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Business Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended |
--- | --- | --- | ---
Sep. 30, 2016 | Sep. 30, 2015 | Sep. 30, 2016 | Sep. 30, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Service |  | $ 1,013 |  | $ 1,138 | $ 3,021 |  | $ 3,282 |  |
Equipment and product sales |  | 288 |  | 236 | 805 |  | 620 |  |
Total operating revenues |  | 1,301 |  | 1,374 | 3,826 |  | 3,902 |  |
Cost of services (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below) |  | 305 |  | 303 | 891 |  | 897 |  |
Cost of equipment and products |  | 321 |  | 337 | 921 |  | 907 |  |
Selling, general and administrative |  | 440 |  | 450 | 1,299 |  | 1,324 |  |
Depreciation, amortization and accretion |  | 214 |  | 211 | 636 |  | 628 |  |
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net |  | 8 |  | 5 | 20 |  | 15 |  |
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net |  |  |  | (1) | (1) |  | (130) |  |
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net |  | (7) |  | (24) | (16) |  | (147) |  |
Operating income (loss) |  | 20 |  | 93 | 76 |  | 408 |  |
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities |  | 38 |  | 40 | 109 |  | 110 |  |
Interest and dividend income |  | 15 |  | 10 | 44 |  | 28 |  |
Interest expense |  | (42) |  | (35) | (127) |  | (103) |  |
Other, net |  | (1) |  |  | 1 |  |  |  |
Income before income taxes |  | 30 |  | 108 | 103 |  | 443 |  |
Income tax expense (benefit) |  | 14 |  | 46 | 45 |  | 178 |  |
Net income |  | 16 |  | 62 | 58 |  | 265 |  |
Depreciation, amortization and accretion |  | 214 |  | 211 | 636 |  | 628 |  |
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net |  | 8 |  | 5 | 20 |  | 15 |  |
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net |  |  |  | (1) | (1) |  | (130) |  |
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net |  | (7) |  | (24) | (16) |  | (147) |  |
Interest expense |  | 42 |  | 35 | 127 |  | 103 |  |
Income tax expense |  | 14 |  | 46 | 45 |  | 178 |  |
Adjusted EBITDA | [1] | 287 |  | 334 | 869 |  | 912 |  |
Investments in unconsolidated entities |  | 459 |  | 386 | 459 |  | 386 | $ 402 |
Total assets |  | 9,449 | [2] | 9,263 | 9,449 | [2] | 9,263 | $ 9,422 | [2]
Capital expenditures |  | 145 |  | 194 | 412 |  | 487 |  |
U.S. Cellular |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Service |  | 771 |  | 896 | 2,293 |  | 2,549 |  |
Equipment and product sales |  | 239 |  | 173 | 655 |  | 461 |  |
Total operating revenues |  | 1,010 |  | 1,069 | 2,948 |  | 3,010 |  |
Cost of services (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below) |  | 196 |  | 199 | 572 |  | 586 |  |
Cost of equipment and products |  | 280 |  | 287 | 799 |  | 779 |  |
Selling, general and administrative |  | 370 |  | 375 | 1,089 |  | 1,107 |  |
Depreciation, amortization and accretion |  | 155 |  | 152 | 462 |  | 450 |  |
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net |  | 7 |  | 3 | 16 |  | 12 |  |
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net |  |  |  | (1) |  |  | (114) |  |
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net |  | (7) |  | (24) | (16) |  | (147) |  |
Operating income (loss) |  | 9 |  | 78 | 26 |  | 337 |  |
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities |  | 38 |  | 40 | 110 |  | 110 |  |
Interest and dividend income |  | 14 |  | 9 | 41 |  | 26 |  |
Interest expense |  | (28) |  | (21) | (84) |  | (61) |  |
Other, net |  |  |  |  |  |  | (1) |  |
Income before income taxes |  | 33 |  | 106 | 93 |  | 411 |  |
Income tax expense (benefit) | [3] | 15 |  | 41 | 39 |  | 161 |  |
Net income |  | 18 |  | 65 | 54 |  | 250 |  |
Depreciation, amortization and accretion |  | 155 |  | 152 | 462 |  | 450 |  |
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net |  | 7 |  | 3 | 16 |  | 12 |  |
