Consolidated Statement Of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 16	$ 62	$ 58	$ 265
Change related to retirement plan
Change in prior service cost		(8)	(1)	(10)
Change in unrecognized net loss		(1)		(1)
Total gains (losses) recognized in Comprehensive Income before income tax benefit (expense)		(9)	(1)	(11)
Change in deferred income taxes		3	1	4
Change related to retirement plan, net of tax		(6)		(7)
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive income		(6)		(7)
Comprehensive income	16	56	58	258
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest, net of tax	3	11	9	45
Comprehensive income attributable to TDS shareholders	$ 13	$ 45	$ 49	$ 213