Telephone and Data Systems (TDS) 10-Q 1 Aug 14 2014 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Entity Registrant Name	'TELEPHONE & DATA SYSTEMS INC /DE/
Entity Central Index Key	'0001051512
Document Type	'10-Q
Document Period End Date	30-Jun-14
Amendment Flag	'false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q2
Trading Symbol	'TDS
Common Shares	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	101,032,392
Series A Common Shares	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	7,185,356

Consolidated_Statement_Of_Oper

Consolidated Statement Of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Operating revenues	'	'	'	'
Service	$1,072,179	$1,115,661	$2,152,421	$2,314,563
Equipment and product sales	164,213	112,505	279,933	222,176
Total operating revenues	1,236,392	1,228,166	2,432,354	2,536,739
Operating expenses	'	'	'	'
Cost of services (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below)	286,488	275,837	562,446	574,964
Cost of equipment and products	313,011	239,894	619,658	500,659
Selling, general and administrative	470,902	470,720	934,571	957,623
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	204,567	254,203	429,486	496,280
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net	7,903	8,319	10,333	13,935
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net	2,611	-303,034	-4,289	-296,103
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges	'	'	-91,446	'
Total operating expenses	1,285,482	945,939	2,460,759	2,247,358
Operating income (loss)	-49,090	282,227	-28,405	289,381
Investment and other income (expense)	'	'	'	'
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	34,790	35,605	72,117	62,694
Interest and dividend income	2,751	2,600	5,237	4,178
Gain (loss) on investments	'	14,518	'	14,518
Interest expense	-27,898	-23,749	-56,605	-48,247
Other, net	50	-197	210	-351
Total investment and other income	9,693	28,777	20,959	32,792
Income (loss) before income taxes	-39,397	311,004	-7,446	322,173
Income tax expense (benefit)	-13,671	132,607	-2,014	136,787
Net income (loss)	-25,726	178,397	-5,432	185,386
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	-3,688	22,320	-1,648	27,890
Net income (loss) attributable to TDS shareholders	-22,038	156,077	-3,784	157,496
TDS Preferred dividend requirement	-12	-12	-25	-25
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders	($22,050)	$156,065	($3,809)	$157,471
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	108,719	108,385	108,853	108,320
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to TDS shareholders	($0.20)	$1.44	($0.04)	$1.45
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	108,719	108,913	108,853	108,827
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to TDS shareholders	($0.20)	$1.42	($0.04)	$1.44
Dividends per share to TDS shareholders	$0.13	$0.13	$0.27	$0.26

Consolidated_Statement_Of_Comp

Consolidated Statement Of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	($25,726)	$178,397	($5,432)	$185,386
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Change in net unrealized gain (loss) on equity investments	341	51	341	51
Change in foreign currency translation adjustment	-17	'	-21	15
Change related to retirement plan	'	'	'	'
Amortization of prior service cost	-911	-902	-1,822	-1,804
Amortization of unrecognized net loss	322	602	644	1,204
Total gains (losses) recognized in Comprehensive Income before income tax benefit (expense)	-589	-300	-1,178	-600
Change in deferred income taxes	224	114	447	228
Change related to retirement plan, net of tax	-365	-186	-731	-372
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-41	-135	-411	-306
Comprehensive income (loss)	-25,767	178,262	-5,843	185,080
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	-3,688	22,320	-1,648	27,890
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to TDS shareholders	($22,079)	$155,942	($4,195)	$157,190

Consolidated_Statement_Of_Cash

Consolidated Statement Of Cash Flows (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities	'	'
Net income (loss)	($5,432)	$185,386
Add (deduct) adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flows from operating activities	'	'
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	429,486	496,280
Bad debts expense	52,098	35,187
Stock-based compensation expense	15,488	12,902
Deferred income taxes, net	-33,346	-21,246
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	-72,117	-62,694
Distributions from unconsolidated entities	65,569	47,635
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net	10,333	13,935
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net	-4,289	-296,103
(Gain) loss on investments	'	-14,518
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges	-91,446	'
Noncash interest expense	1,014	997
Other operating activities	3	505
Changes in assets and liabilities from operations	'	'
Accounts receivable	40,459	-5,781
Inventory	38,674	-8,105
Accounts payable	-43,132	58,204
Customer deposits and deferred revenues	13,139	7,897
Accrued taxes	1,049	150,425
Accrued interest	22	2,172
Other assets and liabilities	-101,930	-81,586
Cash flows from operating activities	315,642	521,492
Cash flows from investing activities	'	'
Cash used for additions to property, plant and equipment	-339,907	-384,281
Cash paid for acquisitions and licenses	-18,681	-14,150
Cash received from divestitures	125,905	480,000
Cash received for investments	10,000	15,000
Other investing activities	3,720	14,127
Cash flows from investing activities	-218,963	110,696
Cash flows from financing activities	'	'
Repayment of long-term debt	-589	-605
TDS Common Shares reissued for benefit plans, net of tax payments	401	776
U.S. Cellular Common Shares reissued for benefit plans, net of tax payments	830	-2,206
Repurchase of TDS Common Shares	-20,090	'
Repurchase of U.S. Cellular Common Shares	-8,298	-18,425
Dividends paid to TDS shareholders	-29,107	-27,598
U.S. Cellular dividends paid to noncontrolling public shareholders	'	-75,235
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	-482	-3,292
Other financing activities	5,502	331
Cash flows from financing activities	-51,833	-126,254
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	44,846	505,934
Cash and cash equivalents	'	'
Beginning of period	830,014	740,481
End of period	$874,860	$1,246,415

Consolidated_Balance_Sheet

Consolidated Balance Sheet (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$874,860	$830,014
Short-term investments	40,035	50,104
Accounts receivable	'	'
Due from customers and agents, less allowances of $37,543 and $63,690, respectively	460,823	551,611
Other, less allowances of $2,276 and $1,914, respectively	163,438	179,503
Inventory, net	205,886	244,560
Net deferred income tax asset	106,077	106,077
Prepaid expenses	88,860	87,920
Income taxes receivable	9,197	2,397
Other current assets	32,274	35,151
Total current assets	1,981,450	2,087,337
Assets held for sale	5,980	16,027
Investments	'	'
Licenses	1,460,484	1,423,779
Goodwill	834,352	836,843
Franchise rights	124,487	123,668
Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $122,767 and $112,752, respectively	61,536	71,454
Investments in unconsolidated entities	308,661	301,772
Other investments	589	641
Total investments	2,790,109	2,758,157
Property, plant and equipment	'	'
In service and under construction	11,220,652	11,239,804
Less: Accumulated depreciation	7,470,705	7,361,660
Property, plant and equipment, net	3,749,947	3,878,144
Other assets and deferred charges	180,183	164,482
Total assets	8,707,669	8,904,147
Current liabilities	'	'
Current portion of long-term debt	890	1,646
Accounts payable	425,051	496,069
Customer deposits and deferred revenues	302,496	289,445
Accrued interest	6,671	6,673
Accrued taxes	73,227	70,518
Accrued compensation	98,099	115,031
Other current liabilities	166,270	212,374
Total current liabilities	1,072,704	1,191,756
Liabilities held for sale	722	'
Deferred liabilities and credits	'	'
Net deferred income tax liability	828,458	862,975
Other deferred liabilities and credits	460,862	458,709
Long-term debt	1,718,832	1,720,074
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
Noncontrolling interests with redemption features	911	536
TDS shareholders' equity	'	'
Series A Common and Common Shares	1,327	1,327
Capital in excess of par value	2,312,515	2,308,807
Treasury shares at cost	-737,835	-721,354
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-980	-569
Retained earnings	2,496,735	2,529,626
Total TDS shareholders' equity	4,071,762	4,117,837
Preferred shares	824	824
Noncontrolling interests	552,594	551,436
Total equity	4,625,180	4,670,097
Total liabilities and equity	$8,707,669	$8,904,147

Consolidated_Balance_Sheet_Par

Consolidated Balance Sheet Parenthetical (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Current assets	'	'
Due from customers and agents, allowances	$37,543	$63,690
Other, allowances	2,276	1,914
Investments	'	'
Other intangible assets, accumulated amortization	122,767	112,752
TDS shareholders' equity	'	'
Authorized shares	290,000	290,000
Issued shares	132,730	132,711
Outstanding shares	108,217	108,757
Par value	1,327	1,327
Treasury Shares	'	'
TDS shareholders' equity	'	'
Treasury shares	24,513	23,954
Series A Common Shares	'	'
TDS shareholders' equity	'	'
Authorized shares	25,000	25,000
Issued shares	7,185	7,166
Outstanding shares	7,185	7,166
Par value per share	$0.01	$0.01
Par value	72	72
Common Shares	'	'
TDS shareholders' equity	'	'
Authorized shares	265,000	265,000
Issued shares	125,545	125,545
Outstanding shares	101,032	101,591
Par value per share	$0.01	$0.01
Par value	$1,255	$1,255
Common Shares | Treasury Shares	'	'
TDS shareholders' equity	'	'
Treasury shares	24,513	23,954

Consolidated_Statement_of_Chan

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity (USD $)	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
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
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

