Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Total USD ($)	Common Shares Outstanding [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Par Value and Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] USD ($)	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member] USD ($)	Accumulated Deficit [Member] USD ($)
Balance, beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 6,115			$ 29,197	$ 41	$ (23,123)
Common stock, shares outstanding, beginning at Dec. 31, 2012	535,286,077	535,286,077
Treasury stock, shares, beginning at Dec. 31, 2012	0		0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	91					91
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(39)				(39)
Effects of debt recapitalization	3,143			3,143
MetroPCS shares converted upon reverse merger, shares		184,487,309	1,382,505
MetroPCS shares converted upon reverse merger, net of treasury stock withheld for taxes	2,971			2,971
Stock-based compensation	6			6
Exercise of stock options, shares		6,245,923
Exercise of stock options, amount	72			72
Balance, ending of period at Jun. 30, 2013	$ 12,359			$ 35,389	$ 2	$ (23,032)
Common stock, shares outstanding, ending at Jun. 30, 2013	726,019,309	726,019,309
Treasury stock, shares, ending at Jun. 30, 2013	1,382,505		1,382,505