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net |  |  |  | (1) |  |  | (114) |  |
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net |  | (7) |  | (24) | (16) |  | (147) |  |
Interest expense |  | 28 |  | 21 | 84 |  | 61 |  |
Income tax expense | [3] | 15 |  | 41 | 39 |  | 161 |  |
Adjusted EBITDA | [1] | 216 |  | 257 | 639 |  | 673 |  |
Investments in unconsolidated entities |  | 420 |  | 348 | 420 |  | 348 |  |
Total assets |  | 7,104 |  | 6,911 | 7,104 |  | 6,911 |  |
Capital expenditures |  | 103 |  | 135 | 275 |  | 335 |  |
TDS Telecom |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Service |  | 248 |  | 248 | 746 |  | 743 |  |
Equipment and product sales |  | 39 |  | 52 | 123 |  | 132 |  |
Total operating revenues |  | 287 |  | 299 | 868 |  | 874 |  |
Cost of services (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below) |  | 110 |  | 103 | 320 |  | 308 |  |
Cost of equipment and products |  | 33 |  | 44 | 103 |  | 111 |  |
Selling, general and administrative |  | 75 |  | 77 | 222 |  | 222 |  |
Depreciation, amortization and accretion |  | 57 |  | 57 | 168 |  | 170 |  |
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net |  | 2 |  | 2 | 4 |  | 3 |  |
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net |  |  |  |  |  |  | (3) |  |
Operating income (loss) |  | 12 |  | 17 | 53 |  | 64 |  |
Interest and dividend income |  | 1 |  | 1 | 2 |  | 2 |  |
Interest expense |  | (1) |  |  | (2) |  |  |  |
Income before income taxes |  | 11 |  | 17 | 53 |  | 65 |  |
Income tax expense (benefit) | [3] | 4 |  | 8 | 20 |  | 27 |  |
Net income |  | 7 |  | 9 | 32 |  | 38 |  |
Depreciation, amortization and accretion |  | 57 |  | 57 | 168 |  | 170 |  |
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net |  | 2 |  | 2 | 4 |  | 3 |  |
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net |  |  |  |  |  |  | (3) |  |
Interest expense |  | 1 |  |  | 2 |  |  |  |
Income tax expense | [3] | 4 |  | 8 | 20 |  | 27 |  |
Adjusted EBITDA | [1] | 71 |  | 76 | 226 |  | 236 |  |
Investments in unconsolidated entities |  | 4 |  | 4 | 4 |  | 4 |  |
Total assets |  | 2,123 |  | 2,193 | 2,123 |  | 2,193 |  |
Capital expenditures |  | 40 |  | 56 | 128 |  | 146 |  |
TDS Telecom Wireline |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Service |  | 174 |  | 175 | 522 |  | 526 |  |
Equipment and product sales |  |  |  |  | 1 |  | 1 |  |
Total operating revenues |  | 175 |  | 175 | 523 |  | 527 |  |
Cost of services (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below) |  | 67 |  | 64 | 192 |  | 189 |  |
Cost of equipment and products |  | 1 |  | 1 | 2 |  | 2 |  |
Selling, general and administrative |  | 50 |  | 50 | 148 |  | 145 |  |
Depreciation, amortization and accretion | [4] | 41 |  | 41 | 119 |  | 124 |  |
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net |  | 1 |  | 2 | 2 |  | 3 |  |
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net |  |  |  |  |  |  | (3) |  |
Operating income (loss) |  | 16 |  | 18 | 61 |  | 67 |  |
Interest and dividend income |  | 1 |  | 1 | 2 |  | 2 |  |
Interest expense |  |  |  |  | 1 |  | 1 |  |
Income before income taxes |  | 17 |  | 19 | 63 |  | 70 |  |
Depreciation, amortization and accretion | [4] | 41 |  | 41 | 119 |  | 124 |  |
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net |  | 1 |  | 2 | 2 |  | 3 |  |
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net |  |  |  |  |  |  | (3) |  |
Interest expense |  |  |  |  | (1) |  | (1) |  |
Adjusted EBITDA | [1] | 58 |  | 61 | 183 |  | 193 |  |
Investments in unconsolidated entities |  | 4 |  | 4 | 4 |  | 4 |  |
Total assets |  | 1,259 |  | 1,322 | 1,259 |  | 1,322 |  |
Capital expenditures |  | 27 |  | 38 | $ 82 |  | 91 |  |
