Property Plant and Equipment (Components of Property Plant and Equipment) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Less accumulated depreciation	$ (32,682)	$ (30,915)
Property, plant and equipment, net	14,009	15,214
Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	333	332
Network equipment, site costs and related software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	37,600	37,514
Building and Building Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	4,895	4,823
Non-network internal use software, office equipment and other [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	2,111	2,465
Construction in Progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Construction in progress	$ 1,752	$ 995

The cumulative amount of depreciation, depletion and amortization (related to property, plant and equipment, but not including land) that has been recognized in the income statement.

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Gross amount, at the balance sheet date, of long-lived physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. This can include land, buildings, machinery and equipment, and other types of furniture and equipment including, but not limited to, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment and software.

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- Definition

Tangible assets that are held by an entity for use in the production or supply of goods and services, for rental to others, or for administrative purposes and that are expected to provide economic benefit for more than one year; net of accumulated depreciation. Examples include land, buildings, machinery and equipment, and other types of furniture and equipment including, but not limited to, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment and software.

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