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Disclosure Text Block	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	1. Basis of Presentation
	The accounting policies of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (“TDS”) conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) as set forth in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”). The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of TDS and subsidiaries in which it has a controlling financial interest, including TDS' 84%-owned wireless telephone subsidiary, United States Cellular Corporation (“U.S. Cellular”) and TDS' wholly-owned subsidiary, TDS Telecommunications Corporation (“TDS Telecom”). In addition, the consolidated financial statements include certain entities in which TDS has a variable interest that require consolidation under GAAP. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
	The consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by TDS, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  Certain information and disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. However, TDS believes that the disclosures included herein are adequate to make the information presented not misleading.  These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in TDS' Annual Report on Form 10-K (“Form 10-K”) for the year ended December 31, 2013.
	TDS' business segments reflected in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2014 are U.S. Cellular, TDS Telecom's Wireline, Cable and Hosted and Managed Services (“HMS”) operations, and the Non-Reportable Segment which includes TDS' majority-owned printing and distribution company, Suttle-Straus, Inc. (“Suttle-Straus”) and TDS' wholly-owned wireless telephone subsidiary, Airadigm Communications, Inc. (“Airadigm”). Periods presented for comparative purposes have been re-presented to conform to this segment presentation. All of TDS' segments operate only in the United States, except for HMS, which includes an insignificant foreign operation. See Note 11 — Business Segment Information for summary financial information on each business segment.
	The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring items, unless otherwise disclosed) necessary for a fair statement of the financial position as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, and the results of operations and changes in comprehensive income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 and cash flows and changes in equity for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013. These results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.
	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
	On April 10, 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity (“ASU 2014-08”). ASU 2014-08 changes the requirements and disclosures for reporting discontinued operations. TDS is required to adopt the provisions of ASU 2014-08 effective January 1, 2015, but early adoption is permitted. TDS adopted the provisions of ASU 2014-08 upon its issuance. The adoption of ASU 2014-08 did not have a significant impact on TDS' financial position or results of operations.
	On May 28, 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”). ASU 2014-09 outlines a single comprehensive model to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers. TDS is required to adopt the provisions of ASU 2014-09 effective January 1, 2017. Early adoption is prohibited. TDS is evaluating what effects the adoption of ASU 2014-09 will have on TDS' financial position and results of operations.
	Equipment Installment Plans
	U.S. Cellular offers customers the option to purchase certain devices under installment contracts over a period of up to 24 months.  Equipment revenue under these contracts is recognized at the time the device is delivered to the end-user customer for the selling price of the device, net of any deferred imputed interest or guarantee liability, if applicable.  For certain installment plans, after a specified period of time, the customer may have the right to upgrade to a new device and have the remaining unpaid installment contract balance waived, subject to certain conditions, including trading in the original device in good working condition and signing a new equipment installment contract.  U.S. Cellular values this trade-in right as a guarantee liability.  The guarantee liability is initially measured at fair value and is determined based on assumptions including the probability and timing of the customer upgrading to a new device, the customer's estimated remaining installment contract balance at the time of trade-in and the fair value of the device being traded-in at the time of trade-in.  As of June 30, 2014, the short-term guarantee liability and imputed interest liability related to equipment installment plans of $15.3 million is recorded in Customer deposits and deferred revenues in the Consolidated Balance Sheet and the long-term imputed interest liability related to equipment installment plans of $0.7 million is recorded in Other deferred liabilities and credits in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.  As of June 30, 2014, short-term equipment installment plan receivables of $23.9 million are included in Accounts receivable – customers and agents in the Consolidated Balance Sheet and long-term equipment installment plan receivables of $19.8 million are included in Other assets and deferred charges in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
	U.S. Cellular equipment installment plans do not provide for explicit interest charges. For equipment installment plans with a duration of twelve months or less, U.S. Cellular does not impute interest. For equipment installment plans with a duration of greater than twelve months, U.S. Cellular imputes interest and recognizes such interest income over the duration of the plan as a component of Interest and dividend income.
	Reclassifications
	Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2014 financial statement presentation. These reclassifications did not affect consolidated net income attributable to TDS shareholders, cash flows, assets, liabilities or equity for the years presented.
	In 2014, TDS began presenting separately Equipment and product sales and Cost of equipment and products. As a result of recent HMS acquisitions, these amounts are now more significant to TDS and, accordingly, are shown as separate captions under Operating revenues and Operating expenses, respectively, on the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Amounts in 2013 have been reclassified to conform to the 2014 presentation. The separate presentation of Equipment and product sales and Cost of equipment and products had no other impact on the TDS financial statements.
	Amounts Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities
	If a tax is assessed upon the customer and TDS merely acts as an agent in collecting the tax on behalf of the imposing governmental authority, then amounts collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are recorded on a net basis within a tax liability account in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. If the tax is assessed upon TDS, then amounts collected from customers as recovery of the tax are recorded in Service revenues and amounts remitted to governmental authorities are recorded in Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. The amounts recorded gross in revenues that are billed to customers and remitted to governmental authorities totaled $29.1 million and $59.1 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, respectively, and $31.9 million and $67.9 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Disclosure Text Block	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	2. Fair Value Measurements
	As of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, TDS did not have any financial or nonfinancial assets or liabilities that were required to be recorded at fair value in its Consolidated Balance Sheet in accordance with GAAP. However, TDS has applied the provisions of fair value accounting for purposes of computing the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes as displayed below.
			Level within the Fair Value Hierarchy	30-Jun-14				31-Dec-13
				Book Value		Fair Value		Book Value		Fair Value
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Cash and cash equivalents		1	$	874,860	$	874,860	$	830,014	$	830,014
	Short-term investments
		U.S. Treasury Notes	1		40,035		40,035		50,104		50,104
	Long-term debt
		Retail	1		1,178,250		1,177,723		1,178,250		1,048,010
		Institutional and other	2		537,691		555,775		537,454		512,635
	Short-term investments are designated as held-to-maturity investments and recorded at amortized cost in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Long-term debt excludes capital lease obligations and the current portion of Long-term debt.
	The fair values of Cash and cash equivalents and Short-term investments approximate their book values due to the short-term nature of these financial instruments. The fair value of “Retail” Long-term debt was estimated using market prices for TDS' 7.0% Senior Notes, 6.875% Senior Notes, 6.625% Senior Notes and 5.875% Senior Notes, and U.S. Cellular's 6.95% Senior Notes. TDS' institutional debt includes U.S. Cellular's 6.7% Senior Notes which are traded over the counter. TDS estimated the fair value of its institutional and other debt through a discounted cash flow analysis using the interest rates or estimated yield to maturity for each borrowing, which ranged from 0.00% to 6.59% at June 30, 2014.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Disclosure Text Block	'
Income Taxes	'
	3. Income Taxes
	TDS' overall effective tax rate on Income (loss) before income taxes for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 was 34.7% and 27.0%, respectively, and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 was 42.6% and 42.5%, respectively.
	The lower effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2014 resulted from the relatively low amount of Income (loss) before income taxes in this period, which magnified the effective rate impact of discrete tax expense items.
	The effective tax rates for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 reflected incremental deferred tax expense related to the NY1 & NY2 Deconsolidation (as described in Note 7 — Investments in Unconsolidated Entities) and the Divestiture Transaction (as described in Note 5 — Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges) in 2013.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Disclosure Text Block	'
Earnings per Share	'
	4. Earnings Per Share
	Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to TDS shareholders is computed by dividing Net income (loss) available to common shareholders of TDS by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to TDS shareholders is computed by dividing Net income (loss) available to common shareholders of TDS by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period adjusted to include the effects of potentially dilutive securities. Potentially dilutive securities primarily include incremental shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options and the vesting of restricted stock units.
	The amounts used in computing earnings (loss) per common share and the effects of potentially dilutive securities on the weighted average number of common shares were as follows:
						Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
						June 30,				June 30,
						2014		2013		2014		2013
	(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)
	Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to TDS shareholders:
		Net income (loss) available to common shareholders of TDS used in basic earnings (loss) per share				$	-22,050	$	156,065	$	-3,809	$	157,471
	Adjustments to compute diluted earnings:
		Noncontrolling interest adjustment					-		-1,173		-5		-1,209
		Preferred dividend adjustment					-		12		-		25
		Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders of TDS used in diluted earnings (loss) per share				$	-22,050	$	154,904	$	-3,814	$	156,287
	Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings (loss) per share:
			Common Shares				101,543		101,246		101,682		101,171
			Series A Common Shares				7,176		7,139		7,171		7,149
				Total			108,719		108,385		108,853		108,320
	Effects of dilutive securities:
		Stock options					-		110		-		108
		Restricted stock units					-		364		-		345
		Preferred shares					-		54		-		54
	Weighted average number of shares used in diluted earnings (loss) per share						108,719		108,913		108,853		108,827
	Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to TDS shareholders					$	-0.2	$	1.44	$	-0.04	$	1.45
	Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to TDS shareholders					$	-0.2	$	1.42	$	-0.04	$	1.44
	Certain Common Shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options, vesting of restricted stock units or conversion of preferred shares were not included in average diluted shares outstanding for the calculation of Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to TDS shareholders because their effects were antidilutive. The number of such Common Shares excluded, if any, is shown in the table below.
			Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
			June 30,				June 30,
			2014		2013		2014	2013
	(Shares in thousands)
	Stock options		8,883		7,348		8,777	7,012
	Restricted stock units		824		200		737	102
	Preferred shares		56		-		56	-

Acquisitions_Divestures_And_Ex

Acquisitions Divestures And Exchanges	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Disclosure Text Block	'
Acquisitions, Divestures and Exchanges	'
	5. Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges
	Divestiture Transaction
	On November 6, 2012, U.S. Cellular entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement with subsidiaries of Sprint Corp., fka Sprint Nextel Corporation (“Sprint”). Pursuant to the Purchase and Sale Agreement, on May 16, 2013, U.S. Cellular transferred customers and certain PCS license spectrum to Sprint in U.S. Cellular's Chicago, central Illinois, St. Louis and certain Indiana/Michigan/Ohio markets (“Divestiture Markets”) in consideration for $480 million in cash. The Purchase and Sale Agreement also contemplated certain other agreements, together with the Purchase and Sale Agreement collectively referred to as the “Divestiture Transaction.”
	Pursuant to the Purchase and Sale Agreement, U.S. Cellular and Sprint also entered into certain other agreements, including customer and network transition services agreements, which require U.S. Cellular to provide customer, billing and network services to Sprint for a period of up to 24 months after the May 16, 2013 closing date. Sprint will reimburse U.S. Cellular for providing such services at an amount equal to U.S. Cellular's estimated costs, including applicable overhead allocations. These services were substantially complete as of March 31, 2014. In addition, these agreements require Sprint to reimburse U.S. Cellular up to $200 million (the “Sprint Cost Reimbursement”) for certain network decommissioning costs, network site lease rent and termination costs, network access termination costs, and employee termination benefits for specified engineering employees. It is estimated that up to $175 million of the Sprint Cost Reimbursement will be recorded in (Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net and up to $25 million of the Sprint Cost Reimbursement will be recorded in Cost of services in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. For the six months ended June 30, 2014, $34.1 million of the Sprint Cost Reimbursement had been received and recorded in Cash received from divestitures in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.
	Financial impacts of the Divestiture Transaction are classified in the Consolidated Statement of Operations within Operating income. The table below describes the amounts TDS has recognized and expects to recognize in the Consolidated Statement of Operations between the date the Purchase and Sale Agreement was signed and the end of the transition services period.
	(Dollars in thousands)			Expected Period of Recognition		Projected Range				Cumulative Amount Recognized as of June 30, 2014		Actual Amount Recognized Six Months Ended June 30, 2014		Actual Amount Recognized Six Months Ended June 30, 2013		Actual Amount Recognized Three Months Ended June 30, 2014		Actual Amount Recognized Three Months Ended June 30, 2013
	(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net
		Proceeds from Sprint
			Purchase price		2013	$	-480,000	$	-480,000	$	-480,000	$	-	$	-480,000	$	-	$	-480,000
			Sprint Cost Reimbursement		2013-2015		-120,000		-175,000		-96,835		-49,194		-8		-4,563		-8
		Net assets transferred			2013		160,073		160,073		160,073		-		160,073		-		160,073
		Non-cash charges for the write-off and write-down of property under construction and related assets			2012-2015		10,000		15,000		11,013		338		81		-5		-141
		Employee related costs including severance, retention and outplacement			2012-2014		13,000		16,000		14,129		-133		3,103		-71		53
		Contract termination costs			2012-2015		90,000		120,000		90,417		30,833		16,605		-6,254		13,705
		Transaction costs			2012-2014		5,000		7,000		6,027		462		3,719		253		2,801
			Total (Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net			$	-321,927	$	-336,927	$	-295,176	$	-17,694	$	-296,427	$	-10,640	$	-303,517
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense
		Incremental depreciation, amortization and accretion, net of salvage values			2012-2014		211,656		211,656		211,656		13,085		88,324		-		50,278
	(Increase) decrease in Operating income					$	-110,271	$	-125,271	$	-83,520	$	-4,609	$	-208,103	$	-10,640	$	-253,239
	Incremental depreciation, amortization and accretion, net of salvage values represents amounts recorded in the specified time periods as a result of a change in estimate for the remaining useful life and salvage value of certain assets and a change in estimate which accelerated the settlement dates of certain asset retirement obligations in conjunction with the Divestiture Transaction. Specifically, for the periods indicated, this is estimated depreciation, amortization and accretion recorded on assets and liabilities of the Divestiture Markets after the execution of the Purchase and Sale Agreement on November 6, 2012 less depreciation, amortization and accretion that would have been recorded on such assets and liabilities in the normal course, absent the Divestiture Transaction.
			As a result of the transaction, TDS recognized the following amounts in the Consolidated Balance Sheet:
						Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
	(Dollars in thousands)			Balance December 31, 2013		Costs Incurred		Cash Settlements (1)		Adjustments (2)		Balance June 30, 2014
	Accrued compensation
		Employee related costs including severance, retention, outplacement		$	2,053	$	180	$	-908	$	-313	$	1,012
	Other current liabilities
		Contract termination costs		$	13,992	$	16,691	$	-12,887	$	2,091	$	19,887
	Other deferred liabilities and credits
		Contract termination costs		$	30,849	$	23,773	$	-2,424	$	-19,898	$	32,300
	-1		Cash settlement amounts are included in either the Net income or changes in Other assets and liabilities line items as part of Cash flows from operating activities on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.
	-2		Adjustment to liability represents changes to previously accrued amounts.
	Airadigm Transaction
	On May 23, 2014 (the “Signing Date”), U.S. Cellular entered into a License Purchase and Customer Recommendation Agreement with Airadigm. The Agreement provides that Airadigm will transfer to U.S. Cellular FCC spectrum licenses and certain tower assets in certain markets in Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota and Michigan, in consideration for $91.5 million in cash at closing. The transaction also includes a program in which Airadigm would earn a migration fee from U.S. Cellular for each Airadigm customer who becomes a U.S. Cellular customer. Since both parties to this transaction are controlled by TDS, upon closing, U.S. Cellular will record the transferred assets at Airadigm's net book value. In addition, federal net operating loss carryforwards are expected to become realizable by TDS. Therefore, TDS expects to reduce its valuation allowance by approximately $10 million upon the transaction closing, and recognize income tax benefit for this same amount. The transaction is subject to certain conditions. Subject to the satisfaction or (if permitted) waiver of all conditions, the transaction is expected to close during the third quarter of 2014.
	As a result of the Agreement, Airadigm will shut down operation of its consumer wireless business and most of the associated network. Except for certain operations that will be continued, Airadigm's assets not acquired by U.S. Cellular will be sold or otherwise disposed of, its tower leases, interconnection and other agreements will be terminated and most of its employees will be terminated. The shut-down of Airadigm's consumer wireless business is expected to be substantially complete in the third quarter of 2014. As a result of the Agreement and the related impacts from the shut-down of Airadigm's consumer wireless business discussed herein, TDS expects to recognize expenses related to exit and disposal activities within Operating income in its Statement of Operations between Signing Date and the end of the shut-down period as follows:
	(Dollars in thousands)			Projected Range				Actual Amount Recognized Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
	(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net
		Charges for the impairment and decommissioning of various operating assets		$	8,000	$	17,000	$	12,214
		Employee related costs including severance, retention and outplacement			1,000		2,000		500
		Contract termination costs			10,000		15,000		408
		Transaction costs			-		1,000		-
			Total (Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net	$	19,000	$	35,000	$	13,122
			As a result of the transaction, TDS recognized the following amounts in the Consolidated Balance Sheet:
						Period Ended June 30, 2014
	(Dollars in thousands)			Balance May 23, 2014		Costs Incurred		Cash Settlements (1)		Adjustments (2)		Balance June 30, 2014
	Accrued compensation
		Employee related costs including severance, retention and outplacement		$	-	$	500	$	-	$	-	$	500
	Other current liabilities
		Contract termination costs		$	-	$	408	$	-	$	-	$	408
	-1		Cash settlement amounts are included in either the Net income or changes in Other assets and liabilities line items as part of Cash flows from operating activities on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.
	-2		Adjustment to liability represents changes to previously accrued amounts.
	Other Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges
	On May 1, 2014, TDS entered into an agreement to acquire substantially all of the assets of a group of companies operating as BendBroadband, headquartered in Bend, Oregon for $261 million in cash, subject to working capital and other adjustments. BendBroadband is a full-service communications company, offering an extensive range of broadband, fiber connectivity, cable television and telephone services for commercial and residential customers in Central Oregon. The agreement also includes a Tier III data center providing colocation and managed services and a cable advertising and broadcast business. The transaction is subject to governmental regulatory approvals, compliance with the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act and other conditions. Subject to approvals, the transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2014.
	On March 5, 2014, U.S. Cellular sold the majority of its St. Louis area non-operating market spectrum license for $92.3 million. A gain of $75.8 million was recorded in (Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges in the Consolidated Statement of Operations in the first quarter of 2014.
	On February 14, 2014, U.S. Cellular completed an exchange whereby U.S. Cellular received one E block PCS spectrum license covering Milwaukee, WI in exchange for one D block PCS spectrum license covering Milwaukee, WI. The exchange of licenses provided U.S. Cellular with spectrum to meet anticipated future capacity and coverage requirements. No cash, customers, network assets, other assets or liabilities were included in the exchange. As a result of this transaction, TDS recognized a gain of $15.7 million, representing the difference between the $15.9 million fair value of the license surrendered, calculated using a market approach valuation method, and the $0.2 million carrying value of the license surrendered. This gain was recorded in (Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges in the Consolidated Statement of Operations in the first quarter of 2014.
			At June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the following assets and liabilities were classified in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as "Assets held for sale" and "Liabilities held for sale":
				Current Assets		Licenses		Goodwill		Property, Plant and Equipment		Investments		Total Assets Held for Sale		Liabilities Held for Sale (1)
	(Dollars in thousands)
	30-Jun-14
	Divestiture of Wireline Markets (2)			$	534	$	-	$	2,546	$	2,800	$	100	$	5,980	$	722
	31-Dec-13
	Divestiture of Spectrum Licenses			$	-	$	16,027	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	16,027	$	-
	-1		Liabilities held for sale primarily consisted of Customer deposits and deferred revenues and Other deferred liabilities and credits.
	-2		On May 2, 2014, TDS Telecom entered into agreements with third parties to sell certain Wireline markets.

