Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Earnings Per Share
Net income	$ 3,515	$ 3,184	$ 7,400	$ 6,523
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(107)	(102)	(189)	(178)
Net Income attributable to AT&T	3,408	3,082	7,211	6,345
Share-based payment	2	2	6	6
Numerator for diluted earnings per share	$ 3,410	$ 3,084	$ 7,217	$ 6,351
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding	6,174	5,204	6,173	5,204
Share-based payment (in shares)	21	16	20	16
Denominator for diluted earnings per share	6,195	5,220	6,193	5,220
Basic Earnings Per Share Attributable to AT&T	$ 0.55	$ 0.59	$ 1.17	$ 1.22
Diluted Earnings Per Share Attributable to AT&T	$ 0.55	$ 0.59	$ 1.17	$ 1.22