CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $) In Millions, except Share data	Total	Common Stock [Member]		Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Balance at Dec. 31, 2008	$ 19,915	$ 5,902		$ 47,332	$ (1,939)	$ (30,856)	$ (524)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2008		2,951,000,000	[1]		94,000,000
Net loss	(2,436)					(2,436)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	172						172
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Treasury Stock Reissued					(20,000,000)
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Treasury Stock Reissued	4				491	(487)
Share-based compensation expense	78			78
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Conversion of Convertible Securities		(40,000,000)			(40,000,000)
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Conversion of Convertible Securities		(80)		(785)	865
Equity Consideration Related to Virgin Mobile Acquisition	379	193		186
Equity Consideration Related to Virgin Mobile Acquisition, Shares Issued		96,000,000
Other, net	(17)			(18)	1
Balance at Dec. 31, 2009	18,095	6,015		46,793	(582)	(33,779)	(352)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2009		3,007,000,000	[1]		34,000,000
Net loss	(3,465)					(3,465)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(150)						(150)
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues		1,000,000
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues		1
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Treasury Stock Reissued					(14,000,000)
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Treasury Stock Reissued	8			(1)	355	(347)
Share-based compensation expense	59			59
Other, net	(1)			(10)		9
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	14,546	6,016		46,841	(227)	(37,582)	(502)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2010		3,008,000,000	[1]		20,000,000
Net loss	(2,890)					(2,890)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(290)						(290)
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues		7,000,000
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues		14
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Treasury Stock Reissued					(1,000,000)
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Treasury Stock Reissued	18			0	21	(17)
Share-based compensation expense	43			43
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Conversion of Convertible Securities		(19,000,000)			(19,000,000)
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Conversion of Convertible Securities	0	(38)		(168)	206
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 11,427	$ 5,992		$ 46,716	$ 0	$ (40,489)	$ (792)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011		2,996,000,000	[1]		0

[1] (1)See note 14 for information regarding common shares.