1,212
Adjust investment in subsidiaries for repurchases, issuances and other compensation plans	(14,623)		(1,166)				(1,166)		(13,457)
Stock-based compensation awards	6,124		6,124				6,124
Tax windfall (shortfall) from stock awards	(648)		(648)				(648)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(3,292)								(3,292)
Adjust investment in subsidiaries for noncontrolling interest purchases	(5,028)		(10,322)				(10,322)		5,294
Deconsolidation of partnerships	(43,770)								(43,770)
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2013	4,682,352	1,327	2,299,091	(738,397)	(8,438)	2,586,567	4,140,150	825	541,377
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2013	4,670,097	1,327	2,308,807	(721,354)	(569)	2,529,626	4,117,837	824	551,436
Add (Deduct)
Net income (loss) attributable to TDS shareholders	(3,784)					(3,784)	(3,784)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests classified as equity	(2,045)								(2,045)
Net unrealized gain (loss) on equity investments	341				341		341
Change in foreign currency translation adjustment	(21)				(21)		(21)
Change related to retirement plan	(731)				(731)		(731)
TDS Common and Series A Common Share dividends	(29,082)					(29,082)	(29,082)
TDS Preferred dividend requirement	(25)					(25)	(25)
Repurchase of Common shares	(21,096)			(21,096)			(21,096)
Dividend reinvestment plan	4,938		1,470	3,468			4,938
Incentive and compensation plans	833		(314)	1,147			833
Adjust investment in subsidiaries for repurchases, issuances and other compensation plans	1,438		(2,224)				(2,224)		3,662
Stock-based compensation awards	5,354		5,354				5,354
Tax windfall (shortfall) from stock awards	(578)		(578)				(578)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(459)								(459)
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2014	$ 4,625,180	$ 1,327	$ 2,312,515	$ (737,835)	$ (980)	$ 2,496,735	$ 4,071,762	$ 824	$ 552,594