Telephone and Data Systems (TDS) 10-Q 30 Apr 20 2020 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document And Entity Information

Document And Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020shares
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-14157
Entity Registrant Name	TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0001051512
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	36-2669023
Entity Address, Address Line One	30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 4000
Entity Address, City or Town	Chicago
Entity Address, State or Province	IL
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	60602
City Area Code	(312)
Local Phone Number	630-1900
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Smaller Reporting Company	false
Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Common Shares
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Shares, $.01 par value
Trading Symbol	TDS
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	107,272,700
6.625% Senior Notes
Title of 12(b) Security	6.625% Senior Notes due 2045
Trading Symbol	TDI
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
6.875% Senior Notes
Title of 12(b) Security	6.875% Senior Notes due 2059
Trading Symbol	TDE
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
7.0% Senior Notes
Title of 12(b) Security	7.000% Senior Notes due 2060
Trading Symbol	TDJ
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
5.875% Senior Notes
Title of 12(b) Security	5.875% Senior Notes due 2061
Trading Symbol	TDA
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Series A Common Shares
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	7,248,200

Consolidated Statement of Opera

Consolidated Statement of Operations - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Operating revenues
Total operating revenues	$ 1,261	$ 1,257
Operating expenses
Selling, general and administrative	411	397
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	235	227
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net	4	(5)
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net	0	(2)
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net	0	(2)
Total operating expenses	1,189	1,163
Operating income	72	94
Investment and other income (expense)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	45	44
Interest and dividend income	6	9
Interest expense	(37)	(43)
Total investment and other income	14	10
Income before income taxes	86	104
Income tax expense	3	34
Net income	83	70
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	14	11
Net income attributable to TDS shareholders	$ 69	$ 59
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	115	114
Basic earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.60	$ 0.52
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	116	116
Diluted earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.59	$ 0.50
Service
Operating revenues
Total operating revenues	$ 1,026	$ 995
Operating expenses
Cost of goods and services	293	284
Equipment and product sales
Operating revenues
Total operating revenues	235	262
Operating expenses
Cost of goods and services	$ 246	$ 264

Consolidated Statement of Compr

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 83	$ 70
Change related to retirement plan Amounts included in net periodic benefit cost for the period
Amortization of prior service cost	1	0
Comprehensive income	84	70
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	14	11
Comprehensive income attributable to TDS shareholders	$ 70	$ 59

Consolidated Statement of Cash

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	$ 83	$ 70
Add (deduct) adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	235	227
Bad debts expense	34	25
Stock-based compensation expense	11	13
Deferred income taxes, net	75	25
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	(45)	(44)
Distributions from unconsolidated entities	25	19
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net	4	(5)
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net	0	(2)
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net	0	(2)
Other operating activities	0	1
Changes in assets and liabilities from operations
Accounts receivable	43	28
Equipment installment plans receivable	23	(10)
Inventory	(52)	(15)
Accounts payable	87	46
Customer deposits and deferred revenues	(9)	5
Accrued taxes	(74)	9
Accrued interest	9	11
Other assets and liabilities	(82)	(74)
Net cash provided by operating activities	367	327
Cash flows from investing activities
Cash paid for additions to property, plant and equipment	(377)	(155)
Cash paid for licenses	(26)	(1)
Cash received from investments	0	2
Cash paid for investments	(1)	(1)
Cash received from divestitures and exchanges	0	31
Advance payments for license acquisitions	0	(135)
Net cash used in investing activities	(404)	(259)
Cash flows from financing activities
Issuance of long-term debt	50	0
Repayment of long-term debt	(2)	(5)
TDS Common Shares reissued for benefit plans, net of tax payments	(1)	(3)
U.S. Cellular Common Shares reissued for benefit plans, net of tax payments	0	(1)
Repurchase of TDS Common Shares	(6)	0
Repurchase of U.S. Cellular Common Shares	(21)	0
Dividends paid to TDS shareholders	(19)	(19)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(1)	(1)
Other financing activities	(3)	0
Net cash used in financing activities	(3)	(29)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(40)	39
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
Beginning of period	474	927
End of period	$ 434	$ 966

Consolidated Balance Sheet

Consolidated Balance Sheet - USD ($) $ in Millions		Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$ 421	$ 465
Accounts receivable
Customers and agents, less allowances of $81 and $74, respectively		962	1,005
Other, less allowances of $2 and $2, respectively		90	119
Inventory, net		218	169
Prepaid expenses		115	98
Income taxes receivable		111	36
Other current assets		33	29
Total current assets		1,950	1,921
Licenses		2,511	2,480
Goodwill		547	547
Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $173 and $167, respectively		232	239
Investments in unconsolidated entities		509	488
Property, plant and equipment
In service and under construction		13,103	12,864
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization		9,508	9,337
Property, plant and equipment, net		3,595	3,527
Operating lease right-of-use assets		975	972
Other assets and deferred charges		576	607
Total assets	[1]	10,895	10,781
Current liabilities
Current portion of long-term debt		8	10
Accounts payable		378	374
Customer deposits and deferred revenues		181	189
Accrued interest		19	11
Accrued taxes		38	41
Accrued compensation		77	121
Short-term operating lease liabilities		121	116
Other current liabilities		78	100
Total current liabilities		900	962
Deferred liabilities and credits
Deferred income tax liability, net		750	676
Long-term operating lease liabilities		929	931
Other deferred liabilities and credits		491	481
Long-term debt, net		2,365	2,316
Commitments and contingencies
Noncontrolling interests with redemption features		11	11
TDS shareholders’ equity
Series A Common and Common Shares Authorized 290 shares (25 Series A Common and 265 Common Shares) Issued 133 shares (7 Series A Common and 126 Common Shares) Outstanding 114 shares (7 Series A Common and 107 Common Shares) and 115 shares(7 Series A Common and 108 Common Shares), respectively Par Value ($.01 per share)		1	1
Capital in excess of par value		2,489	2,468
Treasury shares, at cost, 18 Common Shares		(480)	(479)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(8)	(9)
Retained earnings		2,718	2,672
Total TDS shareholders' equity		4,720	4,653
Noncontrolling interests		729	751
Total equity		5,449	5,404
Total liabilities and equity	[1]	$ 10,895	$ 10,781
[1]	The consolidated total assets as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 , include assets held by consolidated variable interest entities (VIEs) of $917 million and $915 million , respectively, which are not available to be used to settle the obligations of TDS. The consolidated total liabilities as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 , include certain liabilities of consolidated VIEs of $18 million and $20 million , respectively, for which the creditors of the VIEs have no recourse to the general credit of TDS. See Note 10 — Variable Interest Entities for additional information.

Consolidated Balance Sheet (Par

Consolidated Balance Sheet (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Accounts receivable
Customer and agent allowances	$ 81	$ 74
Other allowances	2	2
Other intangible assets
Other intangible assets accumulated amortization	$ 173	$ 167
TDS shareholders’ equity
Authorized shares (in shares)	290,000,000	290,000,000
Issued shares (in shares)	133,000,000	133,000,000
Outstanding shares (in shares)	114,000,000	115,000,000
Variable Interest Entities VIEs
Total VIE assets that can be used to settle only the VIEs' obligations	$ 917	$ 915
Total VIE liabilities for which creditors have no recourse	$ 18	$ 20
Series A Common Shares
TDS shareholders’ equity
Authorized shares (in shares)	25,000,000	25,000,000
Issued shares (in shares)	7,000,000	7,000,000
Outstanding shares (in shares)	7,000,000	7,000,000
Par value per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common Shares
TDS shareholders’ equity
Authorized shares (in shares)	265,000,000	265,000,000
Issued shares (in shares)	126,000,000	126,000,000
Outstanding shares (in shares)	107,000,000	108,000,000
Par value per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Treasury shares at cost (in shares)	18,000,000	18,000,000

Consolidated Statement of Chang

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity - USD ($) $ in Millions	Total	Series A Common and Common shares	Capital in excess of par value	Treasury shares	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	Retained earnings	Total TDS shareholders' equity	Noncontrolling interests
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 5,293	$ 1	$ 2,432	$ (519)	$ (10)	$ 2,656	$ 4,560	$ 733
Net income attributable to TDS shareholders	59					59	59
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests classified as equity	11						0	11
TDS Common and Series A Common share dividends	(19)					(19)	(19)
Dividend reinvestment plan	4			5		(1)	4
Incentive and compensation plans	(3)			9		(12)	(3)
Adjust investment in subsidiaries for repurchases, issuances and other compensation plans	9		6				6	3
Stock-based compensation awards	4		4				4
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(1)						0	(1)
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2019	5,357	1	2,442	(505)	(10)	2,683	4,611	746
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 loss	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			1
Incentive and compensation plans	0			4		(4)	0
Adjust investment in subsidiaries for repurchases, issuances and other compensation plans	(17)		18				18	(35)
Stock-based compensation awards	3		3				3
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

Consolidated Statement of Cha_2

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Statement of Stockholders' Equity (Parenthetical) [Abstract]
TDS Common and Series A Common Share dividends (in dollars per share)	$ 0.170	$ 0.165

