Stock-Based Compensation - TDS, Overview (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Stock based compensation
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 49	$ 53	$ 59
Income tax benefit	(12)	(13)	(15)
Total stock-based compensation expense, net of income taxes	37	40	44
Unrecognized compensation cost for all stock-based compensation awards	$ 60
Weighted average period for recognition of unrecognized compensation cost for all stock-based compensation awards	2 years 1 month 6 days
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options and other awards	$ 15
Selling, general and administrative expense
Stock based compensation
Stock-based compensation expense	44	48	54
Cost of services expense
Stock based compensation
Stock-based compensation expense	5	5	5
Long-Term Incentive Plans \| Stock Options
Stock based compensation
Stock-based compensation expense	2	3	3
Long-Term Incentive Plans \| Restricted Stock Units
Stock based compensation
Stock-based compensation expense	29	30	33
Long-Term Incentive Plans \| Performance Share Units
Stock based compensation
Stock-based compensation expense	16	17	21
Long-Term Incentive Plans \| Deferred Compensation Stock Units
Stock based compensation
Stock-based compensation expense	0	1	0
Non-Employee Directors' Plan
Stock based compensation
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 2	$ 2	$ 2
Non-Employee Directors' Plan \| TDS \| Common Shares
Stock based compensation
Shares reserved	132,000
Shares issued	50,000	43,000	28,000
TDS Long-Term Incentive Plans \| TDS \| Common Shares
Stock based compensation
Shares reserved	16,350,000
Dividend Reinvestment Plan \| TDS \| Series A Common Shares
Stock based compensation
Shares reserved	78,000
Purchase price, percent	95.00%
Dividend Reinvestment Plan \| TDS \| Common Shares
Stock based compensation
Shares reserved	2,329,000
Purchase price, percent	95.00%

Amount of expense for award under share-based payment arrangement. Excludes amount capitalized.

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