Property, Plant and Equipment Property, Plant and Equipment (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012 years towers	Mar. 31, 2011
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Number of towers decommissioned	9,600
Depreciation	$ 1,590	$ 1,122
Interest Costs, Capitalized During Period	115	99
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life, Average	8
Asset Impairment Charges	84	0
Asset under Construction [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges	18
Capitalized assets specific to the spectrum hosting [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges	66
Nextel [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciation	$ 543