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Leases - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Jan. 01, 2019
Leases
Cumulative effect of accounting changes	$ 2	$ 195
Rent expense, cancellable long-term operating lease	189	183
Rent expense, cancellable short-term operating lease	12	12
Retained earnings
Leases
Cumulative effect of accounting changes	$ 2	$ 165
Minimum | ASC 842 | Retained earnings
Leases
Cumulative effect of accounting changes			$ 0

X

- Definition

[Line Items] for Leases [Table]

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No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	tds_LeasesLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	tds_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

This element represents the short term portion of payments that the lessee is not obligated or required to make in connection with a property under the terms of an agreement classified as an operating lease, excluding contingent rentals and a guarantee by the lessee of the lessor's debt and the lessee's obligation to pay (apart from the rental payments) executory costs such as insurance, maintenance, and taxes.

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No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	tds_OperatingLeasesRentExpenseCancellableShortTermLeases
Namespace Prefix:	tds_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

This element represents the long term portion of payments that the lessee is obligated to make or can be required to make in connection with a property under the terms of an agreement classified as an operating lease, excluding contingent rentals and a guarantee by the lessee of the lessor's debt and the lessee's obligation to pay (apart from the rental payments) executory costs such as insurance, maintenance, and taxes.

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No definition available.

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Name:	tds_OperatingLeasesRentExpenseNoncancellableLongTermLeases
Namespace Prefix:	tds_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Amount after tax of increase (decrease) to equity or (increase) decrease to net assets, resulting from the cumulative effect adjustment of a new accounting principle applied in the period of adoption.

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No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Details

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Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

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X

- Details

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