Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Operating Activities
Net income (loss)	$ (6,874)	$ 23,776	$ (1,522)
Adjustments to reconcile income (loss) from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations:
Depreciation and amortization	18,021	17,852	22,523
Provision for uncollectible accounts	1,865	1,241	1,798
Deferred income tax expense	2,975	7,412	2,145
Net (gain) loss on investments, net of impairments	381	(369)	(970)
Pension and postretirement benefit expense (credit)	(3,237)	(3,857)	(2,992)
Actuarial (gain) loss on pension and postretirement benefits	(1,999)	(4,143)	4,169
Asset impairments and abandonments and restructuring	27,498	213	15,687
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables	727	(1,125)	1,079
Other current assets	(674)	(1,288)	(2,138)
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities	(1,109)	(1,570)	(1,895)
Equipment installment receivables and related sales	154	(271)	(1,428)
Deferred customer contract acquisition and fulfillment costs	(947)	18	382
Postretirement claims and contributions	(823)	(822)	(985)
Other – net	(146)	103	1,631
Total adjustments	42,686	13,394	39,006
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities from Continuing Operations	35,812	37,170	37,484
Investing Activities
Capital expenditures	(19,626)	(15,545)	(14,690)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(10,200)	(25,453)	(1,625)
Dispositions	199	7,136	2,472
Distributions from DIRECTV in excess of cumulative equity in earnings	2,649	1,323	0
Other – net	79	50	396
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities from Continuing Operations	(26,899)	(32,489)	(13,447)
Financing Activities
Net change in short-term borrowings with original maturities of three months or less	(519)	1,316	(17)
Issuance of other short-term borrowings	3,955	21,856	9,440
Repayment of other short-term borrowings	(18,345)	(7,510)	(9,467)
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-Term Debt	2,979	9,931	31,988
Repayment of long-term debt	(25,118)	(3,039)	(39,062)
Note payable to DIRECTV, net of payments	(1,211)	1,341	0
Payment of vendor financing	(4,697)	(4,596)	(2,966)
Issuance of preferred stock	0	0	3,869
Purchase of treasury stock	(890)	(202)	(5,498)
Issuance of treasury stock	28	96	105
Issuance of preferred interests in subsidiaries	0	0	1,979
Redemption of preferred interest in subsidiary	(2,665)	0	(1,950)
Dividends paid	(9,859)	(15,068)	(14,956)
Other – net	(3,222)	(2,231)	(4,496)
Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Financing Activities from Continuing Operations	(59,564)	1,894	(31,031)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash from continuing operations	(50,651)	6,575	(6,994)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Discontinued Operations [Abstract]
Cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(3,789)	4,788	5,645
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities	1,094	399	(102)
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities	35,823	(316)	(974)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash from discontinued operations	33,128	4,871	4,569
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash	(17,523)	11,446	(2,425)
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash beginning of year	21,316	9,870	12,295
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash End of Year	$ 3,793	$ 21,316	$ 9,870