XML 83 R49.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.22.0.1
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Narrative (Details)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
USD ($)
unit
reporting_unit
asset_group
Dec. 31, 2020
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2019
USD ($)
Jan. 01, 2019
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2018
USD ($)
Basis of presentation          
Number of wireless connections 5,000,000        
Number of wireline and cable connections 1,200,000        
Change in reportable segments During the first quarter of 2021, TDS modified its reporting segment structure to combine its Wireline and Cable segments into a single reportable segment for TDS Telecom. TDS Telecom believes this presentation better articulates its progress and performance against its strategy, which includes a focus on overall broadband growth and future fiber deployment across its markets. This change also reflects TDS Telecom's progress in aligning its organizational, operational and support structures to leverage one cost base to better support its customers across all of its markets. Prior periods have been updated to conform to this revised presentation. See Note 19 — Business Segment Information for additional information on TDS' reportable segments.        
FCC licenses, number of accounting units | unit 8        
FCC licenses, number of accounting units, built licenses | unit 1        
FCC licenses, number of accounting units, unbuilt licenses | unit 7        
Cumulative effect of accounting changes $ 2,812,000,000 $ 2,802,000,000      
Advertising costs 203,000,000 213,000,000 $ 227,000,000    
Amortization of implementation costs 17,000,000 11,000,000      
ASC 842          
Basis of presentation          
Cumulative effect of accounting changes         $ 2,000,000
ASC 842 | Retained earnings          
Basis of presentation          
Cumulative effect of accounting changes         $ 2,000,000
UScellular          
Basis of presentation          
Agent liability $ 51,000,000 55,000,000      
TDS Telecom          
Basis of presentation          
Number of reporting units | reporting_unit 1        
Loss on impairment of goodwill $ 0 0      
Asset groups | asset_group 1        
UScellular          
Basis of presentation          
Asset groups | asset_group 1        
TDS Telecom | Franchise rights          
Basis of presentation          
Renewal period 10 years        
Licenses          
Basis of presentation          
Renewal period 12 years        
Licenses | UScellular          
Basis of presentation          
Impairment of intangible assets $ 0 $ 0      
Minimum          
Basis of presentation          
Amortization period 3 years        
Minimum | ASC 842 | Retained earnings          
Basis of presentation          
Cumulative effect of accounting changes       $ 0  
Minimum | Leasehold Improvements          
Basis of presentation          
Useful life 1 year        
Minimum | Licenses          
Basis of presentation          
Renewal period 10 years        
Maximum          
Basis of presentation          
Amortization period 5 years        
Maximum | Leasehold Improvements          
Basis of presentation          
Useful life 30 years        
Maximum | Licenses          
Basis of presentation          
Renewal period 15 years        
UScellular          
Basis of presentation          
TDS ownership of UScellular 82.00%