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Debt, revolving credit facilities (Details) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended |
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 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 |  |  |
Agreement date | Jun. 15, 2016 |  |  |
Maturity date | Jun. 15, 2021 |  |  |
U.S. Cellular Revolving credit facility |  |  |  |
Revolving credit |  |  |  |
Subordination agreement description | In connection with U.S. Cellular’s revolving credit facility, TDS and U.S. Cellular entered into a subordination agreement dated June 15, 2016 together with the administrative agent for the lenders under U.S. Cellular’s revolving credit agreement. Pursuant to this subordination agreement, (a) any consolidated funded indebtedness from U.S. Cellular to TDS will be unsecured and (b) any (i) consolidated funded indebtedness from U.S. Cellular to TDS (other than “refinancing indebtedness” as defined in the subordination agreement) in excess of $105 million and (ii) refinancing indebtedness in excess of $250 million will be subordinated and made junior in right of payment to the prior payment in full of obligations to the lenders under U.S. Cellular’s revolving credit agreement. As of December 31, 2016, U.S. Cellular had no outstanding consolidated funded indebtedness or refinancing indebtedness that was subordinated to the revolving credit agreement pursuant to the subordination agreement. |  |  |
U.S. Cellular Revolving credit facility | U.S. Cellular |  |  |  |
Revolving credit |  |  |  |
Maximum borrowing capacity | $ 300 |  |  |
Letters of credit outstanding | 2 |  |  |
Amount available for use | $ 298 |  |  |
Agreement date | Jun. 15, 2016 |  |  |
Maturity date | Jun. 15, 2021 |  |  |
TDS and U.S. Cellular Revolving credit facility |  |  |  |
Revolving credit |  |  |  |
Unused commitment fees | $ 2 | $ 2 | $ 2 |
Interest Coverage Ratio | 3.00 |  |  |
Leverage Ratio | 3.25 |  |  |
Revolver compliance | TDS and U.S. Cellular believe they were in compliance as of December 31, 2016 with all covenants and other requirements set forth in the revolving credit facilities. |  |  |
TDS and U.S. Cellular Revolving credit facility | Future period |  |  |  |
Revolving credit |  |  |  |
Leverage Ratio |  |  |  | 3.00
TDS and U.S. Cellular Revolving credit facility | LIBOR rate |  |  |  |
Revolving credit |  |  |  |
Contractual spread | 1.75% |  |  |
TDS and U.S. Cellular Revolving credit facility | Alternative Base Rate |  |  |  |
Revolving credit |  |  |  |
Contractual spread | 0.75% |  |  |

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- Definition Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
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