v2.4.1.9
Changes in Carrying Amount of Wireless Licenses (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
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
 
Acquisitions (Note 2) 444us-gaap_IndefinitelivedIntangibleAssetsAcquired
/ us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= vz_WirelessLicensesMember
579us-gaap_IndefinitelivedIntangibleAssetsAcquired
/ us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= vz_WirelessLicensesMember
 
Dispositions (Note 2) (1,978)vz_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsDisposed
/ us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= vz_WirelessLicensesMember
(2,361)vz_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsDisposed
/ us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= vz_WirelessLicensesMember
 
Capitalized interest on wireless licenses 167us-gaap_InterestCostsCapitalized
/ us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= vz_WirelessLicensesMember
566us-gaap_InterestCostsCapitalized
/ us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= vz_WirelessLicensesMember
 
Reclassifications, adjustments and other 961vz_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsReclassificationsAdjustmentsAndOther
/ us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= vz_WirelessLicensesMember
(781)vz_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsReclassificationsAdjustmentsAndOther
/ us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= vz_WirelessLicensesMember
 
Ending balance $ 75,341us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedLicenseAgreements
/ us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= vz_WirelessLicensesMember
$ 75,747us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedLicenseAgreements
/ us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= vz_WirelessLicensesMember