v3.20.4
Debt (Financing Activities) (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)
1 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Sep. 30, 2020
Aug. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Net proceeds received from issuance of long-term debt       $ 31,988,000,000 $ 17,039,000,000 $ 41,875,000,000
Debt Instrument - principal/face amount $ 32,241,000,000     $ 32,241,000,000    
Weighted maturity period       20 years    
Weighted average coupon       3.20%    
Repayment of long-term debt       $ 39,964,000,000 $ 27,592,000,000 $ 52,643,000,000
Weighted-average interest rate 4.10%     4.10% 4.40%  
Various Notes            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Weighted average coupon       3.20%    
Amount of borrowings repaid / debt exchanged       $ 39,758,000,000    
AT&T Global Notes and Subsidiary Notes due 2021 to 2025            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Repayment of long-term debt     $ 11,384,000,000      
AT&T and Subsidiary Notes            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Amount of borrowings repaid / debt exchanged   $ 17,677,000,000        
Repayment of long-term debt   1,459,000,000        
Three New Series of AT&T Global Notes due 2053 to 2059            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Net proceeds received from issuance of long-term debt   $ 21,500,000,000        
AT&T and Subsidiary Notes due 2026 to 2048            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Amount of borrowings repaid / debt exchanged $ 8,280,000,000          
Repayment of long-term debt 8,000,000          
Two New Series of Global Notes due 2033 to 2057            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Net proceeds received from issuance of long-term debt $ 9,678,000,000          
Minimum | AT&T and Subsidiary Notes            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Weighted-average interest rate   4.35%        
Minimum | Three New Series of AT&T Global Notes due 2053 to 2059            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Weighted-average interest rate   3.50%        
Minimum | AT&T and Subsidiary Notes due 2026 to 2048            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Weighted-average interest rate 2.95%     2.95%    
Minimum | Two New Series of Global Notes due 2033 to 2057            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Weighted-average interest rate 2.55%     2.55%    
Maximum | AT&T and Subsidiary Notes            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Weighted-average interest rate   8.75%        
Maximum | Three New Series of AT&T Global Notes due 2053 to 2059            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Weighted-average interest rate   3.65%        
Maximum | AT&T and Subsidiary Notes due 2026 to 2048            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Weighted-average interest rate 7.125%     7.125%    
Maximum | Two New Series of Global Notes due 2033 to 2057            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Weighted-average interest rate 3.80%     3.80%