Intangible_Assets

Intangible Assets	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Disclosure Text Block	'
Intangible Assets	'
	6. Intangible Assets
	Changes in Licenses for the six months ended June 30, 2014 are presented below. There were no significant changes to Goodwill, Franchise rights or Other intangible assets during the six months ended June 30, 2014.
	Licenses
			U.S. Cellular		Wireline		Non-Reportable Segment		Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Balance December 31, 2013		$	1,405,759	$	2,800	$	15,220	$	1,423,779
		Acquisitions		20,986		-		-		20,986
		Exchanges, net		15,719		-		-		15,719
	Balance June 30, 2014		$	1,442,464	$	2,800	$	15,220	$	1,460,484

Investments_In_Unconsolidated_

Investments In Unconsolidated Entities	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Disclosure Text Block	'
Investments in Unconsolidated Entities	'
	7. Investments in Unconsolidated Entities
	Investments in unconsolidated entities consist of amounts invested in wireless and wireline entities in which TDS holds a noncontrolling interest. These investments are accounted for using either the equity or cost method.
		The following table, which is based on information provided in part by third parties, summarizes the combined results of operations of TDS’ equity method investments.
			Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
			2014		2013		2014		2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Revenues		$	1,635,216	$	1,550,200	$	3,259,900	$	3,025,820
	Operating expenses			1,209,412		1,100,477		2,343,092		2,139,467
	Operating income			425,804		449,723		916,808		886,353
	Other income, net			378		713		2,403		1,222
	Net income		$	426,182	$	450,436	$	919,211	$	887,575
	NY1 & NY2 Deconsolidation
	U.S. Cellular holds a 60.00% interest in St. Lawrence Seaway RSA Cellular Partnership (“NY1”) and a 57.14% interest in New York RSA 2 Cellular Partnership (“NY2”)  (together with NY1, the “Partnerships”). The remaining interests in the Partnerships are held by Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless (“Verizon Wireless”). Prior to April 3, 2013, because U.S. Cellular owned a greater than 50% interest in each of these Partnerships and based on U.S. Cellular's rights under the Partnership Agreements, TDS consolidated the financial results of these Partnerships in accordance with GAAP.
	On April 3, 2013, U.S. Cellular entered into an agreement with Verizon Wireless relating to the Partnerships. The agreement amends the Partnership Agreements in several ways which provide Verizon Wireless with substantive participating rights that allow Verizon Wireless to make decisions that are in the ordinary course of business of the Partnerships and which are significant to directing and executing the activities of the business. Accordingly, as required by GAAP, TDS deconsolidated the Partnerships effective as of April 3, 2013 and thereafter reported them as equity method investments in its consolidated financial statements (“NY1 & NY2 Deconsolidation”).  After the NY1 & NY2 Deconsolidation, TDS retained the same ownership percentages in the Partnerships and continues to report the same percentages of income from the Partnerships. Effective April 3, 2013, TDS' income from the Partnerships is reported in Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Variable_Interest_Entities

Variable Interest Entities	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Disclosure Text Block	'
Variable Interest Entities	'
	8. Variable Interest Entities (VIEs)
	TDS consolidates variable interest entities in which it has a controlling financial interest and is the primary beneficiary. A controlling financial interest will have both of the following characteristics: (a) the power to direct the VIE activities that most significantly impact economic performance and (b) the obligation to absorb VIE losses and the right to receive benefits that are significant to the VIE. TDS reviews these criteria initially at the time it enters into agreements and subsequently when reconsideration events occur.
	Consolidated VIEs
	As of June 30, 2014, TDS holds a variable interest in and consolidates the following VIEs under GAAP:
	Aquinas Wireless L.P. (“Aquinas Wireless”); and
	King Street Wireless L.P. (“King Street Wireless”) and King Street Wireless, Inc., the general partner of King Street Wireless.
	The power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of Aquinas Wireless and King Street Wireless (collectively, the “limited partnerships”) is shared. Specifically, the general partner of these VIEs has the exclusive right to manage, operate and control the limited partnerships and make all decisions to carry on the business of the partnerships; however, the general partner of each partnership needs consent of the limited partner, a TDS subsidiary, to sell or lease certain licenses, to make certain large expenditures, admit other partners or liquidate the limited partnerships. Although the power to direct the activities of the VIEs is shared, TDS has a disproportionate level of exposure to the variability associated with the economic performance of the VIEs, indicating that TDS is the primary beneficiary of the VIEs in accordance with GAAP. Accordingly, these VIEs are consolidated.
	The following table presents the classification of the consolidated VIEs' assets and liabilities in TDS' Consolidated Balance Sheet.
				30-Jun-14		31-Dec-13
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Assets
		Cash and cash equivalents		$	2,466	$	2,076
		Other current assets			71		1,184
		Licenses			311,476		310,475
		Property, plant and equipment, net			15,311		18,600
		Other assets and deferred charges			148		511
			Total assets	$	329,472	$	332,846
	Liabilities
		Current liabilities		$	29	$	46
		Deferred liabilities and credits			1,689		3,139
			Total liabilities	$	1,718	$	3,185
	Other Related Matters
	Aquinas Wireless and King Street Wireless were formed to participate in Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) auctions of wireless spectrum and to fund, establish, and provide wireless service with respect to any FCC licenses won in the auctions. As such, these entities have risks similar to those described in the “Risk Factors” in TDS' Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
	U.S. Cellular currently provides 4G LTE service in conjunction with King Street Wireless.
	TDS may agree to make additional capital contributions and/or advances to Aquinas Wireless and King Street Wireless and/or to their general partners to provide additional funding for the development of licenses granted in various auctions. TDS may finance such amounts with a combination of cash on hand, borrowings under its revolving credit agreement and/or long-term debt. There is no assurance that TDS will be able to obtain additional financing on commercially reasonable terms or at all to provide such financial support.
	There were no capital contributions or advances made to Aquinas Wireless or King Street Wireless or their general partners in the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013.

Noncontrolling_Interests

Noncontrolling Interests	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Disclosure Text Block	'
Noncontrolling Interests	'
	9. Noncontrolling Interests
	The following schedule discloses the effects of Net income (loss) attributable to TDS shareholders and changes in TDS' ownership interest in U.S. Cellular on TDS' equity:
				Six Months Ended
				June 30,
				2014		2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Net income (loss) attributable to TDS shareholders			$	-3,784	$	157,496
		Transfer (to) from the noncontrolling interests
			Change in TDS' Capital in excess of par value from U.S. Cellular's issuance of U.S. Cellular shares		-10,292		-9,712
			Change in TDS' Capital in excess of par value from U.S. Cellular's repurchase of U.S. Cellular shares		242		3,470
			Purchase of ownership in subsidiaries from noncontrolling interests		-		-27
			Net transfers (to) from noncontrolling interests		-10,050		-6,269
		Change from net income (loss) attributable to TDS and transfers (to) from noncontrolling interests		$	-13,834	$	151,227

Common_Share_Repurchases

Common Share Repurchases	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Disclosure Text Block	'
Common Share Repurchases	'
	10. Common Share Repurchases
	On August 2, 2013, the Board of Directors of TDS authorized a $250 million stock repurchase program for the purchase of TDS Common Shares from time to time pursuant to open market purchases, block transactions, private purchases or otherwise, depending on market conditions. This authorization does not have an expiration date.
	On November 17, 2009, the Board of Directors of U.S. Cellular authorized the repurchase of up to 1,300,000 Common Shares on an annual basis beginning in 2009 and continuing each year thereafter, on a cumulative basis. These purchases will be made pursuant to open market purchases, block purchases, private purchases or otherwise, depending on market conditions. This authorization does not have an expiration date.
	Share repurchases made under these authorizations were as follows:
	Six Months Ended June 30,		Number of Shares	Average Cost Per Share		Amount
	(Dollar amounts and shares in thousands)
	2014
		TDS Common Shares	809	$	26.09	$	21,096
		U.S. Cellular Common Shares	212	$	40.49	$	8,598
	2013
		TDS Common Shares	-	$	-	$	-
		U.S. Cellular Common Shares	496	$	37.16	$	18,425

