Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity - USD ($) $ in Millions	Total	Series A Common and Common Shares	Capital in Excess of Par Value	Treasury Shares	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Retained Earnings	Total TDS Shareholders' Equity	Preferred Shares	Noncontrolling Interests
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 4,455	$ 1	$ 2,337	$ (748)	$ 6	$ 2,330	$ 3,926	$ 1	$ 528
Net income attributable to TDS shareholders	220					220	220
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests classified as equity	39								39
Other comprehensive income	(7)				(7)		(7)
TDS Common and Series A Common share dividends	(46)					(46)	(46)
Dividend reinvestment plan	8		2	6			8
Incentive and compensation plans	12		1	11			12
Adjust investment in subsidiaries for repurchases, issuances and other compensation plans	11		2				2		9
Stock-based compensation awards	11		11				11
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2015	4,703	1	2,353	(731)	$ (1)	2,504	4,126	1	576
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2015	4,704	1	2,365	(727)		2,487	4,126	1	577
Net income attributable to TDS shareholders	49					49	49
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests classified as equity	9								9
TDS Common and Series A Common share dividends	(49)					(49)	(49)
Repurchase of Common shares	(3)			(3)			(3)
Dividend reinvestment plan	7		2	5			7
Incentive and compensation plans	7		(5)	22		(10)	7
Adjust investment in subsidiaries for repurchases, issuances and other compensation plans	21		1				1		20
Stock-based compensation awards	10		10				10
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(1)								(1)
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2016	$ 4,754	$ 1	$ 2,373	$ (703)		$ 2,477	$ 4,148	$ 1	$ 605