Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net Income	$ 22,618	$ 18,348	$ 19,788
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	16,206	16,720	16,682
Employee retirement benefits	(3,391)	840	(284)
Deferred income taxes	4,264	1,553	1,232
Provision for expected credit losses	789	1,380	1,588
Equity in losses of unconsolidated businesses, net of dividends received	36	91	74
Media goodwill impairment	0	0	186
Changes in current assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisition/disposition of businesses:
Accounts receivable	(1,592)	189	(1,471)
Inventories	(905)	(369)	(76)
Prepaid expenses and other	150	1,202	(2,807)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities and Other current liabilities	1,457	(966)	(2,359)
Discretionary employee benefits contributions	0	0	(300)
Other, net	(93)	2,780	3,493
Net cash provided by operating activities	39,539	41,768	35,746
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Capital expenditures (including capitalized software)	(20,286)	(18,192)	(17,939)
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	(4,065)	(520)	(29)
Acquisitions of wireless licenses	(47,596)	(3,896)	(898)
Proceeds from dispositions of businesses	4,122	0	28
Other, net	672	(904)	1,257
Net cash used in investing activities	(67,153)	(23,512)	(17,581)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Proceeds from long-term borrowings	33,034	25,822	10,079
Proceeds from asset-backed long-term borrowings	8,383	5,635	8,576
Repayments of long-term borrowings and finance lease obligations	(14,063)	(9,775)	(17,584)
Repayments of asset-backed long-term borrowings	(4,800)	(7,413)	(6,302)
Dividends paid	(10,445)	(10,232)	(10,016)
Other, net	(3,832)	(2,712)	(2,917)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	8,277	1,325	(18,164)
Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(19,337)	19,581	1
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period	23,498	3,917	3,916
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period	$ 4,161	$ 23,498	$ 3,917