Related Parties (Details) (Airadigm, USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012
Airadigm
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Description of related transaction	In the second quarter of 2012, certain subsidiaries of U.S. Cellular agreed to lease wireless spectrum from Airadigm Communications, Inc. (“Airadigm”) to enhance wireless services in existing markets. Both U.S. Cellular and Airadigm are consolidated subsidiaries of TDS.
Annual operating lease agreements	$ 0.5
Terms of related transaction	The lease agreements require U.S. Cellular to make payments of approximately $0.5 million to Airadigm annually for a period of five years after which U.S. Cellular will have an option to renew the lease for a fixed period of time.