Severance, Exit Costs and Asset Impairments (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012 Lease [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Lease [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Lease [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Access [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Access [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Access [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Wireless [Member] Access [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Wireline [Member] Access [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Asset under Construction [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Capitalized assets specific to the spectrum hosting [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Business Exit Costs				$ 184	$ 184		$ 27	$ 27		$ 13	$ 14
Supplemental Unemployment Benefits, Severance Benefits	22		21
Severance Costs	0
Payments for Postemployment Benefits	1
Restructuring Reserve	300		79	251	251	58	27	27	0
Restructuring Charges	211
Payment for exit costs					9			0
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash	10
Asset Impairment Charges	$ 84	$ 0										$ 18	$ 66