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Basis of Presentation, Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended
--- | ---
Mar. 31, 2018 | Mar. 31, 2017
Basis of Presentation [Line Items] |  |
Depreciation, amortization and accretion | $ 221 | $ 211
Selling, general and administrative | 395 | 407
Other, net income | 1 | 2
Income before income taxes | 81 | 77
Net income | $ 57 | $ 43
Basic earnings per share available to TDS common shareholders | $ 0.35 | $ 0.34
Diluted earnings (loss) per share available to TDS common shareholders | $ 0.34 | $ 0.33
Amounts recorded gross in revenues that are billed to customers and remitted to governmental authorities | $ 23 | $ 19
Franchise rights |  |
Basis of Presentation [Line Items] |  |
Useful life | 15 years |
Impairment of franchise rights | $ 0 |
Depreciation, amortization and accretion | 4 |
Net income | $ (3) |
Basic earnings per share available to TDS common shareholders | $ (0.03) |
Diluted earnings (loss) per share available to TDS common shareholders | $ (0.03) |
Adjustment | ASU 2017-07 |  |
Basis of Presentation [Line Items] |  |
Selling, general and administrative |  | 1
Other, net income |  | 1
Income before income taxes |  | 0
Net income |  | $ 0
Basic earnings per share available to TDS common shareholders |  | $ 0
Cumulative impact to retained earnings |  | $ 0
U.S. Cellular |  |
Basis of Presentation [Line Items] |  |
TDS ownership of U.S. Cellular | 83.00% |

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