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Note 1 Basis of Presentation The accounting policies of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (TDS) conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) as set forth in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC). Unless otherwise specified, references to accounting provisions and GAAP in these notes refer to the requirements of the FASB ASC. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of TDS and subsidiaries in which it has a controlling financial interest, including TDS’ 83% -owned subsidiary, United States Cellular Corporation (U.S. Cellular) and TDS’ wholly-owned subsidiary, TDS Telecommunications LLC (TDS Telecom). In addition, the consolidated financial statements include certain entities in which TDS has a variable interest that requires consolidation under GAAP. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. TDS’ business segments reflected in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2020 , are U.S. Cellular, Wireline, and Cable. TDS’ non-reportable other business activities are presented as “Corporate, Eliminations and Other”, which includes the operations of TDS’ wholly-owned hosted and managed services (HMS) subsidiary, which operates under the OneNeck IT Solutions brand, and its wholly-owned subsidiary Suttle-Straus, Inc. (Suttle-Straus). HMS’ and Suttle-Straus’ financial results were not significant to TDS’ operations. All of TDS’ segments operate only in the United States. See Note 12 — Business Segment Information for summary financial information on each business segment. The unaudited consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by TDS pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Certain information and disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. However, TDS believes that the disclosures included herein are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. Certain numbers included herein are rounded to millions for ease of presentation; however, certain calculated amounts and percentages are determined using the unrounded numbers. These unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in TDS’ Annual Report on Form 10-K (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2019 . The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring items, unless otherwise disclosed) necessary for the fair statement of TDS’ financial position as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 and its results of operations, comprehensive income, cash flows and changes in equity for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 . These results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. TDS has not changed its significant accounting and reporting policies from those disclosed in its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 except as noted below for the estimation of credit losses. Restricted Cash TDS presents restricted cash with cash and cash equivalents in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The following table provides a reconciliation of Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheet to the total of the amounts in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 . March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 (Dollars in millions) Cash and cash equivalents $ 421 $ 465 Restricted cash included in Other current assets 13 9 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash in the statement of cash flows $ 434 $ 474 Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments and subsequently amended the standard with additional Accounting Standards Updates, collectively referred to as ASC 326. This standard requires entities to use a new forward-looking, expected loss model to estimate credit losses and requires additional disclosures relating to the credit quality of trade and other receivables. TDS adopted the provisions of ASC 326 on January 1, 2020, using a modified retrospective method. Under this method, TDS applied the new accounting standard only to the most recent period presented, recognizing the cumulative effect of the accounting change, if any, as an adjustment to the beginning balance of retained earnings. Accordingly, prior periods have not been recast to reflect the new accounting standard. The cumulative effect of applying the provisions of ASC 326 had no impact on retained earnings. U.S. Cellular’s accounts receivable consist primarily of amounts owed by customers for wireless services and equipment sales, including sales of certain devices and accessories under installment plans, by agents and third-party distributors for sales of equipment to them, by third party vendors and by other wireless carriers whose customers have used U.S. Cellular’s wireless systems. TDS Telecom’s accounts receivable primarily consist of amounts owed by customers for services and products provided, by state and federal governments for grants and support funds, and by interexchange carriers for long-distance and data traffic, which TDS Telecom carries on its network. TDS estimates expected credit losses related to accounts receivable balances based on a review of available and relevant information including current economic conditions, projected economic conditions, historical loss experience, account aging, and other factors that could affect collectability. Expected credit losses are determined individually or collectively depending on whether the accounts receivable balances share similar risk characteristics. The allowance for doubtful accounts is the best estimate of the amount of expected credit losses related to existing accounts receivable. TDS does not have any off-balance sheet credit exposure related to its customers. In August 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2018-15, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software: Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract (ASU 2018-15). ASU 2018-15 aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the existing guidance for capitalizing implementation costs for an arrangement that has a software license. The service element of a hosting arrangement will continue to be expensed as incurred. Any capitalized implementation costs will be amortized over the period of the service contract. TDS' hosting arrangements that are service contracts consist primarily of software used to perform administrative functions. TDS adopted ASU 2018-15 on January 1, 2020 using the prospective method. The adoption of ASU 2018-15 did no t have a significant impact on TDS' financial position or results of operations.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenue Recognition	Note 2 Revenue Recognition Disaggregation of Revenue In the following table, TDS' revenues are disaggregated by type of service, which represents the relevant categorization of revenues for TDS' reportable segments, and timing of recognition. Service revenues are recognized over time and Equipment sales are point in time. TDS Telecom Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 U.S. Cellular Wireline Cable TDS Telecom Total 1 Corporate, Eliminations and Other Total (Dollars in millions) Revenues from contracts with customers: Type of service: Retail service $ 671 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 671 Inbound roaming 37 — — — — 37 Residential — 84 60 144 — 144 Commercial — 39 11 50 — 50 Wholesale — 45 — 45 — 45 Other service 35 — — — 18 53 Service revenues from contracts with customers 743 169 71 239 18 1,000 Equipment and product sales 201 — — — 34 235 Total revenues from contracts with customers 944 169 71 240 52 1,235 Operating lease income 19 — — 1 6 26 Total operating revenues $ 963 $ 169 $ 71 $ 240 $ 58 $ 1,261 TDS Telecom Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 U.S. Cellular Wireline Cable TDS Telecom Total 1 Corporate, Eliminations and Other Total (Dollars in millions) Revenues from contracts with customers: Type of service: Retail service $ 659 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 659 Inbound roaming 34 — — — — 34 Residential — 81 49 131 — 131 Commercial — 43 10 54 — 54 Wholesale — 45 — 45 — 45 Other service 32 — — — 18 50 Service revenues from contracts with customers 725 170 60 229 18 973 Equipment and product sales 225 — — — 37 262 Total revenues from contracts with customers 950 170 60 230 55 1,235 Operating lease income 16 — — — 6 22 Total operating revenues $ 966 $ 171 $ 60 $ 230 $ 61 $ 1,257 Numbers may not foot due to rounding. 1 TDS Telecom Total includes eliminations between the Wireline and Cable segments. Contract Balances The following table provides balances for contract assets from contracts with customers, which are recorded in Other current assets and Other assets and deferred charges in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, and contract liabilities from contracts with customers, which are recorded in Customer deposits and deferred revenues and Other deferred liabilities and credits in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 (Dollars in millions) Contract assets $ 10 $ 10 Contract liabilities $ 189 $ 197 Revenue recognized related to contract liabilities existing at January 1, 2020 was $133 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020. Transaction price allocated to the remaining performance obligations The following table includes estimated service revenues expected to be recognized related to performance obligations that are unsatisfied (or partially unsatisfied) at the end of the reporting period. These estimates represent service revenues to be recognized when services are delivered to customers pursuant to service plan contracts and under certain roaming agreements with other carriers. These estimates are based on contracts in place as of March 31, 2020 and may vary from actual results. As practical expedients, revenue related to contracts of less than one year, generally month-to-month contracts, and contracts with a fixed per-unit price and variable quantity, are excluded from these estimates. Service Revenues (Dollars in millions) Remainder of 2020 $ 316 2021 191 Thereafter 212 Total $ 719 Contract Cost Assets TDS expects that commission fees paid as a result of obtaining contracts are recoverable and, therefore, TDS defers and amortizes these costs. As a practical expedient, costs with an amortization period of one year or less are expensed as incurred. TDS also incurs fulfillment costs, such as installation costs, where there is an expectation that a future benefit will be realized. Deferred commission fees and fulfillment costs are amortized based on the timing of transfer of the goods or services to which the assets relate, typically the contract term. Contract cost asset balances, which are recorded in Other assets and deferred charges in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, were as follows: March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 (Dollars in millions) Costs to obtain contracts Sales commissions $ 141 $ 146 Fulfillment costs Installation costs 10 11 Other costs 1 — Total contract cost assets $ 152 $ 157 Amortization of contract cost assets was $31 million for each of the three month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, and was included in Selling, general and administrative expenses and Cost of services expenses.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	Note 3 Fair Value Measurements As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 , TDS did not have any material financial or nonfinancial assets or liabilities that were required to be recorded at fair value in its Consolidated Balance Sheet in accordance with GAAP. The provisions of GAAP establish a fair value hierarchy that contains three levels for inputs used in fair value measurements. Level 1 inputs include quoted market prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. Level 2 inputs include quoted market prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or quoted market prices for identical assets and liabilities in inactive markets. Level 3 inputs are unobservable. A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is not representative of its expected performance or its overall risk profile and, therefore, Level 3 assets are not necessarily higher risk than Level 2 assets or Level 1 assets. TDS has applied the provisions of fair value accounting for purposes of computing the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes as displayed below. Level within the Fair Value Hierarchy March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Book Value Fair Value Book Value Fair Value (Dollars in millions) Cash and cash equivalents 1 $ 421 $ 421 $ 465 $ 465 Long-term debt Retail 2 1,753 1,495 1,753 1,796 Institutional 2 535 527 534 594 Other 2 134 133 84 84 The fair values of Cash and cash equivalents and Short-term investments approximate their book values due to the short-term nature of these financial instruments. Long-term debt excludes lease obligations, other installment arrangements, the current portion of Long-term debt and debt financing costs. The fair value of “Retail” Long-term debt was estimated using market prices for TDS’ 7.0% Senior Notes, 6.875% Senior Notes, 6.625% Senior Notes and 5.875% Senior Notes, and U.S. Cellular’s 7.25% 2063 Senior Notes, 7.25% 2064 Senior Notes and 6.95% Senior Notes. TDS’ “Institutional” debt consists of U.S. Cellular’s 6.7% Senior Notes which are traded over the counter. TDS’ “Other” debt consists of senior term loan credit agreements and other borrowings with financial institutions. TDS estimated the fair value of its Institutional and Other debt through a discounted cash flow analysis using the interest rates or estimated yield to maturity for each borrowing, which ranged from 2.74% to 8.25% and 3.55% to 6.25% at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 , respectively.

