Property, Plant and Equipment (Components of Property Plant and Equipment) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Less accumulated depreciation	$ (33,698)	$ (32,682)
Property, plant and equipment, net	13,500	14,009
Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment	333	333
Network equipment, site costs and related software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment	37,909	37,600
Building and Building Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment	4,896	4,895
Non-network internal use software, office equipment and other [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment	2,083	2,111
Construction in Progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Construction in progress	$ 1,977	$ 1,752

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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