v2.4.1.9
Acquisitions and Divestitures - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 0 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 0 Months Ended 1 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Sep. 30, 2014
Jun. 30, 2014
Mar. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Sep. 30, 2013
Jun. 30, 2013
Mar. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Feb. 05, 2015
Sep. 30, 2012
Feb. 13, 2015
Jan. 29, 2015
Licenses
Feb. 21, 2014
Sep. 02, 2013
Jul. 26, 2012
Business Acquisition [Line Items]                                    
Cash paid to complete the Wireless Transaction                 $ 58,886,000,000us-gaap_PaymentsToMinorityShareholders                  
Common stock, par value $ 0.10us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare       $ 0.10us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare       $ 0.10us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare $ 0.10us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare                
Other consideration paid to Vodafone 1,650,000,000us-gaap_SharesSubjectToMandatoryRedemptionSettlementTermsAmountNoncurrent               1,650,000,000us-gaap_SharesSubjectToMandatoryRedemptionSettlementTermsAmountNoncurrent                  
Deferred tax liability attributable to the Wireless Transaction 57,460,000,000us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilities       41,508,000,000us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilities       57,460,000,000us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilities 41,508,000,000us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilities                
Other Liabilities 5,574,000,000us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent       5,653,000,000us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent       5,574,000,000us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent 5,653,000,000us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent                
License purchase and exchange transactions, net cash proceeds                 2,367,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfIntangibleAssets 2,111,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfIntangibleAssets 363,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfIntangibleAssets              
Gain on sale of licenses                 707,000,000us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfIntangibleAssets 278,000,000us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfIntangibleAssets                
Cash paid to acquire spectrum licenses                 354,000,000us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireIntangibleAssets 580,000,000us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireIntangibleAssets 4,298,000,000us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireIntangibleAssets              
Goodwill acquired         300,000,000us-gaap_GoodwillAcquiredDuringPeriod       55,000,000us-gaap_GoodwillAcquiredDuringPeriod 495,000,000us-gaap_GoodwillAcquiredDuringPeriod                
Proceeds from dispositions of businesses                 120,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses                  
Operating Revenues 33,192,000,000us-gaap_Revenues 31,586,000,000us-gaap_Revenues 31,483,000,000us-gaap_Revenues 30,818,000,000us-gaap_Revenues 31,065,000,000us-gaap_Revenues 30,279,000,000us-gaap_Revenues 29,786,000,000us-gaap_Revenues 29,420,000,000us-gaap_Revenues 127,079,000,000us-gaap_Revenues 120,550,000,000us-gaap_Revenues 115,846,000,000us-gaap_Revenues              
Payments to acquire businesses, net of cash acquired         400,000,000us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesNetOfCashAcquired                          
Access Line Sale with Frontier | Subsequent Event                                    
Business Acquisition [Line Items]                                    
Proceeds from dispositions of businesses                       10,500,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses
/ us-gaap_SignificantAcquisitionsAndDisposalsByTransactionAxis
= vz_AccessLineSaleWithFrontierMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember		            
Debt assumed by Frontier                       600,000,000us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionDebtAssumed1
/ us-gaap_SignificantAcquisitionsAndDisposalsByTransactionAxis
= vz_AccessLineSaleWithFrontierMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember		            
Number of FiOS Internet subscribers to be divested                       1,500,000vz_NumberOfFiOSInternetSubscribersToBeDivested
/ us-gaap_SignificantAcquisitionsAndDisposalsByTransactionAxis
= vz_AccessLineSaleWithFrontierMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember		            
Number of FiOS Video subscribers to be divested                       1,200,000vz_NumberOfFiOSVideoSubscribersToBeDivested
/ us-gaap_SignificantAcquisitionsAndDisposalsByTransactionAxis
= vz_AccessLineSaleWithFrontierMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember		            
Access Lines and Other Business Assets Acquired by Frontier                                    
Business Acquisition [Line Items]                                    
Operating Revenues                   5,400,000,000us-gaap_Revenues
/ us-gaap_SignificantAcquisitionsAndDisposalsByTransactionAxis
= vz_AccessLinesAndOtherBusinessAssetsAcquiredByFrontierMember		                
T Mobile and Cricket AWS Licenses Exchange                                    
Business Acquisition [Line Items]                                    
Acquisitions               500,000,000us-gaap_IndefinitelivedIntangibleAssetsAcquired
