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Basis of Presentation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Basis of Presentation [Line Items]
Amounts recorded gross in revenues that are billed to customers and remitted to governmental authorities	$ 14	$ 15	$ 42	$ 49
Equipment Installment Plans Accounting Change
Service revenue	737	784	2,223	2,330
Interest and dividend income	2	1	6	4
Adjustment
Equipment Installment Plans Accounting Change
Service revenue	$ 19	13	$ 52	37
Interest and dividend income		$ (13)		$ (37)
TDS
Basis of Presentation [Line Items]
TDS ownership of U.S. Cellular	83.00%		83.00%

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- Definition

Amount before accretion (amortization) of purchase discount (premium) of interest income and dividend income on nonoperating securities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.7(a),(b))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688

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Aggregate revenue during the period from services rendered in the normal course of business, after deducting allowances and discounts.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
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