Equipment Installment Plans

Equipment Installment Plans	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Receivables [Abstract]
Equipment Installment Plans	Note 4 Equipment Installment Plans U.S. Cellular sells devices to customers under equipment installment plans over a specified time period. For certain equipment installment plans, after a specified period of time or amount of payments, the customer may have the right to upgrade to a new device and have the remaining unpaid equipment installment contract balance waived, subject to certain conditions, including trading in the original device in good working condition and signing a new equipment installment contract. The following table summarizes equipment installment plan receivables as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 . March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 (Dollars in millions) Equipment installment plan receivables, gross $ 964 $ 1,008 Allowance for credit losses (90 ) (84 ) Equipment installment plan receivables, net $ 874 $ 924 Net balance presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as: Accounts receivable — Customers and agents (Current portion) $ 566 $ 587 Other assets and deferred charges (Non-current portion) 308 337 Equipment installment plan receivables, net $ 874 $ 924 U.S. Cellular uses various inputs, including internal data, information from credit bureaus and other sources, to evaluate the credit profiles of its customers. From this evaluation, a credit class is assigned to the customer that determines the number of eligible lines, the amount of credit available, and the down payment requirement, if any. These credit classes are grouped into four credit categories: lowest risk, lower risk, slight risk and higher risk. A customer's assigned credit class is reviewed periodically and a change is made, if appropriate. An equipment installment plan billed amount is considered past due if not paid within 30 days. The balance and aging of the equipment installment plan receivables on a gross basis by credit category were as follows: March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Lowest Risk Lower Risk Slight Risk Higher Risk Total Lowest Risk Lower Risk Slight Risk Higher Risk Total (Dollars in millions) Unbilled $ 774 $ 95 $ 22 $ 9 $ 900 $ 812 $ 99 $ 23 $ 8 $ 942 Billed — current 35 5 2 1 43 37 5 2 1 45 Billed — past due 11 6 3 1 21 11 6 3 1 21 Total $ 820 $ 106 $ 27 $ 11 $ 964 $ 860 $ 110 $ 28 $ 10 $ 1,008 The balance of the equipment installment plan receivables as of March 31, 2020 on a gross basis by year of origination were as follows: 2017 2018 2019 2020 Total (Dollars in millions) Lowest Risk $ 15 $ 200 $ 480 $ 125 $ 820 Lower Risk 1 19 67 19 106 Slight Risk — 3 16 8 27 Higher Risk — 1 6 4 11 Total $ 16 $ 223 $ 569 $ 156 $ 964 Activity for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 , in the allowance for credit losses for equipment installment plan receivables was as follows: March 31, 2020 March 31, 2019 (Dollars in millions) Allowance for credit losses, beginning of period $ 84 $ 77 Bad debts expense 25 18 Write-offs, net of recoveries (19 ) (18 ) Allowance for credit losses, end of period $ 90 $ 77

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Note 5 Income Taxes The effective tax rate on Income before income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, was 4.2% and 32.6% , respectively. The lower effective tax rate in 2020 as compared to 2019 is due primarily to the income tax benefits of the CARES Act enacted on March 27, 2020. The CARES Act provides retroactive eligibility of bonus depreciation on qualified improvement property put into service after December 31, 2017 and a 5-year carryback of net operating losses generated in years 2018-2020. As the statutory federal tax rate applicable to certain years within the carryback period is 35% , carryback to those years provides a tax benefit in excess of the current federal statutory rate of 21%

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	Note 6 Earnings Per Share Basic earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders is computed by dividing Net income attributable to TDS shareholders by the weighted average number of Common Shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders is computed by dividing Net income attributable to TDS shareholders by the weighted average number of Common Shares outstanding during the period adjusted to include the effects of potentially dilutive securities. Potentially dilutive securities primarily include incremental shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options and the vesting of performance and restricted stock units. The amounts used in computing basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders were as follows: Three Months Ended 2020 2019 (Dollars and shares in millions, except per share amounts) Net income attributable to TDS shareholders used in basic earnings per share $ 69 $ 59 Adjustments to compute diluted earnings: Noncontrolling interest adjustment (1 ) (1 ) Net income attributable to TDS shareholders used in diluted earnings per share $ 68 $ 58 Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings per share: Common Shares 108 107 Series A Common Shares 7 7 Total 115 114 Effects of dilutive securities 1 2 Weighted average number of shares used in diluted earnings per share 116 116 Basic earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders $ 0.60 $ 0.52 Diluted earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders $ 0.59 $ 0.50 Certain Common Shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options or vesting of performance and restricted stock units were not included in weighted average diluted shares outstanding for the calculation of Diluted earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders because their effects were antidilutive. The number of such Common Shares excluded was 4 million and less than 1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Intangible Assets

Intangible Assets	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible Assets	Note 7 Intangible Assets Activity related to Licenses for the three months ended March 31, 2020 , is presented below: Licenses (Dollars in millions) Balance at December 31, 2019 $ 2,480 Acquisitions 30 Capitalized interest 1 Balance at March 31, 2020 $ 2,511 In March 2020, the FCC announced by way of public notice that U.S. Cellular was the provisional winning bidder for 237 wireless spectrum licenses in the 37, 39 and 47 GHz bands (Auction 103) for $146 million. U.S. Cellular paid $24 million of this amount in the three months ended March 31, 2020 and substantially all of the remainder in April 2020. The wireless spectrum licenses from Auction 103 are expected to be granted by the FCC during 2020.

Investments In Unconsolidated E

Investments In Unconsolidated Entities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Investments in Unconsolidated Entities	Note 8 Investments in Unconsolidated Entities Investments in unconsolidated entities consist of amounts invested in entities in which TDS holds a noncontrolling interest. TDS’ Investments in unconsolidated entities are accounted for using either the equity method or measurement alternative method as shown in the table below. The carrying value of measurement alternative method investments represents cost minus any impairments plus or minus any observable price changes. March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 (Dollars in millions) Equity method investments $ 487 $ 467 Measurement alternative method investments 22 21 Total investments in unconsolidated entities $ 509 $ 488 The following table, which is based on information provided in part by third parties, summarizes the combined results of operations of TDS’ equity method investments. Three Months Ended 2020 2019 (Dollars in millions) Revenues $ 1,662 $ 1,696 Operating expenses 1,166 1,221 Operating income 496 475 Other income (expense), net 3 (6 ) Net income $ 499 $ 469

Debt

Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	Note 9 Debt Term Loan In March 2020, TDS borrowed $50 million on its senior term loan credit agreement, to be used for general corporate purposes, including working capital and capital expenditures . This agreement was entered into in January 2020 and amended in March 2020. The interest rate on outstanding borrowings is at a rate of LIBOR plus 200 basis points. Principal reductions are due and payable in quarterly installments of $0.5 million beginning in June 2021. The remaining unpaid balance will be due and payable in January 2027. TDS believes that it was in compliance with all of the financial covenants and other requirements set forth in its senior term loan credit agreement as of March 31, 2020 .

Variable Interest Entities

Variable Interest Entities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Variable Interest Entities [Abstract]
Variable Interest Entities	Note 10 Variable Interest Entities Consolidated VIEs TDS consolidates VIEs in which it has a controlling financial interest as defined by GAAP and is therefore deemed the primary beneficiary. A controlling financial interest will have both of the following characteristics: (a) the power to direct the VIE activities that most significantly impact economic performance; and (b) the obligation to absorb the VIE losses and the right to receive benefits that are significant to the VIE. TDS reviews these criteria initially at the time it enters into agreements and subsequently when events warranting reconsideration occur. These VIEs have risks similar to those described in the “Risk Factors” in TDS’ Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 . During 2017, U.S. Cellular formed USCC EIP LLC (Seller/Sub-Servicer), USCC Receivables Funding LLC (Transferor) and the USCC Master Note Trust (Trust), collectively the special purpose entities (SPEs), to facilitate a securitized borrowing using its equipment installment plan receivables. Under a Receivables Sale Agreement, U.S. Cellular wholly-owned, majority-owned and unconsolidated entities, collectively referred to as “affiliated entities”, transfer device equipment installment plan contracts to the Seller/Sub-Servicer. The Seller/Sub-Servicer aggregates device equipment installment plan contracts, and performs servicing, collection and all other administrative activities related to accounting for the equipment installment plan contracts. The Seller/Sub-Servicer sells the eligible equipment installment plan receivables to the Transferor, a bankruptcy remote entity, which subsequently sells the receivables to the Trust. The Trust, which is bankruptcy remote and isolated from the creditors of U.S. Cellular, will be responsible for issuing asset-backed variable funding notes (Notes), which are collateralized by the equipment installment plan receivables owned by the Trust. Given that U.S. Cellular has the power to direct the activities of these SPEs, and that these SPEs lack sufficient equity to finance their activities, U.S. Cellular is deemed to have a controlling financial interest in the SPEs and, therefore, consolidates them. All transactions with third parties (e.g., issuance of the asset-backed variable funding notes) will be accounted for as a secured borrowing due to the pledging of equipment installment plan contracts as collateral, significant continuing involvement in the transferred assets, subordinated interests of the cash flows, and continued evidence of control of the receivables. The following VIEs were formed to participate in FCC auctions of wireless spectrum licenses and to fund, establish, and provide wireless service with respect to any FCC wireless spectrum licenses won in the auctions: ▪ Advantage Spectrum, L.P. (Advantage Spectrum) and Sunshine Spectrum, Inc., the general partner of Advantage Spectrum; and ▪ King Street Wireless, L.P. (King Street Wireless) and King Street Wireless, Inc., the general partner of King Street Wireless. These particular VIEs are collectively referred to as designated entities. The power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of these VIEs is shared. Specifically, the general partner of these VIEs has the exclusive right to manage, operate and control the limited partnerships and make all decisions to carry on the business of the partnerships. The general partner of each partnership needs the consent of the limited partner, an indirect TDS subsidiary, to sell or lease certain wireless spectrum licenses, to make certain large expenditures, admit other partners or liquidate the limited partnerships. Although the power to direct the activities of these VIEs is shared, TDS has the most significant level of exposure to the variability associated with the economic performance of the VIEs, indicating that TDS is the primary beneficiary of the VIEs. Therefore, in accordance with GAAP, these VIEs are consolidated. TDS also consolidates other VIEs that are limited partnerships that provide wireless service. A limited partnership is a variable interest entity unless the limited partners hold substantive participating rights or kick-out rights over the general partner. For certain limited partnerships, U.S. Cellular is the general partner and manages the operations. In these partnerships, the limited partners do not have substantive kick-out or participating rights and, further, such limited partners do not have the authority to remove the general partner. Therefore, these limited partnerships also are recognized as VIEs and are consolidated under the variable interest model. The following table presents the classification and balances of the consolidated VIEs’ assets and liabilities in TDS’ Consolidated Balance Sheet. March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 (Dollars in millions) Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 24 $ 19 Accounts receivable 613 637 Inventory, net 4 5 Other current assets 11 7 Licenses 647 647 Property, plant and equipment, net 97 95 Operating lease right-of-use assets 42 42 Other assets and deferred charges 315 347 Total assets $ 1,753 $ 1,799 Liabilities Current liabilities $ 28 $ 30 Long-term operating lease liabilities 38 39 Other deferred liabilities and credits 13 13 Total liabilities $ 79 $ 82 Unconsolidated VIEs TDS manages the operations of and holds a variable interest in certain other limited partnerships, but is not the primary beneficiary of these entities and, therefore, does not consolidate them under the variable interest model. TDS’ total investment in these unconsolidated entities was $4 million and $5 million at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 , respectively, and is included in Investments in unconsolidated entities in TDS’ Consolidated Balance Sheet. The maximum exposure from unconsolidated VIEs is limited to the investment held by TDS in those entities. Other Related Matters TDS made contributions, loans or advances to its VIEs totaling $69 million and $183 million , during the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 , respectively, of which $55 million in 2020 and $168 million in 2019 , are related to USCC EIP LLC as discussed above. TDS may agree to make additional capital contributions and/or advances to these or other VIEs and/or to their general partners to provide additional funding for operations or the development of wireless spectrum licenses granted in various auctions. TDS may finance such amounts with a combination of cash on hand, borrowings under its revolving credit or receivables securitization agreements and/or other long-term debt. There is no assurance that TDS will be able to obtain additional financing on commercially reasonable terms or at all to provide such financial support. The limited partnership agreement of Advantage Spectrum also provides the general partner with a put option whereby the general partner may require the limited partner, a subsidiary of U.S. Cellular, to purchase its interest in the limited partnership. The general partner’s put option related to its interest in Advantage Spectrum will become exercisable in 2021 and 2022. The greater of the carrying value of the general partner's investment or the value of the put option, net of any borrowings due to TDS, is recorded as Noncontrolling interests with redemption features in TDS’ Consolidated Balance Sheet. Also in accordance with GAAP, minority share of income or changes in the redemption value of the put option, net of interest accrued on the loans, are recorded as a component of Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax, in TDS’ Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Noncontrolling Interests

