v3.19.3.a.u2
Sale Of Equipment Installment Receivables (Equipment Installment and WarnerMedia Programs) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]    
Outstanding portfolio of receivables derecognized from our consolidated balance sheets $ 9,713 $ 9,065
Cash proceeds received on finance receivables, net of remittances 7,211 6,508
Equipment Installment [Member]    
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]    
Gross receivables: 4,576 5,994
Notes Receivable [Member]    
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]    
Accounts receivable 2,467 3,457
Trade receivables [Member]    
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]    
Accounts receivable 477 438
Other Noncurrent Assets [Member]    
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]    
Other Assets 1,632 2,099
WarnerMedia [Member]    
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]    
Gross receivables: 3,324 0
Outstanding portfolio of receivables derecognized from our consolidated balance sheets 4,300 0
Cash proceeds received on finance receivables, net of remittances 4,300 0
WarnerMedia [Member] | Notes Receivable [Member]    
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]    
Accounts receivable 0 0
WarnerMedia [Member] | Trade receivables [Member]    
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]    
Accounts receivable 2,809 0
WarnerMedia [Member] | Other Noncurrent Assets [Member]    
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]    
Other Assets $ 515 $ 0