Business_Segment_Information

Business Segment Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Disclosure Text Block	'
Business Segment Information	'
	11. Business Segment Information
	U.S. Cellular and TDS Telecom are billed for all services they receive from TDS, consisting primarily of information processing, accounting and finance, and general management services. Such billings are based on expenses specifically identified to U.S. Cellular and TDS Telecom and on allocations of common expenses. Management believes the method used to allocate common expenses is reasonable and that all expenses and costs applicable to U.S. Cellular and TDS Telecom are reflected in the accompanying business segment information on a basis that is representative of what they would have been if U.S. Cellular and TDS Telecom operated on a stand-alone basis.
	Financial data for TDS' reportable segments for the three and six month periods ended, or as of June 30, 2014 and 2013, is as follows. See Note 1 — Basis of Presentation for additional information.
							TDS Telecom
	Three Months Ended or as of June 30, 2014			U.S. Cellular		Wireline		Cable		HMS		TDS Telecom Eliminations		TDS Telecom Total		Non-Reportable Segment		Corporate, Eliminations and Other Reconciling Items		Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Operating revenues
		Service		$	843,473	$	180,297	$	22,484	$	27,575	$	-298	$	230,058	$	4,505	$	-5,857	$	1,072,179
		Equipment and product sales			114,300		431		-		40,361		-		40,792		9,121		-		164,213
			Total operating revenues		957,773		180,728		22,484		67,936		-298		270,850		13,626		-5,857		1,236,392
	Cost of services (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below)				187,131		64,305		11,394		21,301		-249		96,751		4,252		-1,646		286,488
	Cost of equipment and products				271,978		481		-		33,875		-		34,356		6,677		-		313,011
	Selling, general and administrative				404,252		47,708		6,285		12,376		-49		66,320		3,517		-3,187		470,902
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion				148,337		41,827		4,557		6,791		-		53,175		1,492		1,563		204,567
	(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net				6,893		514		425		44		-		983		27		-		7,903
	(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net				-10,511		-		-		-		-		-		13,122		-		2,611
	Operating income (loss)				-50,307		25,893		-177		-6,451		-		19,265		-15,461		-2,587		-49,090
	Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities				33,120		4		-		-		-		4		-		1,666		34,790
	Interest and dividend income				1,573		490		1		22		-		513		-		665		2,751
	Interest expense				-14,336		677		30		-439		-		268		-1,149		-12,681		-27,898
	Other, net				100		-95		-		45		-		-50		-1		1		50
	Income (loss) before income taxes				-29,850		26,969		-146		-6,823		-		20,000		-16,611		-12,936		-39,397
	Add back:
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion				148,337		41,827		4,557		6,791		-		53,175		1,492		1,563		204,567
	(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net				-10,511		-		-		-		-		-		13,122		-		2,611
	Interest expense				14,336		-677		-30		439		-		-268		1,149		12,681		27,898
	Adjusted income (loss) before income taxes			$	122,312	$	68,119	$	4,381	$	407	$	-	$	72,907	$	-848	$	1,308	$	195,679
	Investments in unconsolidated entities			$	270,215	$	3,810	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	3,810	$	-	$	34,636	$	308,661
	Total assets			$	6,298,967	$	1,408,809	$	287,809	$	335,680	$	-	$	2,032,298	$	46,610	$	329,794	$	8,707,669
	Capital expenditures			$	143,927	$	27,370	$	7,181	$	10,628	$	-	$	45,179	$	308	$	1,267	$	190,681
							TDS Telecom
	Three Months Ended or as of June 30, 2013			U.S. Cellular		Wireline		HMS		TDS Telecom Eliminations		TDS Telecom Total		Non-Reportable Segment		Corporate, Eliminations and Other Reconciling Items		Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Operating revenues
		Service		$	910,966	$	181,428	$	23,205	$	-107	$	204,526	$	4,956	$	-4,787	$	1,115,661
		Equipment and product sales			84,164		765		18,169		-		18,934		9,407		-		112,505
			Total operating revenues		995,130		182,193		41,374		-107		223,460		14,363		-4,787		1,228,166
	Cost of services (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below)				192,267		65,729		15,071		-107		80,693		3,225		-348		275,837
	Cost of equipment and products				217,070		1,094		15,114		-		16,208		6,616		-		239,894
	Selling, general and administrative				404,127		56,692		9,361		-		66,053		3,711		-3,171		470,720
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion				202,580		43,193		5,563		-		48,756		1,500		1,367		254,203
	(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net				9,018		-765		83		-		-682		-1		-16		8,319
	(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net				-249,024		-		-		-		-		-		-54,010		-303,034
	Operating income (loss)				219,092		16,250		-3,818		-		12,432		-688		51,391		282,227
	Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities				35,602		7		-		-		7		-		-4		35,605
	Interest and dividend income				969		546		16		-		562		1		1,068		2,600
	Gain (loss) on investments				18,527		-		-		-		-		-		-4,009		14,518
	Interest expense				-10,154		795		-403		-		392		-1,001		-12,986		-23,749
	Other, net				321		-126		-		-		-126		-394		2		-197
	Income (loss) before income taxes				264,357		17,472		-4,205		-		13,267		-2,082		35,462		311,004
	Add back:
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion				202,580		43,193		5,563		-		48,756		1,500		1,367		254,203
	(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net				-249,024		-		-		-		-		-		-54,010		-303,034
	Gain (loss) on investments				-18,527		-		-		-		-		-		4,009		-14,518
	Interest expense				10,154		-795		403		-		-392		1,001		12,986		23,749
	Adjusted income (loss) before income taxes			$	209,540	$	59,870	$	1,761	$	-	$	61,631	$	419	$	-186	$	271,404
	Investments in unconsolidated entities			$	276,363	$	3,809	$	-	$	-	$	3,809	$	-	$	31,874	$	312,046
	Total assets			$	6,329,778	$	1,473,173	$	267,062	$	-	$	1,740,235	$	59,293	$	625,459	$	8,754,765
	Capital expenditures			$	168,497	$	33,342	$	2,258	$	-	$	35,600	$	232	$	1,715	$	206,044
						TDS Telecom
	Six Months Ended or as of June 30, 2014			U.S. Cellular		Wireline		Cable		HMS		TDS Telecom Eliminations		TDS Telecom Total		Non- Reportable Segment		Corporate, Eliminations and Other Reconciling Items		Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Operating revenues
	Service		$	1,697,086	$	357,230	$	44,987	$	54,951	$	-979	$	456,189	$	9,018	$	-9,872	$	2,152,421
	Equipment and product sales			186,498		984		-		76,093		-		77,077		16,358		-		279,933
		Total operating revenues		1,883,584		358,214		44,987		131,044		-979		533,266		25,376		-9,872		2,432,354
Cost of services (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense reported below)				367,738		128,705		22,349		38,247		-894		188,407		8,502		-2,201		562,446
Cost of equipment and products				542,452		964		-		64,342		-		65,306		11,900		-		619,658
Selling, general and administrative				799,816		94,228		12,663		27,211		-85		134,017		7,263		-6,525		934,571
Depreciation, amortization and accretion				316,090		84,563		8,918		13,469		-		106,950		3,294		3,152		429,486
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net				8,827		759		490		78		-		1,327		170		9		10,333
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net				-17,411		-		-		-		-		-		13,122		-		-4,289
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges				-91,446		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-91,446
Operating income (loss)				-42,482		48,995		567		-12,303		-		37,259		-18,875		-4,307		-28,405
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities				70,195		4		-		-		-		4		-		1,918		72,117
Interest and dividend income				2,457		1,175		2		42		-		1,219		-		1,561		5,237
Interest expense				-29,198		1,341		35		-860		-		516		-2,218		-25,705		-56,605
Other, net				186		-149		-		179		-		30		-6		-		210
Income (loss) before income taxes				1,158		51,366		604		-12,942		-		39,028		-21,099		-26,533		-7,446
Add back:
Depreciation, amortization and accretion				316,090		84,563		8,918		13,469		-		106,950		3,294		3,152		429,486
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net				-17,411		-		-		-		-		-		13,122		-		-4,289
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges				-91,446		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-91,446
Interest expense				29,198		-1,341		-35		860		-		-516		2,218		25,705		56,605
Adjusted income (loss) before income taxes			$	237,589	$	134,588	$	9,487	$	1,387	$	-	$	145,462	$	-2,465	$	2,324	$	382,910
Investments in unconsolidated entities			$	270,215	$	3,810	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	3,810	$	-	$	34,636	$	308,661
Total assets			$	6,298,967	$	1,408,809	$	287,809	$	335,680	$	-	$	2,032,298	$	46,610	$	329,794	$	8,707,669
Capital expenditures			$	233,508	$	50,268	$	13,400	$	13,379	$	-	$	77,047	$	403	$	2,321	$	313,279
					TDS Telecom
Six Months Ended or as of June 30, 2013			U.S. Cellular		Wireline		HMS		TDS Telecom Eliminations		TDS Telecom Total		Non- Reportable Segment		Corporate, Eliminations and Other Reconciling Items		Total
(Dollars in thousands)
Operating revenues
	Services		$	1,907,315	$	362,106	$	45,205	$	-185	$	407,126	$	9,589	$	-9,467	$	2,314,563
	Equipment and product sales			169,561		1,662		31,733		-		33,395		19,220		-		222,176
		Total operating revenues		2,076,876		363,768		76,938		-185		440,521		28,809		-9,467		2,536,739
Cost of services (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense reported below)				408,566		132,168		28,673		-185		160,656		6,446		-704		574,964
Cost of equipment and products				458,761		2,104		26,326		-		28,430		13,468		-		500,659
Selling, general and administrative				824,207		114,072		19,282		-		133,354		7,472		-7,410		957,623
Depreciation, amortization and accretion				392,425		87,216		11,031		-		98,247		3,009		2,599		496,280
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net				14,452		-602		113		-		-489		-		-28		13,935
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net				-242,093		-		-		-		-		-		-54,010		-296,103
Operating income (loss)				220,558		28,810		-8,487		-		20,323		-1,586		50,086		289,381
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities				62,437		14		-		-		14		-		243		62,694
Interest and dividend income				1,872		932		32		-		964		2		1,340		4,178
Gain (loss) on investments				18,527		-		-		-		-		-		-4,009		14,518
Interest expense				-21,064		1,626		-808		-		818		-1,983		-26,018		-48,247
Other, net				106		-178		-122		-		-300		-157		-		-351
Income (loss) before income taxes				282,436		31,204		-9,385		-		21,819		-3,724		21,642		322,173
Add back:
Depreciation, amortization and accretion				392,425		87,216		11,031		-		98,247		3,009		2,599		496,280
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net				-242,093		-		-		-		-		-		-54,010		-296,103
Gain (loss) on investments				-18,527		-		-		-		-		-		4,009		-14,518
Interest expense				21,064		-1,626		808		-		-818		1,983		26,018		48,247
Adjusted income before income taxes			$	435,305	$	116,794	$	2,454	$	-	$	119,248	$	1,268	$	258	$	556,079
Investments in unconsolidated entities			$	276,363	$	3,809	$	-	$	-	$	3,809	$	-	$	31,874	$	312,046
Total assets			$	6,329,778	$	1,473,173	$	267,062	$	-	$	1,740,235	$	59,293	$	625,459	$	8,754,765
Capital expenditures			$	286,907	$	61,207	$	4,849	$	-	$	66,056	$	517	$	2,700	$	356,180
Adjusted income before income taxes is a segment measure reported to the chief operating decision maker for purposes of making decisions about allocating resources to the segments and assessing their performance. Adjusted income before income taxes is defined as Income (loss) before income taxes, adjusted for the items set forth in the reconciliation above. Adjusted income before income taxes excludes these items in order to show operating results on a more comparable basis from period to period. From time to time, TDS may also exclude other items from adjusted income before income taxes if such items help reflect operating results on a more comparable basis. TDS does not intend to imply that any of such items that are excluded are non-recurring, infrequent or unusual; such items may occur in the future. TDS believes Adjusted income before income taxes is a useful measure of TDS' operating results before significant recurring non-cash charges, discrete gains and losses and financing charges (Interest expense).

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Disclos

Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Disclosure Text Block	'
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures	'
	12. Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures
	Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (“the Recovery Act”), TDS Telecom was awarded $105.1 million in federal grants and will provide $30.9 million of its own funds to complete 44 projects to provide broadband access in unserved areas. TDS Telecom received $12.0 million and $34.6 million in grants during the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. TDS Telecom has received cumulative grants of $75.6 million as of June 30, 2014. These funds reduced the carrying amount of the assets to which they relate. TDS Telecom had recorded $15.7 million and $23.6 million in grants receivable at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. These amounts were included as a component of Accounts receivable, Other, in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures	'
Fair value measurements	'
			Level within the Fair Value Hierarchy	30-Jun-14				31-Dec-13
				Book Value		Fair Value		Book Value		Fair Value
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Cash and cash equivalents		1	$	874,860	$	874,860	$	830,014	$	830,014
	Short-term investments
		U.S. Treasury Notes	1		40,035		40,035		50,104		50,104
	Long-term debt
		Retail	1		1,178,250		1,177,723		1,178,250		1,048,010
		Institutional and other	2		537,691		555,775		537,454		512,635

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share	'
Earnings per share	'
						Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
						June 30,				June 30,
						2014		2013		2014		2013
	(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)
	Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to TDS shareholders:
		Net income (loss) available to common shareholders of TDS used in basic earnings (loss) per share				$	-22,050	$	156,065	$	-3,809	$	157,471
	Adjustments to compute diluted earnings:
		Noncontrolling interest adjustment					-		-1,173		-5		-1,209
		Preferred dividend adjustment					-		12		-		25
		Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders of TDS used in diluted earnings (loss) per share				$	-22,050	$	154,904	$	-3,814	$	156,287
	Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings (loss) per share:
			Common Shares				101,543		101,246		101,682		101,171
			Series A Common Shares				7,176		7,139		7,171		7,149
				Total			108,719		108,385		108,853		108,320
	Effects of dilutive securities:
		Stock options					-		110		-		108
		Restricted stock units					-		364		-		345
		Preferred shares					-		54		-		54
	Weighted average number of shares used in diluted earnings (loss) per share						108,719		108,913		108,853		108,827
	Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to TDS shareholders					$	-0.2	$	1.44	$	-0.04	$	1.45
	Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to TDS shareholders					$	-0.2	$	1.42	$	-0.04	$	1.44
Summary of antidilutive shares	'
			Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
			June 30,				June 30,
			2014		2013		2014	2013
	(Shares in thousands)
	Stock options		8,883		7,348		8,777	7,012
	Restricted stock units		824		200		737	102
	Preferred shares		56		-		56	-