Noncontrolling Interests	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Change Due to Net Income Attributable to Parent and Effects of Changes, Net [Abstract]
Noncontrolling Interests	Note 11 Noncontrolling Interests The following schedule discloses the effects of Net income attributable to TDS shareholders and changes in TDS’ ownership interest in U.S. Cellular on TDS’ equity: Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 2019 (Dollars in millions) Net income attributable to TDS shareholders $ 69 $ 59 Transfers (to) from noncontrolling interests Change in TDS' Capital in excess of par value from U.S. Cellular's issuance of U.S. Cellular shares (1 ) (2 ) Change in TDS' Capital in excess of par value from U.S. Cellular's repurchases of U.S. Cellular shares 13 — Net transfers (to) from noncontrolling interests 12 (2 ) Changes from net income attributable to TDS shareholders and transfers (to) from noncontrolling interests $ 81 $ 57

Business Segment Information

Business Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Business Segment Information	Note 12 Business Segment Information U.S. Cellular and TDS Telecom are billed for services they receive from TDS, consisting primarily of information processing, accounting and finance, and general management services. Such billings are based on expenses specifically identified to U.S. Cellular and TDS Telecom and on allocations of common expenses. Management believes the method used to allocate common expenses is reasonable and that all expenses and costs applicable to U.S. Cellular and TDS Telecom are reflected in the accompanying business segment information on a basis that is representative of what they would have been if U.S. Cellular and TDS Telecom operated on a stand-alone basis. Financial data for TDS’ reportable segments for the three month periods ended, or as of March 31, 2020 and 2019 , is as follows. See Note 1 — Basis of Presentation for additional information. TDS Telecom Three Months Ended or as of March 31, 2020 U.S. Cellular Wireline Cable TDS Telecom Total 1 Corporate, Eliminations and Other Total (Dollars in millions) Operating revenues Service $ 762 $ 169 $ 71 $ 240 $ 24 $ 1,026 Equipment and product sales 201 — — — 34 235 Total operating revenues 963 169 71 240 58 1,261 Cost of services (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below) 180 65 30 95 18 293 Cost of equipment and products 217 — — — 29 246 Selling, general and administrative 335 48 17 65 11 411 Depreciation, amortization and accretion 177 32 19 52 6 235 (Gain) loss on asset disposals, net 4 — — — — 4 Operating income (loss) 50 23 5 28 (6 ) 72 Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities 45 — — — — 45 Interest and dividend income 4 2 — 2 — 6 Interest expense (24 ) 1 — 1 (14 ) (37 ) Other, net 1 — — — (1 ) — Income (loss) before income taxes 76 26 5 31 (21 ) 86 Income tax expense (benefit) 2 4 4 (5 ) 3 Net income (loss) 72 28 (17 ) 83 Add back: Depreciation, amortization and accretion 177 32 19 52 6 235 (Gain) loss on asset disposals, net 4 — — — — 4 Interest expense 24 (1 ) — (1 ) 14 37 Income tax expense (benefit) 2 4 4 (5 ) 3 Adjusted EBITDA 3 $ 281 $ 57 $ 25 $ 82 $ (1 ) $ 362 Investments in unconsolidated entities $ 469 $ 4 $ — $ 4 $ 36 $ 509 Total assets $ 8,251 $ 1,497 $ 733 $ 2,221 $ 423 $ 10,895 Capital expenditures $ 236 $ 39 $ 15 $ 54 $ 2 $ 292 TDS Telecom Three Months Ended or as of March 31, 2019 U.S. Cellular Wireline Cable TDS Telecom Total 1 Corporate, Eliminations and Other Total (Dollars in millions) Operating revenues Service $ 741 $ 170 $ 60 $ 230 $ 24 $ 995 Equipment and product sales 225 — — — 37 262 Total operating revenues 966 171 60 230 61 1,257 Cost of services (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below) 176 63 26 88 20 284 Cost of equipment and products 233 — — — 31 264 Selling, general and administrative 326 47 14 61 10 397 Depreciation, amortization and accretion 169 34 17 50 8 227 (Gain) loss on asset disposals, net 2 (7 ) — (7 ) — (5 ) (Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net (2 ) — — — — (2 ) (Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net (2 ) — — — — (2 ) Operating income (loss) 64 34 2 37 (7 ) 94 Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities 44 — — — — 44 Interest and dividend income 6 3 — 3 — 9 Interest expense (29 ) 1 — — (14 ) (43 ) Income (loss) before income taxes 85 38 3 40 (21 ) 104 Income tax expense (benefit) 2 27 10 (3 ) 34 Net income (loss) 58 31 (19 ) 70 Add back: Depreciation, amortization and accretion 169 34 17 50 8 227 (Gain) loss on asset disposals, net 2 (7 ) — (7 ) — (5 ) (Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net (2 ) — — — — (2 ) (Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net (2 ) — — — — (2 ) Interest expense 29 (1 ) — — 14 43 Income tax expense (benefit) 2 27 10 (3 ) 34 Adjusted EBITDA 3 $ 281 $ 63 $ 20 $ 83 $ 1 $ 365 Investments in unconsolidated entities $ 468 $ 4 $ — $ 4 $ 35 $ 507 Total assets $ 8,229 $ 1,353 $ 641 $ 1,986 $ 572 $ 10,787 Capital expenditures $ 102 $ 29 $ 13 $ 42 $ 3 $ 147 Numbers may not foot due to rounding. 1 TDS Telecom Total includes eliminations between the Wireline and Cable segments. 2 Income tax expense (benefit) is not provided at the individual segment level for Wireline and Cable. TDS calculates income tax expense for “TDS Telecom Total". 3 Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and accretion (Adjusted EBITDA) is a segment measure reported to the chief operating decision maker for purposes of making decisions about allocating resources to the segments and assessing their performance. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income, adjusted for the items set forth in the reconciliation above. TDS believes Adjusted EBITDA is a useful measure of TDS’ operating results before significant recurring non-cash charges, gains and losses, and other items as presented above as they provide additional relevant and useful information to investors and other users of TDS' financial data in evaluating the effectiveness of its operations and underlying business trends in a manner that is consistent with management's evaluation of business performance.

Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	Note 13 Subsequent Events In April 2020, U.S. Cellular borrowed $125 million under its receivables securitization agreement, which permits securitized borrowings for general corporate purposes using its equipment installment plan receivables.

