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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements - Narrative (Details) connection in Millions, $ in Millions | 9 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |  |
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Sep. 30, 2024 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2024 USD ($) segment unit asset_group connection | Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($) unit | Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($) | Jun. 30, 2024 unit | May 04, 1988
Basis of presentation |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of connections | connection |  | 4.4 |  |  |  |
Change in reportable segments |  | During the second quarter of 2024, UScellular modified its reporting structure due to the planned disposal of its wireless operations and, as a result, disaggregated its operations into two reportable segments – Wireless and Towers. This presentation reflects how 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 19 — Business Segment Information for additional information about UScellular's segments. |  |  |  |
Number of reportable segments | segment |  | 2 |  |  |  |
FCC Licenses, period of renewal |  | 12 years |  |  |  |
FCC Licenses, number of accounting units | unit |  | 12 | 1 |  | 2 |
Loss on impairment of licenses | $ 136 | $ 136 | $ 0 | $ 3 |  |
Asset groups | asset_group |  | 2 |  |  |  |
Agent liability |  | $ 44 | 50 |  |  |
Advertising costs |  | 182 | 181 | 171 |  |
Amortization of implementation costs |  | $ 19 | 17 | 18 |  |
Minimum |  |  |  |  |  |
Basis of presentation |  |  |  |  |  |
FCC Licenses, period of renewal |  | 10 years |  |  |  |
Amortization period |  | 3 years |  |  |  |
Maximum |  |  |  |  |  |
Basis of presentation |  |  |  |  |  |
FCC Licenses, period of renewal |  | 15 years |  |  |  |
Amortization period |  | 5 years |  |  |  |
Leasehold and land improvements | Minimum |  |  |  |  |  |
Basis of presentation |  |  |  |  |  |
Useful life |  | 1 year |  |  |  |
Leasehold and land improvements | Maximum |  |  |  |  |  |
Basis of presentation |  |  |  |  |  |
Useful life |  | 30 years |  |  |  |
Pension |  |  |  |  |  |
Basis of presentation |  |  |  |  |  |
Defined contribution cost |  | $ 12 | 11 | 12 |  |
401(k) |  |  |  |  |  |
Basis of presentation |  |  |  |  |  |
Defined contribution cost |  | 15 | 15 | $ 15 |  |
TDS |  |  |  |  |  |
Basis of presentation |  |  |  |  |  |
Income taxes receivable |  | $ 0 | $ 0 |  |  |
UScellular | TDS |  |  |  |  |  |
Basis of presentation |  |  |  |  |  |
TDS ownership of UScellular |  | 83.00% |  |  |  |
UScellular | TDS | Minimum |  |  |  |  |  |
Basis of presentation |  |  |  |  |  |
TDS ownership of UScellular |  |  |  |  |  | 90.00%

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