/ us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= vz_TMobileAndCricketAWSLicensesExchangeMember		                    
AT&T Spectrum License Transaction Amount Received Upon Closing                                    
Business Acquisition [Line Items]                                    
License purchase and exchange transactions, net cash proceeds           1,900,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfIntangibleAssets
/ us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= vz_AtandtSpectrumLicenseTransactionAmountReceivedUponClosingMember		                        
Investment Firm Spectrum License Transaction Amount Received Upon Closing                                    
Business Acquisition [Line Items]                                    
License purchase and exchange transactions, net cash proceeds           200,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfIntangibleAssets
/ us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= vz_InvestmentFirmSpectrumLicenseTransactionAmountReceivedUponClosingMember		                        
ATT and Investment Firm License Transactions                                    
Business Acquisition [Line Items]                                    
Acquisitions           500,000,000us-gaap_IndefinitelivedIntangibleAssetsAcquired
/ us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= vz_AttAndInvestmentFirmLicenseTransactionsMember		                        
Gain on sale of licenses           300,000,000us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfIntangibleAssets
/ us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= vz_AttAndInvestmentFirmLicenseTransactionsMember		                        
Leap Wireless and T-Mobile USA License Purchase And Exchange                                    
Business Acquisition [Line Items]                                    
Acquisitions                         2,600,000,000us-gaap_IndefinitelivedIntangibleAssetsAcquired
/ us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= vz_LicensePurchaseAndExchangeTransactionsMember		          
License purchase and exchange transactions, net cash proceeds                         200,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfIntangibleAssets
/ us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= vz_LicensePurchaseAndExchangeTransactionsMember		          
FCC spectrum licenses auction                                    
Business Acquisition [Line Items]                                    
Cash paid to acquire spectrum licenses 900,000,000us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireIntangibleAssets
/ us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= vz_FederalCommunicationsCommissionSpectrumLicensesAuctionMember		                                  
FCC spectrum licenses auction | Subsequent Event                                    
Business Acquisition [Line Items]                                    
FCC auction spectrum licenses                             181vz_NumberOfLicensesAcquired
/ us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= vz_FederalCommunicationsCommissionSpectrumLicensesAuctionMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember		      
Cash paid to acquire spectrum licenses                           1,200,000,000us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireIntangibleAssets
/ us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= vz_FederalCommunicationsCommissionSpectrumLicensesAuctionMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember		 10,400,000,000us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireIntangibleAssets
/ us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= vz_FederalCommunicationsCommissionSpectrumLicensesAuctionMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember		      
Verizon Notes                                    
Business Acquisition [Line Items]                                    
Aggregate principal amount of Verizon Notes 5,000,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_VerizonNotesMember		               5,000,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_VerizonNotesMember		             5,000,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_VerizonNotesMember		    
Redemption price of notes percentage                 100.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPricePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_VerizonNotesMember		                  
Verizon Notes due February 21, 2022                                    
Business Acquisition [Line Items]                                    
Aggregate principal amount of Verizon Notes                               2,500,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_VerizonNotesDueFebruaryTwentyFirstTwoThousandTwentyTwoMember		    
Verizon Notes due February 21, 2025                                    
Business Acquisition [Line Items]                                    
Aggregate principal amount of Verizon Notes                               2,500,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_VerizonNotesDueFebruaryTwentyFirstTwoThousandTwentyFiveMember		    
T-Mobile Wireless licenses agreement                                    
Business Acquisition [Line Items]                                    
License purchase and exchange transactions, net cash proceeds     2,400,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfIntangibleAssets
/ us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis
= vz_LicensingAgreementOneMember		                              
T-Mobile Wireless licenses agreement | Advanced Wireless Services Spectrum Licenses                                    
Business Acquisition [Line Items]                                    