Basis of Presentation (Policies

Basis of Presentation (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Accounting Policy Disclosures [Line Items]
Principles of Consolidation	The accounting policies of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (TDS) conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) as set forth in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC). Unless otherwise specified, references to accounting provisions and GAAP in these notes refer to the requirements of the FASB ASC. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of TDS and subsidiaries in which it has a controlling financial interest, including TDS’ 83% -owned subsidiary, United States Cellular Corporation (U.S. Cellular) and TDS’ wholly-owned subsidiary, TDS Telecommunications LLC (TDS Telecom). In addition, the consolidated financial statements include certain entities in which TDS has a variable interest that requires consolidation under GAAP. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. TDS’ business segments reflected in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2020 , are U.S. Cellular, Wireline, and Cable. TDS’ non-reportable other business activities are presented as “Corporate, Eliminations and Other”, which includes the operations of TDS’ wholly-owned hosted and managed services (HMS) subsidiary, which operates under the OneNeck IT Solutions brand, and its wholly-owned subsidiary Suttle-Straus, Inc. (Suttle-Straus). HMS’ and Suttle-Straus’ financial results were not significant to TDS’ operations. All of TDS’ segments operate only in the United States. See Note 12 — Business Segment Information for summary financial information on each business segment.
Basis of Accounting	The unaudited consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by TDS pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Certain information and disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. However, TDS believes that the disclosures included herein are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. Certain numbers included herein are rounded to millions for ease of presentation; however, certain calculated amounts and percentages are determined using the unrounded numbers. These unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in TDS’ Annual Report on Form 10-K (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2019 . The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring items, unless otherwise disclosed) necessary for the fair statement of TDS’ financial position as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 and its results of operations, comprehensive income, cash flows and changes in equity for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 . These results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. TDS has not changed its significant accounting and reporting policies from those disclosed in its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 except as noted below for the estimation of credit losses.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	TDS estimates expected credit losses related to accounts receivable balances based on a review of available and relevant information including current economic conditions, projected economic conditions, historical loss experience, account aging, and other factors that could affect collectability. Expected credit losses are determined individually or collectively depending on whether the accounts receivable balances share similar risk characteristics. The allowance for doubtful accounts is the best estimate of the amount of expected credit losses related to existing accounts receivable. TDS does not have any off-balance sheet credit exposure related to its customers.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements	In August 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2018-15, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software: Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract (ASU 2018-15). ASU 2018-15 aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the existing guidance for capitalizing implementation costs for an arrangement that has a software license. The service element of a hosting arrangement will continue to be expensed as incurred. Any capitalized implementation costs will be amortized over the period of the service contract. TDS' hosting arrangements that are service contracts consist primarily of software used to perform administrative functions. TDS adopted ASU 2018-15 on January 1, 2020 using the prospective method. The adoption of ASU 2018-15 did no t have a significant impact on TDS' financial position or results of operations. In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments and subsequently amended the standard with additional Accounting Standards Updates, collectively referred to as ASC 326. This standard requires entities to use a new forward-looking, expected loss model to estimate credit losses and requires additional disclosures relating to the credit quality of trade and other receivables. TDS adopted the provisions of ASC 326 on January 1, 2020, using a modified retrospective method. Under this method, TDS applied the new accounting standard only to the most recent period presented, recognizing the cumulative effect of the accounting change, if any, as an adjustment to the beginning balance of retained earnings. Accordingly, prior periods have not been recast to reflect the new accounting standard. The cumulative effect of applying the provisions of ASC 326 had no impact on retained earnings.
Revenue from Contract with Customer	As practical expedients, revenue related to contracts of less than one year, generally month-to-month contracts, and contracts with a fixed per-unit price and variable quantity, are excluded from these estimates.TDS expects that commission fees paid as a result of obtaining contracts are recoverable and, therefore, TDS defers and amortizes these costs. As a practical expedient, costs with an amortization period of one year or less are expensed as incurred. TDS also incurs fulfillment costs, such as installation costs, where there is an expectation that a future benefit will be realized. Deferred commission fees and fulfillment costs are amortized based on the timing of transfer of the goods or services to which the assets relate, typically the contract term.
Variable Interest Entities	TDS consolidates VIEs in which it has a controlling financial interest as defined by GAAP and is therefore deemed the primary beneficiary. A controlling financial interest will have both of the following characteristics: (a) the power to direct the VIE activities that most significantly impact economic performance; and (b) the obligation to absorb the VIE losses and the right to receive benefits that are significant to the VIE. TDS reviews these criteria initially at the time it enters into agreements and subsequently when events warranting reconsideration occur. These VIEs have risks similar to those described in the “Risk Factors” in TDS’ Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 .
U.S. Cellular
Accounting Policy Disclosures [Line Items]
Accounts Receivable	U.S. Cellular’s accounts receivable consist primarily of amounts owed by customers for wireless services and equipment sales, including sales of certain devices and accessories under installment plans, by agents and third-party distributors for sales of equipment to them, by third party vendors and by other wireless carriers whose customers have used U.S. Cellular’s wireless systems.
TDS Telecom Total
Accounting Policy Disclosures [Line Items]
Accounts Receivable	TDS Telecom’s accounts receivable primarily consist of amounts owed by customers for services and products provided, by state and federal governments for grants and support funds, and by interexchange carriers for long-distance and data traffic, which TDS Telecom carries on its network.

Basis of Presentation (Tables)

Basis of Presentation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	The following table provides a reconciliation of Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheet to the total of the amounts in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 . March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 (Dollars in millions) Cash and cash equivalents $ 421 $ 465 Restricted cash included in Other current assets 13 9 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash in the statement of cash flows $ 434 $ 474

Revenue Recognition (Tables)

Revenue Recognition (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Disaggregation of Revenues	In the following table, TDS' revenues are disaggregated by type of service, which represents the relevant categorization of revenues for TDS' reportable segments, and timing of recognition. Service revenues are recognized over time and Equipment sales are point in time. TDS Telecom Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 U.S. Cellular Wireline Cable TDS Telecom Total 1 Corporate, Eliminations and Other Total (Dollars in millions) Revenues from contracts with customers: Type of service: Retail service $ 671 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 671 Inbound roaming 37 — — — — 37 Residential — 84 60 144 — 144 Commercial — 39 11 50 — 50 Wholesale — 45 — 45 — 45 Other service 35 — — — 18 53 Service revenues from contracts with customers 743 169 71 239 18 1,000 Equipment and product sales 201 — — — 34 235 Total revenues from contracts with customers 944 169 71 240 52 1,235 Operating lease income 19 — — 1 6 26 Total operating revenues $ 963 $ 169 $ 71 $ 240 $ 58 $ 1,261 TDS Telecom Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 U.S. Cellular Wireline Cable TDS Telecom Total 1 Corporate, Eliminations and Other Total (Dollars in millions) Revenues from contracts with customers: Type of service: Retail service $ 659 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 659 Inbound roaming 34 — — — — 34 Residential — 81 49 131 — 131 Commercial — 43 10 54 — 54 Wholesale — 45 — 45 — 45 Other service 32 — — — 18 50 Service revenues from contracts with customers 725 170 60 229 18 973 Equipment and product sales 225 — — — 37 262 Total revenues from contracts with customers 950 170 60 230 55 1,235 Operating lease income 16 — — — 6 22 Total operating revenues $ 966 $ 171 $ 60 $ 230 $ 61 $ 1,257 Numbers may not foot due to rounding. 1 TDS Telecom Total includes eliminations between the Wireline and Cable segments.
Contract with Customer, Assets and Liabilities	The following table provides balances for contract assets from contracts with customers, which are recorded in Other current assets and Other assets and deferred charges in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, and contract liabilities from contracts with customers, which are recorded in Customer deposits and deferred revenues and Other deferred liabilities and credits in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 (Dollars in millions) Contract assets $ 10 $ 10 Contract liabilities $ 189 $ 197
Remaining Performance Obligations	The following table includes estimated service revenues expected to be recognized related to performance obligations that are unsatisfied (or partially unsatisfied) at the end of the reporting period. These estimates represent service revenues to be recognized when services are delivered to customers pursuant to service plan contracts and under certain roaming agreements with other carriers. These estimates are based on contracts in place as of March 31, 2020 and may vary from actual results. As practical expedients, revenue related to contracts of less than one year, generally month-to-month contracts, and contracts with a fixed per-unit price and variable quantity, are excluded from these estimates. Service Revenues (Dollars in millions) Remainder of 2020 $ 316 2021 191 Thereafter 212 Total $ 719
Contract Cost Assets	Contract Cost Assets TDS expects that commission fees paid as a result of obtaining contracts are recoverable and, therefore, TDS defers and amortizes these costs. As a practical expedient, costs with an amortization period of one year or less are expensed as incurred. TDS also incurs fulfillment costs, such as installation costs, where there is an expectation that a future benefit will be realized. Deferred commission fees and fulfillment costs are amortized based on the timing of transfer of the goods or services to which the assets relate, typically the contract term. Contract cost asset balances, which are recorded in Other assets and deferred charges in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, were as follows: March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 (Dollars in millions) Costs to obtain contracts Sales commissions $ 141 $ 146 Fulfillment costs Installation costs 10 11 Other costs 1 — Total contract cost assets $ 152 $ 157

Fair Value Measurements (Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair value measurements	TDS has applied the provisions of fair value accounting for purposes of computing the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes as displayed below. Level within the Fair Value Hierarchy March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Book Value Fair Value Book Value Fair Value (Dollars in millions) Cash and cash equivalents 1 $ 421 $ 421 $ 465 $ 465 Long-term debt Retail 2 1,753 1,495 1,753 1,796 Institutional 2 535 527 534 594 Other 2 134 133 84 84

Equipment Installment Plans (Ta

Equipment Installment Plans (Table)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Receivables [Abstract]
Equipment installment plan receivables	The following table summarizes equipment installment plan receivables as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 . March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 (Dollars in millions) Equipment installment plan receivables, gross $ 964 $ 1,008 Allowance for credit losses (90 ) (84 ) Equipment installment plan receivables, net $ 874 $ 924 Net balance presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as: Accounts receivable — Customers and agents (Current portion) $ 566 $ 587 Other assets and deferred charges (Non-current portion) 308 337 Equipment installment plan receivables, net $ 874 $ 924
Equipment installment plan receivables credit categories	The balance and aging of the equipment installment plan receivables on a gross basis by credit category were as follows: March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Lowest Risk Lower Risk Slight Risk Higher Risk Total Lowest Risk Lower Risk Slight Risk Higher Risk Total (Dollars in millions) Unbilled $ 774 $ 95 $ 22 $ 9 $ 900 $ 812 $ 99 $ 23 $ 8 $ 942 Billed — current 35 5 2 1 43 37 5 2 1 45 Billed — past due 11 6 3 1 21 11 6 3 1 21 Total $ 820 $ 106 $ 27 $ 11 $ 964 $ 860 $ 110 $ 28 $ 10 $ 1,008 The balance of the equipment installment plan receivables as of March 31, 2020 on a gross basis by year of origination were as follows: 2017 2018 2019 2020 Total (Dollars in millions) Lowest Risk $ 15 $ 200 $ 480 $ 125 $ 820 Lower Risk 1 19 67 19 106 Slight Risk — 3 16 8 27 Higher Risk — 1 6 4 11 Total $ 16 $ 223 $ 569 $ 156 $ 964
Equipment installment plans allowance for credit losses	Activity for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 , in the allowance for credit losses for equipment installment plan receivables was as follows: March 31, 2020 March 31, 2019 (Dollars in millions) Allowance for credit losses, beginning of period $ 84 $ 77 Bad debts expense 25 18 Write-offs, net of recoveries (19 ) (18 ) Allowance for credit losses, end of period $ 90 $ 77

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings per share	The amounts used in computing basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders were as follows: Three Months Ended 2020 2019 (Dollars and shares in millions, except per share amounts) Net income attributable to TDS shareholders used in basic earnings per share $ 69 $ 59 Adjustments to compute diluted earnings: Noncontrolling interest adjustment (1 ) (1 ) Net income attributable to TDS shareholders used in diluted earnings per share $ 68 $ 58 Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings per share: Common Shares 108 107 Series A Common Shares 7 7 Total 115 114 Effects of dilutive securities 1 2 Weighted average number of shares used in diluted earnings per share 116 116 Basic earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders $ 0.60 $ 0.52 Diluted earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders $ 0.59 $ 0.50

Intangible Assets (Tables)

Intangible Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Licenses
Licenses	Activity related to Licenses for the three months ended March 31, 2020 , is presented below: Licenses (Dollars in millions) Balance at December 31, 2019 $ 2,480 Acquisitions 30 Capitalized interest 1 Balance at March 31, 2020 $ 2,511