Acquisitions_Divestitures_and_

Acquisitions Divestitures and Exchanges (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Divestiture Financial Impacts	'
Business divestiture financial impacts	'
	(Dollars in thousands)			Expected Period of Recognition		Projected Range				Cumulative Amount Recognized as of June 30, 2014		Actual Amount Recognized Six Months Ended June 30, 2014		Actual Amount Recognized Six Months Ended June 30, 2013		Actual Amount Recognized Three Months Ended June 30, 2014		Actual Amount Recognized Three Months Ended June 30, 2013
	(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net
		Proceeds from Sprint
			Purchase price		2013	$	-480,000	$	-480,000	$	-480,000	$	-	$	-480,000	$	-	$	-480,000
			Sprint Cost Reimbursement		2013-2015		-120,000		-175,000		-96,835		-49,194		-8		-4,563		-8
		Net assets transferred			2013		160,073		160,073		160,073		-		160,073		-		160,073
		Non-cash charges for the write-off and write-down of property under construction and related assets			2012-2015		10,000		15,000		11,013		338		81		-5		-141
		Employee related costs including severance, retention and outplacement			2012-2014		13,000		16,000		14,129		-133		3,103		-71		53
		Contract termination costs			2012-2015		90,000		120,000		90,417		30,833		16,605		-6,254		13,705
		Transaction costs			2012-2014		5,000		7,000		6,027		462		3,719		253		2,801
			Total (Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net			$	-321,927	$	-336,927	$	-295,176	$	-17,694	$	-296,427	$	-10,640	$	-303,517
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense
		Incremental depreciation, amortization and accretion, net of salvage values			2012-2014		211,656		211,656		211,656		13,085		88,324		-		50,278
	(Increase) decrease in Operating income					$	-110,271	$	-125,271	$	-83,520	$	-4,609	$	-208,103	$	-10,640	$	-253,239
			As a result of the transaction, TDS recognized the following amounts in the Consolidated Balance Sheet:
						Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
	(Dollars in thousands)			Balance December 31, 2013		Costs Incurred		Cash Settlements (1)		Adjustments (2)		Balance June 30, 2014
	Accrued compensation
		Employee related costs including severance, retention, outplacement		$	2,053	$	180	$	-908	$	-313	$	1,012
	Other current liabilities
		Contract termination costs		$	13,992	$	16,691	$	-12,887	$	2,091	$	19,887
	Other deferred liabilities and credits
		Contract termination costs		$	30,849	$	23,773	$	-2,424	$	-19,898	$	32,300
	-1		Cash settlement amounts are included in either the Net income or changes in Other assets and liabilities line items as part of Cash flows from operating activities on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.
	-2		Adjustment to liability represents changes to previously accrued amounts.
	(Dollars in thousands)			Projected Range				Actual Amount Recognized Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
	(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net
		Charges for the impairment and decommissioning of various operating assets		$	8,000	$	17,000	$	12,214
		Employee related costs including severance, retention and outplacement			1,000		2,000		500
		Contract termination costs			10,000		15,000		408
		Transaction costs			-		1,000		-
			Total (Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net	$	19,000	$	35,000	$	13,122
			As a result of the transaction, TDS recognized the following amounts in the Consolidated Balance Sheet:
						Period Ended June 30, 2014
	(Dollars in thousands)			Balance May 23, 2014		Costs Incurred		Cash Settlements (1)		Adjustments (2)		Balance June 30, 2014
	Accrued compensation
		Employee related costs including severance, retention and outplacement		$	-	$	500	$	-	$	-	$	500
	Other current liabilities
		Contract termination costs		$	-	$	408	$	-	$	-	$	408
	-1		Cash settlement amounts are included in either the Net income or changes in Other assets and liabilities line items as part of Cash flows from operating activities on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.
	-2		Adjustment to liability represents changes to previously accrued amounts.
Assets and Liabilities held for sale	'
			At June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the following assets and liabilities were classified in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as "Assets held for sale" and "Liabilities held for sale":
				Current Assets		Licenses		Goodwill		Property, Plant and Equipment		Investments		Total Assets Held for Sale		Liabilities Held for Sale (1)
	(Dollars in thousands)
	30-Jun-14
	Divestiture of Wireline Markets (2)			$	534	$	-	$	2,546	$	2,800	$	100	$	5,980	$	722
	31-Dec-13
	Divestiture of Spectrum Licenses			$	-	$	16,027	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	16,027	$	-
	-1		Liabilities held for sale primarily consisted of Customer deposits and deferred revenues and Other deferred liabilities and credits.
	-2		On May 2, 2014, TDS Telecom entered into agreements with third parties to sell certain Wireline markets.

Intangible_Assets_Tables

Intangible Assets (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Licenses	'
Licenses	'
	Licenses
			U.S. Cellular		Wireline		Non-Reportable Segment		Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Balance December 31, 2013		$	1,405,759	$	2,800	$	15,220	$	1,423,779
		Acquisitions		20,986		-		-		20,986
		Exchanges, net		15,719		-		-		15,719
	Balance June 30, 2014		$	1,442,464	$	2,800	$	15,220	$	1,460,484

Investment_in_Unconsolidated_E

Investment in Unconsolidated Entities (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information	'
Equity method investments, summarized results of operations	'
		The following table, which is based on information provided in part by third parties, summarizes the combined results of operations of TDS’ equity method investments.
			Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
			2014		2013		2014		2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Revenues		$	1,635,216	$	1,550,200	$	3,259,900	$	3,025,820
	Operating expenses			1,209,412		1,100,477		2,343,092		2,139,467
	Operating income			425,804		449,723		916,808		886,353
	Other income, net			378		713		2,403		1,222
	Net income		$	426,182	$	450,436	$	919,211	$	887,575

Variable_Interest_Entities_VIE

Variable Interest Entities VIEs (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Variable Interest Entities VIEs	'
Consolidated VIE assets and liabilities	'
				30-Jun-14		31-Dec-13
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Assets
		Cash and cash equivalents		$	2,466	$	2,076
		Other current assets			71		1,184
		Licenses			311,476		310,475
		Property, plant and equipment, net			15,311		18,600
		Other assets and deferred charges			148		511
			Total assets	$	329,472	$	332,846
	Liabilities
		Current liabilities		$	29	$	46
		Deferred liabilities and credits			1,689		3,139
			Total liabilities	$	1,718	$	3,185

Noncontrolling_Interests_Table

Noncontrolling Interests (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Noncontrolling interests	'
Noncontrolling interests	'
				Six Months Ended
				June 30,
				2014		2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Net income (loss) attributable to TDS shareholders			$	-3,784	$	157,496
		Transfer (to) from the noncontrolling interests
			Change in TDS' Capital in excess of par value from U.S. Cellular's issuance of U.S. Cellular shares		-10,292		-9,712
			Change in TDS' Capital in excess of par value from U.S. Cellular's repurchase of U.S. Cellular shares		242		3,470
			Purchase of ownership in subsidiaries from noncontrolling interests		-		-27
			Net transfers (to) from noncontrolling interests		-10,050		-6,269
		Change from net income (loss) attributable to TDS and transfers (to) from noncontrolling interests		$	-13,834	$	151,227

Common_Share_Repurchases_Table

Common Share Repurchases (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Common Share Repurchases	'
Share repurchases	'
	Six Months Ended June 30,		Number of Shares	Average Cost Per Share		Amount
	(Dollar amounts and shares in thousands)
	2014
		TDS Common Shares	809	$	26.09	$	21,096
		U.S. Cellular Common Shares	212	$	40.49	$	8,598
	2013
		TDS Common Shares	-	$	-	$	-
		U.S. Cellular Common Shares	496	$	37.16	$	18,425

