Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Earnings per share
Net income available to TDS common shareholders used in basic earnings per share	$ 37	$ 8
Net income available to TDS common shareholders used in diluted earnings per share	$ 37	$ 8
Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings per share	110	109
Effects of dilutive securities	2	1
Weighted average number of shares used in diluted earnings per share	112	110
Basic earnings per share available to TDS common shareholders	$ 0.34	$ 0.07
Diluted earnings per share available to TDS common shareholders	$ 0.33	$ 0.07
Earnings per share, Other disclosures
Antidilutive securities	4	7
Common Shares
Earnings per share
Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings per share	103	102
Series A Common Shares
Earnings per share
Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings per share	7	7

Securities (including those issuable pursuant to contingent stock agreements) that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share (EPS) or earnings per unit (EPU) in the future that were not included in the computation of diluted EPS or EPU because to do so would increase EPS or EPU amounts or decrease loss per share or unit amounts for the period presented.

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The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

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The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period.

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Additional shares included in the calculation of diluted EPS as a result of the potentially dilutive effect of share based payment arrangements using the treasury stock method.

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Net income after adjustments for dividends on preferred stock (declared in the period) and/or cumulative preferred stock (accumulated for the period).

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Net Income or Loss Available to Common Stockholders plus adjustments resulting from the assumption that dilutive convertible securities were converted, options or warrants were exercised, or that other shares were issued upon the satisfaction of certain conditions.

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