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Changes in Carrying Amount of Wireless Licenses (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified |
12 Months Ended | ||
|---|---|---|---|
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Dec. 31, 2014
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Dec. 31, 2013
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Dec. 31, 2012
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| Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] | |||
| Beginning balance | $ 75,747us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedLicenseAgreements | ||
| Capitalized interest on wireless licenses | 376us-gaap_InterestCostsCapitalized | 754us-gaap_InterestCostsCapitalized | 406us-gaap_InterestCostsCapitalized |
| Ending balance | 75,341us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedLicenseAgreements | 75,747us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedLicenseAgreements | |
| Wireless Licenses | |||
| Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] | |||
| Beginning balance | 75,747us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedLicenseAgreements / us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = vz_WirelessLicensesMember |
77,744us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedLicenseAgreements / us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = vz_WirelessLicensesMember |
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| Acquisitions (Note 2) | 444us-gaap_IndefinitelivedIntangibleAssetsAcquired / us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = vz_WirelessLicensesMember |
579us-gaap_IndefinitelivedIntangibleAssetsAcquired / us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = vz_WirelessLicensesMember |
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| Dispositions (Note 2) | (1,978)vz_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsDisposed / us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = vz_WirelessLicensesMember |
(2,361)vz_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsDisposed / us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = vz_WirelessLicensesMember |
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| Capitalized interest on wireless licenses | 167us-gaap_InterestCostsCapitalized / us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = vz_WirelessLicensesMember |
566us-gaap_InterestCostsCapitalized / us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = vz_WirelessLicensesMember |
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| Reclassifications, adjustments and other | 961vz_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsReclassificationsAdjustmentsAndOther / us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = vz_WirelessLicensesMember |
(781)vz_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsReclassificationsAdjustmentsAndOther / us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = vz_WirelessLicensesMember |
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| Ending balance | $ 75,341us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedLicenseAgreements / us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = vz_WirelessLicensesMember |
$ 75,747us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedLicenseAgreements / us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = vz_WirelessLicensesMember |
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Amount of increase in assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with an indefinite life, resulting from a business combination. No definition available.
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- Details
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- Definition
Carrying amount (original costs adjusted for previously recognized amortization and impairment) as of the balance sheet date for the capitalized costs to acquire rights under a license arrangement (for example, to sell specified products in a specified territory) having an indefinite period of benefit. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Amount of interest capitalized during the period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Amount of decrease in assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with an indefinite life, resulting from a disposition. No definition available.
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- Definition
Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets Reclassifications adjustments and Other No definition available.
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- Details
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