Investment in Unconsolidated En

Investment in Unconsolidated Entities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Equity and measurement alternative method investments	TDS’ Investments in unconsolidated entities are accounted for using either the equity method or measurement alternative method as shown in the table below. The carrying value of measurement alternative method investments represents cost minus any impairments plus or minus any observable price changes. March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 (Dollars in millions) Equity method investments $ 487 $ 467 Measurement alternative method investments 22 21 Total investments in unconsolidated entities $ 509 $ 488
Equity method investments, summarized results of operations	The following table, which is based on information provided in part by third parties, summarizes the combined results of operations of TDS’ equity method investments. Three Months Ended 2020 2019 (Dollars in millions) Revenues $ 1,662 $ 1,696 Operating expenses 1,166 1,221 Operating income 496 475 Other income (expense), net 3 (6 ) Net income $ 499 $ 469

Variable Interest Entities (Tab

Variable Interest Entities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Variable Interest Entities [Abstract]
Consolidated VIE assets and liabilities	The following table presents the classification and balances of the consolidated VIEs’ assets and liabilities in TDS’ Consolidated Balance Sheet. March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 (Dollars in millions) Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 24 $ 19 Accounts receivable 613 637 Inventory, net 4 5 Other current assets 11 7 Licenses 647 647 Property, plant and equipment, net 97 95 Operating lease right-of-use assets 42 42 Other assets and deferred charges 315 347 Total assets $ 1,753 $ 1,799 Liabilities Current liabilities $ 28 $ 30 Long-term operating lease liabilities 38 39 Other deferred liabilities and credits 13 13 Total liabilities $ 79 $ 82

Noncontrolling Interests (Table

Noncontrolling Interests (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Change Due to Net Income Attributable to Parent and Effects of Changes, Net [Abstract]
Noncontrolling interests	The following schedule discloses the effects of Net income attributable to TDS shareholders and changes in TDS’ ownership interest in U.S. Cellular on TDS’ equity: Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 2019 (Dollars in millions) Net income attributable to TDS shareholders $ 69 $ 59 Transfers (to) from noncontrolling interests Change in TDS' Capital in excess of par value from U.S. Cellular's issuance of U.S. Cellular shares (1 ) (2 ) Change in TDS' Capital in excess of par value from U.S. Cellular's repurchases of U.S. Cellular shares 13 — Net transfers (to) from noncontrolling interests 12 (2 ) Changes from net income attributable to TDS shareholders and transfers (to) from noncontrolling interests $ 81 $ 57

Business Segment Information (T

Business Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Business segment information	Financial data for TDS’ reportable segments for the three month periods ended, or as of March 31, 2020 and 2019 , is as follows. See Note 1 — Basis of Presentation for additional information. TDS Telecom Three Months Ended or as of March 31, 2020 U.S. Cellular Wireline Cable TDS Telecom Total 1 Corporate, Eliminations and Other Total (Dollars in millions) Operating revenues Service $ 762 $ 169 $ 71 $ 240 $ 24 $ 1,026 Equipment and product sales 201 — — — 34 235 Total operating revenues 963 169 71 240 58 1,261 Cost of services (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below) 180 65 30 95 18 293 Cost of equipment and products 217 — — — 29 246 Selling, general and administrative 335 48 17 65 11 411 Depreciation, amortization and accretion 177 32 19 52 6 235 (Gain) loss on asset disposals, net 4 — — — — 4 Operating income (loss) 50 23 5 28 (6 ) 72 Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities 45 — — — — 45 Interest and dividend income 4 2 — 2 — 6 Interest expense (24 ) 1 — 1 (14 ) (37 ) Other, net 1 — — — (1 ) — Income (loss) before income taxes 76 26 5 31 (21 ) 86 Income tax expense (benefit) 2 4 4 (5 ) 3 Net income (loss) 72 28 (17 ) 83 Add back: Depreciation, amortization and accretion 177 32 19 52 6 235 (Gain) loss on asset disposals, net 4 — — — — 4 Interest expense 24 (1 ) — (1 ) 14 37 Income tax expense (benefit) 2 4 4 (5 ) 3 Adjusted EBITDA 3 $ 281 $ 57 $ 25 $ 82 $ (1 ) $ 362 Investments in unconsolidated entities $ 469 $ 4 $ — $ 4 $ 36 $ 509 Total assets $ 8,251 $ 1,497 $ 733 $ 2,221 $ 423 $ 10,895 Capital expenditures $ 236 $ 39 $ 15 $ 54 $ 2 $ 292 TDS Telecom Three Months Ended or as of March 31, 2019 U.S. Cellular Wireline Cable TDS Telecom Total 1 Corporate, Eliminations and Other Total (Dollars in millions) Operating revenues Service $ 741 $ 170 $ 60 $ 230 $ 24 $ 995 Equipment and product sales 225 — — — 37 262 Total operating revenues 966 171 60 230 61 1,257 Cost of services (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below) 176 63 26 88 20 284 Cost of equipment and products 233 — — — 31 264 Selling, general and administrative 326 47 14 61 10 397 Depreciation, amortization and accretion 169 34 17 50 8 227 (Gain) loss on asset disposals, net 2 (7 ) — (7 ) — (5 ) (Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net (2 ) — — — — (2 ) (Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net (2 ) — — — — (2 ) Operating income (loss) 64 34 2 37 (7 ) 94 Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities 44 — — — — 44 Interest and dividend income 6 3 — 3 — 9 Interest expense (29 ) 1 — — (14 ) (43 ) Income (loss) before income taxes 85 38 3 40 (21 ) 104 Income tax expense (benefit) 2 27 10 (3 ) 34 Net income (loss) 58 31 (19 ) 70 Add back: Depreciation, amortization and accretion 169 34 17 50 8 227 (Gain) loss on asset disposals, net 2 (7 ) — (7 ) — (5 ) (Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net (2 ) — — — — (2 ) (Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net (2 ) — — — — (2 ) Interest expense 29 (1 ) — — 14 43 Income tax expense (benefit) 2 27 10 (3 ) 34 Adjusted EBITDA 3 $ 281 $ 63 $ 20 $ 83 $ 1 $ 365 Investments in unconsolidated entities $ 468 $ 4 $ — $ 4 $ 35 $ 507 Total assets $ 8,229 $ 1,353 $ 641 $ 1,986 $ 572 $ 10,787 Capital expenditures $ 102 $ 29 $ 13 $ 42 $ 3 $ 147 Numbers may not foot due to rounding. 1 TDS Telecom Total includes eliminations between the Wireline and Cable segments. 2 Income tax expense (benefit) is not provided at the individual segment level for Wireline and Cable. TDS calculates income tax expense for “TDS Telecom Total". 3 Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and accretion (Adjusted EBITDA) is a segment measure reported to the chief operating decision maker for purposes of making decisions about allocating resources to the segments and assessing their performance. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income, adjusted for the items set forth in the reconciliation above. TDS believes Adjusted EBITDA is a useful measure of TDS’ operating results before significant recurring non-cash charges, gains and losses, and other items as presented above as they provide additional relevant and useful information to investors and other users of TDS' financial data in evaluating the effectiveness of its operations and underlying business trends in a manner that is consistent with management's evaluation of business performance.

Basis of Presentation - Narrati

Basis of Presentation - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
ASC 326
Basis of Presentation [Line Items]
Cumulative effect of change in retained earnings due to adoption of new accounting pronouncement		$ 0
ASU 2018-15
Basis of Presentation [Line Items]
Cumulative effect of change in retained earnings due to adoption of new accounting pronouncement		$ 0
U.S. Cellular
Basis of Presentation [Line Items]
TDS ownership of U.S. Cellular	83.00%

Basis of Presentation - Cash, C

Basis of Presentation - Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 421	$ 465
Restricted cash included in Other current assets	13	9
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash in the statement of cash flows	$ 434	$ 474	$ 966	$ 927

