v2.4.1.9
Investment in Unconsolidated Businesses (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]    
Equity method investee $ 677us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments $ 3,329us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments
Cost method investee 125us-gaap_CostMethodInvestments 103us-gaap_CostMethodInvestments
Total investments in unconsolidated businesses 802us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures 3,432us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures
Vodafone Omnitel N.V.    
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]    
Equity method investee   2,511us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vz_VodafoneOmnitelMember		 [1]
Other Members    
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]    
Equity method investee $ 677us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vz_OtherMembersMember		 $ 818us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vz_OtherMembersMember
[1] Prior to the completion of the Wireless Transaction on February 21, 2014, Verizon held a 23.1% ownership interest in Vodafone Omnitel.