v2.4.0.6
Segment Information (Summary Of Operating Financial Information For Reportable Segments) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Mar. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Operating revenues $ 28,242 $ 26,990
Operating income 5,195 4,453
Verizon Wireless [Member]
   
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Operating revenues 18,273 16,881
Operating income 5,217 4,351
Wireline [Member]
   
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Operating revenues 9,945 10,147
Operating income 157 288
Total Segments [Member]
   
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Operating revenues 28,218 27,028
Operating income 5,374 4,639
Corporate, Eliminations And Other [Member]
   
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Operating revenues 24 (38)
Operating income (179) (186)
Reconciling Items [Member]
   
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Operating income (179) (186)
External Operating Revenues [Member]
   
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Segment reporting information, revenue 28,242 26,990
External Operating Revenues [Member] | Verizon Wireless [Member]
   
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Segment reporting information, revenue 18,250 16,860
External Operating Revenues [Member] | Verizon Wireless [Member] | Revenue Retail Service [Member]
   
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Segment reporting information, revenue 14,872 13,659
External Operating Revenues [Member] | Verizon Wireless [Member] | Revenue Other Service [Member]
   
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Segment reporting information, revenue 524 637
External Operating Revenues [Member] | Verizon Wireless [Member] | Service Revenue [Member]
   
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Segment reporting information, revenue 15,396 14,296
External Operating Revenues [Member] | Verizon Wireless [Member] | Equipment [Member]
   
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Segment reporting information, revenue 1,835 1,687
External Operating Revenues [Member] | Verizon Wireless [Member] | Other [Member]
   
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Segment reporting information, revenue 1,019 877
External Operating Revenues [Member] | Wireline [Member]
   
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Segment reporting information, revenue 9,666 9,835
External Operating Revenues [Member] | Wireline [Member] | Mass Markets Consumer Retail [Member]
   
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Segment reporting information, revenue 3,441 3,383
External Operating Revenues [Member] | Wireline [Member] | Mass Markets Small Business [Member]
   
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Segment reporting information, revenue 659 692
External Operating Revenues [Member] | Wireline [Member] | Mass Markets [Member]
   
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Segment reporting information, revenue 4,100 4,075
External Operating Revenues [Member] | Wireline [Member] | Global Enterprise Strategic Services [Member]
   
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Segment reporting information, revenue 1,969 1,765
External Operating Revenues [Member] | Wireline [Member] | Global Enterprise Core [Member]
   
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Segment reporting information, revenue 1,882 2,054
External Operating Revenues [Member] | Wireline [Member] | Global Enterprise [Member]
   
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Segment reporting information, revenue 3,851 3,819
External Operating Revenues [Member] | Wireline [Member] | Global Wholesale [Member]
   
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Segment reporting information, revenue 1,592 1,740
External Operating Revenues [Member] | Wireline [Member] | Other [Member]
   
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Segment reporting information, revenue 123 201
External Operating Revenues [Member] | Total Segments [Member]
   
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Segment reporting information, revenue 27,916 26,695
External Operating Revenues [Member] | Corporate, Eliminations And Other [Member]
   
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Segment reporting information, revenue 326 295
Intersegment Revenues [Member] | Verizon Wireless [Member]
   
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Segment reporting information, revenue 23 21
Intersegment Revenues [Member] | Wireline [Member]
   
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Segment reporting information, revenue 279 312
Intersegment Revenues [Member] | Total Segments [Member]
   
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Segment reporting information, revenue 302 333
Intersegment Revenues [Member] | Corporate, Eliminations And Other [Member]
   
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Segment reporting information, revenue $ (302) $ (333)