Sum of the carrying values as of the balance sheet date of all debt, including all short-term borrowings, long-term debt, and capital lease obligations.

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Including current and noncurrent portions, aggregate carrying amount of long-term borrowings as of the balance sheet date before deducting unamortized discount or premiums (if any). May include notes payable, bonds payable, commercial loans, mortgage loans, convertible debt, subordinated debt and other types of debt, which had initial maturities beyond one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer.

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The stated principal amount of the debt instrument at time of issuance, which may vary from the carrying amount because of unamortized premium or discount.

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When presenting a range of interest rates, the highest stated (contractual) rate for funds borrowed under the debt agreement as of the balance sheet date.

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When presenting a range of interest rates, the lowest stated (contractual) rate for funds borrowed under the debt agreement as of the balance sheet date.

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Latest date the outstanding debt instruments are required to be repaid, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

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Earliest date the outstanding debt instruments are required to be repaid, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

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The amount of debt discount (net of debt premium) that was originally recognized at the issuance of the instrument that has yet to be amortized.

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-Publisher AICPA

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Amount borrowed under the credit facility as of the balance sheet date.

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-Publisher SEC

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Sum of the carrying values as of the balance sheet date of all long-term debt, which is debt initially having maturities due after one year from the balance sheet date or beyond the operating cycle, if longer, but excluding the portions thereof scheduled to be repaid within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer plus capital lease obligations due to be paid more than one year after the balance sheet date.

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-Number Topic 6

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Obligation related to long-term debt (excluding convertible debt) and capital leases, the portion which is due in one year or less in the future.

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The interest rate applicable to the portion of the carrying amount of long-term borrowings outstanding as of the balance sheet date, including current maturities, which accrues interest at a set, unchanging rate.

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Long-Term Debt, Financing and Capital Lease Obligations (Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified			6 Months Ended			6 Months Ended		6 Months Ended			6 Months Ended			6 Months Ended				6 Months Ended			6 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012 Senior Notes [Member] Sprint Nextel Corporation Senior Notes [Member]	Mar. 01, 2012 Senior Notes [Member] Sprint Nextel Corporation Senior Notes [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Senior Notes [Member] Sprint Nextel Corporation Senior Notes [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Senior Notes [Member] Sprint Capital Corporation Senior Notes [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Senior Notes [Member] Sprint Capital Corporation Senior Notes [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Serial Redeemable Senior Notes [Member] Nextel Communications Inc Serial Redeemable Senior Notes [Member]	Jun. 08, 2012 Serial Redeemable Senior Notes [Member] Nextel Communications Inc Serial Redeemable Senior Notes [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Serial Redeemable Senior Notes [Member] Nextel Communications Inc Serial Redeemable Senior Notes [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Guaranteed notes [Member] Sprint Nextel Corporation Guaranteed Notes [Member]	Mar. 01, 2012 Guaranteed notes [Member] Sprint Nextel Corporation Guaranteed Notes [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Guaranteed notes [Member] Sprint Nextel Corporation Guaranteed Notes [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Secured Debt [Member] iPCS Inc Secured Notes [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Secured Debt [Member] iPCS Inc Secured Notes [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Line of Credit Facility, Lender [Domain] Bank Credit Facility Credit Facilities Sprint Nextel Corporation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Line of Credit Facility, Lender [Domain] Bank Credit Facility Credit Facilities Sprint Nextel Corporation [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Line of Credit Facility, Lender [Domain] Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility expires in 2013 [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Line of Credit Facility, Lender [Domain] Export Development Canada Credit Facilities Sprint Nextel Corporation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Line of Credit Facility, Lender [Domain] Export Development Canada Credit Facilities Sprint Nextel Corporation [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Line of Credit Facility, Lender [Domain] Secured Equipment Credit Facility [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Line of Credit Facility, Lender [Domain] Secured Equipment Credit Facility [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Financing Obligation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Financing Obligation [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Capital Lease Obligations [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Capital Lease Obligations [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum			6.00%			6.88%		5.95%			7.00%			2.59%											4.11%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Maximum			11.50%			8.75%		7.38%			9.00%			3.72%											15.49%
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Variable Interest, Percentage Rate																		4.50%	5.49%
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Fixed Interest, Percentage Rate																					2.03%		9.50%
Maturity Date Range, Start			Dec. 01, 2016			May 01, 2019		Oct. 31, 2013			Nov. 15, 2018			May 01, 2013											Apr. 30, 2014
Maturity Date Range, End			Apr. 15, 2022			Mar. 15, 2032		Aug. 01, 2015			Mar. 01, 2020			May 01, 2014				Oct. 31, 2013	Dec. 15, 2015		Mar. 30, 2017		Jan. 15, 2030		Nov. 30, 2022
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding																$ 0	$ 0		$ 500	$ 500	$ 0	$ 0
Long-term Debt, Gross			5,500		4,500	6,204	6,204	3,780		4,780	4,000		3,000	481	481								698	698	81	71
Debt Instrument, Face Amount				1,000					1,473			1,000
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Premium (Discount), Net	20	40
Current and Long-term Debt, Financing and Capital Lease Obligations	21,264	20,274
Long Term Debt Financing And Capital Lease Obligations, Current portion	(307)	(8)
Long-term debt, financing and capital lease obligations	$ 20,957	$ 20,266