Preparation Of Interim Financial Statements (Policy)	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	NOTE 1. PREPARATION OF INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Basis of Presentation Throughout this document, AT&T Inc. is referred to as “AT&T,” “we” or the “Company.” We believe that these consolidated financial statements include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals) necessary to present fairly the results for the presented interim periods. The results for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of those for the full year. You should read this document in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and our majority-owned subsidiaries and affiliates. Our subsidiaries and affiliates operate in the communications services industry both in the United States and internationally, providing wireless communications services, local exchange services, long-distance services, data/broadband and Internet services, video services, telecommunications equipment, managed networking and wholesale services. On May 8, 2012, we completed the sale of our Advertising Solutions segment to an affiliate of Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. for $750 in cash, a $200 note and a 47% equity interest in the new entity, YP Holdings LLC (YP Holdings), subject to closing adjustments. Our operating results include the results of the Advertising Solutions segment through May 8. Beginning on May 9, we included our 47% equity in YP Holdings in equity in net income of affiliates in our Other segment and on our consolidated income statement. All significant intercompany transactions are eliminated in the consolidation process. Investments in partnerships and less than majority-owned subsidiaries where we have significant influence are accounted for under the equity method. Earnings from certain foreign equity investments accounted for using the equity method are included for periods ended within up to one month of our period end. We also record our proportionate share of our equity method investees' other comprehensive income items, including actuarial gains and losses on pension and other postretirement benefit obligations. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes, including estimates of probable losses and expenses. Actual results could differ from those estimates. We have reclassified certain amounts in prior-period financial statements to conform to the current period's presentation, including a reclassification of certain operating expenses based on an enhanced activity-based expense tracking system.

Preparation Of Interim Financial Statements (Policy)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2012

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

NOTE 1. PREPARATION OF INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Basis of Presentation Throughout this document, AT&T Inc. is referred to as “AT&T,” “we” or the “Company.” We believe that these consolidated financial statements include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals) necessary to present fairly the results for the presented interim periods. The results for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of those for the full year. You should read this document in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and our majority-owned subsidiaries and affiliates. Our subsidiaries and affiliates operate in the communications services industry both in the United States and internationally, providing wireless communications services, local exchange services, long-distance services, data/broadband and Internet services, video services, telecommunications equipment, managed networking and wholesale services. On May 8, 2012, we completed the sale of our Advertising Solutions segment to an affiliate of Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. for $750 in cash, a $200 note and a 47% equity interest in the new entity, YP Holdings LLC (YP Holdings), subject to closing adjustments. Our operating results include the results of the Advertising Solutions segment through May 8. Beginning on May 9, we included our 47% equity in YP Holdings in equity in net income of affiliates in our Other segment and on our consolidated income statement.

All significant intercompany transactions are eliminated in the consolidation process. Investments in partnerships and less than majority-owned subsidiaries where we have significant influence are accounted for under the equity method. Earnings from certain foreign equity investments accounted for using the equity method are included for periods ended within up to one month of our period end. We also record our proportionate share of our equity method investees' other comprehensive income items, including actuarial gains and losses on pension and other postretirement benefit obligations.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes, including estimates of probable losses and expenses. Actual results could differ from those estimates. We have reclassified certain amounts in prior-period financial statements to conform to the current period's presentation, including a reclassification of certain operating expenses based on an enhanced activity-based expense tracking system.