Business_Segment_Tables

Business Segment (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Business Segment Information	'
Business segment information	'
							TDS Telecom
	Three Months Ended or as of June 30, 2014			U.S. Cellular		Wireline		Cable		HMS		TDS Telecom Eliminations		TDS Telecom Total		Non-Reportable Segment		Corporate, Eliminations and Other Reconciling Items		Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Operating revenues
		Service		$	843,473	$	180,297	$	22,484	$	27,575	$	-298	$	230,058	$	4,505	$	-5,857	$	1,072,179
		Equipment and product sales			114,300		431		-		40,361		-		40,792		9,121		-		164,213
			Total operating revenues		957,773		180,728		22,484		67,936		-298		270,850		13,626		-5,857		1,236,392
	Cost of services (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below)				187,131		64,305		11,394		21,301		-249		96,751		4,252		-1,646		286,488
	Cost of equipment and products				271,978		481		-		33,875		-		34,356		6,677		-		313,011
	Selling, general and administrative				404,252		47,708		6,285		12,376		-49		66,320		3,517		-3,187		470,902
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion				148,337		41,827		4,557		6,791		-		53,175		1,492		1,563		204,567
	(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net				6,893		514		425		44		-		983		27		-		7,903
	(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net				-10,511		-		-		-		-		-		13,122		-		2,611
	Operating income (loss)				-50,307		25,893		-177		-6,451		-		19,265		-15,461		-2,587		-49,090
	Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities				33,120		4		-		-		-		4		-		1,666		34,790
	Interest and dividend income				1,573		490		1		22		-		513		-		665		2,751
	Interest expense				-14,336		677		30		-439		-		268		-1,149		-12,681		-27,898
	Other, net				100		-95		-		45		-		-50		-1		1		50
	Income (loss) before income taxes				-29,850		26,969		-146		-6,823		-		20,000		-16,611		-12,936		-39,397
	Add back:
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion				148,337		41,827		4,557		6,791		-		53,175		1,492		1,563		204,567
	(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net				-10,511		-		-		-		-		-		13,122		-		2,611
	Interest expense				14,336		-677		-30		439		-		-268		1,149		12,681		27,898
	Adjusted income (loss) before income taxes			$	122,312	$	68,119	$	4,381	$	407	$	-	$	72,907	$	-848	$	1,308	$	195,679
	Investments in unconsolidated entities			$	270,215	$	3,810	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	3,810	$	-	$	34,636	$	308,661
	Total assets			$	6,298,967	$	1,408,809	$	287,809	$	335,680	$	-	$	2,032,298	$	46,610	$	329,794	$	8,707,669
	Capital expenditures			$	143,927	$	27,370	$	7,181	$	10,628	$	-	$	45,179	$	308	$	1,267	$	190,681
							TDS Telecom
	Three Months Ended or as of June 30, 2013			U.S. Cellular		Wireline		HMS		TDS Telecom Eliminations		TDS Telecom Total		Non-Reportable Segment		Corporate, Eliminations and Other Reconciling Items		Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Operating revenues
		Service		$	910,966	$	181,428	$	23,205	$	-107	$	204,526	$	4,956	$	-4,787	$	1,115,661
		Equipment and product sales			84,164		765		18,169		-		18,934		9,407		-		112,505
			Total operating revenues		995,130		182,193		41,374		-107		223,460		14,363		-4,787		1,228,166
	Cost of services (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below)				192,267		65,729		15,071		-107		80,693		3,225		-348		275,837
	Cost of equipment and products				217,070		1,094		15,114		-		16,208		6,616		-		239,894
	Selling, general and administrative				404,127		56,692		9,361		-		66,053		3,711		-3,171		470,720
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion				202,580		43,193		5,563		-		48,756		1,500		1,367		254,203
	(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net				9,018		-765		83		-		-682		-1		-16		8,319
	(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net				-249,024		-		-		-		-		-		-54,010		-303,034
	Operating income (loss)				219,092		16,250		-3,818		-		12,432		-688		51,391		282,227
	Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities				35,602		7		-		-		7		-		-4		35,605
	Interest and dividend income				969		546		16		-		562		1		1,068		2,600
	Gain (loss) on investments				18,527		-		-		-		-		-		-4,009		14,518
	Interest expense				-10,154		795		-403		-		392		-1,001		-12,986		-23,749
	Other, net				321		-126		-		-		-126		-394		2		-197
	Income (loss) before income taxes				264,357		17,472		-4,205		-		13,267		-2,082		35,462		311,004
	Add back:
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion				202,580		43,193		5,563		-		48,756		1,500		1,367		254,203
	(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net				-249,024		-		-		-		-		-		-54,010		-303,034
	Gain (loss) on investments				-18,527		-		-		-		-		-		4,009		-14,518
	Interest expense				10,154		-795		403		-		-392		1,001		12,986		23,749
	Adjusted income (loss) before income taxes			$	209,540	$	59,870	$	1,761	$	-	$	61,631	$	419	$	-186	$	271,404
	Investments in unconsolidated entities			$	276,363	$	3,809	$	-	$	-	$	3,809	$	-	$	31,874	$	312,046
	Total assets			$	6,329,778	$	1,473,173	$	267,062	$	-	$	1,740,235	$	59,293	$	625,459	$	8,754,765
	Capital expenditures			$	168,497	$	33,342	$	2,258	$	-	$	35,600	$	232	$	1,715	$	206,044
						TDS Telecom
	Six Months Ended or as of June 30, 2014			U.S. Cellular		Wireline		Cable		HMS		TDS Telecom Eliminations		TDS Telecom Total		Non- Reportable Segment		Corporate, Eliminations and Other Reconciling Items		Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Operating revenues
		Service		$	1,697,086	$	357,230	$	44,987	$	54,951	$	-979	$	456,189	$	9,018	$	-9,872	$	2,152,421
		Equipment and product sales			186,498		984		-		76,093		-		77,077		16,358		-		279,933
			Total operating revenues		1,883,584		358,214		44,987		131,044		-979		533,266		25,376		-9,872		2,432,354
Cost of services (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense reported below)				367,738		128,705		22,349		38,247		-894		188,407		8,502		-2,201		562,446
Cost of equipment and products				542,452		964		-		64,342		-		65,306		11,900		-		619,658
Selling, general and administrative				799,816		94,228		12,663		27,211		-85		134,017		7,263		-6,525		934,571
Depreciation, amortization and accretion				316,090		84,563		8,918		13,469		-		106,950		3,294		3,152		429,486
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net				8,827		759		490		78		-		1,327		170		9		10,333
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net				-17,411		-		-		-		-		-		13,122		-		-4,289
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges				-91,446		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-91,446
Operating income (loss)				-42,482		48,995		567		-12,303		-		37,259		-18,875		-4,307		-28,405
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities				70,195		4		-		-		-		4		-		1,918		72,117
Interest and dividend income				2,457		1,175		2		42		-		1,219		-		1,561		5,237
Interest expense				-29,198		1,341		35		-860		-		516		-2,218		-25,705		-56,605
Other, net				186		-149		-		179		-		30		-6		-		210
Income (loss) before income taxes				1,158		51,366		604		-12,942		-		39,028		-21,099		-26,533		-7,446
Add back:
Depreciation, amortization and accretion				316,090		84,563		8,918		13,469		-		106,950		3,294		3,152		429,486
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net				-17,411		-		-		-		-		-		13,122		-		-4,289
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges				-91,446		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-91,446
Interest expense				29,198		-1,341		-35		860		-		-516		2,218		25,705		56,605
Adjusted income (loss) before income taxes			$	237,589	$	134,588	$	9,487	$	1,387	$	-	$	145,462	$	-2,465	$	2,324	$	382,910
Investments in unconsolidated entities			$	270,215	$	3,810	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	3,810	$	-	$	34,636	$	308,661
Total assets			$	6,298,967	$	1,408,809	$	287,809	$	335,680	$	-	$	2,032,298	$	46,610	$	329,794	$	8,707,669
Capital expenditures			$	233,508	$	50,268	$	13,400	$	13,379	$	-	$	77,047	$	403	$	2,321	$	313,279
					TDS Telecom
Six Months Ended or as of June 30, 2013			U.S. Cellular		Wireline		HMS		TDS Telecom Eliminations		TDS Telecom Total		Non- Reportable Segment		Corporate, Eliminations and Other Reconciling Items		Total
(Dollars in thousands)
Operating revenues
	Services		$	1,907,315	$	362,106	$	45,205	$	-185	$	407,126	$	9,589	$	-9,467	$	2,314,563
	Equipment and product sales			169,561		1,662		31,733		-		33,395		19,220		-		222,176
		Total operating revenues		2,076,876		363,768		76,938		-185		440,521		28,809		-9,467		2,536,739
Cost of services (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense reported below)				408,566		132,168		28,673		-185		160,656		6,446		-704		574,964
Cost of equipment and products				458,761		2,104		26,326		-		28,430		13,468		-		500,659
Selling, general and administrative				824,207		114,072		19,282		-		133,354		7,472		-7,410		957,623
Depreciation, amortization and accretion				392,425		87,216		11,031		-		98,247		3,009		2,599		496,280
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net				14,452		-602		113		-		-489		-		-28		13,935
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net				-242,093		-		-		-		-		-		-54,010		-296,103
Operating income (loss)				220,558		28,810		-8,487		-		20,323		-1,586		50,086		289,381
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities				62,437		14		-		-		14		-		243		62,694
Interest and dividend income				1,872		932		32		-		964		2		1,340		4,178
Gain (loss) on investments				18,527		-		-		-		-		-		-4,009		14,518
Interest expense				-21,064		1,626		-808		-		818		-1,983		-26,018		-48,247
Other, net				106		-178		-122		-		-300		-157		-		-351
Income (loss) before income taxes				282,436		31,204		-9,385		-		21,819		-3,724		21,642		322,173
Add back:
Depreciation, amortization and accretion				392,425		87,216		11,031		-		98,247		3,009		2,599		496,280
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net				-242,093		-		-		-		-		-		-54,010		-296,103
Gain (loss) on investments				-18,527		-		-		-		-		-		4,009		-14,518
Interest expense				21,064		-1,626		808		-		-818		1,983		26,018		48,247
Adjusted income before income taxes			$	435,305	$	116,794	$	2,454	$	-	$	119,248	$	1,268	$	258	$	556,079
Investments in unconsolidated entities			$	276,363	$	3,809	$	-	$	-	$	3,809	$	-	$	31,874	$	312,046
Total assets			$	6,329,778	$	1,473,173	$	267,062	$	-	$	1,740,235	$	59,293	$	625,459	$	8,754,765
Capital expenditures			$	286,907	$	61,207	$	4,849	$	-	$	66,056	$	517	$	2,700	$	356,180

Basis_of_Presentation_Details

Basis of Presentation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
			number
Basis of Presentation	'	'	'	'
TDS ownership	84.00%	'	84.00%	'
Number of business segments	'	'	5	'
Business segments, additional information	'	'	'TDS’ business segments reflected in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2014 are U.S. Cellular, TDS Telecom’s Wireline, Cable and Hosted and Managed Services (“HMS”) operations, and the Non-Reportable Segment which includes TDS’ majority-owned printing and distribution company, Suttle-Straus, Inc. (“Suttle-Straus”) and TDS’ wholly-owned wireless telephone subsidiary, Airadigm Communications, Inc. (“Airadigm”).	'
Amounts recorded gross in revenues that are billed to customers and remitted to governmental authorities	$29.10	$31.90	$59.10	$67.90
Equipment installment plans	'	'	'	'
Basis of Presentation	'	'	'	'
Maximum installment period under equipment installment plans	'	'	'24	'
Equipment installment plans | Customer deposits and deferred revenue	'	'	'	'
Basis of Presentation	'	'	'	'
Current guarantee liability and imputed interest	15.3	'	15.3	'
Equipment installment plans | Other deferred liabilities and credits	'	'	'	'
Basis of Presentation	'	'	'	'
Long-term imputed interest	0.7	'	0.7	'
Equipment installment plans | Accounts receivable customer and agent	'	'	'	'
Basis of Presentation	'	'	'	'
Current equipment installment plan receivables	23.9	'	23.9	'
Equipment installment plans | Other assets and deferred charges	'	'	'	'
Basis of Presentation	'	'	'	'
Long-term equipment installment plan receivables	$19.80	'	$19.80	'

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Fair Value

Fair Value

Fair Value

Fair Value

Fair Value

Fair Value

Fair Value

Fair Value

Book Value

Book Value

Book Value

Book Value

Book Value

Book Value

Book Value

Book Value

Institutional and Other

Institutional and Other

Level 1

Level 1

Level 1

Level 1

Level 2

Level 2

U.S. Treasury Notes

U.S. Treasury Notes

Retail

Retail

Institutional and Other

Institutional and Other

U.S. Treasury Notes

U.S. Treasury Notes

Minimum

Maximum

Retail

Retail

Institutional and Other

Institutional and Other

Level 1

Level 1

Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash and cash equivalents

$874,860

$830,014

$1,246,415

$740,481

$874,860

$830,014

'

'

'

'

'

'

$874,860

$830,014

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Short-term investments

40,035

50,104

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

40,035

50,104

'

'

'

'

'

'

40,035

50,104

'

'

Long-term debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

$1,177,723

$1,048,010

$555,775

$512,635

'

'

'

'

$1,178,250

$1,178,250

$537,691

$537,454

'

'

'

'

Fair value assumption, interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.00%

6.59%

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure	'	'	'	'
Effective income tax rate	34.70%	42.60%	27.00%	42.50%

Earnings_Per_Share_Details

Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to TDS shareholders	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders of TDS used in basic earnings (loss) per share	($22,050)	$156,065	($3,809)	$157,471
Adjustments to compute diluted earnings	'	'	'	'
Noncontrolling interest adjustment	'	-1,173	-5	-1,209
Preferred dividend adjustment	'	12	'	25
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders of TDS used in diluted earnings (loss) per share	($22,050)	$154,904	($3,814)	$156,287
Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings (loss) per share	'	'	'	'
Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings (loss) per share	108,719	108,385	108,853	108,320
Effects of dilutive securities:	'	'	'	'
Stock options	'	110	'	108
Restricted stock units	'	364	'	345
Preferred shares	'	54	'	54
Weighted average number of shares used in diluted earnings (loss) per share	108,719	108,913	108,853	108,827
Earnings per share, Other disclosures	'	'	'	'
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to TDS shareholders	($0.20)	$1.44	($0.04)	$1.45
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to TDS shareholders	($0.20)	$1.42	($0.04)	$1.44
Stock Options	'	'	'	'
Earnings per share, Other disclosures	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive shares	8,883	7,348	8,777	7,012
Restricted Stock Units	'	'	'	'
Earnings per share, Other disclosures	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive shares	824	200	737	102
Preferred Shares	'	'	'	'
Earnings per share, Other disclosures	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive shares	56	'	56	'
Common Shares	'	'	'	'
Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings (loss) per share	'	'	'	'
Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings (loss) per share	101,543	101,246	101,682	101,171
Series A Common Shares	'	'	'	'
Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings (loss) per share	'	'	'	'
Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings (loss) per share	7,176	7,139	7,171	7,149

Acquisitions_Divestitures_and_1

Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges, acquisitions (Details) (TDS Telecom Cable, Business Acquisitions, BendBroadband, USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014
TDS Telecom Cable | Business Acquisitions | BendBroadband	'
Acquisitions, divestitures and exchanges	'
Date of acquisition agreement	1-May-14
Acquisition agreement description	'On May 1, 2014, TDS entered into an agreement to acquire substantially all of the assets of a group of companies operating as BendBroadband, headquartered in Bend, Oregon for $261 million in cash, subject to working capital and other adjustments. BendBroadband is a full-service communications company, offering an extensive range of broadband, fiber connectivity, cable television and telephone services for commercial and residential customers in Central Oregon. The agreement also includes a Tier III data center providing colocation and managed services and a cable advertising and broadcast business. The transaction is subject to governmental regulatory approvals, compliance with the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act and other conditions. Subject to approvals, the transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2014.
Acquisition agreement amount	$261

Acquisitions_Divestitures_and_2

Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges, divestitures (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

20 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

26 Months Ended

38 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

26 Months Ended

38 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

20 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

36 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

20 Months Ended

36 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2015

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2015

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2015

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2015

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Airadigm Communications, Inc.

Wireline Markets

Expected event

Minimum

Maximum

Employee related costs including severance, retention and outplacement

Contract termination costs

U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular

Airadigm Communications, Inc.

Expected event

Expected event

Airadigm Communications, Inc.

Other current liabilities

Divestiture Transaction

Divestiture Transaction

Divestiture Transaction

Divestiture Transaction

Divestiture Transaction

St. Louis

St. Louis

St. Louis

Minimum

Minimum

Minimum

Maximum

Maximum

Maximum

Maximum

Purchase price

Purchase price

Purchase price

Purchase price

Purchase price

Sprint Cost Reimbursement

Sprint Cost Reimbursement

Sprint Cost Reimbursement

Sprint Cost Reimbursement

Sprint Cost Reimbursement

Sprint Cost Reimbursement

Sprint Cost Reimbursement

Sprint Cost Reimbursement

Sprint Cost Reimbursement

Sprint Cost Reimbursement

Employee related costs including severance, retention and outplacement

Contract termination costs

Contract termination costs

Airadigm Communications, Inc.

Airadigm Communications, Inc.

Airadigm Communications, Inc.

