Equity and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income - Changes in Components of Total equity (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Equity Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance			$ 44,687
Opening balance sheet adjustment related to adoption of Topic 606, ASU 2018-02 and other ASUs (Note 1)					$ 2,906
Adjusted Beginning Balance					47,593
Net Income	$ 5,062	$ 3,736	13,974	$ 11,767
Other comprehensive loss			(88)
Total Comprehensive Income	5,058	$ 4,135	13,886	$ 11,777
Common stock			5
Contributed capital			2,335
Dividends declared			(7,365)
Common stock in treasury			152
Distributions and other			(519)
Ending Balance	56,087		56,087
Verizon
Equity Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance			43,096
Opening balance sheet adjustment related to adoption of Topic 606, ASU 2018-02 and other ASUs (Note 1)					2,862
Adjusted Beginning Balance					45,958
Net Income			13,589
Other comprehensive loss			(88)
Total Comprehensive Income			13,501
Common stock			5
Contributed capital			2,335
Dividends declared			(7,365)
Common stock in treasury			152
Distributions and other			(91)
Ending Balance	54,495		54,495
Noncontrolling Interests
Equity Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance			1,591
Opening balance sheet adjustment related to adoption of Topic 606, ASU 2018-02 and other ASUs (Note 1)					44
Adjusted Beginning Balance					$ 1,635
Net Income			385
Other comprehensive loss			0
Total Comprehensive Income			385
Common stock			0
Contributed capital			0
Dividends declared			0
Common stock in treasury			0
Distributions and other			(428)
Ending Balance	$ 1,592		$ 1,592