Acquisitions     900,000,000us-gaap_IndefinitelivedIntangibleAssetsAcquired
/ us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= vz_AdvancedWirelessServicesSpectrumLicensesMember
/ us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis
= vz_LicensingAgreementOneMember		                              
T-Mobile USA 700 MHz A Block Wireless licenses agreements | Advanced Wireless Services Spectrum Licenses                                    
Business Acquisition [Line Items]                                    
Acquisitions     1,600,000,000us-gaap_IndefinitelivedIntangibleAssetsAcquired
/ us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= vz_AdvancedWirelessServicesSpectrumLicensesMember
/ us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis
= vz_LicensingAgreementTwoMember		                              
Gain on sale of licenses                 700,000,000us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfIntangibleAssets
/ us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= vz_AdvancedWirelessServicesSpectrumLicensesMember
/ us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis
= vz_LicensingAgreementTwoMember		                  
Redbox Instant by Verizon                                    
Business Acquisition [Line Items]                                    
Pre-tax loss on termination of venture 100,000,000us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfBusiness
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= vz_RedboxInstantByVerizonMember		                                  
Vodafone Omnitel N.V.                                    
Business Acquisition [Line Items]                                    
Verizon ownership percentage                               23.10%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_VodafoneOmnitelMember		    
Selling price (fair value) of Verizon's equity method investment in Vodafone Omnitel                               3,500,000,000us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNetSalesProceeds
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_VodafoneOmnitelMember		    
Pre-tax gain on sale of equity interest                 1,900,000,000us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentRealizedGainLossOnDisposal
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_VodafoneOmnitelMember		                  
Wireless Transaction                                    
Business Acquisition [Line Items]                                    
Percentage of noncontrolling interest by Vodafone Group Plc in Cellco Partnership joint venture                                 45.00%us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByNoncontrollingOwners
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vz_WirelessTransactionMember		  
Aggregate consideration to complete the Wireless Transaction                                 130,000,000,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vz_WirelessTransactionMember		  
Cash paid to complete the Wireless Transaction                               58,890,000,000us-gaap_PaymentsToMinorityShareholders
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vz_WirelessTransactionMember		    
Aggregate value of common shares issued to Vodafone shareholders                               61,300,000,000us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionEquityInterestIssuedOrIssuableValueAssigned
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vz_WirelessTransactionMember		    
Common stock, par value                               $ 0.10us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vz_WirelessTransactionMember		    
Other consideration paid to Vodafone                               1,700,000,000us-gaap_SharesSubjectToMandatoryRedemptionSettlementTermsAmountNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vz_WirelessTransactionMember		    
Common Shares issued                               1,270,000,000us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionEquityInterestsIssuedOrIssuableNumberOfSharesIssued
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vz_WirelessTransactionMember		    
Preferred stock redemption date                                 2020-04  
Preferred stock redemption price, per share                                 $ 1,000vz_RedemptionPriceOfPreferredStock
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vz_WirelessTransactionMember		  
Preferred stock dividend rate, percentage                                 5.143%us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendRatePercentage
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vz_WirelessTransactionMember		  
Deferred tax liability attributable to the Wireless Transaction                               13,500,000,000us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilities
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vz_WirelessTransactionMember		    
Wireless Transaction | Series D Preferred Stock                                    
Business Acquisition [Line Items]                                    
Preferred stock shares outstanding                               825,000vz_SharesOutstandingPreferredStock
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vz_WirelessTransactionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMember		    
Wireless Transaction | Series E Preferred Stock                                    
Business Acquisition [Line Items]                                    
Preferred stock shares outstanding                               825,000vz_SharesOutstandingPreferredStock
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vz_WirelessTransactionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_SeriesEPreferredStockMember		    
Wireless Transaction | Verizon Notes                                    
