Property, Plant and Equipment (Components of Property Plant and Equipment) (Details) (USD $) In Millions	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Less accumulated depreciation	$ (33,132)	$ (30,915)
Property, plant and equipment, net	14,168	15,214
Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment	333	332
Network equipment, site costs and related software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment	38,311	37,514
Building and Building Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment	4,820	4,823
Non-network internal use software, office equipment and other [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment	2,228	2,465
Construction in Progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Construction in progress	$ 1,608	$ 995