Divestiture Transaction

Expected event

Expected event

Divestiture Transaction

Divestiture Transaction

Expected event

Expected event

Divestiture Transaction

Divestiture Transaction

Divestiture Transaction

Minimum

Maximum

Maximum

Cash received from divestitures

(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net

(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net

(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net

(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net

(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net

(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net

(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net

Cost of services

Divestiture Transaction

Other current liabilities

Other deferred liabilities and credits

Divestiture Transaction

Divestiture Transaction

Divestiture Transaction

Divestiture Transaction

Divestiture Transaction

Divestiture Transaction

Expected event

Divestiture Transaction

Divestiture Transaction

Divestiture Transaction

Divestiture Transaction

Divestiture Transaction

Divestiture Transaction

Minimum

Maximum

Maximum

Divestiture Transaction

Divestiture Transaction

Divestiture Transaction

Expected event

Expected event

Expected event

Divestiture Transaction

Divestiture Transaction

Divestiture Transaction

Divestitures

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Business divestiture date

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16-May-13

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5-Mar-14

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Business divestiture description

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'On November 6, 2012, U.S. Cellular entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement with subsidiaries of Sprint Corp., fka Sprint Nextel Corporation (“Sprint”). Pursuant to the Purchase and Sale Agreement, on May 16, 2013, U.S. Cellular transferred customers and certain PCS license spectrum to Sprint in U.S. Cellular’s Chicago, central Illinois, St. Louis and certain Indiana/Michigan/Ohio markets (“Divestiture Markets”) in consideration for $480 million in cash. The Purchase and Sale Agreement also contemplated certain other agreements, together with the Purchase and Sale Agreement collectively referred to as the “Divestiture Transaction.” Pursuant to the Purchase and Sale Agreement, U.S. Cellular and Sprint also entered into certain other agreements, including customer and network transition services agreements, which require U.S. Cellular to provide customer, billing and network services to Sprint for a period of up to 24 months after the May 16, 2013 closing date. Sprint will reimburse U.S. Cellular for providing such services at an amount equal to U.S. Cellular’s estimated costs, including applicable overhead allocations. These services were substantially complete as of March 31, 2014. In addition, these agreements require Sprint to reimburse U.S. Cellular up to $200 million (the “Sprint Cost Reimbursement”) for certain network decommissioning costs, network site lease rent and termination costs, network access termination costs, and employee termination benefits for specified engineering employees.

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'On March 5, 2014, U.S. Cellular sold the majority of its St. Louis area non-operating market spectrum license for $92.3 million. A gain of $75.8 million was recorded in (Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges in the Consolidated Statement of Operations in the first quarter of 2014.

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Business divestiture agreement description

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'On May 23, 2014 (the “Signing Date”), U.S. Cellular entered into a License Purchase and Customer Recommendation Agreement with Airadigm. The Agreement provides that Airadigm will transfer to U.S. Cellular FCC spectrum licenses and certain tower assets in certain markets in Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota and Michigan, in consideration for $91.5 million in cash at closing. The transaction also includes a program in which Airadigm would earn a migration fee from U.S. Cellular for each Airadigm customer who becomes a U.S. Cellular customer. Since both parties to this transaction are controlled by TDS, upon closing, U.S. Cellular will record the transferred assets at Airadigm’s net book value. In addition, federal net operating loss carryforwards are expected to become realizable by TDS. Therefore, TDS expects to reduce its valuation allowance by approximately $10 million upon the transaction closing, and recognize income tax benefit for this same amount. The transaction is subject to certain conditions. Subject to the satisfaction or (if permitted) waiver of all conditions, the transaction is expected to close during the third quarter of 2014.

'On May 2, 2014, TDS Telecom entered into agreements with third parties to sell certain Wireline markets.

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Business divestiture agreement date

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23-May-14

2-May-14

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6-Nov-12

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Transition services agreement duration

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'24M

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(Increase) decrease in Operating Income

$49,090,000

($282,227,000)

$28,405,000

($289,381,000)

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$50,307,000

($219,092,000)

$42,482,000

($220,558,000)

($10,640,000)

($253,239,000)

($4,609,000)

($208,103,000)

($83,520,000)

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($110,271,000)

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($125,271,000)

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(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges

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-91,446,000

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-91,446,000

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-75,800,000

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Valuation allowance

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10,000,000

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Divestiture Financial Impacts

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Cash received from divestitures

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-125,905,000

-480,000,000

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-91,500,000

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-92,300,000

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-480,000,000

-480,000,000

-480,000,000

-480,000,000

-480,000,000

-200,000,000

-34,100,000

-4,563,000

-8,000

-49,194,000

-8,000

-96,835,000

-120,000,000

-175,000,000

-25,000,000

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Net assets transferred

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160,073,000

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160,073,000

160,073,000

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160,073,000

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160,073,000

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Non-cash charges for the write-off and write-down of property under construction and related assets

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-5,000

-141,000

338,000

81,000

11,013,000

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10,000,000

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15,000,000

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Employee related costs including severance, retention and outplacement

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500,000

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1,000,000

2,000,000

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-71,000

53,000

-133,000

3,103,000

14,129,000

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13,000,000

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16,000,000

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Charges for the impairment and decomissioning of various operating assets

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12,214,000

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8,000,000

17,000,000

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Contract termination costs

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408,000

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10,000,000

15,000,000

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-6,254,000

13,705,000

30,833,000

16,605,000

90,417,000

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90,000,000

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120,000,000

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Transaction costs

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1,000,000

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253,000

2,801,000

462,000

3,719,000

6,027,000

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5,000,000

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7,000,000

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Total (Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net

2,611,000

-303,034,000

-4,289,000

-296,103,000

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13,122,000

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19,000,000

35,000,000

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-10,511,000

-249,024,000

-17,411,000

-242,093,000

-10,640,000

-303,517,000

-17,694,000

-296,427,000

-295,176,000

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-321,927,000

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-336,927,000

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Incremental depreciation, amortization and accretion, net of salvage values

204,567,000

254,203,000

429,486,000

496,280,000

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148,337,000

202,580,000

316,090,000

392,425,000

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50,278,000

13,085,000

88,324,000

211,656,000

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211,656,000

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211,656,000

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Balance Sheet rollforward

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Balance, beginning of period

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2,053,000

13,992,000

30,849,000

Costs incurred

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500,000

408,000

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180,000

16,691,000

23,773,000

Cash settlements

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-908,000

[1]

-12,887,000

[1]

-2,424,000

[1]

Adjustments

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-313,000

[2]

2,091,000

[2]

-19,898,000

[2]

Balance, end of period

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500,000

408,000

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1,012,000

19,887,000

32,300,000

Assets and liabilities held for sale

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Current assets

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534,000

[3]

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Licenses

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16,027,000

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Goodwill

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2,546,000

[3]

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Property, plant and equipment

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2,800,000

[3]

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Investments

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100,000

[3]

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Total Assets held for sale

5,980,000

'

5,980,000

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16,027,000

'

5,980,000

[3]

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16,027,000

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Liabilities held for sale

$722,000

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$722,000

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$722,000

[3],[4]

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[1]

Cash settlement amounts are included in either the Net income or changes in Other assets and liabilities line items as part of Cash flows from operating activities on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

[2]

Adjustment to liability represents changes to previously accrued amounts.

[3]

On May 2, 2014, TDS Telecom entered into agreements with third parties to sell certain Wireline markets.

[4]

Liabilities held for sale primarily consisted of Customer deposits and deferred revenues and Other deferred liabilities and credits.

Acquisitions_Divestitures_and_3

Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges, exchanges (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended		6 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014
			U.S. Cellular	U.S. Cellular	U.S. Cellular
				Spectrum exchange	Spectrum exchange
Exchanges	'	'	'	'	'
Agreement date	'	'	'	'	14-Feb-14
Asset exchange description	'	'	'	'	'On February 14, 2014, U.S. Cellular completed an exchange whereby U.S. Cellular received one E block PCS spectrum license covering Milwaukee, WI in exchange for one D block PCS spectrum license covering Milwaukee, WI. The exchange of licenses provided U.S. Cellular with spectrum to meet anticipated future capacity and coverage requirements. No cash, customers, network assets, other assets or liabilities were included in the exchange. As a result of this transaction, TDS recognized a gain of $15.7 million, representing the difference between the $15.9 million fair value of the license surrendered, calculated using a market approach valuation method, and the $0.2 million carrying value of the license surrendered. This gain was recorded in (Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges in the Consolidated Statement of Operations in the first quarter of 2014.
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges	($91,446,000)	'	($91,446,000)	($15,700,000)	'
Fair value	'	'	'	15,900,000	'
Carrying value	$1,460,484,000	$1,423,779,000	'	$200,000	'
Asset exchange, valuation method	'	'	'	'	'market approach valuation method

Intangible_Assets_Details

Intangible Assets (Details) (Licenses, USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
		U.S. Cellular	Wireline	Wireline	Non-Reportable Segment	Non-Reportable Segment
Licenses	'	'	'	'	'	'
Balance, beginning of period	$1,423,779	$1,405,759	$2,800	$2,800	$15,220	$15,220
Acquisitions	20,986	20,986	'	'	'	'
Exchanges, net	15,719	15,719	'	'	'	'
Balance, end of period	$1,460,484	$1,442,464	$2,800	$2,800	$15,220	$15,220

Investment_in_Unconsolidated_E1

Investment in Unconsolidated Entities (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Equity method investments, combined income statements	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$1,635,216	$1,550,200	$3,259,900	$3,025,820
Operating expenses	1,209,412	1,100,477	2,343,092	2,139,467
Operating income	425,804	449,723	916,808	886,353
Other income, net	378	713	2,403	1,222
Net income	$426,182	$450,436	$919,211	$887,575

Investment_in_Unconsolidated_E2

Investment in Unconsolidated Entities, Deconsolidation (Details)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Deconsolidation of New York Partnerships	'
Deconsolidation description	'On April 3, 2013, U.S. Cellular entered into an agreement with Verizon Wireless relating to the Partnerships. The agreement amends the Partnership Agreements in several ways which provide Verizon Wireless with substantive participating rights that allow Verizon Wireless to make decisions that are in the ordinary course of business of the Partnerships and which are significant to directing and executing the activities of the business. Accordingly, as required by GAAP, TDS deconsolidated the Partnerships effective as of April 3, 2013 and thereafter reported them as equity method investments in its consolidated financial statements (“NY1 & NY2 Deconsolidation”).  After the NY1 & NY2 Deconsolidation, TDS retained the same ownership percentages in the Partnerships and continues to report the same percentages of income from the Partnerships. Effective April 3, 2013, TDS’ income from the Partnerships is reported in Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.
St. Lawrence Seaway RSA Cellular Partnership	'
Deconsolidation of New York Partnerships	'
Ownership interest in equity method investment	60.00%
New York RSA 2 Cellular Partnership	'
Deconsolidation of New York Partnerships	'
Ownership interest in equity method investment	57.14%
St. Lawrence Seaway RSA Cellular Partnership and New York RSA 2 Cellular Partnership	'
Deconsolidation of New York Partnerships	'
Date Of Deconsolidation	3-Apr-13

Variable_Interest_Entities_VIE1

Variable Interest Entities VIEs (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$874,860	$830,014	$1,246,415	$740,481
Other current assets	32,274	35,151	'	'
Licenses	1,460,484	1,423,779	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	3,749,947	3,878,144	'	'
Other assets and deferred charges	180,183	164,482	'	'
Liabilities	'	'	'	'
Current liabilities	1,072,704	1,191,756	'	'
Variable Interest Entities (VIE's)	'	'	'	'
Assets	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	2,466	2,076	'	'
Other current assets	71	1,184	'	'
Licenses	311,476	310,475	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	15,311	18,600	'	'
Other assets and deferred charges	148	511	'	'
Total assets	329,472	332,846	'	'
Liabilities	'	'	'	'
Current liabilities	29	46	'	'
Deferred liabilities and credits	1,689	3,139	'	'
Total liabilities	$1,718	$3,185	'	'

Noncontrolling_Interests_Detai

Noncontrolling Interests (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Noncontrolling interests	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss) attributable to TDS shareholders	($22,038)	$156,077	($3,784)	$157,496
Transfer (to) from the noncontrolling interests	'	'	'	'
Change in TDS' Capital in excess of par value from U.S. Cellular's issuance of U.S. Cellular shares	'	'	-10,292	-9,712
Change in TDS' Capital in excess of par value from U.S. Cellular's repurchase of U.S. Cellular shares	'	'	242	3,470
Purchase of ownership in subsidiaries from noncontrolling interests	'	'	'	-27
Net transfers (to) from noncontrolling interests	'	'	-10,050	-6,269
Change from net income (loss) attributable to TDS shareholders and transfers (to) from noncontrolling interests	'	'	($13,834)	$151,227

