v2.4.1.9
Leasing Arrangements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
In Billions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended 0 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Feb. 05, 2015
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]        
Number of years remaining on current lease agreements high end of range 36 years      
Accumulated deferred taxes arising from leveraged leases $ 0.9us-gaap_LeveragedLeasesBalanceSheetDeferredTaxesArisingFromLeveragedLeases $ 1.0us-gaap_LeveragedLeasesBalanceSheetDeferredTaxesArisingFromLeveragedLeases    
Rent expense under operating leases 2.7us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense 2.6us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense 2.5us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense  
Subsequent Event | Tower Monetization Transaction        
Operating Leased Assets [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       5.0vz_ProceedsFromFailedSaleLeaseBack
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vz_TowerMonetizationTransactionMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
Minimum years of sublease capacity on towers       10 years
Minimum future lease payment       $ 2.8vz_MinimumLeasePaymentsFailedSaleLeasebackTransactions
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vz_TowerMonetizationTransactionMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember