Spectrum Hosting (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 years gHZ mHZ
Note 11. Spectrum Hosting [Abstract]
MHz licenses utilized in iDEN network	800
Gigahertz (GHz) licenses utilized in the code division multiple access network	1.9
Period Sprint entered into the arrangement with LightSquared LP and LightSquared Inc.	15
Gigahertz utilized to deploy 4G LTE	1.6
Cash received for Spectrum Hosting Arrangement	$ 310
Amount of payment potentially refunded, Maximum	74
Amount of payment potentially refunded before March 15, 2012	65
Amount of payment potentially refunded, subject to unwind and termination provisions	9
Payment received for incremental costs or obligations incurred by Sprint for Spectrum Hosting	$ 236