Investments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended					0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Jan. 02, 2014	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Jan. 02, 2012	Dec. 13, 2011 Clearwire [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Clearwire [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Clearwire [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Clearwire [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Non-controlling voting interest [Member] Clearwire Corporation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Non-controlling economic interest [Member] Clearwire Corporation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Non-controlling economic interest [Member] Clearwire Communications LLC [Member]	Dec. 11, 2012 Clearwire Class A Common Stock [Member] Clearwire Communications LLC [Member]	Dec. 11, 2012 Clearwire Class B Common Interests [Member] Clearwire Communications LLC [Member]
Payments to Acquire Equity Method Investments	$ 100		$ 228	$ 331	$ 58
Additional shares of equity method investment intended to be purchased by the Company														30.9	2.7
Sprint share in percentage of non-controlling interest in Clearwire											50.40%	2.10%	48.30%
Carrying value of non-controlling interest								674
Additional Notes Receivable, Related Party						150
Additional Interest Rate Note Receivable, Related Party						11.50%
Future payments on the notes receivable		75
Interest Rate of Clearwire Note Receivable	12.00%		12.00%
Notes Receivable, Related Parties	320		320	178
Equity in losses from Clearwire			(1,114)	(1,730)	(1,286)			1,100	1,700	1,300
Asset impairments			102	78	125			41	361	97
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments								204	135
Pre Tax Dilution Loss From Clearwire							27
Equity Method Investment, Difference Between Carrying Amount and Underlying Equity, Accounting Treatment			275
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets, Related Parties	78		78	5
Accounts Payable, Related Parties, Current								79	77
Related Party Transaction, Amounts of Transaction			$ 417	$ 405