Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 years terms mHZ	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	$ 1,900,000,000	$ 1,800,000,000	$ 1,800,000,000
MHz licenses utilized in iDEN network	800
Megahertz of 1.9 Gigahertz spectrum received in report and order	10
Gigahertz (GHz) licenses utilized in the code division multiple access network	1.9
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	1,100,000,000
Minimum spectrum reconfiguration obligations	2,800,000,000
Total Payments directly attributable to performance under Report and Order	3,089,000,000
Payments directly attributable to performance under report and order, net change	252,000,000
Licensees reimbursed share of costs	135,000,000	0	0
General initial term of operating lease, minimum	5
General initial term of operating lease, maximum	12
Number of renewal options	5
Years for each renewal option for cell site leases	5
Noncancelable Portion Of Leases Range Maximum	20
Letter Of Credit Required By The FCCs Report And Order [Member]
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Original Letter of Credit Required by FCC Report and Order	2,500,000,000
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	1,000,000,000
Apple [Member]
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Long-term Purchase Commitment, Time Period	4
Long-term Purchase Commitment, Amount	$ 15,500,000,000