Business Acquisition [Line Items]                                    
Quarterly interest payment start date                               May 21, 2014    
Wireless Transaction | Verizon Notes due February 21, 2022                                    
Business Acquisition [Line Items]                                    
Debt instrument maturity date                               Feb. 21, 2022    
Debt instrument, description of variable rate basis                               Three-month LIBOR, plus 1.222%    
Wireless Transaction | Verizon Notes due February 21, 2022 | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)                                    
Business Acquisition [Line Items]                                    
Debt instrument, marginal rate                               1.222%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vz_WirelessTransactionMember
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_VerizonNotesDueFebruaryTwentyFirstTwoThousandTwentyTwoMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember		    
Wireless Transaction | Verizon Notes due February 21, 2025                                    
Business Acquisition [Line Items]                                    
Debt instrument maturity date                               Feb. 21, 2025    
Debt instrument, description of variable rate basis                               Three-month LIBOR, plus 1.372%    
Wireless Transaction | Verizon Notes due February 21, 2025 | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)                                    
Business Acquisition [Line Items]                                    
Debt instrument, marginal rate                               1.372%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vz_WirelessTransactionMember
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_VerizonNotesDueFebruaryTwentyFirstTwoThousandTwentyFiveMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember		    
Acquisition of Other Wireless Licenses and Markets                                    
Business Acquisition [Line Items]                                    
Goodwill acquired                   200,000,000us-gaap_GoodwillAcquiredDuringPeriod
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vz_AcquisitionOfOtherWirelessLicensesAndMarketsMember		 200,000,000us-gaap_GoodwillAcquiredDuringPeriod
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vz_AcquisitionOfOtherWirelessLicensesAndMarketsMember		              
Hughes Telematics Acquisition                                    
Business Acquisition [Line Items]                                    
Goodwill acquired                                   600,000,000us-gaap_GoodwillAcquiredDuringPeriod
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vz_HughesTelematicsMember
Business Acquisition, Share Price                                   $ 12us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionSharePrice
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vz_HughesTelematicsMember
Business acquisition, purchase price in cash                                   600,000,000us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vz_HughesTelematicsMember
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Amortizable Intangible Assets                                   100,000,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIntangibles
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vz_HughesTelematicsMember
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Current Liabilities, Long-term Debt                                   100,000,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentLiabilitiesLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vz_HughesTelematicsMember
SpectrumCo and Cox TMI Wireless AWS License Acquisition                                    
Business Acquisition [Line Items]                                    
Acquisitions                         3,900,000,000us-gaap_IndefinitelivedIntangibleAssetsAcquired
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vz_SpectrumcoAndCoxTmiWirelessAdvancedWirelessServicesLicenseAcquisitionMember		          
Other Liabilities                     400,000,000us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vz_SpectrumcoAndCoxTmiWirelessAdvancedWirelessServicesLicenseAcquisitionMember		              
Tower Monetization Transaction | Subsequent Event                                    
Business Acquisition [Line Items]                                    
Number of towers subject to failed sale-leaseback                       11,300vz_NumberOfTowersSubjectToFailedSaleLeaseback
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vz_TowerMonetizationTransactionMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember		            
Cash proceeds from failed sale-leaseback                       5,000,000,000vz_ProceedsFromFailedSaleLeaseBack
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vz_TowerMonetizationTransactionMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember		            
Term of Lease                       28 years            
Number of towers subject to disposition                       165vz_NumberOfTowersSubjectToDisposition
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vz_TowerMonetizationTransactionMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember		            
Cash proceeds from disposition of towers                       $ 100,000,000vz_ProceedsFromDispositionOfTowers
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vz_TowerMonetizationTransactionMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember		            
Minimum years of sublease capacity on towers                       10 years