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Revenue Recognition - Contract Cost Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Sep. 30, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2018
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Contract Cost Assets |  |
Total contract cost assets | $ 155 | $ 164
Sales commissions |  |
Contract Cost Assets |  |
Total contract cost assets | 144 | 154
Installation costs |  |
Contract Cost Assets |  |
Total contract cost assets | $ 11 | $ 10

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- Definition Amount, after accumulated amortization and accumulated impairment loss, of asset recognized from cost incurred to obtain or fulfill contract with customer. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 340 -SubTopic 40 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68051541&loc=SL49131252-203054 + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

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- References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Details
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Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

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- Details
Name: | us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostAxis=tds_InstallationCostsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |