v2.4.0.8
Operating Financial Information for Reportable Segments (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2014
Jun. 30, 2013
Jun. 30, 2014
Jun. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Operating Revenues $ 31,483 $ 29,786 $ 62,301 $ 59,206
Operating income 7,685 6,555 14,845 12,777
Wireless
        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Operating Revenues 21,483 19,976 42,362 39,499
Operating income 6,985 6,464 14,303 12,882
Wireline
        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Operating Revenues 9,759 9,734 19,549 19,564
Operating income 259 74 406 87
Total Segments
        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Operating Revenues 31,242 29,710 61,911 59,063
Operating income 7,244 6,538 14,709 12,969
Corporate, Eliminations and Other
        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Operating Revenues 241 76 390 143
Reconciling Items
        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Operating income 441 17 136 (192)
External Operating Revenues
        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Operating Revenues 31,483 29,786 62,301 59,206
External Operating Revenues | Wireless
        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Operating Revenues 21,453 19,952 42,304 39,448
External Operating Revenues | Wireless | Service Revenue Retail Service
        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Operating Revenues 17,276 16,408 34,509 32,563
External Operating Revenues | Wireless | Service Revenue Other Service
        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Operating Revenues 784 656 1,519 1,213
External Operating Revenues | Wireless | Service Revenue
        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Operating Revenues 18,060 17,064 36,028 33,776
External Operating Revenues | Wireless | Equipment
        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Operating Revenues 2,387 1,949 4,256 3,758
External Operating Revenues | Wireless | Other
        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Operating Revenues 1,006 939 2,020 1,914
External Operating Revenues | Wireline
        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Operating Revenues 9,513 9,469 19,046 19,028
External Operating Revenues | Wireline | Mass Markets Consumer Retail
        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Operating Revenues 3,864 3,669 7,704 7,285
External Operating Revenues | Wireline | Mass Markets Small Business
        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Operating Revenues 621 635 1,245 1,270
External Operating Revenues | Wireline | Mass Markets
        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Operating Revenues 4,485 4,304 8,949 8,555
External Operating Revenues | Wireline | Global Enterprise Strategic Services
        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Operating Revenues 2,120 2,059 4,223 4,132
External Operating Revenues | Wireline | Global Enterprise Core
        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Operating Revenues 1,459 1,582 2,955 3,273
External Operating Revenues | Wireline | Global Enterprise
        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Operating Revenues 3,579 3,641 7,178 7,405
External Operating Revenues | Wireline | Global Wholesale
        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Operating Revenues 1,327 1,413 2,672 2,856
External Operating Revenues | Wireline | Other
        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Operating Revenues 122 111 247 212
External Operating Revenues | Total Segments
        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Operating Revenues 30,966 29,421 61,350 58,476
External Operating Revenues | Corporate, Eliminations and Other
        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Operating Revenues 517 365 951 730
Intersegment Revenues | Wireless
        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Operating Revenues 30 24 58 51
Intersegment Revenues | Wireline
        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Operating Revenues 246 265 503 536
Intersegment Revenues | Total Segments
        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Operating Revenues 276 289 561 587
Intersegment Revenues | Corporate, Eliminations and Other
        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Operating Revenues $ (276) $ (289) $ (561) $ (587)