Revenue Recognition - Disaggreg

Revenue Recognition - Disaggregation Of Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Disaggregation of revenue
Revenue from contracts with customers	$ 1,235	$ 1,235
Operating lease income	26	22
Total operating revenues	1,261	1,257
Transferred over time
Disaggregation of revenue
Revenue from contracts with customers	1,000	973
Transferred over time | Retail service
Disaggregation of revenue
Revenue from contracts with customers	671	659
Transferred over time | Inbound roaming
Disaggregation of revenue
Revenue from contracts with customers	37	34
Transferred over time | Residential
Disaggregation of revenue
Revenue from contracts with customers	144	131
Transferred over time | Commercial
Disaggregation of revenue
Revenue from contracts with customers	50	54
Transferred over time | Wholesale
Disaggregation of revenue
Revenue from contracts with customers	45	45
Transferred over time | Other service
Disaggregation of revenue
Revenue from contracts with customers	53	50
Transferred at point in time | Equipment and product sales
Disaggregation of revenue
Revenue from contracts with customers	235	262
U.S. Cellular
Disaggregation of revenue
Revenue from contracts with customers	944	950
Operating lease income	19	16
Total operating revenues	963	966
U.S. Cellular | Transferred over time
Disaggregation of revenue
Revenue from contracts with customers	743	725
U.S. Cellular | Transferred over time | Retail service
Disaggregation of revenue
Revenue from contracts with customers	671	659
U.S. Cellular | Transferred over time | Inbound roaming
Disaggregation of revenue
Revenue from contracts with customers	37	34
U.S. Cellular | Transferred over time | Residential
Disaggregation of revenue
Revenue from contracts with customers	0	0
U.S. Cellular | Transferred over time | Commercial
Disaggregation of revenue
Revenue from contracts with customers	0	0
U.S. Cellular | Transferred over time | Wholesale
Disaggregation of revenue
Revenue from contracts with customers	0	0
U.S. Cellular | Transferred over time | Other service
Disaggregation of revenue
Revenue from contracts with customers	35	32
U.S. Cellular | Transferred at point in time | Equipment and product sales
Disaggregation of revenue
Revenue from contracts with customers	201	225
TDS Telecom Total
Disaggregation of revenue
Revenue from contracts with customers	240	230
Operating lease income	1	0
Total operating revenues	240	230
TDS Telecom Total | Transferred over time
Disaggregation of revenue
Revenue from contracts with customers	239	229
TDS Telecom Total | Transferred over time | Retail service
Disaggregation of revenue
Revenue from contracts with customers	0	0
TDS Telecom Total | Transferred over time | Inbound roaming
Disaggregation of revenue
Revenue from contracts with customers	0	0
TDS Telecom Total | Transferred over time | Residential
Disaggregation of revenue
Revenue from contracts with customers	144	131
TDS Telecom Total | Transferred over time | Commercial
Disaggregation of revenue
Revenue from contracts with customers	50	54
TDS Telecom Total | Transferred over time | Wholesale
Disaggregation of revenue
Revenue from contracts with customers	45	45
TDS Telecom Total | Transferred over time | Other service
Disaggregation of revenue
Revenue from contracts with customers	0	0
TDS Telecom Total | Transferred at point in time | Equipment and product sales
Disaggregation of revenue
Revenue from contracts with customers	0	0
TDS Telecom Wireline
Disaggregation of revenue
Revenue from contracts with customers	169	170
Operating lease income	0	0
Total operating revenues	169	171
TDS Telecom Wireline | Transferred over time
Disaggregation of revenue
Revenue from contracts with customers	169	170
TDS Telecom Wireline | Transferred over time | Retail service
Disaggregation of revenue
Revenue from contracts with customers	0	0
TDS Telecom Wireline | Transferred over time | Inbound roaming
Disaggregation of revenue
Revenue from contracts with customers	0	0
TDS Telecom Wireline | Transferred over time | Residential
Disaggregation of revenue
Revenue from contracts with customers	84	81
TDS Telecom Wireline | Transferred over time | Commercial
Disaggregation of revenue
Revenue from contracts with customers	39	43
TDS Telecom Wireline | Transferred over time | Wholesale
Disaggregation of revenue
Revenue from contracts with customers	45	45
TDS Telecom Wireline | Transferred over time | Other service
Disaggregation of revenue
Revenue from contracts with customers	0	0
TDS Telecom Wireline | Transferred at point in time | Equipment and product sales
Disaggregation of revenue
Revenue from contracts with customers	0	0
TDS Telecom Cable
Disaggregation of revenue
Revenue from contracts with customers	71	60
Operating lease income	0	0
Total operating revenues	71	60
TDS Telecom Cable | Transferred over time
Disaggregation of revenue
Revenue from contracts with customers	71	60
TDS Telecom Cable | Transferred over time | Retail service
Disaggregation of revenue
Revenue from contracts with customers	0	0
TDS Telecom Cable | Transferred over time | Inbound roaming
Disaggregation of revenue
Revenue from contracts with customers	0	0
TDS Telecom Cable | Transferred over time | Residential
Disaggregation of revenue
Revenue from contracts with customers	60	49
TDS Telecom Cable | Transferred over time | Commercial
Disaggregation of revenue
Revenue from contracts with customers	11	10
TDS Telecom Cable | Transferred over time | Wholesale
Disaggregation of revenue
Revenue from contracts with customers	0	0
TDS Telecom Cable | Transferred over time | Other service
Disaggregation of revenue
Revenue from contracts with customers	0	0
TDS Telecom Cable | Transferred at point in time | Equipment and product sales
Disaggregation of revenue
Revenue from contracts with customers	0	0
Corporate, Eliminations and Other
Disaggregation of revenue
Revenue from contracts with customers	52	55
Operating lease income	6	6
Total operating revenues	58	61
Corporate, Eliminations and Other | Transferred over time
Disaggregation of revenue
Revenue from contracts with customers	18	18
Corporate, Eliminations and Other | Transferred over time | Retail service
Disaggregation of revenue
Revenue from contracts with customers	0	0
Corporate, Eliminations and Other | Transferred over time | Inbound roaming
Disaggregation of revenue
Revenue from contracts with customers	0	0
Corporate, Eliminations and Other | Transferred over time | Residential
Disaggregation of revenue
Revenue from contracts with customers	0	0
Corporate, Eliminations and Other | Transferred over time | Commercial
Disaggregation of revenue
Revenue from contracts with customers	0	0
Corporate, Eliminations and Other | Transferred over time | Wholesale
Disaggregation of revenue
Revenue from contracts with customers	0	0
Corporate, Eliminations and Other | Transferred over time | Other service
Disaggregation of revenue
Revenue from contracts with customers	18	18
Corporate, Eliminations and Other | Transferred at point in time | Equipment and product sales
Disaggregation of revenue
Revenue from contracts with customers	$ 34	$ 37

Revenue Recognition - Contract

Revenue Recognition - Contract Assets and Contract liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Contract assets	$ 10	$ 10
Contract liabilities	189	$ 197
Revenue recognized	$ 133

Revenue Recognition - Performan

Revenue Recognition - Performance Obligations (Details) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Remaining performance obligation	$ 719
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2020-04-01
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Remaining performance obligation	$ 316
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Expected timing of remaining performance obligation, period	9 months
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2021-01-01
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Remaining performance obligation	$ 191
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Expected timing of remaining performance obligation, period	1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2022-01-01
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Remaining performance obligation	$ 212
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Expected timing of remaining performance obligation, period

Revenue Recognition - Contrac_2

Revenue Recognition - Contract Cost Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Contract Cost Assets
Total contract cost assets	$ 152	$ 157
Sales commissions
Contract Cost Assets
Total contract cost assets	141	146
Installation costs
Contract Cost Assets
Total contract cost assets	10	11
Other costs
Contract Cost Assets
Total contract cost assets	$ 1	$ 0

Revenue Recognition - Narrative

Revenue Recognition - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Capitalized contract cost
Amortization of contract cost assets	$ 31	$ 31

Fair Value Measurements (Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Financial Instruments
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 421	$ 465
7.0% Senior Notes
Financial Instruments
Interest rate	7.00%
6.875% Senior Notes
Financial Instruments
Interest rate	6.875%
6.625% Senior Notes
Financial Instruments
Interest rate	6.625%
5.875% Senior Notes
Financial Instruments
Interest rate	5.875%
6.95% Senior Notes | U.S. Cellular
Financial Instruments
Interest rate	6.95%
7.25% 2063 Senior Notes | U.S. Cellular
Financial Instruments
Interest rate	7.25%
7.25% 2064 Senior Notes | U.S. Cellular
Financial Instruments
Interest rate	7.25%
6.7% Senior Notes | U.S. Cellular
Financial Instruments
Interest rate	6.70%
Book Value
Financial Instruments
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 421	465
Book Value | Retail
Financial Instruments
Long-term debt	1,753	1,753
Book Value | Institutional
Financial Instruments
Long-term debt	535	534
Book Value | Other
Financial Instruments
Long-term debt	134	84
Fair Value | Level 1
Financial Instruments
Cash and cash equivalents	421	465
Fair Value | Level 2 | Retail
Financial Instruments
Long-term debt	1,495	1,796
Fair Value | Level 2 | Institutional
Financial Instruments
Long-term debt	527	594
Fair Value | Level 2 | Other
Financial Instruments
Long-term debt	$ 133	$ 84
Interest rate | Institutional and Other | Minimum
Financial Instruments
Fair value assumption, interest rate	2.74%	3.55%
Interest rate | Institutional and Other | Maximum
Financial Instruments
Fair value assumption, interest rate	8.25%	6.25%

Equipment Installment Plans - E

Equipment Installment Plans - EIP Receivables (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Equipment installment plan receivables, gross	$ 964	$ 1,008
Allowance for credit losses	(90)	(84)
Equipment installment plan receivables, net	874	924
Accounts receivable — Customers and agents (Current portion)
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Equipment installment plan receivables, net	566	587
Other assets and deferred charges (Non-current portion)
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Equipment installment plan receivables, net	$ 308	$ 337

Equipment Installment Plans - G

Equipment Installment Plans - Gross Receivables by Credit Category (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Financing Receivable, Credit Quality Indicator [Line Items]
Equipment installment plan receivables, gross	$ 964	$ 1,008
2017	16
2018	223
2019	569
2020	156
Unbilled
Financing Receivable, Credit Quality Indicator [Line Items]
Equipment installment plan receivables	900	942
Billed
Financing Receivable, Credit Quality Indicator [Line Items]
Equipment installment plan receivables	43	45
Equipment installment plan receivables, past due	21	21
Lowest Risk
Financing Receivable, Credit Quality Indicator [Line Items]
Equipment installment plan receivables, gross	820	860
2017	15
2018	200
2019	480
2020	125
Lowest Risk | Unbilled
Financing Receivable, Credit Quality Indicator [Line Items]
Equipment installment plan receivables	774	812
Lowest Risk | Billed
Financing Receivable, Credit Quality Indicator [Line Items]
Equipment installment plan receivables	35	37
Equipment installment plan receivables, past due	11	11
Lower Risk
Financing Receivable, Credit Quality Indicator [Line Items]
Equipment installment plan receivables, gross	106	110
2017	1
2018	19
2019	67
2020	19
Lower Risk | Unbilled
Financing Receivable, Credit Quality Indicator [Line Items]
Equipment installment plan receivables	95	99
Lower Risk | Billed
Financing Receivable, Credit Quality Indicator [Line Items]
Equipment installment plan receivables	5	5
Equipment installment plan receivables, past due	6	6
Slight Risk
Financing Receivable, Credit Quality Indicator [Line Items]
Equipment installment plan receivables, gross	27	28
2017	0
2018	3
2019	16
2020	8
Slight Risk | Unbilled
Financing Receivable, Credit Quality Indicator [Line Items]
Equipment installment plan receivables	22	23
Slight Risk | Billed
Financing Receivable, Credit Quality Indicator [Line Items]
Equipment installment plan receivables	2	2
Equipment installment plan receivables, past due	3	3
Higher Risk
Financing Receivable, Credit Quality Indicator [Line Items]
Equipment installment plan receivables, gross	11	10
2017	0
2018	1
2019	6
2020	4
Higher Risk | Unbilled
Financing Receivable, Credit Quality Indicator [Line Items]
Equipment installment plan receivables	9	8
Higher Risk | Billed
Financing Receivable, Credit Quality Indicator [Line Items]
Equipment installment plan receivables	1	1
Equipment installment plan receivables, past due	$ 1	$ 1

