v2.4.1.9
Tender Offer to Purchase for Cash Any And All of Series Of Notes (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
 0 Months Ended 1 Months Ended
Mar. 10, 2014
Mar. 31, 2014
Mar. 10, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Principal Amount Purchased $ 4,122vz_DebtTenderOfferPrincipalAmountPurchased   $ 4,122vz_DebtTenderOfferPrincipalAmountPurchased
Verizon Communications | 6.10% Notes due 2018      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Interest Rate 6.10%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_SixPointOneZeroPercentNotesDueTwentyEighteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_VerizonCommunicationsMember		   6.10%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_SixPointOneZeroPercentNotesDueTwentyEighteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_VerizonCommunicationsMember
Maturity 2018    
Principal amount outstanding 1,500us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_SixPointOneZeroPercentNotesDueTwentyEighteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_VerizonCommunicationsMember		   1,500us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_SixPointOneZeroPercentNotesDueTwentyEighteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_VerizonCommunicationsMember
Purchase Price 1,170.07vz_DebtInstrumentPurchasePricePerPrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_SixPointOneZeroPercentNotesDueTwentyEighteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_VerizonCommunicationsMember		 [1]    
Principal Amount Purchased 748vz_DebtTenderOfferPrincipalAmountPurchased
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_SixPointOneZeroPercentNotesDueTwentyEighteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_VerizonCommunicationsMember		 700vz_DebtTenderOfferPrincipalAmountPurchased
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_SixPointOneZeroPercentNotesDueTwentyEighteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_VerizonCommunicationsMember		 748vz_DebtTenderOfferPrincipalAmountPurchased
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_SixPointOneZeroPercentNotesDueTwentyEighteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_VerizonCommunicationsMember
Verizon Communications | 5.50% Notes due 2018      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Interest Rate 5.50%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_FivePointFiveZeroPercentNotesDueTwentyEighteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_VerizonCommunicationsMember		   5.50%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_FivePointFiveZeroPercentNotesDueTwentyEighteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_VerizonCommunicationsMember
Maturity 2018    
Principal amount outstanding 1,500us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_FivePointFiveZeroPercentNotesDueTwentyEighteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_VerizonCommunicationsMember		   1,500us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_FivePointFiveZeroPercentNotesDueTwentyEighteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_VerizonCommunicationsMember
Purchase Price 1,146.91vz_DebtInstrumentPurchasePricePerPrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_FivePointFiveZeroPercentNotesDueTwentyEighteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_VerizonCommunicationsMember		 [1]    
Principal Amount Purchased 763vz_DebtTenderOfferPrincipalAmountPurchased
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_FivePointFiveZeroPercentNotesDueTwentyEighteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_VerizonCommunicationsMember		 800vz_DebtTenderOfferPrincipalAmountPurchased
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_FivePointFiveZeroPercentNotesDueTwentyEighteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_VerizonCommunicationsMember		 763vz_DebtTenderOfferPrincipalAmountPurchased
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_FivePointFiveZeroPercentNotesDueTwentyEighteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_VerizonCommunicationsMember
Verizon Communications | 8.75% Notes due 2018      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Interest Rate 8.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_EightPointSevenFivePercentNotesDueTwentyEighteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_VerizonCommunicationsMember		   8.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_EightPointSevenFivePercentNotesDueTwentyEighteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_VerizonCommunicationsMember
Maturity 2018    
Principal amount outstanding 1,300us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_EightPointSevenFivePercentNotesDueTwentyEighteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_VerizonCommunicationsMember		   1,300us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_EightPointSevenFivePercentNotesDueTwentyEighteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_VerizonCommunicationsMember
Purchase Price 1,288.35vz_DebtInstrumentPurchasePricePerPrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_EightPointSevenFivePercentNotesDueTwentyEighteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_VerizonCommunicationsMember		 [1]    
Principal Amount Purchased 564vz_DebtTenderOfferPrincipalAmountPurchased
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_EightPointSevenFivePercentNotesDueTwentyEighteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_VerizonCommunicationsMember		 600vz_DebtTenderOfferPrincipalAmountPurchased
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_EightPointSevenFivePercentNotesDueTwentyEighteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_VerizonCommunicationsMember		 564vz_DebtTenderOfferPrincipalAmountPurchased
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_EightPointSevenFivePercentNotesDueTwentyEighteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_VerizonCommunicationsMember
Verizon Communications | 5.55% Notes due 2016      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Interest Rate 5.55%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_FivePointFiveFivePercentNotesDueTwentySixteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_VerizonCommunicationsMember		   5.55%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_FivePointFiveFivePercentNotesDueTwentySixteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_VerizonCommunicationsMember
Maturity 2016    
Principal amount outstanding 1,250us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_FivePointFiveFivePercentNotesDueTwentySixteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_VerizonCommunicationsMember		   1,250us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_FivePointFiveFivePercentNotesDueTwentySixteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_VerizonCommunicationsMember
Purchase Price 1,093.62vz_DebtInstrumentPurchasePricePerPrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_FivePointFiveFivePercentNotesDueTwentySixteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_VerizonCommunicationsMember		 [1]    
Principal Amount Purchased 652vz_DebtTenderOfferPrincipalAmountPurchased
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_FivePointFiveFivePercentNotesDueTwentySixteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_VerizonCommunicationsMember		 700vz_DebtTenderOfferPrincipalAmountPurchased
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_FivePointFiveFivePercentNotesDueTwentySixteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_VerizonCommunicationsMember		 652vz_DebtTenderOfferPrincipalAmountPurchased
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_FivePointFiveFivePercentNotesDueTwentySixteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_VerizonCommunicationsMember
