Investments In Debt And Equity Securities (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Long-term investments, carrying value		$ 118
Long-term investments, par value	90	149
Debt securities less than one year	115
Debt securities one to five years	292
Debt securities six to 10 years	235
Debt securities thereafter	383
Debt And Equity Securities in Grantor Trusts [Member]
Fair value of investments	30	29
Auction Rate Securities [Member]
Long-term investments, carrying value	72
Windstream Corp [Member]
Fair value of investments		$ 87

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Other investments not otherwise specified in the taxonomy.

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