Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Other Information New Accounting Pronouncements (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Table Text Block]

The cumulative after-tax effect of the changes made to our consolidated balance sheet for the adoption of Topic 606 and other ASUs effective for the Company on April 1, 2018 were as follows:

				Adjustments due to
	March 31, 2018			Topic 606			Other ASUs			April 1, 2018
	(in millions)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Accounts and notes receivable, net	$	3,711		$	97		$	—		$	3,808
Device and accessory inventory	1,003			(24		)	—			979
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	575			271			—			846
Costs to acquire a customer contract	—			1,219			—			1,219
Other assets	921			43			—			964
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$	3,962		$	(35	)	$	—		$	3,927
Deferred tax liabilities	7,294			366			—			7,660
Other liabilities	3,483			(32		)	—			3,451
Stockholders' equity:
(Accumulated deficit) retained earnings	(1,255		)	1,307			8			60
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(313		)	—			(8		)	(321		)

A reconciliation of the adjustments from the adoption of Topic 606 relative to Topic 605 on our consolidated statements of operations and balance sheets is as follows:

	Year Ended March 31, 2019
	As reported			Balances without adoption of Topic 606			Change
	(in millions, except per share amounts)
Net operating revenues:
Service	$	22,857		$	23,585		$	(728	)
Equipment sales	5,606			4,280			1,326
Equipment rentals	5,137			5,200			(63		)
	33,600			33,065			535
Net operating expenses:
Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization included below)	6,664			6,742			(78		)
Cost of equipment sales	6,082			5,937			145
Cost of equipment rentals (exclusive of depreciation below)	643			643			—
Selling, general and administrative	7,774			8,164			(390		)
Depreciation - network and other	4,245			4,245			—
Depreciation - equipment rentals	4,538			4,538			—
Amortization	608			608			—
Goodwill impairment	2,000			2,000			—
Other, net	648			648			—
	33,202			33,525			(323		)
Operating income (loss)	398			(460		)	858
Total other expenses	(2,376		)	(2,376		)	—
Loss before income taxes	(1,978		)	(2,836		)	858
Income tax benefit	35			215			(180		)
Net loss	(1,943		)	(2,621		)	678
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			—
Net loss attributable to Sprint	$	(1,943	)	$	(2,621	)	$	678
Basic net loss per common share attributable to Sprint	$	(0.48	)	$	(0.65	)	$	0.17
Diluted net loss per common share attributable to Sprint	$	(0.48	)	$	(0.65	)	$	0.17
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	4,057			4,057			—
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	4,057			4,057			—

	March 31, 2019
	As reported			Balances without adoption of Topic 606			Change
	(in millions)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Accounts and notes receivable, net	$	3,554		$	3,443		$	111
Device and accessory inventory	999			1,020			(21		)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	1,289			651			638
Costs to acquire a customer contract	1,559			—			1,559
Other assets	1,118			916			202
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$	3,597		$	3,610		$	(13	)
Deferred tax liabilities	7,556			7,010			546
Other liabilities	3,437			3,466			(29		)
Stockholders' equity:
Accumulated deficit	(1,883		)	(3,868		)	1,985