Debt (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified |
12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 1 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 1 Months Ended | 1 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 1 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Dec. 31, 2011
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Dec. 31, 2010
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Dec. 31, 2009
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Dec. 31, 2007
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Dec. 31, 2011
8.125% New Cingular Wireless Services Inc Notes due May 2012 [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2011
5.875% Global Notes due February 1 2012 [Member]
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Feb. 29, 2012
Callable long-term debt due February 15 2056 [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2011
Callable long-term debt due February 15 2056 [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2011
Other Long-Term Debt [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2011
The Four-Year Agreement [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2011
The Four-Year Agreement [Member]
S&P A+/Fitch A+/Moody's A1 credit rating or better
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Dec. 31, 2011
The Four-Year Agreement [Member]
S&P A/Fitch A/Moody's A2 credit rating
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Dec. 31, 2011
The Four-Year Agreement [Member]
S&P A-/Fitch A-/Moody's A3 credit rating or below
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Dec. 31, 2011
The Four-Year Agreement [Member]
In the event of default on unsecured debt
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Jan. 31, 2012
364 - Day Agreement [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2011
364 - Day Agreement [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2011
364 - Day Agreement [Member]
S&P A+/Fitch A+/Moody's A1 credit rating or better
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Dec. 31, 2011
364 - Day Agreement [Member]
S&P A/Fitch A/Moody's A2 credit rating
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Dec. 31, 2011
364 - Day Agreement [Member]
S&P A-/Fitch A-/Moody's A3 credit rating or below
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Dec. 31, 2011
364 - Day Agreement [Member]
In the event of default on unsecured debt
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Dec. 31, 2011
2.95% Global Notes Due In May 2016 [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2011
2.4% Global Notes Due In August 2016 [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2011
4.45% Global Notes Due In May 2021 [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2011
5.55% Global Notes Due In August 2041 [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2011
3.875% Global Notes Due In August 2021 [Member]
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Feb. 29, 2012
0.875% Global Notes due 2015 [Member]
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Feb. 29, 2012
1.60% Global Notes due 2017 [Member]
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Feb. 29, 2012
3.00% Global Notes due February 2022 [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2011
Bridge Loan [Member]
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Mar. 31, 2011
Bridge Loan [Member]
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Annual put reset securities issued - principal amount | $ 1,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Annual put reset securities issued - maturity date | April 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Zero-coupon note - principal amount | 500 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Zero-coupon note - redemption amount if held until maturity | 1,030 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Zero-coupon note - maturity date | May 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Debt instrument - face amount | 1,750 | 1,500 | 1,250 | 2,000 | 1,500 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 20,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Debt instument - stated percentage rate | 8.125% | 5.875% | 2.95% | 2.40% | 4.45% | 5.55% | 3.875% | 0.875% | 1.60% | 3.00% | ||||||||||||||||||||
Debt instrument - issuance date | March 31, 2011 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Debt instruments - maturity date | May 01, 2012 | Feb. 01, 2012 | Feb. 15, 2012 | Feb. 15, 2056 | May 01, 2016 | Aug. 01, 2016 | May 01, 2021 | Aug. 01, 2041 | Aug. 01, 2021 | Feb. 01, 2015 | Feb. 01, 2017 | Feb. 01, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||
Commercial paper - repayments net of issuance | 1,625 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Repayment of long-term debt | (7,574) | (9,294) | (8,652) | 2,000 | 1,000 | 4,543 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Early redemption of long-term debt | 1,200 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weighted average interest rate of long-term debt repayments during the period (in hundredths) | 6.58% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Repayments of capitalized leases during the period | 31 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Credit agreement - expiration date | 12/19/2015 | 12/17/2012 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Credit agreement - potential additional extension of term (years) | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Credit agreement - maximum potential extension of term (days) | 364 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Credit agreement - minimum amount of other debt that would trigger cross-default provisions if not paid when due and accelerated | 400 | 400 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Credit agreement - minimum amount of money judgment in favor of creditor that would trigger cross-default provisions | 400 | 400 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Credit agreement - change in control (beneficial ownership percentage) (in hundredths) | 50.00% | 50.00% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Credit agreement - minimum lender approval (percentage) for extension of term | 50.00% | 50.00% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Credit agreement - interest rate spread above Fed funds rate (in hundredths) | 0.50% | 0.50% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Credit agreement - base rate | EITHER 1) one-month, three-month, or six-month London interbank offered rate (LIBOR) OR 2) highest of Citibank prime rate, 0.5% premium above Fed funds rate, and one-month LIBOR plus 1.00% | EITHER 1) one-month, three-month, or six-month London interbank offered rate (LIBOR) OR 2) highest of Citibank prime rate, 0.5% premium above Fed funds rate, and one-month LIBOR plus 1.00% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Credit agreement - basis spread of variable rate | 0.56% | 0.67% | 0.90% | 2.00% | 0.595% | 0.71% | 0.95% | 2.00% | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Credit agreement - minimum borrowing capacity | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Credit agreement - amendment date | December 2011 | January 2012 | December 2011 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Credit agreement - term | 4 years | 364 days | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Credit agreement - maximum borrowing capacity | 5,000 | 3,000 | 5,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Credit agreement - additional borrowing capacity beyond current limit | 2,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Credit agreement - advances outstanding | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ratio of debt to EBITDA covenant | 3.0 | 3.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Agreement termination date | December 2011 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Credit agreement - change in control period (months) | 24 | 24 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Repayments of short-term bank borrowings | 27 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total repayments of debt | $ 9,226 |