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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements - Narrative (Details) connection in Millions | 12 Months Ended |  |
--- | --- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) connection asset_group unit segment | Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) | Jan. 01, 2019 USD ($) | May 04, 1988
Accounting Policy Disclosures [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Number of connections | connection | 5.0 |  |  |  |
Number of reportable segments | segment | 1 |  |  |  |
FCC Licenses, period of renewal | 12 years |  |  |  |
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 |  |  |  |
Asset groups | asset_group | 1 |  |  |  |
Agent liability | $ 59,000,000 | $ 61,000,000 |  |  |
Advertising costs | $ 215,000,000 | 211,000,000 | $ 245,000,000 |  |
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 | Pro Forma |  |  |  |  |
Accounting Policy Disclosures [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Right-of-use asset |  |  |  | $ 900,000,000 |
Operating lease liability |  |  |  | $ 1,000,000,000 |
Minimum |  |  |  |  |
Accounting Policy Disclosures [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
FCC Licenses, period of renewal | 10 years |  |  |  |
Maximum |  |  |  |  |
Accounting Policy Disclosures [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
FCC Licenses, period of renewal | 15 years |  |  |  |
Leasehold and land improvements | Minimum |  |  |  |  |
Accounting Policy Disclosures [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Useful life | 1 year |  |  |  |
Leasehold and land improvements | Maximum |  |  |  |  |
Accounting Policy Disclosures [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Useful life | 30 years |  |  |  |
Pension |  |  |  |  |
Accounting Policy Disclosures [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Defined contribution cost | $ 11,000,000 | 11,000,000 | 11,000,000 |  |
401(k) |  |  |  |  |
Accounting Policy Disclosures [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Defined contribution cost | 15,000,000 | 16,000,000 | $ 16,000,000 |  |
TDS |  |  |  |  |
Accounting Policy Disclosures [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Income taxes receivable | 14,000,000 |  |  |  |
Income taxes payable |  | 23,000,000 |  |  |
Licenses |  |  |  |  |
Accounting Policy Disclosures [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Impairment of intangible assets | $ 0 | $ 0 |  |  |
U.S. Cellular | TDS |  |  |  |  |
Accounting Policy Disclosures [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
TDS ownership of U.S. Cellular | 82.00% |  |  |  |
U.S. Cellular | TDS | Minimum |  |  |  |  |
Accounting Policy Disclosures [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
TDS ownership of U.S. Cellular |  |  |  |  | 90.00%

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