Verizon Communications | 5.50% Notes due 2017      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Interest Rate 5.50%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_FivePointFiveZeroPercentNotesDueTwentySeventeenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_VerizonCommunicationsMember		   5.50%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_FivePointFiveZeroPercentNotesDueTwentySeventeenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_VerizonCommunicationsMember
Maturity 2017    
Principal amount outstanding 750us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_FivePointFiveZeroPercentNotesDueTwentySeventeenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_VerizonCommunicationsMember		   750us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_FivePointFiveZeroPercentNotesDueTwentySeventeenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_VerizonCommunicationsMember
Purchase Price 1,133.22vz_DebtInstrumentPurchasePricePerPrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_FivePointFiveZeroPercentNotesDueTwentySeventeenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_VerizonCommunicationsMember		 [1]    
Principal Amount Purchased 353vz_DebtTenderOfferPrincipalAmountPurchased
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_FivePointFiveZeroPercentNotesDueTwentySeventeenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_VerizonCommunicationsMember		 400vz_DebtTenderOfferPrincipalAmountPurchased
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_FivePointFiveZeroPercentNotesDueTwentySeventeenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_VerizonCommunicationsMember		 353vz_DebtTenderOfferPrincipalAmountPurchased
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_FivePointFiveZeroPercentNotesDueTwentySeventeenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_VerizonCommunicationsMember
Cellco Partnership and Verizon Wireless Capital LLC | 8.5% Notes due 2018      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Interest Rate 8.50%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_EightPointFivePercentNotesDueTwentyEighteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_CellcoPartnershipAndVerizonWirelessCapitalLlcMember		 8.50%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_EightPointFivePercentNotesDueTwentyEighteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_CellcoPartnershipAndVerizonWirelessCapitalLlcMember		 8.50%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_EightPointFivePercentNotesDueTwentyEighteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_CellcoPartnershipAndVerizonWirelessCapitalLlcMember
Maturity 2018 2018  
Principal amount outstanding 1,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_EightPointFivePercentNotesDueTwentyEighteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_CellcoPartnershipAndVerizonWirelessCapitalLlcMember		   1,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_EightPointFivePercentNotesDueTwentyEighteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_CellcoPartnershipAndVerizonWirelessCapitalLlcMember
Purchase Price 1,279.63vz_DebtInstrumentPurchasePricePerPrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_EightPointFivePercentNotesDueTwentyEighteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_CellcoPartnershipAndVerizonWirelessCapitalLlcMember		 [1]    
Principal Amount Purchased 619vz_DebtTenderOfferPrincipalAmountPurchased
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_EightPointFivePercentNotesDueTwentyEighteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_CellcoPartnershipAndVerizonWirelessCapitalLlcMember		 600vz_DebtTenderOfferPrincipalAmountPurchased
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_EightPointFivePercentNotesDueTwentyEighteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_CellcoPartnershipAndVerizonWirelessCapitalLlcMember		 619vz_DebtTenderOfferPrincipalAmountPurchased
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_EightPointFivePercentNotesDueTwentyEighteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_CellcoPartnershipAndVerizonWirelessCapitalLlcMember
Alltel Corporation | 7.00% Debentures due 2016      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Interest Rate 7.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_SevenPercentDebentureDueTwentySixteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_AlltelCorporationMember		   7.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_SevenPercentDebentureDueTwentySixteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_AlltelCorporationMember
Maturity 2016    
Principal amount outstanding 300us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_SevenPercentDebentureDueTwentySixteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_AlltelCorporationMember		   300us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_SevenPercentDebentureDueTwentySixteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_AlltelCorporationMember
Purchase Price 1,125.26vz_DebtInstrumentPurchasePricePerPrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_SevenPercentDebentureDueTwentySixteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_AlltelCorporationMember		 [1]    
Principal Amount Purchased 157vz_DebtTenderOfferPrincipalAmountPurchased
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_SevenPercentDebentureDueTwentySixteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_AlltelCorporationMember		 200vz_DebtTenderOfferPrincipalAmountPurchased
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_SevenPercentDebentureDueTwentySixteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_AlltelCorporationMember		 157vz_DebtTenderOfferPrincipalAmountPurchased
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_SevenPercentDebentureDueTwentySixteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_AlltelCorporationMember
GTE Corporation | 6.84% Debentures due 2018      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Interest Rate 6.84%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_SixPointEightFourPercentDebenturesDueTwentyEighteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_GTECorporationMember		   6.84%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_SixPointEightFourPercentDebenturesDueTwentyEighteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_GTECorporationMember
Maturity 2018    
Principal amount outstanding 600us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_SixPointEightFourPercentDebenturesDueTwentyEighteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_GTECorporationMember		   600us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_SixPointEightFourPercentDebenturesDueTwentyEighteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_GTECorporationMember
Purchase Price 1,196.85vz_DebtInstrumentPurchasePricePerPrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_SixPointEightFourPercentDebenturesDueTwentyEighteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_GTECorporationMember		 [1]    
Principal Amount Purchased $ 266vz_DebtTenderOfferPrincipalAmountPurchased
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_SixPointEightFourPercentDebenturesDueTwentyEighteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_GTECorporationMember		 $ 300vz_DebtTenderOfferPrincipalAmountPurchased
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_SixPointEightFourPercentDebenturesDueTwentyEighteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_GTECorporationMember		 $ 266vz_DebtTenderOfferPrincipalAmountPurchased
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= vz_SixPointEightFourPercentDebenturesDueTwentyEighteenMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vz_GTECorporationMember
[1] Per $1,000 principal amount of notes