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, 2020	$ 5,593	$ 1	$ 2,482	$ 0	$ (477)	$ (4)	$ 2,802	$ 4,804	$ 789
Net income (loss) attributable to TDS shareholders	126						126	126
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests classified as equity	26							0	26
Other comprehensive income	2					2		2
TDS Common and Series A Common share dividends	(60)						(60)	(60)
Issuance of TDS Preferred Shares, net of costs	1,074			1,074				1,074
TDS Preferred share dividends	(21)						(21)	(21)
Repurchase of Common Shares	(5)				(5)			(5)
Dividend reinvestment plan	0				2		(2)	0
Incentive and compensation plans	10		15		21		(26)	10
Adjust investment in subsidiaries for repurchases, issuances and other compensation plans	(15)		(19)					(19)	4
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(2)							0	(2)
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2021	6,728	1	2,478	1,074	(459)	(2)	2,819	5,911	817
Beginning balance at Jun. 30, 2021	6,057	1	2,462	406	(458)	(2)	2,812	5,221	836
Net income (loss) attributable to TDS shareholders	40						40	40
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests classified as equity	7							0	7
TDS Common and Series A Common share dividends	(20)						(20)	(20)
Issuance of TDS Preferred Shares, net of costs	668			668				668
TDS Preferred share dividends	(12)						(12)	(12)
Repurchase of Common Shares	(1)				(1)			(1)
Dividend reinvestment plan	(1)						(1)	(1)
Incentive and compensation plans	3		3					3
Adjust investment in subsidiaries for repurchases, issuances and other compensation plans	(13)		13					13	(26)
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2021	6,728	1	2,478	1,074	(459)	(2)	2,819	5,911	817
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2021	6,734	1	2,496	1,074	(461)	5	2,812	5,927	807
Net income (loss) attributable to TDS shareholders	87						87	87
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests classified as equity	13							0	13
Other comprehensive income	2					2		2
TDS Common and Series A Common share dividends	(62)						(62)	(62)
TDS Preferred share dividends	(52)						(52)	(52)
Repurchase of Common Shares	(26)				(26)			(26)
Dividend reinvestment plan	2		1		2		(1)	2
Incentive and compensation plans	10		14		17		(21)	10
Adjust investment in subsidiaries for repurchases, issuances and other compensation plans	(15)		16					16	(31)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(3)							0	(3)
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2022	6,690	1	2,527	1,074	(468)	7	2,763	5,904	786
Beginning balance at Jun. 30, 2022	6,743	1	2,511	1,074	(463)	6	2,810	5,939	804
Net income (loss) attributable to TDS shareholders	(8)						(8)	(8)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests classified as equity	(1)							0	(1)
Other comprehensive income	1					1		1
TDS Common and Series A Common share dividends	(21)						(21)	(21)
TDS Preferred share dividends	(17)						(17)	(17)
Repurchase of Common Shares	(5)				(5)			(5)
Dividend reinvestment plan	0		1				(1)	0
Incentive and compensation plans	5		5					5
Adjust investment in subsidiaries for repurchases, issuances and other compensation plans	(6)		10					10	(16)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(1)							0	(1)
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2022	$ 6,690	$ 1	$ 2,527	$ 1,074	$ (468)	$ 7	$ 2,763	$ 5,904	$ 786