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Debt, revolving credit facilities (Details) $ in Millions | 9 Months Ended |
--- | --- | ---
Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) | Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) | Jul. 01, 2019
TDS Revolving credit facility | TDS Parent Company |  |  |  |
Revolving credit |  |  |  |
Maximum borrowing capacity |  | $ 400 |  |
Letters of credit outstanding |  | 1 |  |
Amount available for use |  | $ 399 |  |
Illustrative borrowing rate: One-month London InterBank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") plus contractual spread | [1] | 2.28% |  |
Illustrative LIBOR rate |  | 0.53% |  |
Contractual spread |  | 1.75% |  |
Commitment fees on amount available for use | [2] | 0.30% |  |
Agreement date |  | Jun. 15, 2016 |  |
Maturity date |  | Jun. 15, 2021 |  |
U.S. Cellular Revolving credit facility | U.S. Cellular |  |  |  |
Revolving credit |  |  |  |
Maximum borrowing capacity |  | $ 300 |  |
Letters of credit outstanding |  | 16 |  |
Amount available for use |  | $ 284 |  |
Illustrative borrowing rate: One-month London InterBank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") plus contractual spread | [1] | 2.28% |  |
Illustrative LIBOR rate |  | 0.53% |  |
Contractual spread |  | 1.75% |  |
Commitment fees on amount available for use | [2] | 0.30% |  |
Agreement date |  | Jun. 15, 2016 |  |
Maturity date |  | Jun. 15, 2021 |  |
TDS and U.S. Cellular Revolving credit facility |  |  |  |
Revolving credit |  |  |  |
Interest Coverage Ratio |  | 3.00 |  |
Leverage Ratio |  | 3.25 |  |
Covenant compliance |  | TDS and U.S. Cellular believe that they were in compliance with all of the financial and other covenants and requirements set forth in their revolving credit facilities as of September 30, 2016. |  |
TDS and U.S. Cellular Revolving credit facility | Future period |  |  |  |
Revolving credit |  |  |  |
Leverage Ratio |  |  |  | 3.00
Aggregate revolving credit facilities |  |  |  |
Revolving credit |  |  |  |
Unused commitment fees |  | $ 1 | $ 2 |
Other assets and deferred charges | Aggregate revolving credit facilities |  |  |  |
Revolving credit |  |  |  |
Debt issuance cost |  | 6 |  |
Other assets and deferred charges | New revolving credit facilities |  |  |  |
Revolving credit |  |  |  |
Debt issuance cost |  | $ 4 |  |
[1] | Borrowings under the revolving credit facility bear interest either at a LIBOR rate or at an alternative Base Rate as defined in the revolving credit agreement, plus an applicable margin, at TDS' or U.S. Cellular’s option. TDS and U.S. Cellular may select a borrowing period of either one, two, three or six months (or other period of twelve months or less if requested by TDS or U.S. Cellular and approved by the lenders).
[2] | The revolving credit facility has commitment fees based on the unsecured senior debt ratings assigned to TDS and U.S. Cellular by certain ratings agencies.

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- Definition The maximum leverage ratio required according to the terms for borrowing under this debt instrument. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The percentage points added to the LIBOR interest rate to compute the variable rate on the line of credit at the end of the reporting period. + References No definition available. + Details
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