Consolidated Statements Of Changes In Deficit And Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Common Shares [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]	Total
Balance at Dec. 31, 2009	$ 35,604	$ 3,623	$ (41,876)	$ (1,124)
Other		(26)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Nortel Networks Corporation			(4,200)			(4,200)
Impact of EMEA Subsidiaries prior to deconsolidation				61
Impact of deconsolidations				1,069
Impact of discontinued operations				46
Foreign currency translation adjustment				(106)
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments - net				(21)
Change in unamortized pension and post-retirement actuarial losses and prior service cost				(287)
Noncontrolling interests					621	621
Total shareholders' deficit	35,604	3,597	(46,076)	(362)		(6,616)
Total comprehensive income (loss) for the year
Net earnings (loss)						(4,186)
Other comprehensive income (loss) - net of tax						762
Total comprehensive income (loss) for the year						(3,424)
Less: comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
Net earnings						(14)
Foreign currency translation adjustment						8
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nortel Networks Corporation						(3,430)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	35,604	3,597	(46,076)	(362)		(6,616)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Nortel Networks Corporation			3,670			3,670
Foreign currency translation adjustment				90
Change in unamortized pension and post-retirement actuarial losses and prior service cost				129
Noncontrolling interests					639	639
Total shareholders' deficit	35,604	3,597	(42,406)	(143)		(2,709)
Total comprehensive income (loss) for the year
Net earnings (loss)						3,691
Other comprehensive income (loss) - net of tax						219
Total comprehensive income (loss) for the year						3,910
Less: comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
Net earnings						(21)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nortel Networks Corporation						3,889
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 35,604	$ 3,597	$ (42,406)	$ (143)		$ (2,709)