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.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16)

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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.13,16)

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- Definition

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.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 16

-Article 9

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)

-Number APB14-1

-Paragraph 31

-Subparagraph b

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

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Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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- Definition

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.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

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-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))

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- Definition

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.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

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-Topic 210

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-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(2))

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- Definition

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

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

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-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(2))

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- Definition

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

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

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-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(2))

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- Definition

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.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 21

-Paragraph 16

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

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-Section 45

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-Topic 835

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-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 21

-Paragraph 20

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- Definition

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

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 22

-Article 5

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- Definition

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.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)

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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 6

-Section H

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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.

+ References

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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.

+ References

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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	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	May 29, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Premium (Discount), Net	$ (13)		$ 40
Current and Long-term Debt, Financing and Capital Lease Obligations	21,304		20,274
Long Term Debt Financing And Capital Lease Obligations, Current portion	(310)		(8)
Long-term debt, financing and capital lease obligations	20,994		20,266
Senior Notes [Member] \| Sprint Nextel Corporation Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum	6.00%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Maximum	11.50%
Maturity Date Range, Start	Dec. 01, 2016
Maturity Date Range, End	Apr. 15, 2022
Long-term Debt, Gross	7,000		4,500
Senior Notes [Member] \| Sprint Capital Corporation Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum	6.88%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Maximum	8.75%
Maturity Date Range, Start	May 01, 2019
Maturity Date Range, End	Mar. 15, 2032
Long-term Debt, Gross	6,204		6,204
Serial Redeemable Senior Notes [Member] \| Nextel Communications Inc Serial Redeemable Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum	5.95%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Maximum	7.38%
Maturity Date Range, Start	Mar. 15, 2014
Maturity Date Range, End	Aug. 01, 2015
Long-term Debt, Gross	2,280		4,780
Guaranteed notes [Member] \| Sprint Nextel Corporation Guaranteed Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum	7.00%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Maximum	9.00%
Maturity Date Range, Start	Nov. 15, 2018
Maturity Date Range, End	Mar. 01, 2020
Long-term Debt, Gross	4,000		3,000
Secured Debt [Member] \| iPCS Inc Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum	2.57%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Maximum	3.69%
Maturity Date Range, Start	May 01, 2013
Maturity Date Range, End	May 01, 2014
Long-term Debt, Gross	481		481
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility expires in 2013 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Variable Interest, Percentage Rate	4.38%
Maturity Date Range, End	Oct. 31, 2013
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	0		0
Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	577
Line of Credit [Member] \| Export Development Canada Credit Facilities Sprint Nextel Corporation [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Variable Interest, Percentage Rate	5.39%
Maturity Date Range, End	Dec. 15, 2015
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	500		500
Line of Credit [Member] \| Secured Equipment Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Fixed Interest, Percentage Rate		2.03%
Maturity Date Range, End	Mar. 30, 2017
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	77		0
Financing Obligation [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Fixed Interest, Percentage Rate	9.50%
Maturity Date Range, End	Jan. 15, 2030
Long-term Debt, Gross	698		698
Capital Lease Obligations [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum	4.11%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Maximum	15.49%
Maturity Date Range, Start	May 14, 2014
Maturity Date Range, End	Nov. 21, 2022
Long-term Debt, Gross	$ 77		$ 71