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Variable Interest Entities, Narrative (Details)
$ in Millions
 1 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2017
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2016
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2015
USD ($)
Variable Interest Entities, Other Disclosures          
Federal Communications Commission deposit     $ 0 $ 143 $ 0
Capital contributions, loans or advances     821 98 281
Investments in unconsolidated entities     453 451 402
Noncontrolling interests with redemption features     $ 1 1  
King Street Wireless out-of-period adjustment          
Variable Interest Entities, Other Disclosures          
Out-of-period adjustment description     During 2015, TDS recorded out-of-period adjustments attributable to the third quarter of 2013 through the second quarter of 2015 related to an agreement with King Street Wireless. TDS determined that these adjustments were not material to the quarterly periods or the annual results for 2015. These out-of-period adjustments had the impact of reducing Net income by $3 million and Net income attributable to TDS shareholders by $3 million in 2015.    
Net income | King Street Wireless out-of-period adjustment          
Variable Interest Entities, Other Disclosures          
Out-of-period adjustment         (3)
Net income attributable to TDS shareholders | King Street Wireless out-of-period adjustment          
Variable Interest Entities, Other Disclosures          
Out-of-period adjustment         $ (3)
USCC EIP LLC          
Variable Interest Entities, Other Disclosures          
Capital contributions, loans or advances     $ 790    
Unconsolidated Variable Interest Entities          
Variable Interest Entities, Other Disclosures          
Investments in unconsolidated entities     $ 4 $ 6  
King Street Wireless L.P.          
Variable Interest Entities, Other Disclosures          
Cash distributions paid $ 60        
King Street Wireless, L.P. distribution paid to U.S. Cellular 54        
King Street Wireless, L.P. distribution paid to King Street Wireless, Inc. $ 6        
Advantage Spectrum L.P.          
Variable Interest Entities, Other Disclosures          
Federal Communications Commission deposit   $ 60      
Licenses won 124        
Total winning bid $ 338        
Designated entity auction discount 25.00%        
Other auction charges $ 2