v2.4.1.9
Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
In Billions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Mar. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2014
Derivative Collateral      
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]      
Derivative liability fair value of collateral $ 0.8us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityFairValueOfCollateral
/ us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsOwnedAndPledgedAsCollateralAxis
= vz_DerivativeCollateralMember
  $ 0.6us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityFairValueOfCollateral
/ us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsOwnedAndPledgedAsCollateralAxis
= vz_DerivativeCollateralMember
Interest Rate Swaps      
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]      
Notional amount 1.8invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
  1.8invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
Forward Interest Rate Swaps      
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]      
Notional amount 2.0invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= vz_ForwardInterestRateSwapsMember
  2.0invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= vz_ForwardInterestRateSwapsMember
Fair value of notional amount 0.3us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= vz_ForwardInterestRateSwapsMember
  0.2us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= vz_ForwardInterestRateSwapsMember
Cross Currency Swaps      
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]      
Notional amount 10.3invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CurrencySwapMember
  10.3invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CurrencySwapMember
Fair value of cross currency swaps 1.4us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyCashFlowHedgeDerivativeAtFairValueNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CurrencySwapMember
  0.6us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyCashFlowHedgeDerivativeAtFairValueNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CurrencySwapMember
Pre-tax gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) $ (0.9)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CurrencySwapMember
$ (0.9)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CurrencySwapMember