Common_Share_Repurchase_Detail

Common Share Repurchase (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Share repurchases	'	'
Amount	$21,096,000	'
Treasury Shares	'	'
Share repurchases	'	'
Amount	21,096,000	'
Common Shares | TDS Parent Company | Treasury Shares	'	'
Share repurchases	'	'
Number of shares acquired	809,000	'
Average cost per share	$26.09	'
Amount	21,096,000	'
Common share repurchase authorization	'On August 2, 2013, the Board of Directors of TDS authorized a $250 million stock repurchase program for the purchase of TDS Common Shares from time to time pursuant to open market purchases, block transactions, private purchases or otherwise, depending on market conditions. This authorization does not have an expiration date.	'
Repurchase authorization, dollar value	250,000,000	'
Repurchase expiration	'does not have an expiration date	'
U.S. Cellular Common Shares | U.S. Cellular | Treasury Shares	'	'
Share repurchases	'	'
Number of shares acquired	212,000	496,000
Average cost per share	$40.49	$37.16
Amount	$8,598,000	$18,425,000
Common share repurchase authorization	'On November 17, 2009, the Board of Directors of U.S. Cellular authorized the repurchase of up to 1,300,000 Common Shares on an annual basis beginning in 2009 and continuing each year thereafter, on a cumulative basis. These purchases will be made pursuant to open market purchases, block purchases, private purchases or otherwise, depending on market conditions. This authorization does not have an expiration date.	'
Repurchase authorization, additional number of shares	1,300,000	'
Repurchase expiration	'does not have an expiration date	'

Business_Segment_Details

Business Segment (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Business Segment Information	'	'	'	'	'
Service	$1,072,179	$1,115,661	$2,152,421	$2,314,563	'
Equipment and product sales	164,213	112,505	279,933	222,176	'
Total operating revenues	1,236,392	1,228,166	2,432,354	2,536,739	'
Cost of services (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below)	286,488	275,837	562,446	574,964	'
Cost of equipment and products	313,011	239,894	619,658	500,659	'
Selling, general and administrative	470,902	470,720	934,571	957,623	'
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	204,567	254,203	429,486	496,280	'
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net	7,903	8,319	10,333	13,935	'
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net	2,611	-303,034	-4,289	-296,103	'
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges	'	'	-91,446	'	'
Operating income (loss)	-49,090	282,227	-28,405	289,381	'
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	34,790	35,605	72,117	62,694	'
Interest and dividend income	2,751	2,600	5,237	4,178	'
Gain (loss) on investments	'	14,518	'	14,518	'
Interest expense	-27,898	-23,749	-56,605	-48,247	'
Other, net	50	-197	210	-351	'
Income (loss) before income taxes	-39,397	311,004	-7,446	322,173	'
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	204,567	254,203	429,486	496,280	'
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net	2,611	-303,034	-4,289	-296,103	'
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges	'	'	-91,446	'	'
Gain (loss) on investments	'	-14,518	'	-14,518	'
Interest expense	27,898	23,749	56,605	48,247	'
Adjusted income (loss) before income taxes	195,679	271,404	382,910	556,079	'
Investments in unconsolidated entities	308,661	312,046	308,661	312,046	301,772
Total assets	8,707,669	8,754,765	8,707,669	8,754,765	8,904,147
Capital expenditures	190,681	206,044	313,279	356,180	'
U.S. Cellular	'	'	'	'	'
Business Segment Information	'	'	'	'	'
Service	843,473	910,966	1,697,086	1,907,315	'
Equipment and product sales	114,300	84,164	186,498	169,561	'
Total operating revenues	957,773	995,130	1,883,584	2,076,876	'
Cost of services (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below)	187,131	192,267	367,738	408,566	'
Cost of equipment and products	271,978	217,070	542,452	458,761	'
Selling, general and administrative	404,252	404,127	799,816	824,207	'
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	148,337	202,580	316,090	392,425	'
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net	6,893	9,018	8,827	14,452	'
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net	-10,511	-249,024	-17,411	-242,093	'
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges	'	'	-91,446	'	'
Operating income (loss)	-50,307	219,092	-42,482	220,558	'
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	33,120	35,602	70,195	62,437	'
Interest and dividend income	1,573	969	2,457	1,872	'
Gain (loss) on investments	'	18,527	'	18,527	'
Interest expense	-14,336	-10,154	-29,198	-21,064	'
Other, net	100	321	186	106	'
Income (loss) before income taxes	-29,850	264,357	1,158	282,436	'
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	148,337	202,580	316,090	392,425	'
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net	-10,511	-249,024	-17,411	-242,093	'
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges	'	'	-91,446	'	'
Gain (loss) on investments	'	-18,527	'	-18,527	'
Interest expense	14,336	10,154	29,198	21,064	'
Adjusted income (loss) before income taxes	122,312	209,540	237,589	435,305	'
Investments in unconsolidated entities	270,215	276,363	270,215	276,363	'
Total assets	6,298,967	6,329,778	6,298,967	6,329,778	'
Capital expenditures	143,927	168,497	233,508	286,907	'
TDS Telecom Wireline	'	'	'	'	'
Business Segment Information	'	'	'	'	'
Service	180,297	181,428	357,230	362,106	'
Equipment and product sales	431	765	984	1,662	'
Total operating revenues	180,728	182,193	358,214	363,768	'
Cost of services (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below)	64,305	65,729	128,705	132,168	'
Cost of equipment and products	481	1,094	964	2,104	'
Selling, general and administrative	47,708	56,692	94,228	114,072	'
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	41,827	43,193	84,563	87,216	'
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net	514	-765	759	-602	'
Operating income (loss)	25,893	16,250	48,995	28,810	'
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	4	7	4	14	'
Interest and dividend income	490	546	1,175	932	'
Interest expense	677	795	1,341	1,626	'
Other, net	-95	-126	-149	-178	'
Income (loss) before income taxes	26,969	17,472	51,366	31,204	'
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	41,827	43,193	84,563	87,216	'
Interest expense	-677	-795	-1,341	-1,626	'
Adjusted income (loss) before income taxes	68,119	59,870	134,588	116,794	'
Investments in unconsolidated entities	3,810	3,809	3,810	3,809	'
Total assets	1,408,809	1,473,173	1,408,809	1,473,173	'
Capital expenditures	27,370	33,342	50,268	61,207	'
TDS Telecom Cable	'	'	'	'	'
Business Segment Information	'	'	'	'	'
Service	22,484	'	44,987	'	'
Total operating revenues	22,484	'	44,987	'	'
Cost of services (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below)	11,394	'	22,349	'	'
Selling, general and administrative	6,285	'	12,663	'	'
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	4,557	'	8,918	'	'
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net	425	'	490	'	'
Operating income (loss)	-177	'	567	'	'
Interest and dividend income	1	'	2	'	'
Interest expense	30	'	35	'	'
Income (loss) before income taxes	-146	'	604	'	'
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	4,557	'	8,918	'	'
Interest expense	-30	'	-35	'	'
Adjusted income (loss) before income taxes	4,381	'	9,487	'	'
Total assets	287,809	'	287,809	'	'
Capital expenditures	7,181	'	13,400	'	'
TDS Telecom HMS	'	'	'	'	'
Business Segment Information	'	'	'	'	'
Service	27,575	23,205	54,951	45,205	'
Equipment and product sales	40,361	18,169	76,093	31,733	'
Total operating revenues	67,936	41,374	131,044	76,938	'
Cost of services (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below)	21,301	15,071	38,247	28,673	'
Cost of equipment and products	33,875	15,114	64,342	26,326	'
Selling, general and administrative	12,376	9,361	27,211	19,282	'
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	6,791	5,563	13,469	11,031	'
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net	44	83	78	113	'
Operating income (loss)	-6,451	-3,818	-12,303	-8,487	'
Interest and dividend income	22	16	42	32	'
Interest expense	-439	-403	-860	-808	'
Other, net	45	'	179	-122	'
Income (loss) before income taxes	-6,823	-4,205	-12,942	-9,385	'
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	6,791	5,563	13,469	11,031	'
Interest expense	439	403	860	808	'
Adjusted income (loss) before income taxes	407	1,761	1,387	2,454	'
Total assets	335,680	267,062	335,680	267,062	'
Capital expenditures	10,628	2,258	13,379	4,849	'
TDS Telecom Eliminations	'	'	'	'	'
Business Segment Information	'	'	'	'	'
Service	-298	-107	-979	-185	'
Total operating revenues	-298	-107	-979	-185	'
Cost of services (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below)	-249	-107	-894	-185	'
Selling, general and administrative	-49	'	-85	'	'
TDS Telecom	'	'	'	'	'
Business Segment Information	'	'	'	'	'
Service	230,058	204,526	456,189	407,126	'
Equipment and product sales	40,792	18,934	77,077	33,395	'
Total operating revenues	270,850	223,460	533,266	440,521	'
Cost of services (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below)	96,751	80,693	188,407	160,656	'
Cost of equipment and products	34,356	16,208	65,306	28,430	'
Selling, general and administrative	66,320	66,053	134,017	133,354	'
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	53,175	48,756	106,950	98,247	'
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net	983	-682	1,327	-489	'
Operating income (loss)	19,265	12,432	37,259	20,323	'
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	4	7	4	14	'
Interest and dividend income	513	562	1,219	964	'
Interest expense	268	392	516	818	'
Other, net	-50	-126	30	-300	'
Income (loss) before income taxes	20,000	13,267	39,028	21,819	'
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	53,175	48,756	106,950	98,247	'
Interest expense	-268	-392	-516	-818	'
Adjusted income (loss) before income taxes	72,907	61,631	145,462	119,248	'
Investments in unconsolidated entities	3,810	3,809	3,810	3,809	'
Total assets	2,032,298	1,740,235	2,032,298	1,740,235	'
Capital expenditures	45,179	35,600	77,047	66,056	'
Non-Reportable Segment	'	'	'	'	'
Business Segment Information	'	'	'	'	'
Service	4,505	4,956	9,018	9,589	'
Equipment and product sales	9,121	9,407	16,358	19,220	'
Total operating revenues	13,626	14,363	25,376	28,809	'
Cost of services (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below)	4,252	3,225	8,502	6,446	'
Cost of equipment and products	6,677	6,616	11,900	13,468	'
Selling, general and administrative	3,517	3,711	7,263	7,472	'
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	1,492	1,500	3,294	3,009	'
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net	27	-1	170	'	'
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net	13,122	'	13,122	'	'
Operating income (loss)	-15,461	-688	-18,875	-1,586	'
Interest and dividend income	'	1	'	2	'
Interest expense	-1,149	-1,001	-2,218	-1,983	'
Other, net	-1	-394	-6	-157	'
Income (loss) before income taxes	-16,611	-2,082	-21,099	-3,724	'
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	1,492	1,500	3,294	3,009	'
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net	13,122	'	13,122	'	'
Interest expense	1,149	1,001	2,218	1,983	'
Adjusted income (loss) before income taxes	-848	419	-2,465	1,268	'
Total assets	46,610	59,293	46,610	59,293	'
Capital expenditures	308	232	403	517	'
Corporate, Eliminations and Other Reconciling Items	'	'	'	'	'
Business Segment Information	'	'	'	'	'
Service	-5,857	-4,787	-9,872	-9,467	'
Total operating revenues	-5,857	-4,787	-9,872	-9,467	'
Cost of services (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below)	-1,646	-348	-2,201	-704	'
Selling, general and administrative	-3,187	-3,171	-6,525	-7,410	'
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	1,563	1,367	3,152	2,599	'
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net	'	-16	9	-28	'
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net	'	-54,010	'	-54,010	'
Operating income (loss)	-2,587	51,391	-4,307	50,086	'
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	1,666	-4	1,918	243	'
Interest and dividend income	665	1,068	1,561	1,340	'
Gain (loss) on investments	'	-4,009	'	-4,009	'
Interest expense	-12,681	-12,986	-25,705	-26,018	'
Other, net	1	2	'	'	'
Income (loss) before income taxes	-12,936	35,462	-26,533	21,642	'
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	1,563	1,367	3,152	2,599	'
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net	'	-54,010	'	-54,010	'
Gain (loss) on investments	'	4,009	'	4,009	'
Interest expense	12,681	12,986	25,705	26,018	'
Adjusted income (loss) before income taxes	1,308	-186	2,324	258	'
Investments in unconsolidated entities	34,636	31,874	34,636	31,874	'
Total assets	329,794	625,459	329,794	625,459	'
Capital expenditures	$1,267	$1,715	$2,321	$2,700	'

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Disclos1

Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
	number
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures	'	'	'
Accounts receivable, Other	$163,438,000	'	$179,503,000
TDS Telecom | American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 Grants	'	'	'
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures	'	'	'
Accounts receivable, Other	15,700,000	'	23,600,000
Recovery Act Grants Awarded	105,100,000	'	'
Recovery Act Projects Company Funds	30,900,000	'	'
Recovery Act Projects	44	'	'
Recovery Act Grants Received	12,000,000	34,600,000	'
Recovery Act Cumulative Grants Received	$75,600,000	'	'