v3.19.3.a.u2
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
1 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2018
Dec. 31, 2019
Sep. 30, 2019
[4]
Jun. 30, 2019
[4]
Mar. 31, 2019
[4]
Dec. 31, 2018
Sep. 30, 2018
[4]
Jun. 30, 2018
[4]
Mar. 31, 2018
[4]
Sep. 30, 2017
Jun. 30, 2017
Mar. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Jan. 01, 2019
Jan. 01, 2018
Jan. 01, 2017
[2]
Dec. 31, 2016
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]                                      
Operating lease liability   $ 25,255                     $ 25,255            
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset   24,039       $ 0             24,039 $ 0          
Retained earnings   57,936       58,753             57,936 58,753          
Other current assets   18,364       17,704             18,364 17,704          
Contract asset   2,472       1,896             2,472 1,896          
Deferred income tax liabilities   59,334       57,748             59,334 57,748          
Noncontrolling interest   17,713       9,795             17,713 9,795          
Cumulative effect of accounting changes                                 $ (658) [1] $ 1,529  
Income tax effects reclassed to retained earnings [3]                         0            
Net Income attributable to AT&T - Financial Effect (in millions)   2,394 [4],[5] $ 3,700 $ 3,713 $ 4,096 4,858 [4] $ 4,718 $ 5,132 $ 4,662 $ 4,718 $ 5,132 $ 4,662 13,903 19,370 $ 29,450        
Accounting Policies [Line Items]                                      
Inventories   2,864       2,771             $ 2,864 2,771          
FCC licenses - typical term (in years)                         10 years            
Estimated period of ultimate revenues, from initial release or from delivery of first episode (years)                         10 years            
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Line Items]                                      
Cash   2,654                     $ 2,654            
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 12,130       $ 5,204             $ 12,130 $ 5,204 $ 50,498       $ 5,788
Change in Accounting Estimate [Line Items]                                      
Estimated economic useful life                         21 years 6 months 21 years 6 months          
Minimum [Member]                                      
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]                                      
Capitalized Contract Cost, Amortization Period   3 years                     3 years            
Maximum [Member]                                      
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]                                      
Capitalized Contract Cost, Amortization Period   5 years                     5 years            
ASU 2016-02 [Member]                                      
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]                                      
ASU Adoption Date [CCYY-MM-DD format]                               Jan. 01, 2019      
ASU Early Adoption [true/false]                               false      
Transition Option Elected [Prospective/Retrospective/Modified Prospective/Modified Retrospective]                               Modified Retrospective      
Prior Period Not Restated [true/false]                         true            
Significant effect on the financial statements [Yes/No]                         No            
Lease, Practical Expedient, Land Easement [true false]                         true            
Operating lease liability                               $ 22,121      
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset                               22,121      
Net Assets                               20,960      
Retained earnings                               $ 316      
ASU 2019-02 [Member]                                      
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]                                      
ASU Adoption Date [CCYY-MM-DD format]                               Jan. 01, 2019      
ASU Early Adoption [true/false]                               true      
Transition Option Elected [Prospective/Retrospective/Modified Prospective/Modified Retrospective]                               Prospective      
Prior Period Not Restated [true/false]                         true            
Significant effect on the financial statements [Yes/No]                         No            
ASU 2019-02 [Member] | Programming Inventory Costs [Member]                                      
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]                                      
Other current assets                               $ (2,274)      
Other Assets                               $ 2,274      
ASU 2014-09 [Member]                                      
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]                                      
ASU Adoption Date [CCYY-MM-DD format]                                 Jan. 01, 2018    
ASU Early Adoption [true/false]                                 false    
Transition Option Elected [Prospective/Retrospective/Modified Prospective/Modified Retrospective]                                 Modified Retrospective    
Prior Period Not Restated [true/false]                           true          
Retained earnings                                 $ 2,342    
Other Assets                                 (239)    
Contract asset                                 1,737    
Deferred contract acquisition costs                                 1,454    
Other Liabilities                                 (212)    
Deferred income tax liabilities                                 787    
Noncontrolling interest                                 $ 35    
ASU 2016-01 [Member]                                      
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]                                      
ASU Adoption Date [CCYY-MM-DD format]                                 Jan. 01, 2018    
Transition Option Elected [Prospective/Retrospective/Modified Prospective/Modified Retrospective]                                 Prospective    
Retained earnings                                 $ 658    
ASU 2016-01 [Member] | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]                                      
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]                                      
Cumulative effect of accounting changes                                 $ (658)    
ASU 2018-02 [Member]                                      
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]                                      
Income tax effects reclassed to retained earnings                           $ 1,529          
Mexico [Member] | Spectrum Licenses [Member]                                      
Change in Accounting Estimate [Line Items]                                      
Estimated economic useful life                         25 years            
Software [Member] | Minimum [Member]                                      
Accounting Policies [Line Items]                                      
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life                         3 years            
Software [Member] | Maximum [Member]                                      
Accounting Policies [Line Items]                                      
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life                         7 years            
Money Market Funds [Member]                                      
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Line Items]                                      
Cash equivalents   $ 9,476                     $ 9,476            
Foreign Jurisdictions [Member]                                      
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Line Items]                                      
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 2,681                     $ 2,681            
Time Warner Inc. [Member]                                      
Acquisition and Dispositions [Line Items]                                      
Acquisition of business - acquisition period Jun. 14, 2018                         Jun. 14, 2018          
[1]
With the adoption of ASU 2016-01, the unrealized (gains) losses on our equity investments are reclassified to retained earnings (see Note 1).
[2]
With the adoption of ASU 2018-02, the stranded tax effects resulting from the application of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act are reclassified to retained earnings (see Note 1).
[3]
With the adoption of ASU 2016-01, the unrealized (gains) losses on our equity investments are reclassified to retained earnings (see Note 1).
[4] Includes actuarial gains and losses on pension and postretirement benefit plans (Note 15).
[5] Includes an asset abandonment charge (Note 7).