Segment Information (Summary Of Operating Revenues And Expenses By Segment) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Service	$ 29,791	$ 29,863	$ 89,123	$ 89,158
Equipment	3,166	2,295	8,885	6,431
Total segment operating revenues	32,957	32,158	98,008	95,589
Operations and support expenses	23,016	21,355	67,006	63,633
Depreciation and amortization expenses	4,539	4,615	13,706	13,715
Total segment operating expenses	27,555	25,970	80,712	77,348
Segment operating income (loss)	5,402	6,188	17,296	18,241
Interest expense	1,016	829	2,757	2,481
Equity in net income (loss) of affiliates	(2)	91	188	494
Other income (expense) - net	42	50	1,456	370
Segment income (loss) before income taxes	4,426	5,500	16,183	16,624
Operating Segments [Member] | Wireless [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Service	15,423	15,460	45,958	45,892
Equipment	2,914	2,020	8,175	5,570
Total segment operating revenues	18,337	17,480	54,133	51,462
Operations and support expenses	11,855	10,982	34,305	31,932
Depreciation and amortization expenses	1,965	1,875	5,931	5,553
Total segment operating expenses	13,820	12,857	40,236	37,485
Segment operating income (loss)	4,517	4,623	13,897	13,977
Interest expense	0	0	0	0
Equity in net income (loss) of affiliates	(26)	(18)	(75)	(55)
Other income (expense) - net	0	0	0	0
Segment income (loss) before income taxes	4,491	4,605	13,822	13,922
Operating Segments [Member] | Wireline [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Service	14,368	14,403	43,165	43,266
Equipment	247	267	688	832
Total segment operating revenues	14,615	14,670	43,853	44,098
Operations and support expenses	10,761	10,385	31,918	31,137
Depreciation and amortization expenses	2,571	2,736	7,769	8,146
Total segment operating expenses	13,332	13,121	39,687	39,283
Segment operating income (loss)	1,283	1,549	4,166	4,815
Interest expense	0	0	0	0
Equity in net income (loss) of affiliates	1	0	2	1
Other income (expense) - net	0	0	0	0
Segment income (loss) before income taxes	1,284	1,549	4,168	4,816
Consolidation Non-Segment [Member] | Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Service	0	0	0	0
Equipment	5	8	22	29
Total segment operating revenues	5	8	22	29
Operations and support expenses	400	(12)	783	564
Depreciation and amortization expenses	3	4	6	16
Total segment operating expenses	403	(8)	789	580
Segment operating income (loss)	(398)	16	(767)	(551)
Interest expense	1,016	829	2,757	2,481
Equity in net income (loss) of affiliates	23	109	261	548
Other income (expense) - net	42	50	1,456	370
Segment income (loss) before income taxes	$ (1,349)	$ (654)	$ (1,807)	$ (2,114)