Device Payment Plan Receivables, Net (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions |
Mar. 31, 2017 |
Dec. 31, 2016 |
Mar. 31, 2016 |
Dec. 31, 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items] | ||||
| Device payment plan agreement receivables, gross | $ 13,154 | $ 11,797 | ||
| Unamortized imputed interest | (582) | (511) | ||
| Device payment plan agreement receivables, net of unamortized imputed interest | 12,572 | 11,286 | ||
| Allowance for credit losses | (685) | (688) | $ (513) | $ (444) |
| Device payment plan agreement receivables, net | 11,887 | 10,598 | ||
| Accounts Receivable, net | ||||
| Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items] | ||||
| Device payment plan agreement receivables, net | 7,436 | 6,140 | ||
| Other Assets | ||||
| Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items] | ||||
| Device payment plan agreement receivables, net | $ 4,451 | $ 4,458 |