Equipment Installment Plans - A

Equipment Installment Plans - Allowance for Credit Losses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Allowance for credit losses
Allowance for credit losses, beginning of period	$ 84
Allowance for credit losses, end of period	90
Equipment Installment Plan Receivable
Allowance for credit losses
Allowance for credit losses, beginning of period	84	$ 77
Bad debts expense	25	18
Write-offs, net of recoveries	(19)	(18)
Allowance for credit losses, end of period	$ 90	$ 77

Income Taxes (Details)

Income Taxes (Details)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Effective tax rate	4.20%	32.60%
Statutory federal income tax rate			21.00%	35.00%

Earnings Per Share - Reconcilia

Earnings Per Share - Reconciliation (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Earnings per share
Net income attributable to TDS shareholders used in basic earnings per share	$ 69	$ 59
Noncontrolling interest adjustment	(1)	(1)
Net income attributable to TDS shareholders used in diluted earnings per share	$ 68	$ 58
Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings per share (in shares)	115	114
Effects of dilutive securities (in shares)	1	2
Weighted average number of shares used in diluted earnings per share (in shares)	116	116
Basic earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.60	$ 0.52
Diluted earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.59	$ 0.50
Common Shares
Earnings per share
Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings per share (in shares)	108	107
Series A Common Shares
Earnings per share
Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings per share (in shares)	7	7

Earnings Per Share - Narrative

Earnings Per Share - Narrative (Details) - shares shares in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities (in shares)	4
Maximum
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities (in shares)		1

Intangible Assets (Details)

Intangible Assets (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)
Licenses
Balance, beginning of period	$ 2,480
Acquisitions	30
Capitalized interest	1
Balance, end of period	$ 2,511

Intangible Assets - Narrative (

Intangible Assets - Narrative (Details) - Auction 103 - U.S. Cellular $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)license
Licenses
Licenses won | license	237
Total winning bid	$ 146
FCC upfront payment	$ 24

Investment in Unconsolidated _2

Investment in Unconsolidated Entities - Schedule of Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Equity method investments	$ 487		$ 467
Measurement alternative method investments	22		21
Total investments in unconsolidated entities	509	$ 507	$ 488
Equity method investments, combined income statements
Revenues	1,662	1,696
Operating expenses	1,166	1,221
Operating income	496	475
Other income (expense), net	3	(6)
Net income	$ 499	$ 469

Debt (Details)

Debt (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Jun. 01, 2021	Apr. 01, 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amount borrowed			$ 125,000,000
TDS Term loan facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amount borrowed	$ 50,000,000
LIBOR rate | TDS Term loan facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Contractual spread	2.00%
Subsequent event | Installment payment agreement | TDS Term loan facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt		$ 500,000

Variable Interest Entities - Co

Variable Interest Entities - Consolidated Balance Sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2020		Dec. 31, 2019		Mar. 31, 2019
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 421		$ 465
Accounts receivable	962		1,005
Inventory, net	218		169
Other current assets	33		29
Licenses	2,511		2,480
Property, plant and equipment, net	3,595		3,527
Operating lease right-of-use assets	975		972
Other assets and deferred charges	576		607
Total assets	10,895	[1]	10,781	[1]	$ 10,787
Liabilities
Current liabilities	900		962
Long-term operating lease liabilities	929		931
Other deferred liabilities and credits	491		481
Consolidated Variable Interest Entities
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	24		19
Accounts receivable	613		637
Inventory, net	4		5
Other current assets	11		7
Licenses	647		647
Property, plant and equipment, net	97		95
Operating lease right-of-use assets	42		42
Other assets and deferred charges	315		347
Total assets	1,753		1,799
Liabilities
Current liabilities	28		30
Long-term operating lease liabilities	38		39
Other deferred liabilities and credits	13		13
Total liabilities	$ 79		$ 82
[1]	The consolidated total assets as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 , include assets held by consolidated variable interest entities (VIEs) of $917 million and $915 million , respectively, which are not available to be used to settle the obligations of TDS. The consolidated total liabilities as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 , include certain liabilities of consolidated VIEs of $18 million and $20 million , respectively, for which the creditors of the VIEs have no recourse to the general credit of TDS. See Note 10 — Variable Interest Entities for additional information.

Variable Interest Entities - Na

Variable Interest Entities - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, maximum exposure	$ 4		$ 5
Capital contributions, loans or advances	69	$ 183
USCC EIP LLC
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Capital contributions, loans or advances	$ 55	$ 168

Noncontrolling Interests (Detai

Noncontrolling Interests (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Change Due to Net Income Attributable to Parent and Effects of Changes, Net [Abstract]
Net income attributable to TDS shareholders	$ 69	$ 59
Transfers (to) from noncontrolling interests
Change in TDS' Capital in excess of par value from U.S. Cellular's issuance of U.S. Cellular shares	(1)	(2)
Change in TDS' Capital in excess of par value from U.S. Cellular's repurchases of U.S. Cellular shares	13	0
Net transfers (to) from noncontrolling interests	12	(2)
Changes from net income attributable to TDS shareholders and transfers (to) from noncontrolling interests	$ 81	$ 57

Business Segment Information (D

Business Segment Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020		Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total operating revenues	$ 1,261		$ 1,257
Selling, general and administrative	411		397
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	235		227
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net	4		(5)
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net	0		(2)
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net	0		(2)
Operating income	72		94
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	45		44
Interest and dividend income	6		9
Interest expense	(37)		(43)
Other, net	0
Income before income taxes	86		104
Income tax expense (benefit)	3		34
Net income	83		70
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	235		227
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net	4		(5)
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net	0		(2)
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net	0		(2)
Interest expense	37		43
Income tax expense	3		34
Adjusted EBITDA	362		365
Investments in unconsolidated entities	509		507	$ 488
Total assets	10,895	[1]	10,787	$ 10,781	[1]
Capital expenditures	292		147
Service
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total operating revenues	1,026		995
Cost of goods and services	293		284
Equipment and product sales
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total operating revenues	235		262
Cost of goods and services	246		264
U.S. Cellular
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total operating revenues	963		966
Selling, general and administrative	335		326
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	177		169
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net	4		2
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net			(2)
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net			(2)
Operating income	50		64
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	45		44
Interest and dividend income	4		6
Interest expense	(24)		(29)
Other, net	1
Income before income taxes	76		85
Income tax expense (benefit)	4		27
Net income	72		58
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	177		169
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net	4		2
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net			(2)
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net			(2)
Interest expense	24		29
Income tax expense	4		27
Adjusted EBITDA	281		281
Investments in unconsolidated entities	469		468
Total assets	8,251		8,229
Capital expenditures	236		102
U.S. Cellular | Service
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total operating revenues	762		741
Cost of goods and services	180		176
U.S. Cellular | Equipment and product sales
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total operating revenues	201		225
Cost of goods and services	217		233
TDS Telecom Total
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total operating revenues	240		230
Selling, general and administrative	65		61
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	52		50
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net	0		(7)
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net			0
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net			0
Operating income	28		37
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	0		0
Interest and dividend income	2		3
Interest expense	1		0
Other, net	0
Income before income taxes	31		40
Income tax expense (benefit)	4		10
Net income	28		31
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	52		50
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net	0		(7)
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net			0
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net			0
Interest expense	(1)		0
Income tax expense	4		10
Adjusted EBITDA	82		83
Investments in unconsolidated entities	4		4
Total assets	2,221		1,986
Capital expenditures	54		42
TDS Telecom Total | Service
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total operating revenues	240		230
Cost of goods and services	95		88
TDS Telecom Total | Equipment and product sales
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total operating revenues	0		0
Cost of goods and services	0		0
TDS Telecom Wireline
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total operating revenues	169		171
Selling, general and administrative	48		47
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	32		34
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net	0		(7)
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net			0
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net			0
Operating income	23		34
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	0		0
Interest and dividend income	2		3
Interest expense	1		1
Other, net	0
Income before income taxes	26		38
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	32		34
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net	0		(7)
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net			0
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net			0
Interest expense	(1)		(1)
Adjusted EBITDA	57		63
Investments in unconsolidated entities	4		4
Total assets	1,497		1,353
Capital expenditures	39		29
TDS Telecom Wireline | Service
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total operating revenues	169		170
Cost of goods and services	65		63
TDS Telecom Wireline | Equipment and product sales
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total operating revenues	0		0
Cost of goods and services	0		0
TDS Telecom Cable
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total operating revenues	71		60
Selling, general and administrative	17		14
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	19		17
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net	0		0
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net			0
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net			0
Operating income	5		2
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	0		0
Interest and dividend income	0		0
Interest expense	0		0
Other, net	0
Income before income taxes	5		3
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	19		17
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net	0		0
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net			0
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net			0
Interest expense	0		0
Adjusted EBITDA	25		20
Investments in unconsolidated entities	0		0
Total assets	733		641
Capital expenditures	15		13
TDS Telecom Cable | Service
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total operating revenues	71		60
Cost of goods and services	30		26
TDS Telecom Cable | Equipment and product sales
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total operating revenues	0		0
Cost of goods and services	0		0
Corporate, Eliminations and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total operating revenues	58		61
Selling, general and administrative	11		10
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	6		8
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net	0		0
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net			0
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net			0
Operating income	(6)		(7)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	0		0
Interest and dividend income	0		0
Interest expense	(14)		(14)
Other, net	(1)
Income before income taxes	(21)		(21)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(5)		(3)
Net income	(17)		(19)
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	6		8
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net	0		0
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net			0
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net			0
Interest expense	14		14
Income tax expense	(5)		(3)
Adjusted EBITDA	(1)		1
Investments in unconsolidated entities	36		35
Total assets	423		572
Capital expenditures	2		3
Corporate, Eliminations and Other | Service
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total operating revenues	24		24
Cost of goods and services	18		20
Corporate, Eliminations and Other | Equipment and product sales
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total operating revenues	34		37
Cost of goods and services	$ 29		$ 31
[1]	The consolidated total assets as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 , include assets held by consolidated variable interest entities (VIEs) of $917 million and $915 million , respectively, which are not available to be used to settle the obligations of TDS. The consolidated total liabilities as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 , include certain liabilities of consolidated VIEs of $18 million and $20 million , respectively, for which the creditors of the VIEs have no recourse to the general credit of TDS. See Note 10 — Variable Interest Entities for additional information.

Subsequent Events (Details)

Subsequent Events (Details) $ in Millions	Apr. 01, 2020USD ($)
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Amount borrowed	$ 125