Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012 gHZ mHZ
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
MHz licenses utilized in iDEN network	800
Megahertz of 1.9 Gigahertz spectrum received in report and order	10
Gigahertz	1.9
Minimum spectrum reconfiguration obligations	$ 2,800,000,000
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	1,000,000,000
Total Payments directly attributable to performance under Report and Order	3,000,000,000
Payments directly attributable to performance under report and order, net change related to FCC licenses	58,000,000
Letter Of Credit Required By The FCCs Report And Order [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Original Letter of Credit Required by FCC Report and Order	2,500,000,000
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	$ 944,000,000