Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity - USD ($) $ in Millions	Total	Series A Common and Common shares	Capital in excess of par value	Preferred Shares	Treasury shares	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	Retained earnings	Total TDS shareholders' equity	Noncontrolling interests
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2019	$ 5,404	$ 1	$ 2,468		$ (479)	$ (9)	$ 2,672	$ 4,653	$ 751
Net income attributable to TDS shareholders	69						69	69
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests classified as equity	14							0	14
Other comprehensive income	1					1		1
TDS Common and Series A Common share dividends	(19)						(19)	(19)
Repurchase of Common Shares	(6)				(6)			(6)
Dividend reinvestment plan	1				1		0	1
Incentive and compensation plans	3		3		4		(4)	3
Adjust investment in subsidiaries for repurchases, issuances and other compensation plans	(17)		18					18	(35)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(1)							0	(1)
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2020	5,449	1	2,489		(480)	(8)	2,718	4,720	729
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2020	5,593	1	2,482	$ 0	(477)	(4)	2,802	4,804	789
Net income attributable to TDS shareholders	59						59	59
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests classified as equity	12							0	12
Other comprehensive income	1					1		1
TDS Common and Series A Common share dividends	(20)						(20)	(20)
Issuance of TDS Preferred Shares, net of costs	406			406				406
TDS Preferred dividend requirement	0			2			(2)	0
Repurchase of Common Shares	(3)				(3)			(3)
Dividend reinvestment plan	1				1			1
Incentive and compensation plans	2		4		7		(9)	2
Adjust investment in subsidiaries for repurchases, issuances and other compensation plans	4		2					2	2
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(1)							0	(1)
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2021	$ 6,054	$ 1	$ 2,488	$ 408	$ (472)	$ (3)	$ 2,830	$ 5,252	$ 802