v2.4.1.9
Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)
In Billions, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2013
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Mar. 31, 2014
Jun. 30, 2014
Pension remeasurement charge          
Quarterly Financial Information [Line Items]          
After-tax credits (charges) included in consolidated results of operations $ 0.1vz_NonOperationalCreditsChargesIncludedInConsolidatedResultsOfOperations
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= vz_PensionRemeasurementChargeMember		        
Severance, Pension and Benefit Credit          
Quarterly Financial Information [Line Items]          
After-tax credits (charges) included in consolidated results of operations   4.7vz_NonOperationalCreditsChargesIncludedInConsolidatedResultsOfOperations
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= vz_SeverancePensionAndBenefitCreditMember		 3.7vz_NonOperationalCreditsChargesIncludedInConsolidatedResultsOfOperations
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= vz_SeverancePensionAndBenefitCreditMember		    
Wireless Transaction Costs          
Quarterly Financial Information [Line Items]          
After-tax credits (charges) included in consolidated results of operations     0.5vz_NonOperationalCreditsChargesIncludedInConsolidatedResultsOfOperations
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= vz_WirelessTransactionCostsMember		 0.3vz_NonOperationalCreditsChargesIncludedInConsolidatedResultsOfOperations
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= vz_WirelessTransactionCostsMember		  
Vodafone Omnitel N.V.          
Quarterly Financial Information [Line Items]          
After-tax credits (charges) included in consolidated results of operations       1.9vz_NonOperationalCreditsChargesIncludedInConsolidatedResultsOfOperations
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= vz_VodafoneOmnitelMember		  
Early Debt Redemption Costs And Other          
Quarterly Financial Information [Line Items]          
After-tax credits (charges) included in consolidated results of operations   0.5vz_NonOperationalCreditsChargesIncludedInConsolidatedResultsOfOperations
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= vz_EarlyDebtRedemptionCostsAndOtherMember		   0.6vz_NonOperationalCreditsChargesIncludedInConsolidatedResultsOfOperations
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= vz_EarlyDebtRedemptionCostsAndOtherMember		  
Spectrum          
Quarterly Financial Information [Line Items]          
After-tax credits (charges) included in consolidated results of operations         $ 0.4vz_NonOperationalCreditsChargesIncludedInConsolidatedResultsOfOperations
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= vz_SpectrumMember