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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Details)
$ in Millions
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2015
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
USD ($)
Basis of presentation      
Number of wireless connections 5,000,000    
Wireline and Cable connections 1,200,000    
Service $ 4,050 $ 4,356 $ 4,338
Amounts recorded gross in revenues that are billed to customers and remitted to governmental authorities 85 95 113
Advertising costs $ 263 268 228
U.S. Cellular      
Basis of presentation      
TDS ownership of U.S. Cellular 83.00%    
Agent liability $ 57 76  
Service [1] $ 3,081 3,384 $ 3,407
U.S. Cellular | Loyalty Rewards Program      
Basis of presentation      
Service   $ 58  
[1] Equipment installment plan interest income is reflected as a component of Service revenues consistent with an accounting policy change effective January 1, 2017. All numbers have been recast to conform to this accounting change. See Note 21 — Retrospective Application of Change in Accounting Policy for additional details.