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Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] |  |  |
Land | $ 54 | $ 55 |
Buildings | 511 | 506 |
Leasehold and land improvements | 1,188 | 1,137 |
Cable and wire | 1,740 | 1,689 |
Network and switching equipment | 2,348 | 2,279 |
Cell site equipment | 3,383 | 3,383 |
Office furniture and equipment | 508 | 587 |
Other operating assets and equipment | 187 | 205 |
System development | 1,523 | 1,459 |
Work in process | 237 | 220 |
Total property, plant and equipment, gross | 11,679 | 11,520 |
Accumulated depreciation and amortization | (8,124) | (7,756) |
Property, plant and equipment, net | 3,555 | 3,764 |
Depreciation and amortization expense | 820 | 811 | $ 798
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net | $ 27 | 22 | 27
Depreciation out-of-period adjustment |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] |  |  |
Out-of-period adjustment description | During 2016, TDS recorded an out-of-period adjustment attributable to 2014 and 2015 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 2016 results. As a result of this out-of-period adjustment, Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense decreased by $4 million in 2016. This adjustment was made in the second quarter of 2016. |  |
TDS Telecom Wireline |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] |  |  |
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net | $ 2 | $ 5 | $ 2
TDS Telecom Wireline | Depreciation out-of-period adjustment | Depreciation, amortization and accretion |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] |  |  |
Out-of-period adjustment | $ (4) |  |
Buildings | Minimum |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] |  |  |
Useful life | 5 years |  |
Buildings | Maximum |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] |  |  |
Useful life | 40 years |  |
Leasehold and land improvements | Minimum |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] |  |  |
Useful life | 1 year |  |
Leasehold and land improvements | Maximum |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] |  |  |
Useful life | 30 years |  |
Cable and wire | Minimum |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] |  |  |
Useful life | 15 years |  |
Cable and wire | Maximum |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] |  |  |
Useful life | 35 years |  |
Network and switching equipment | Minimum |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] |  |  |
Useful life | 3 years |  |
Network and switching equipment | Maximum |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] |  |  |
Useful life | 13 years |  |
Cell site equipment | Minimum |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] |  |  |
Useful life | 7 years |  |
Cell site equipment | Maximum |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] |  |  |
Useful life | 25 years |  |
Office furniture and equipment | Minimum |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] |  |  |
Useful life | 3 years |  |
Office furniture and equipment | Maximum |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] |  |  |
Useful life | 10 years |  |
Other operating assets and equipment | Minimum |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] |  |  |
Useful life | 3 years |  |
Other operating assets and equipment | Maximum |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] |  |  |
Useful life | 12 years |  |
System development | Minimum |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] |  |  |
Useful life | 1 year |  |
System development | Maximum |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] |  |  |
Useful life | 7 years |  |

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- Definition Telecommunications equipment that primarily performs the functions of establishing and releasing connections, and transporting network operations functions. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Amount of accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization for physical assets used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391035&loc=d3e2868-110229 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.14) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
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- Definition Amount before accumulated depreciation of building structures held for productive use including addition, improvement, or renovation to the structure, including, but not limited to, interior masonry, interior flooring, electrical, and plumbing. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (f) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28358313&loc=d3e6812-107765 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391035&loc=d3e2868-110229 + Details
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- Definition Amount before accumulated amortization of capitalized costs for computer software, including but not limited to, acquired and internally developed computer software. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 985 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6501960&loc=d3e128462-111756 + Details
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- Definition Amount of structure or a modification to a structure under construction. Includes recently completed structures or modifications to structures that have not been placed into service. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391035&loc=d3e2868-110229 + Details
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- Definition Amount before accumulated depreciation of equipment commonly used in offices and stores that have no permanent connection to the structure of a building or utilities. Examples include, but are not limited to, desks, chairs, tables, and bookcases. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391035&loc=d3e2868-110229 + Details
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