Segment Information (Summary Of Operating Revenues And Expenses By Segment) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment operating revenues	$ 31,575	$ 31,495	$ 63,397	$ 62,742
Operations and support expenses	20,259	20,728	41,420	41,583
Depreciation and amortization expenses	4,499	4,602	9,059	9,186
Total segment operating expenses	24,758	25,330	50,479	50,769
Segment operating income (loss)	6,817	6,165	12,918	11,973
Interest expense	941	848	1,800	1,694
Equity in net income (loss) of affiliates	132	207	355	456
Other income (expense) - net	23	27	75	86
Segment income (loss) before income taxes	6,031	5,551	11,548	10,821
Wireless [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment operating revenues	16,353	15,603	32,489	30,913
Operations and support expenses	9,705	9,786	19,788	19,647
Depreciation and amortization expenses	1,696	1,615	3,362	3,121
Total segment operating expenses	11,401	11,401	23,150	22,768
Segment operating income (loss)	4,952	4,202	9,339	8,145
Interest expense	0	0	0	0
Equity in net income (loss) of affiliates	(15)	(7)	(28)	(11)
Other income (expense) - net	0	0	0	0
Segment income (loss) before income taxes	4,937	4,195	9,311	8,134
Wireline [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment operating revenues	14,904	15,030	29,832	30,081
Operations and support expenses	10,085	10,145	20,382	20,457
Depreciation and amortization expenses	2,766	2,876	5,574	5,834
Total segment operating expenses	12,851	13,021	25,956	26,291
Segment operating income (loss)	2,053	2,009	3,876	3,790
Interest expense	0	0	0	0
Equity in net income (loss) of affiliates	(1)	0	(1)	0
Other income (expense) - net	0	0	0	0
Segment income (loss) before income taxes	2,052	2,009	3,875	3,790
Advertising Solutions [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment operating revenues	305	841	1,049	1,709
Operations and support expenses	226	581	773	1,153
Depreciation and amortization expenses	29	101	106	207
Total segment operating expenses	255	682	879	1,360
Segment operating income (loss)	50	159	170	349
Interest expense	0	0	0	0
Equity in net income (loss) of affiliates	0	0	0	0
Other income (expense) - net	0	0	0	0
Segment income (loss) before income taxes	50	159	170	349
Other Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment operating revenues	13	21	27	39
Operations and support expenses	243	216	477	326
Depreciation and amortization expenses	8	10	17	24
Total segment operating expenses	251	226	494	350
Segment operating income (loss)	(238)	(205)	(467)	(311)
Interest expense	0	0	0	0
Equity in net income (loss) of affiliates	148	214	384	467
Other income (expense) - net	0	0	0	0
Segment income (loss) before income taxes	(90)	9	(83)	156
Consolidations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment operating revenues	0	0	0	0
Operations and support expenses	0	0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization expenses	0	0	0	0
Total segment operating expenses	0	0	0	0
Segment operating income (loss)	0	0	0	0
Interest expense	941	848	1,800	1,694
Equity in net income (loss) of affiliates	0	0	0	0
Other income (expense) - net	23	27	75	86
Segment income (loss) before income taxes	$ (918)	$ (821)	$ (1,725)	$ (1,608)