Severance, Exit Costs and Asset Impairments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	$ (240)	$ (28)	$ (8)
Asset Impairment Charges	102	78	125
Lease [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	(196)
Access [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	(44)
Asset under Construction [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges	18
Capitalized assets specific to the spectrum hosting [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges	66
Network Equipment, Site Costs and Related Software [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges	18
Wireless [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges		(25)	(11)
Wireless [Member] | Access [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	(21)
Wireless [Member] | Network Equipment, Site Costs and Related Software [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges	13
Wireline [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges		(3)	(3)
Wireline [Member] | Access [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	(23)
Wireline [Member] | Network Equipment, Site Costs and Related Software [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges	5
Minimum [Member] | Lease [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring And Related Cost Expected Future Cost	300
Maximum [Member] | Lease [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring And Related Cost Expected Future Cost	$ 400