Severance, Exit Costs and Asset Impairments (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring Reserve	$ 238		$ 244
Supplemental Unemployment Benefits, Severance Benefits	22		11
Restructuring Charges	32
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash	38
Severance Costs	17
Payments for Postemployment Benefits	(6)
Asset Impairment Charges	0	84
Lease [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring Reserve	167		190
Restructuring Charges	8
Restructuring reserved settled with cash and other adjustments	(31)
Access [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring Reserve	49		43
Restructuring Charges	7
Restructuring reserved settled with cash and other adjustments	(1)
Wireless [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Severance Costs	14
Wireless [Member] | Access [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring Charges	4
Wireline [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Severance Costs	3
Wireline [Member] | Access [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring Charges	3
Asset under Construction [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Asset Impairment Charges		18
Capitalized assets specific to the spectrum hosting [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Asset Impairment Charges		66
Minimum [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost	500
Maximum [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost	$ 600