Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011
Document and Entity Information
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2011
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Entity Registrant Name	VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000732712
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Trading Symbol	VZ
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	2,830,580,870