Changes in Components of Total equity (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Equity Note [Line Items]
Balance at January 1, 2015	$ 13,676
Net Income	4,338us-gaap_ProfitLoss	5,986us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Other comprehensive loss	(195)
Total Comprehensive Income	4,143	4,895
Contributed capital	(764)
Dividends declared	(2,244)us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash
Common stock in treasury	(3,830)
Distributions and other	(222)us-gaap_StockholdersEquityOther
Balance at March 31, 2015	10,759
Verizon
Equity Note [Line Items]
Balance at January 1, 2015	12,298
Net Income	4,219
Other comprehensive loss	(195)
Total Comprehensive Income	4,024
Contributed capital	(764)
Dividends declared	(2,244)
Common stock in treasury	(3,830)
Distributions and other	(145)
Balance at March 31, 2015	9,339
Noncontrolling Interests
Equity Note [Line Items]
Balance at January 1, 2015	1,378
Net Income	119
Total Comprehensive Income	119
Distributions and other	(77)
Balance at March 31, 2015	$ 1,420

Amount of other increase (decrease) in additional paid in capital (APIC).

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Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from net income and other comprehensive income. Excludes changes in equity resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.

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Amount of paid and unpaid common stock dividends declared with the form of settlement in cash.

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Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments of other comprehensive income (loss).

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The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

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Amount of stockholders' equity (deficit), net of receivables from officers, directors, owners, and affiliates of the entity, attributable to both the parent and noncontrolling interests. Amount excludes temporary equity. Alternate caption for the concept is permanent equity.

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This element represents movements included in the statement of changes in stockholders' equity which are not separately disclosed or provided for elsewhere in the taxonomy.

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Aggregate change in value for stock issued during the period as a result of employee stock purchase plan.

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