Basis of Presentation - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2024	Jun. 30, 2023
Basis of Presentation [Line Items]
Change in reportable segments	During the second quarter of 2024, TDS and UScellular modified their reporting structure due to the planned disposal of the UScellular wireless operations and, as a result, disaggregated the UScellular operations into two reportable segments - Wireless and Towers. This presentation reflects how TDS' and UScellular's chief operating decision maker allocates resources and evaluates operating performance following this strategic shift. Prior periods have been updated to conform to the new reportable segments. See Note 12 — Business Segment Information for additional information about TDS' segments.
Noncash software license acquisitions	$ 8	$ 11
UScellular
Basis of Presentation [Line Items]
TDS ownership of UScellular	82.00%

Used to group disclosures related to significant accounting policies.

No definition available.

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

- Definition

Description of recasting of previously reported segment information. Includes, but is not limited to, reason, timing, or why information has not been recast.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 35
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482810/280-10-50-35

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 34
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482810/280-10-50-34

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DescriptionOfEffectOnPreviouslyReportedSegmentInformationForChangeInCompositionOfReportableSegments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The parent entity's interest in net assets of the subsidiary, expressed as a percentage.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The value of an asset or business acquired in a noncash (or part noncash) acquisition. Noncash is defined as information about all investing and financing activities of an enterprise during a period that affect recognized assets or liabilities but that do not result in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. "Part noncash" refers to that portion of the transaction not resulting in cash receipts or cash payments in the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482913/230-10-50-4

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482913/230-10-50-3

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482913/230-10-50-5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionValueOfAssetsAcquired1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	srt_OwnershipAxis=tds_UnitedStatesCellularCorporationMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: