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Acquisitions and Divestitures - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
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3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 0 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 0 Months Ended | 1 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 1 Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Dec. 31, 2013
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Dec. 31, 2013
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Dec. 31, 2012
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Mar. 31, 2013
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Nov. 30, 2012
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Nov. 02, 2012
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Dec. 31, 2013
Verizon Notes
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Feb. 21, 2014
Verizon Notes
Subsequent Event
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Mar. 31, 2013
T Mobile and Cricket AWS Licenses Exchange
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Sep. 30, 2013
AT&T Spectrum License Transaction Amount Received Upon Closing
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Sep. 30, 2013
Investment Firm Spectrum License Transaction Amount Received Upon Closing
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Sep. 30, 2013
ATT and Investment Firm License Transactions
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Dec. 31, 2013
Wireless Licenses
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Dec. 31, 2012
Wireless Licenses
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Jan. 06, 2014
Wireless Licenses
Subsequent Event
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Sep. 30, 2012
Advanced Wireless Services Spectrum Licenses
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Dec. 31, 2012
Advanced Wireless Services Spectrum Licenses
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Sep. 30, 2012
License Purchase and Exchange Transactions
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Dec. 31, 2013
License Purchase and Exchange Transactions
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Feb. 21, 2014
Vodafone Omnitel N.V.
Subsequent Event
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Sep. 02, 2013
Stock Purchase Agreement
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Feb. 21, 2014
Stock Purchase Agreement
Subsequent Event
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Feb. 21, 2014
Verizon Wireless
Subsequent Event
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Dec. 31, 2013
Verizon Wireless
5.143% Class D Cumulative Preferred Stock
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Dec. 31, 2013
Verizon Wireless
5.143% Class E Cumulative Preferred Stock
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Feb. 21, 2014
Verizon Wireless
Verizon Notes
Subsequent Event
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Feb. 21, 2014
Verizon Wireless
Verizon Notes due February 21, 2022
Subsequent Event
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Feb. 21, 2014
Verizon Wireless
Verizon Notes due February 21, 2025
Subsequent Event
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Dec. 31, 2013
Acquisition of Other Wireless Licenses and Markets
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Dec. 31, 2012
Acquisition of Other Wireless Licenses and Markets
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Jul. 26, 2012
July 26, 2012 Hughes Telematics Acquisition
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Apr. 30, 2011
Terremark Worldwide, Inc.
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| Business Acquisition [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Percentage of noncontrolling interest by Vodafone Group Plc in Cellco Partnership joint venture | 45.00% | 45.00% | 45.00% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Aggregate consideration to complete the Wireless Transaction | $ 130,000,000,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash paid to complete the Wireless Transaction | 58,890,000,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Aggregate value of common shares issued to Vodafone shareholders | 60,150,000,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock, par value | $ 0.10 | $ 0.10 | $ 0.10 | $ 0.10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Aggregate principal amount | 500,000,000 | 4,500,000,000 | 1,250,000,000 | 5,000,000,000 | 5,000,000,000 | 2,500,000,000 | 2,500,000,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verizon ownership percentage | 23.10% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Selling price (fair value) of Verizon's equity method investment in Vodafone Omnitel | 3,500,000,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other consideration paid to Vodafone | 2,500,000,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common Shares issued | 1,270,000,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt instrument maturity date | Feb. 21, 2022 | Feb. 21, 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Quarterly interest payment start date | May 21, 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt instrument, description of variable rate basis | Three-month LIBOR, plus 1.222% | Three-month LIBOR, plus 1.372% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt instrument, marginal rate | 1.222% | 1.372% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Redemption price of notes percentage | 100.00% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preferred stock shares outstanding | 825,000 | 825,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preferred stock redemption date | 2020-04 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preferred stock redemption price, per share | $ 1,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preferred stock dividend rate, percentage | 5.143% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Acquisitions | 500,000,000 | 500,000,000 | 579,000,000 | 4,544,000,000 | 3,900,000,000 | 2,600,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other Liabilities | 5,653,000,000 | 5,653,000,000 | 6,092,000,000 | 400,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| License purchase and exchange transactions, net cash proceeds | 2,111,000,000 | 363,000,000 | 1,900,000,000 | 200,000,000 | 2,400,000,000 | 200,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gain on sale of licenses | 278,000,000 | 300,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets Held-for-sale, Current | 900,000,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Goodwill acquired | 300,000,000 | 495,000,000 | 760,000,000 | 200,000,000 | 200,000,000 | 600,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Business Acquisition, Share Price | $ 12 | $ 19 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Business acquisition, purchase price in cash | 600,000,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Amortizable Intangible Assets | 100,000,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Current Liabilities, Long-term Debt | 100,000,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Merger integration and acquisition related charges | 13,000,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Payments to acquire businesses, net of cash acquired | $ 400,000,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||