Earnings Per Share - Computation (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Earnings per share
Net income (loss) attributable to TDS common shareholders used in basic earnings (loss) per share	$ (569)	$ (7)	$ 117
Noncontrolling interest adjustment	(1)	(1)	(1)
Net income (loss) attributable to TDS common shareholders used in diluted earnings (loss) per share	$ (570)	$ (8)	$ 116
Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings (loss) per share (in shares)	113	114	115
Effects of dilutive securities (in shares)	0	0	1
Weighted average number of shares used in diluted earnings (loss) per share (in shares)	113	114	116
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to TDS common shareholders	$ (5.05)	$ (0.07)	$ 1.03
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to TDS common shareholders	$ (5.06)	$ (0.07)	$ 1.00
Common Shares
Earnings per share
Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings (loss) per share (in shares)	106	107	108
Series A Common Shares
Earnings per share
Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings (loss) per share (in shares)	7	7	7