Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Earnings Per Share
Net income	$ 3,965	$ 3,658	$ 7,617	$ 7,126
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(63)	(67)	(131)	(127)
Net income attributable to AT&T	3,902	3,591	7,486	6,999
Other share-based payment	2	3	6	6
Numerator for diluted earnings per share	$ 3,904	$ 3,594	$ 7,492	$ 7,005
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding	5,855	5,932	5,886	5,929
Stock options	4	5	4	4
Other share-based payment (in shares)	17	16	17	15
Denominator for diluted earnings per share	5,876	5,953	5,907	5,948
Basic Earnings Per Share Attributable to AT&T	$ 0.67	$ 0.60	$ 1.27	$ 1.18
Diluted Earnings Per Share Attributable to AT&T	$ 0.66	$ 0.60	$ 1.27	$ 1.18
Stock options issued and outstanding	22	90	22	90
Stock options with exercise prices above average market price of company stock	4	57
Vested stock options with exercise prices below market price of company stock	17	30	17	30