TDS Telecom Wireline | Depreciation out-of-period adjustment |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Out-of-period adjustment description |  |  |  |  | During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, TDS recorded an out-of-period adjustment attributable to the third quarter of 2014 through the first quarter of 2016 related to the over-depreciation of certain assets in the Wireline segment. TDS has determined that this adjustment was not material to the prior quarterly or annual periods and also was not material to the current period or anticipated full year 2016 results. As a result of this out-of-period adjustment, Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense decreased by $4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. This adjustment was made in the second quarter of 2016. |  |  |  |
TDS Telecom Wireline | Depreciation Amortization Accretion Expense [Member] | Depreciation out-of-period adjustment |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Out-of-period adjustment |  |  |  |  | $ 4 |  |  |  |
TDS Telecom Cable |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Service |  | 46 |  | 44 | 136 |  | 132 |  |
Total operating revenues |  | 46 |  | 44 | 137 |  | 132 |  |
Cost of services (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below) |  | 23 |  | 20 | 69 |  | 59 |  |
Selling, general and administrative |  | 13 |  | 14 | 37 |  | 41 |  |
Depreciation, amortization and accretion |  | 9 |  | 9 | 27 |  | 26 |  |
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net |  | 1 |  |  | 2 |  | (1) |  |
Operating income (loss) |  |  |  | 1 | 1 |  | 6 |  |
Income before income taxes |  |  |  | 1 | 1 |  | 7 |  |
Depreciation, amortization and accretion |  | 9 |  | 9 | 27 |  | 26 |  |
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net |  | 1 |  |  | 2 |  | (1) |  |
Adjusted EBITDA | [1] | 10 |  | 10 | 30 |  | 32 |  |
Total assets |  | 592 |  | 572 | 592 |  | 572 |  |
Capital expenditures |  | 11 |  | 13 | 41 |  | 37 |  |
TDS Telecom HMS |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Service |  | 29 |  | 30 | 91 |  | 88 |  |
Equipment and product sales |  | 39 |  | 51 | 121 |  | 130 |  |
Total operating revenues |  | 68 |  | 82 | 212 |  | 218 |  |
Cost of services (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below) |  | 21 |  | 21 | 61 |  | 63 |  |
Cost of equipment and products |  | 33 |  | 43 | 101 |  | 109 |  |
Selling, general and administrative |  | 12 |  | 12 | 37 |  | 36 |  |
Depreciation, amortization and accretion |  | 7 |  | 7 | 22 |  | 20 |  |
Operating income (loss) |  | (5) |  | (2) | (9) |  | (10) |  |
Interest expense |  | (1) |  | (1) | (3) |  | (2) |  |
Income before income taxes |  | (6) |  | (2) | (12) |  | (11) |  |
Depreciation, amortization and accretion |  | 7 |  | 7 | 22 |  | 20 |  |
Interest expense |  | 1 |  | 1 | 3 |  | 2 |  |
Adjusted EBITDA | [1] | 3 |  | 5 | 13 |  | 10 |  |
Total assets |  | 273 |  | 299 | 273 |  | 299 |  |
Capital expenditures |  | 2 |  | 5 | 6 |  | 19 |  |
TDS Telecom Eliminations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Service |  | (1) |  | (1) | (3) |  | (3) |  |
Total operating revenues |  | (1) |  | (1) | (3) |  | (3) |  |
Cost of services (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below) |  | (1) |  | (1) | (3) |  | (3) |  |
Corporate, Eliminations and Other |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Service |  | (6) |  | (6) | (18) |  | (10) |  |
Equipment and product sales |  | 10 |  | 11 | 27 |  | 27 |  |
Total operating revenues |  | 4 |  | 6 | 10 |  | 18 |  |
Cost of services (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below) |  | (1) |  | 1 | (1) |  | 3 |  |
Cost of equipment and products |  | 8 |  | 6 | 19 |  | 17 |  |
Selling, general and administrative |  | (5) |  | (2) | (12) |  | (5) |  |
Depreciation, amortization and accretion |  | 2 |  | 2 | 6 |  | 8 |  |
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net |  | (1) |  |  |  |  |  |  |
