v2.4.1.9
Wireless Licenses, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]    
Wireless licenses (current assets) held-for-sale $ 300,000,000us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCurrent $ 900,000,000us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCurrent
Wireless licenses under development 4,580,000,000us-gaap_ConstructionInProgressGross 4,176,000,000us-gaap_ConstructionInProgressGross
Average remaining renewal period of wireless license portfolio (in years) 4 years 8 months 12 days  
Wireless Licenses    
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]    
Wireless licenses under development $ 400,000,000us-gaap_ConstructionInProgressGross
/ us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= vz_WirelessLicensesMember
$ 7,700,000,000us-gaap_ConstructionInProgressGross
/ us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= vz_WirelessLicensesMember