Severance and Leased Real Estate (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Severance
Changes in the entity's accrued liabilities for severance expenses and leased real estate
Balance at the beginning of the period	$ 29
Accrued to expense	60
Payments, net	(74)
Reversals and adjustments	(3)
Balance at the end of period	12
Acquisition of Qwest \| Leased real estate
Severance and Leased Real Estate
Current portion of leased real estate accrual	23	27
Noncurrent portion of leased real estate accrual	107	126
Changes in the entity's accrued liabilities for severance expenses and leased real estate
Balance at the beginning of the period	153
Accrued to expense	2
Payments, net	(25)
Balance at the end of period	$ 130
Acquisition of Qwest \| Ceased-use leased real estate accrual \| Leased real estate \| Minimum
Severance and Leased Real Estate
Remaining lease terms	1 month 6 days
Acquisition of Qwest \| Ceased-use leased real estate accrual \| Leased real estate \| Maximum
Severance and Leased Real Estate
Remaining lease terms	13 years 3 months 18 days
Acquisition of Qwest \| Ceased-use leased real estate accrual \| Leased real estate \| Weighted average
Severance and Leased Real Estate
Remaining lease terms	9 years 1 month 6 days

Amount charged against earnings in the period for incurred and estimated costs associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructurings pursuant to a duly authorized plan, excluding asset retirement obligations.

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Amount of any reversal and other adjustment made during the period to the amount of a previously accrued liability for a specified type of restructuring cost, excluding adjustments for costs incurred during the period, costs settled during the period, and foreign currency translation adjustments.

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- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of known and estimated obligations associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructurings pursuant to a duly authorized plan, which are expected to be paid in the next twelve months or in the normal operating cycle if longer. Costs of such activities include those for one-time termination benefits, termination of an operating lease or other contract, consolidating or closing facilities, relocating employees, and costs associated with an ongoing benefit arrangement, but excludes costs associated with the retirement of a long-lived asset.

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- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of known and estimated costs associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructurings pursuant to a duly authorized plan, which are expected to be paid after one year or beyond the next operating cycle, if longer. Costs of such activities include those for one-time termination benefits, termination of an operating lease or other contract, consolidating or closing facilities, and relocating employees, and costs associated with an ongoing benefit arrangement, but excludes costs associated with the retirement of a long-lived asset.

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- Definition

Amount of cash paid in the period to fully or partially settle a specified, previously accrued type of restructuring cost.

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