Consolidated Statement of Operations - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Operating revenues
Total operating revenues	$ 1,324	$ 1,321	$ 3,849	$ 3,840
Operating expenses
Selling, general and administrative	415	439	1,227	1,260
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	217	237	685	697
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net	6	6	15	5
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net	0	0	0	(1)
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net	0	2	0	0
Total operating expenses	1,237	1,292	3,611	3,669
Operating income	87	29	238	171
Investment and other income (expense)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	48	44	138	129
Interest and dividend income	4	7	12	24
Gain (loss) on investments	3	0	3	0
Interest expense	(43)	(42)	(119)	(128)
Other, net	0	0	(1)	0
Total investment and other income	12	9	33	25
Income before income taxes	99	38	271	196
Income tax expense	6	15	17	64
Net income	93	23	254	132
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	15	5	42	22
Net income attributable to TDS shareholders	$ 78	$ 18	$ 212	$ 110
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	114	115	114	114
Basic earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.68	$ 0.15	$ 1.85	$ 0.96
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	115	116	115	116
Diluted earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.66	$ 0.15	$ 1.81	$ 0.93
Service
Operating revenues
Total operating revenues	$ 1,046	$ 1,030	$ 3,088	$ 3,038
Operating expenses
Cost of goods and services	321	313	919	900
Equipment and product sales
Operating revenues
Total operating revenues	278	291	761	802
Operating expenses
Cost of goods and services	$ 278	$ 295	$ 765	$ 808