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Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment |  |  |
Land | $ 35 | $ 36 |
Buildings | 297 | 295 |
Leasehold and land improvements | 1,153 | 1,103 |
Cell site equipment | 3,383 | 3,383 |
Switching equipment | 976 | 960 |
Office furniture and equipment | 420 | 502 |
Other operating assets and equipment | 53 | 79 |
System development | 1,217 | 1,169 |
Work in process | 178 | 142 |
Property, plant and equipment, gross | 7,712 | 7,669 |
Accumulated depreciation and amortization | (5,242) | (5,020) |
Property, plant and equipment, net | 2,470 | 2,649 |
Depreciation and amortization expense | 607 | 596 | $ 593
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net | $ 22 | $ 16 | $ 21
Buildings |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment |  |  |
Useful life | 20 years |  |
Leasehold and land improvements | Minimum |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment |  |  |
Useful life | 1 year |  |
Leasehold and land improvements | Maximum |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment |  |  |
Useful life | 30 years |  |
Cell site equipment | Minimum |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment |  |  |
Useful life | 7 years |  |
Cell site equipment | Maximum |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment |  |  |
Useful life | 25 years |  |
Switching equipment | Minimum |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment |  |  |
Useful life | 5 years |  |
Switching equipment | Maximum |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment |  |  |
Useful life | 8 years |  |
Office furniture and equipment | Minimum |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment |  |  |
Useful life | 3 years |  |
Office furniture and equipment | Maximum |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment |  |  |
Useful life | 5 years |  |
Other operating assets and equipment | Minimum |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment |  |  |
Useful life | 3 years |  |
Other operating assets and equipment | Maximum |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment |  |  |
Useful life | 5 years |  |
System development | Minimum |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment |  |  |
Useful life | 1 year |  |
System development | Maximum |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment |  |  |
Useful life | 7 years |  |

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- Definition Amount of accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization for physical assets used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391035&loc=d3e2868-110229 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.14) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
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- Definition Amount before accumulated depreciation of building structures held for productive use including addition, improvement, or renovation to the structure, including, but not limited to, interior masonry, interior flooring, electrical, and plumbing. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (f) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28358313&loc=d3e6812-107765 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391035&loc=d3e2868-110229 + Details
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- Definition Amount before accumulated amortization of capitalized costs for computer software, including but not limited to, acquired and internally developed computer software. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 985 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6501960&loc=d3e128462-111756 + Details
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- Definition Amount of structure or a modification to a structure under construction. Includes recently completed structures or modifications to structures that have not been placed into service. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391035&loc=d3e2868-110229 + Details
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- Definition Amount before accumulated depreciation of equipment commonly used in offices and stores that have no permanent connection to the structure of a building or utilities. Examples include, but are not limited to, desks, chairs, tables, and bookcases. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391035&loc=d3e2868-110229 + Details
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- Definition Amount before accumulated depreciation of tangible personal property used to produce goods and services, including, but is not limited to, tools, dies and molds, computer and office equipment. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (f) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28358313&loc=d3e6812-107765 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391035&loc=d3e2868-110229 + Details
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- Definition Amount before accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization of physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Examples include, but are not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, and furniture and fixtures. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391035&loc=d3e2868-110229 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.13) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
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