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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Narrative (Details) | 12 Months Ended |  |
--- | --- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($) unit reporting_unit asset_group | Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($) | Jan. 01, 2019 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Basis of presentation |  |  |  |  |
Number of wireless connections | 5,000,000 |  |  |  |
Number of wireline and cable connections | 1,200,000 |  |  |  |
Change in reportable segments | During the first quarter of 2021, TDS modified its reporting segment structure to combine its Wireline and Cable segments into a single reportable segment for TDS Telecom. TDS Telecom believes this presentation better articulates its progress and performance against its strategy, which includes a focus on overall broadband growth and future fiber deployment across its markets. This change also reflects TDS Telecom's progress in aligning its organizational, operational and support structures to leverage one cost base to better support its customers across all of its markets. Prior periods have been updated to conform to this revised presentation. See Note 19 — Business Segment Information for additional information on TDS' reportable segments. |  |  |  |
FCC licenses, number of accounting units | unit | 8 |  |  |  |
FCC licenses, number of accounting units, built licenses | unit | 1 |  |  |  |
FCC licenses, number of accounting units, unbuilt licenses | unit | 7 |  |  |  |
Cumulative effect of accounting changes | $ 2,812,000,000 | $ 2,802,000,000 |  |  |
Advertising costs | 203,000,000 | 213,000,000 | $ 227,000,000 |  |
Amortization of implementation costs | 17,000,000 | 11,000,000 |  |  |
ASC 842 |  |  |  |  |
Basis of presentation |  |  |  |  |
Cumulative effect of accounting changes |  |  |  |  | $ 2,000,000
ASC 842 | Retained earnings |  |  |  |  |
Basis of presentation |  |  |  |  |
Cumulative effect of accounting changes |  |  |  |  | $ 2,000,000
UScellular |  |  |  |  |
Basis of presentation |  |  |  |  |
Agent liability | $ 51,000,000 | 55,000,000 |  |  |
TDS Telecom |  |  |  |  |
Basis of presentation |  |  |  |  |
Number of reporting units | reporting_unit | 1 |  |  |  |
Loss on impairment of goodwill | $ 0 | 0 |  |  |
Asset groups | asset_group | 1 |  |  |  |
UScellular |  |  |  |  |
Basis of presentation |  |  |  |  |
Asset groups | asset_group | 1 |  |  |  |
TDS Telecom | Franchise rights |  |  |  |  |
Basis of presentation |  |  |  |  |
Renewal period | 10 years |  |  |  |
Licenses |  |  |  |  |
Basis of presentation |  |  |  |  |
Renewal period | 12 years |  |  |  |
Licenses | UScellular |  |  |  |  |
Basis of presentation |  |  |  |  |
Impairment of intangible assets | $ 0 | $ 0 |  |  |
Minimum |  |  |  |  |
Basis of presentation |  |  |  |  |
Amortization period | 3 years |  |  |  |
Minimum | ASC 842 | Retained earnings |  |  |  |  |
Basis of presentation |  |  |  |  |
Cumulative effect of accounting changes |  |  |  | $ 0 |
Minimum | Leasehold Improvements |  |  |  |  |
Basis of presentation |  |  |  |  |
Useful life | 1 year |  |  |  |
Minimum | Licenses |  |  |  |  |
Basis of presentation |  |  |  |  |
Renewal period | 10 years |  |  |  |
Maximum |  |  |  |  |
Basis of presentation |  |  |  |  |
Amortization period | 5 years |  |  |  |
Maximum | Leasehold Improvements |  |  |  |  |
Basis of presentation |  |  |  |  |
Useful life | 30 years |  |  |  |
Maximum | Licenses |  |  |  |  |
Basis of presentation |  |  |  |  |
Renewal period | 15 years |  |  |  |
UScellular |  |  |  |  |
Basis of presentation |  |  |  |  |
TDS ownership of UScellular | 82.00% |  |  |  |

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