Consolidated Statement of Operations - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Operating revenues
Total operating revenues	$ 1,311	$ 1,263	$ 2,629	$ 2,524
Operating expenses
Selling, general and administrative	416	398	804	809
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	234	236	457	470
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net	3	4	8	8
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net	0	0	(1)	0
Total operating expenses	1,253	1,185	2,461	2,373
Operating income	58	78	168	151
Investment and other income (expense)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	48	44	90	90
Interest and dividend income	3	2	6	8
Interest expense	(86)	(38)	(138)	(75)
Other, net	0	0	(1)	(1)
Total investment and other income (expense)	(35)	8	(43)	22
Income before income taxes	23	86	125	173
Income tax expense (benefit)	(11)	8	20	12
Net income	34	78	105	161
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	7	13	19	26
Net income attributable to TDS shareholders	27	65	86	135
TDS Preferred Share dividends	7	0	9	0
Net income attributable to TDS common shareholders	$ 20	$ 65	$ 77	$ 135
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	115	114	115	115
Basic earnings per share attributable to TDS common shareholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.18	$ 0.57	$ 0.67	$ 1.18
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	116	115	116	115
Diluted earnings per share attributable to TDS common shareholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.17	$ 0.56	$ 0.65	$ 1.15
Service
Operating revenues
Total operating revenues	$ 1,049	$ 1,016	$ 2,091	$ 2,042
Operating expenses
Cost of goods and services	324	306	623	599
Equipment and product sales
Operating revenues
Total operating revenues	262	247	538	482
Operating expenses
Cost of goods and services	$ 276	$ 241	$ 570	$ 487