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Intangible Assets - Narrative (Details) | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($) license | Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Goodwill [Line Items] |  |  |
Goodwill | $ 547,000,000 | $ 509,000,000 | $ 509,000,000
Amortization expense for intangible assets | 24,000,000 | 26,000,000 | 11,000,000
Estimated amortization expense |  |  |
2020 | 25,000,000 |  |
2021 | 21,000,000 |  |
2022 | 20,000,000 |  |
2023 | 19,000,000 |  |
2024 | $ 17,000,000 |  |
Franchise rights |  |  |
Goodwill [Line Items] |  |  |
Useful life | 15 years |  |
U.S. Cellular |  |  |
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Total winning bid | $ 256,000,000 |  |
U.S. Cellular |  |  |
Goodwill [Line Items] |  |  |
Loss on impairment |  |  | 227,000,000
Goodwill |  |  | 0
HMS |  |  |
Goodwill [Line Items] |  |  |
Loss on impairment |  |  | 35,000,000
Goodwill |  |  | 0
Wireline |  |  |
Goodwill [Line Items] |  |  |
Goodwill | $ 409,000,000 | $ 409,000,000 | $ 409,000,000
Auction 101 | U.S. Cellular |  |  |
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Licenses won | license | 408 |  |
Auction 102 | U.S. Cellular |  |  |
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Licenses won | license | 282 |  |

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