Basis of Presentation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Basis of Presentation [Line Items]
Amounts recorded gross in revenues that are billed to customers and remitted to governmental authorities	$ 22	$ 25	$ 45	$ 52
U.S. Cellular
Basis of Presentation [Line Items]
TDS ownership of U.S. Cellular	83.00%		83.00%