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	Noncontrolling interests
Cumulative effect of accounting changes	$ 195				$ (1)	$ 165	$ 164	$ 31
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2017	4,892	$ 1	$ 2,413	$ (669)	(1)	2,525	4,269	623
Net income attributable to TDS shareholders	39					39	39
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests classified as equity	8						0	8
Other comprehensive loss	(1)				(1)		(1)
TDS Common and Series A Common share dividends	(18)					(18)	(18)
Dividend reinvestment plan	2			6		(4)	2
Incentive and compensation plans	9			20		(11)	9
Adjust investment in subsidiaries for repurchases, issuances and other compensation plans	10		5				5	5
Stock-based compensation awards	3		3				3
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2018	5,139	1	2,421	(643)	(3)	2,696	4,472	667
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2018	5,293	1	2,432	(519)	(10)	2,656	4,560	733
Net income attributable to TDS shareholders	59					59	59
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests classified as equity	11						0	11
TDS Common and Series A Common share dividends	(19)					(19)	(19)
Dividend reinvestment plan	4			5		(1)	4
Incentive and compensation plans	(3)			9		(12)	(3)
Adjust investment in subsidiaries for repurchases, issuances and other compensation plans	9		6				6	3
Stock-based compensation awards	4		4				4
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(1)						0	(1)
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2019	$ 5,357	$ 1	$ 2,442	$ (505)	$ (10)	$ 2,683	$ 4,611	$ 746