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net |  |  |  |  | (1) |  | (13) |  |
Operating income (loss) |  | (1) |  | (2) | (3) |  | 7 |  |
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities |  |  |  |  | (1) |  |  |  |
Interest and dividend income |  |  |  |  | 1 |  |  |  |
Interest expense |  | (13) |  | (14) | (41) |  | (42) |  |
Other, net |  | (1) |  |  | 1 |  | 1 |  |
Income before income taxes |  | (14) |  | (15) | (43) |  | (33) |  |
Income tax expense (benefit) | [3] | (5) |  | (3) | (14) |  | (10) |  |
Net income |  | (9) |  | (12) | (28) |  | (23) |  |
Depreciation, amortization and accretion |  | 2 |  | 2 | 6 |  | 8 |  |
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net |  | (1) |  |  |  |  |  |  |
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net |  |  |  |  | (1) |  | (13) |  |
Interest expense |  | 13 |  | 14 | 41 |  | 42 |  |
Income tax expense | [3] | (5) |  | (3) | (14) |  | (10) |  |
Adjusted EBITDA | [1] |  |  | 1 | 4 |  | 3 |  |
Investments in unconsolidated entities |  | 35 |  | 34 | 35 |  | 34 |  |
Total assets |  | 222 |  | 159 | 222 |  | 159 |  |
Capital expenditures |  | $ 2 |  | $ 3 | $ 9 |  | $ 6 |  |
[1] | Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and accretion (“Adjusted EBITDA”) 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 EBITDA is defined as net income, adjusted for the items set forth in the reconciliation above. TDS believes Adjusted EBITDA is a useful measure of TDS’ operating results before significant recurring non-cash charges, gains and losses, and other items as presented above as they provide additional relevant and useful information to investors and other users of TDS' financial data in evaluating the effectiveness of its operations and underlying business trends in a manner that is consistent with management's evaluation of business performance.
[2] | The consolidated total assets as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 include assets held by consolidated VIEs of $805 million and $658 million, respectively, which are not available to be used to settle the obligations of TDS. The consolidated total liabilities as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 include certain liabilities of consolidated VIEs of $15 million and $1 million, respectively, for which the creditors of the VIEs have no recourse to the general credit of TDS. See Note 9 — Variable Interest Entities for additional information.
[3] | Income tax expense (benefit) is not provided at the individual segment level for Wireline, Cable and HMS. TDS calculates income tax expense for "TDS Telecom Total".
[4] | During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, TDS recorded an out-of-period adjustment attributable to the third quarter of 2014 through the first quarter of 2016 related to the over-depreciation of certain assets in the Wireline segment. TDS has determined that this adjustment was not material to the prior quarterly or annual periods and also was not material to the current period or anticipated full year 2016 results. As a result of this out-of-period adjustment, Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense decreased by $4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. This adjustment was made in the second quarter of 2016.

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- Definition This element represents 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.The amount is calculated as Income before income taxes, adjusted for: Depreciation, amortization and accretion; net Gain or loss on asset disposals (if any); net Gain or loss on sale of business and other exit costs (if any); net Gain or loss on license sales and exchanges (if any); Interest expense; and Income tax expense (benefit). + References No definition available. + Details
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