Preparation Of Interim Financial Statements	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Preparation Of Interim Financial Statements Disclosure [Abstract]
Preparation Of Interim Financial Statements	NOTE 1. PREPARATION OF INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Basis of Presentation Throughout this document, AT&T Inc. is referred to as “AT&T,” “we” or the “Company.” We believe that these consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring accruals, that are necessary to present fairly the results for the presented interim periods. The results for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of those for the full year. You should read this document in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and our majority-owned subsidiaries and affiliates. Our subsidiaries and affiliates operate in the communications services industry both domestically and internationally, providing wireless communications services, traditional wireline voice services, data/broadband and Internet services, video services, telecommunications equipment, managed networking and wholesale services. On March 13, 2014, we closed our acquisition of Leap Wireless International, Inc. (Leap) (see Note 7), and we incorporated Leap into our wireless operations following the date of acquisition. All significant intercompany transactions are eliminated in the consolidation process. Investments in less than majority-owned subsidiaries and partnerships where we have significant influence are accounted for under the equity method. Earnings from certain foreign equity investments accounted for using the equity method are included for periods ended within up to one month of our period end. We also recorded our proportionate share of our equity method investees' other comprehensive income (OCI) items, including actuarial gains and losses on pension and other postretirement benefit obligations. On June 30, 2014, we completed the sale of our investment in América Móvil, S.A.B. de C.V. (América Móvil) to an unrelated third party (see Note 7). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes, including estimates of probable losses and expenses. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Certain amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period's presentation. During the fourth-quarter we conduct our annual impairment testing of intangible assets, remeasure the plan assets and obligations of our benefit plans and, due to our continued access line losses and technology changes, we are assessing certain network assets for under-utilization and/or abandonment. Stock Repurchase Program During the first nine months of 2014, we repurchased approximately 48 million shares for $1,617 under a repurchase authorization that was approved by our Board of Directors in March 2013. In March 2014, our Board of Directors approved a fourth authorization to repurchase 300 million shares of our common stock. As of September 30, 2014, we had approximately 415 million shares remaining from these authorizations. The repurchase authorizations have no expiration date, and we expect to make future repurchases opportunistically. Software Costs During 2014, we completed studies evaluating the periods that we were utilizing our software assets. As of April 1 and July 1, 2014, we extended our estimated useful lives for capitalized non-network and network software, respectively, to five years to better reflect the estimated periods during which these assets will remain in service and to align with the estimated useful lives used in the industry. This change in accounting estimate increased net income $198, or $0.04 per diluted share, in the third quarter and $330, or $0.06 per diluted share, for the first nine months of 2014. New Accounting Standards In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)” (ASU 2014-09), which replaces existing revenue recognition rules with a comprehensive revenue measurement and recognition standard and expanded disclosure requirements. Upon initial evaluation, we believe the key changes in the standard that impact our revenue recognition relate to the allocation of contract revenues between service and equipment, and the timing in which those revenues are recognized. ASU 2014-09 also specifies that incremental costs of obtaining or fulfilling our contracts with customers should be deferred. ASU 2014-09 becomes effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The FASB will allow two adoption methods under ASU 2014-09. Under one method, a company will apply the rules to contracts in all reporting periods presented, subject to certain allowable exceptions. Under the other method, a company will apply the rules to all contracts existing as of January 1, 2017, recognizing in beginning retained earnings an adjustment for the cumulative effect of the change and provide additional disclosures comparing results to previous rules. We continue to evaluate the impact of the new standard and available adoption methods.

Preparation Of Interim Financial Statements

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Preparation Of Interim Financial Statements Disclosure [Abstract]

Preparation Of Interim Financial Statements

NOTE 1. PREPARATION OF INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Basis of Presentation Throughout this document, AT&T Inc. is referred to as “AT&T,” “we” or the “Company.” We believe that these consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring accruals, that are necessary to present fairly the results for the presented interim periods. The results for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of those for the full year. You should read this document in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and our majority-owned subsidiaries and affiliates. Our subsidiaries and affiliates operate in the communications services industry both domestically and internationally, providing wireless communications services, traditional wireline voice services, data/broadband and Internet services, video services, telecommunications equipment, managed networking and wholesale services. On March 13, 2014, we closed our acquisition of Leap Wireless International, Inc. (Leap) (see Note 7), and we incorporated Leap into our wireless operations following the date of acquisition.

All significant intercompany transactions are eliminated in the consolidation process. Investments in less than majority-owned subsidiaries and partnerships where we have significant influence are accounted for under the equity method. Earnings from certain foreign equity investments accounted for using the equity method are included for periods ended within up to one month of our period end. We also recorded our proportionate share of our equity method investees' other comprehensive income (OCI) items, including actuarial gains and losses on pension and other postretirement benefit obligations. On June 30, 2014, we completed the sale of our investment in América Móvil, S.A.B. de C.V. (América Móvil) to an unrelated third party (see Note 7).

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes, including estimates of probable losses and expenses. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Certain amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period's presentation.

During the fourth-quarter we conduct our annual impairment testing of intangible assets, remeasure the plan assets and obligations of our benefit plans and, due to our continued access line losses and technology changes, we are assessing certain network assets for under-utilization and/or abandonment.

Stock Repurchase Program During the first nine months of 2014, we repurchased approximately 48 million shares for $1,617 under a repurchase authorization that was approved by our Board of Directors in March 2013. In March 2014, our Board of Directors approved a fourth authorization to repurchase 300 million shares of our common stock. As of September 30, 2014, we had approximately 415 million shares remaining from these authorizations. The repurchase authorizations have no expiration date, and we expect to make future repurchases opportunistically.

Software Costs During 2014, we completed studies evaluating the periods that we were utilizing our software assets. As of April 1 and July 1, 2014, we extended our estimated useful lives for capitalized non-network and network software, respectively, to five years to better reflect the estimated periods during which these assets will remain in service and to align with the estimated useful lives used in the industry. This change in accounting estimate increased net income $198, or $0.04 per diluted share, in the third quarter and $330, or $0.06 per diluted share, for the first nine months of 2014.

New Accounting Standards In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)” (ASU 2014-09), which replaces existing revenue recognition rules with a comprehensive revenue measurement and recognition standard and expanded disclosure requirements. Upon initial evaluation, we believe the key changes in the standard that impact our revenue recognition relate to the allocation of contract revenues between service and equipment, and the timing in which those revenues are recognized. ASU 2014-09 also specifies that incremental costs of obtaining or fulfilling our contracts with customers should be deferred. ASU 2014-09 becomes effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016.

The FASB will allow two adoption methods under ASU 2014-09. Under one method, a company will apply the rules to contracts in all reporting periods presented, subject to certain allowable exceptions. Under the other method, a company will apply the rules to all contracts existing as of January 1, 2017, recognizing in beginning retained earnings an adjustment for the cumulative effect of the change and provide additional disclosures comparing results to previous rules. We continue to evaluate the impact of the new standard and available adoption methods.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for organization, consolidation and basis of presentation of financial statements disclosure.

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