v3.22.0.1
Debt - Additional Information (Details)
12 Months Ended
Aug. 13, 2021
USD ($)
May 13, 2021
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Mar. 23, 2021
USD ($)
Jan. 14, 2021
USD ($)
Apr. 01, 2020
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2021
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2020
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2019
USD ($)
Dec. 06, 2021
USD ($)
Aug. 23, 2021
Oct. 30, 2020
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Apr. 06, 2020
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Mar. 31, 2018
USD ($)
instrument
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                          
Effective interest rate           4.10% 4.60%            
Average debt outstanding during period           $ 74,000,000,000 $ 58,400,000,000            
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt           (184,000,000) (371,000,000) $ (19,000,000)          
Short-term debt           3,378,000,000 4,579,000,000            
Letters of credit, amount outstanding           $ 441,000,000 555,000,000            
Spectrum Financing Special Purpose Entity                          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                          
Lease payments (per month)         $ 165,000,000                
Senior Secured Term Loan Commitment                          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                          
Principal outstanding                     $ 5,000,000,000    
Total outstanding obligation       $ 2,000,000,000                  
3.400% Senior Secured Notes due 2052                          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                          
Interest rate, stated percentage 3.40%         3.40%              
3.600% Senior Secured Notes due 2060                          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                          
Interest rate, stated percentage 3.60%         3.60%              
4.500% Senior Notes due 2026                          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                          
Interest rate, stated percentage           4.50%              
4.500% Senior Notes due 2026 | Affiliates                          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                          
Interest rate, stated percentage           4.50%              
6.500% Senior Notes due 2026                          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                          
Interest rate, stated percentage     6.50%     6.50%              
Senior Notes                          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                          
Principal outstanding   $ 3,000,000,000 $ 3,800,000,000 3,000,000,000               $ 19,000,000,000  
Proceeds from issuances and borrowings   $ 3,000,000,000 3,800,000,000 3,000,000,000                  
Maximum interest increase           0.0050              
Senior Notes | Sprint                          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                          
Principal outstanding                         $ 3,900,000,000
Senior Notes | 4.500% Senior Notes due 2026 | Affiliates                          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                          
Interest rate, stated percentage                   4.50%      
Senior Notes | 2.250% Senior Notes due 2026                          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                          
Principal outstanding       1,000,000,000                  
Proceeds from issuances and borrowings       $ 993,000,000                  
Interest rate, stated percentage       2.25%                  
Senior Notes | 2.875% Senior Notes due 2031                          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                          
Principal outstanding       $ 1,000,000,000                  
Proceeds from issuances and borrowings       $ 994,000,000                  
Interest rate, stated percentage       2.875%                  
Senior Notes | 2.625% Senior Notes due 2026                          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                          
Principal outstanding     1,200,000,000                    
Proceeds from issuances and borrowings     $ 1,193,000,000                    
Interest rate, stated percentage     2.625%                    
Senior Notes | 3.500% Senior Notes due 2031                          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                          
Principal outstanding     $ 1,350,000,000                    
Proceeds from issuances and borrowings     $ 1,342,000,000                    
Interest rate, stated percentage     3.50%                    
Senior Notes | 3.360% Series 2016-1 A-1 Notes due 2021                          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                          
Interest rate, stated percentage           3.36%              
Senior Notes | 4.738% Series 2018-1 A-1 Notes due 2025                          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                          
Interest rate, stated percentage           4.738%              
Senior Notes | Maximum                          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                          
Term preceding maturity date           3 years              
Senior Notes | Maximum | Senior Secured Notes Issued in 2021                          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                          
Term preceding maturity date           6 months              
Senior Notes | Minimum                          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                          
Term preceding maturity date           1 year              
Senior Notes | Minimum | Senior Secured Notes Issued in 2021                          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                          
Term preceding maturity date           1 month              
Secured Debt                          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                          
Principal outstanding $ 2,000,000,000               $ 3,000,000,000        
Proceeds from issuances and borrowings 2,000,000,000                        
Maximum interest increase           0.0050              
Secured Debt | 3.400% Senior Secured Notes due 2052                          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                          
Principal outstanding 1,300,000,000                        
Proceeds from issuances and borrowings $ 1,289,000,000                        
Interest rate, stated percentage 3.40%               3.40%        
Secured Debt | 3.600% Senior Secured Notes due 2060                          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                          
Principal outstanding $ 700,000,000                        
Proceeds from issuances and borrowings $ 701,000,000                        
Sprint                          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                          
Principal outstanding           $ 20,049,000,000              
Total outstanding obligation           $ 3,500,000,000 $ 4,600,000,000            
Sprint | Secured Revolving Credit Facility                          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                          
Net leverage ratio           0.75              
Sprint | New Credit Agreement                          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                          
Financial maintenance covenant           3.3              
Sprint | 3.360% Series 2016-1 A-1 Notes due 2021                          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                          
Principal outstanding           $ 0              
Interest rate, stated percentage           3.36%              
Short-term debt           $ 525,000,000              
Sprint | 4.738% Series 2018-1 A-1 Notes due 2025                          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                          
Principal outstanding           $ 1,706,000,000             $ 2,100,000,000
Interest rate, stated percentage           4.738%              
Sprint | LIBOR | Maximum | Secured Revolving Credit Facility                          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                          
Variable rate           1.25%              
Sprint | LIBOR | Minimum | Secured Revolving Credit Facility                          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                          
Variable rate           1.00%              
Sprint | Senior Notes | 3.360% Series 2016-1 A-1 Notes due 2021                          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                          
Principal outstanding         3,500,000,000                
Securitization program amount         $ 7,000,000,000                
Payable term         5 years                
Number of instruments | instrument                         2
Revolving Credit Facility | Line of Credit                          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                          
Financing commitment, amount           $ 5,500,000,000