CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss	$ (4,326)	$ (2,890)	$ (3,465)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Asset impairments	102	78	125
Depreciation and amortization	6,543	4,858	6,248
Provision for losses on accounts receivable	561	559	430
Share-based compensation expense	82	73	70
Deferred and other income taxes	209	231	230
Equity in losses of unconsolidated investments, net	1,114	1,730	1,286
Gains from asset dispositions and exchanges	(29)	0	(69)
Contribution to pension plan	(108)	(136)	0
Payment received for incremental costs or obligations incurred by Sprint for Spectrum Hosting	236	0	0
Other changes in assets and liabilites, net of effects of acquisitions:
Accounts and notes receivable	(892)	(729)	(473)
Inventories and other current assets	(486)	(238)	9
Accounts payable and other current liabilities	(577)	(90)	(558)
Non-current assets and liabilities, net	(11)	48	(27)
Other, net	(101)	17	(107)
Net cash provided by operating activities	2,999	3,691	4,815
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures	(4,261)	(3,130)	(1,935)
Expenditures relating to FCC licenses	(198)	(258)	(459)
Reimbursements relating to FCC licenses	0	135	0
Investment in Clearwire	(228)	(331)	(58)
Proceeds from sales and maturities of short-term investments	1,513	980	155
Purchases of short-term investments	(3,212)	(830)	(350)
Other, net	11	(9)	91
Net cash used in investing activities	(6,375)	(3,443)	(2,556)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from debt and financings	9,176	4,000	0
Repayments of debt and capital lease obligations	(4,791)	(3,906)	(862)
Debt financing costs	(134)	(86)	(51)
Proceeds from issuance of common shares, net	29	18	8
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	4,280	26	(905)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	904	274	1,354
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	5,447	5,173
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 6,351	$ 5,447	$ 5,173