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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 FDr9Dn8nhwvyZNsbG8i5NyvmsxeaGztpriBubkLZyqG6TjU01UVxBpS4B6UZmrg+
 u+xFBeX/ddsAVKux7LmfQw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000914190-10-000384.txt : 20100519
<SEC-HEADER>0000914190-10-000384.hdr.sgml : 20100519
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20100519171341
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000914190-10-000384
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20100517
FILED AS OF DATE:		20100519
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20100519

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Lockhart Timothy D
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001308639

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-32354
		FILM NUMBER:		10845869

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		IOWA TELECOMMUNICATIONS INC.
		STREET 2:		115 S. SECOND AVE. WEST
		CITY:			NEWTON
		STATE:			IA
		ZIP:			50208

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			IOWA TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001120462
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	TELEPHONE COMMUNICATIONS (NO RADIO TELEPHONE) [4813]
		IRS NUMBER:				421490040
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			IA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		403 W 4TH STREET NORTH
		CITY:			NEWTON
		STATE:			IA
		ZIP:			50208
		BUSINESS PHONE:		641 787 2000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		403 W 4TH STREET NORTH
		CITY:			NEWTON
		STATE:			IA
		ZIP:			50208
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-05-17</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001120462</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>IOWA TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>IWA</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001308639</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Lockhart Timothy D</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>IOWA TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>403 W. FOURTH STREET NORTH</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEWTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>50208</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>VP-Customer Serv&amp;HR</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-05-17</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>11777</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>16.4901</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>27531</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The price reported in Column 4 is a weighted average price.  These shares were sold in multiple transactions at prices ranging from $16.44 to $16.51, inclusive.  The reporting person undertakes to provide Iowa Telecommunications, Inc., any security holder of Iowa Telecommunications, Inc., or the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission, upon request, full information regarding the number of shares sold at each separate price within the ranges set forth in this footnote.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Donald G. Henry as Attorney-in-Fact for Timothy D. Lockhart pursuant to Power of Attorney previously filed.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-05-19</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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