XML 82 R44.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.8.0.1

Equipment Installment Plan Receivables, Allowance for Credit Losses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended
--- | ---
Mar. 31, 2018 | Mar. 31, 2017
Allowance for credit losses |  |
Allowance for credit losses, beginning of period | $ 65 |
Allowance for credit losses, end of period | 66 |
Equipment Installment Plan Receivable |  |
Allowance for credit losses |  |
Allowance for credit losses, beginning of period | 65 | $ 50
Bad debts expense | 14 | 15
Write-offs, net of recoveries | (13) | (12)
Allowance for credit losses, end of period | $ 66 | $ 53

X
- Definition A valuation allowance for financing receivables that are expected to be uncollectible. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 11B -Subparagraph (c)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84173941&loc=SL6953423-111524 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesRollForward
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of direct write-downs of financing receivables charged against the allowance. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 11B -Subparagraph (c)(3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84173941&loc=SL6953423-111524 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesWriteOffs
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of expense related loan transactions, lease transactions, credit loss from transactions other than loan and lease transactions, and other loss based on assessment of uncollectability from the counterparty to reduce the account to their net realizable value. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 11B -Subparagraph (c)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84173941&loc=SL6953423-111524 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 225 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04.11) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879574&loc=d3e536633-122882 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3602-108585 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis=tds_EquipmentInstallmentPlanReceivableMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |