Operating Revenue - Disaggregation of Operating Revenue (Detail) - CNY (¥) ¥ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Disclosure of products and services [line items]
Revenue from telecommunications services	¥ 674,392	¥ 670,907	¥ 668,351
Revenue from sales of products and others	71,525	65,912	72,163
Operating revenue	745,917	736,819	740,514
Voice services [member]
Disclosure of products and services [line items]
Revenue from telecommunications services	88,624	108,083	156,918
Others [member]
Disclosure of products and services [line items]
Revenue from telecommunications services	20,743	20,741	18,083
Data services-SMS&MMS [Member]
Disclosure of products and services [line items]
Revenue from telecommunications services	28,648	28,800	28,058
Data services-Wireless data traffic [Member]
Disclosure of products and services [line items]
Revenue from telecommunications services	384,999	383,297	364,906
Data services-Wireline broadband [Member]
Disclosure of products and services [line items]
Revenue from telecommunications services	68,835	54,285	39,731
Data services-Applications and information services [Member]
Disclosure of products and services [line items]
Revenue from telecommunications services	¥ 82,543	¥ 75,701	¥ 60,655

Expiry date 2020-01-01: The income arising in the course of an entity's ordinary activities. Income is increases in economic benefits during the accounting period in the form of inflows or enhancements of assets or decreases of liabilities that result in an increase in equity, other than those relating to contributions from equity participants. Effective 2020-01-01: The income arising in the course of an entity's ordinary activities. Income is increases in assets, or decreases in liabilities, that result in increases in equity, other than those relating to contributions from holders of equity claims.

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