Consolidated Statement Of Operations - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Operating revenues
Service	$ 1,013	$ 1,138	$ 3,021	$ 3,282
Equipment and product sales	288	236	805	620
Total operating revenues	1,301	1,374	3,826	3,902
Operating expenses
Cost of services (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below)	305	303	891	897
Cost of equipment and products	321	337	921	907
Selling, general and administrative	440	450	1,299	1,324
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	214	211	636	628
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net	8	5	20	15
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net		(1)	(1)	(130)
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net	(7)	(24)	(16)	(147)
Total operating expenses	1,281	1,281	3,750	3,494
Operating income	20	93	76	408
Investment and other income (expense)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	38	40	109	110
Interest and dividend income	15	10	44	28
Interest expense	(42)	(35)	(127)	(103)
Other, net	(1)		1
Total investment and other income	10	15	27	35
Income before income taxes	30	108	103	443
Income tax expense	14	46	45	178
Net income	16	62	58	265
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	3	11	9	45
Net income attributable to TDS shareholders	13	51	49	220
Net income available to TDS common shareholders	$ 13	$ 51	$ 49	$ 220
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	110	109	110	109
Basic earnings per share available to TDS common shareholders	$ 0.12	$ 0.47	$ 0.44	$ 2.03
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	111	110	111	110
Diluted earnings per share available to TDS common shareholders	$ 0.11	$ 0.46	$ 0.44	$ 1.99
Dividends per share to TDS shareholders	$ 0.148	$ 0.141	$ 0.444	$ 0.423