AT&T (T) 10-Q/A 7 May 19 2019 Q1 Quarterly report (amended) Financial data

Document And Entity Information

Document And Entity Information - shares shares in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Apr. 30, 2019
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2019
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Central Index Key	0000732717
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Registrant Name	AT&T Inc.
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		7,298
Entity Trading Symbol	T
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false

Consolidated Statements Of Inco

Consolidated Statements Of Income - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Operating Revenues
Service	$ 40,684	$ 33,646
Equipment	4,143	4,392
Total operating revenues	44,827	38,038
Operating Expenses
Equipment	4,502	4,848
Broadcast, programming and operations	7,652	5,166
Other cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	8,585	7,932
Selling, general and administrative	9,649	7,897
Depreciation and amortization	7,206	5,994
Total operating expenses	37,594	31,837
Operating Income	7,233	6,201
Other Income (Expense)
Interest expense	(2,141)	(1,771)
Equity in net income (loss) of affiliates	(7)	9
Other income (expense) - net	286	1,702
Total other income (expense)	(1,862)	(60)
Income Before Income Taxes	5,371	6,141
Income tax expense	1,023	1,382
Net Income	4,348	4,759
Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(252)	(97)
Net Income Attributable to AT&T	$ 4,096	$ 4,662
Basic Earnings Per Share Attributable to AT&T	$ 0.56	$ 0.75
Diluted Earnings Per Share Attributable to AT&T	$ 0.56	$ 0.75
Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding - Basic (in millions)	7,313	6,161
Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding - with Dilution (in millions)	7,342	6,180

Consolidated Statements Of Comp

Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 4,348	$ 4,759
Foreign currency:
Translation adjustment (includes $0 and $2 attributable to noncontrolling interest), net of taxes of $49 and $175	288	108
Securities:
Net unrealized gains, net of taxes of $5 and $(4)	16	(12)
Derivative instruments:
Net unrealized gains (losses), net of taxes of $34 and $180	127	674
Reclassification adjustment included in net income, net of taxes of $2 and $3	11	12
Defined benefit postretirement plans:
Net prior service (cost) credit arising during period, net of taxes of $0 and $185	0	567
Amortization of net prior service credit included in net income, net of taxes of $(113) and $(105)	(346)	(323)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	96	1,026
Total comprehensive income	4,444	5,785
Less: Total comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(252)	(99)
Total Comprehensive Income Attributable to AT&T	$ 4,192	$ 5,686

Consolidated Statements of Co_2

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation adjustments, attributable to noncontrolling interest, net of taxes	$ 0	$ 2
Foreign currency translation adjustments, tax effect	49	175
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities - tax	5	(4)
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives - tax	34	180
Reclassification adjustment included in net income on derivatives - tax effect	2	3
Net prior service credit (cost) arising during period - tax effect	0	185
Amortization of net prior service credit included in net income, tax effect	$ (113)	$ (105)

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 6,516	$ 5,204
Accounts receivable - net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $905 and $907	23,863	26,472
Prepaid expenses	1,518	2,047
Other current assets	14,575	17,704
Total current assets	46,472	51,427
Noncurrent Inventories and Theatrical Film and Television Production Costs	10,270	7,713
Property, plant and equipment	332,517	330,690
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	(200,466)	(199,217)
Property, Plant and Equipment - Net	132,051	131,473
Goodwill	146,434	146,370
Licenses - Net	97,001	96,144
Trademarks And Tradenames - Net	24,218	24,345
Distribution Networks - Net	16,623	17,069
Other Intangible Assets - Net	24,732	26,269
Investments in and Advances to Equity Affiliates	6,230	6,245
Operating Lease Right-of-Use Assets	20,235	0
Other Assets	24,118	24,809
Total Assets	548,384	531,864
Current Liabilities
Debt maturing within one year	11,538	10,255
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	42,306	43,184
Advanced billings and customer deposit	5,956	5,948
Accrued taxes	1,130	1,179
Dividends payable	3,722	3,854
Total current liabilities	64,652	64,420
Long-Term Debt	163,942	166,250
Deferred Credits and Other Noncurrent Liabilities
Deferred income taxes	59,207	57,859
Postemployment benefit obligation	19,664	19,218
Operating lease liabilities	18,253	0
Other noncurrent liabilities	27,715	30,233
Total deferred credits and other noncurrent liabilities	124,839	107,310
Stockholders' Equity
Common stock ($1 par value, 14,000,000,000 authorized at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018: issued 7,620,748,598 at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018)	7,621	7,621
Additional paid-in capital	125,174	125,525
Retained earnings	59,424	58,753
Treasury stock (323,523,763 at March 31, 2019 and 339,120,073 at December 31, 2018, at cost)	(11,452)	(12,059)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	4,345	4,249
Noncontrolling interest	9,839	9,795
Total stockholders' equity	194,951	193,884
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$ 548,384	$ 531,864

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
Allowances for doubtful accounts	$ 905	$ 907
Common stock, par value	$ 1	$ 1
Common stock, authorized	14,000,000,000	14,000,000,000
Common stock, issued	7,620,748,598	7,620,748,598
Treasury stock, held	323,523,763	339,120,073

Consolidated Statements Of Cash

Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Operating Activities
Net income	$ 4,348	$ 4,759
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	7,206	5,994
Amortization of television and film costs	2,497	0
Undistributed earnings from investments in equity affiliates	112	(2)
Provision for uncollectible accounts	592	438
Deferred income tax expense	1,069	1,222
Net (gain) loss from investments, net of impairments	(175)	2
Actuarial (gain) loss on pension and postretirement benefits	432	(930)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	1,894	(439)
Other current assets, inventories and theatrical film and television production costs	(2,510)	614
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities	(3,686)	(1,962)
Equipment installment receivables and related sales	652	505
Deferred customer contract acquisition and fulfillment costs	(375)	(826)
Retirement benefit funding	0	(140)
Other - net	(1,004)	(288)
Total adjustments	6,704	4,188
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities	11,052	8,947
Investing Activities
Purchase of property and equipment	(5,121)	(5,957)
Interest during construction	(61)	(161)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(117)	(234)
Dispositions	10	56
(Purchases) sales of securities, net	(1)	(116)
Advances to and investments in equity affiliates, net	(111)	(1,007)
Cash collections of deferred purchase price	0	267
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities	(5,401)	(7,152)
Financing Activities
Net change in short-term borrowings with original maturities of three months or less	(256)	0
Issuance of other short-term borrowings	296	0
Repayment of other short-term borrowings	(176)	0
Issuance of long-term debt	9,182	2,565
Repayment of long-term debt	(9,840)	(4,911)
Purchase of treasury stock	(189)	(145)
Issuance of treasury stock	167	11
Dividends paid	(3,714)	(3,070)
Other	109	2,048
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities	(4,421)	(3,502)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash	1,230	(1,707)
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash beginning of year	5,400	50,932
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash End of Period	$ 6,630	$ 49,225

Consolidated Statement Of Chang

Consolidated Statement Of Changes In Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions		Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Attributable to AT&T, net of tax [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Balance at beginning of year at Dec. 31, 2017		$ 142,007	$ 6,495	$ 89,563	$ 50,500	$ (12,714)	$ 7,017	$ 1,146
Balance at beginning of year (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2017			6,495			(356)
Issuance of stock			$ 0
Issuance of stock (in shares)			0
Repurchase and acquisition of common stock						$ (164)
Repurchase and acquisition of common stock (in shares)						(4)
Issuance of treasury stock				(4)		$ 446
Issuance of treasury stock, (in shares)						12
Share-based payments				(155)
Net income attributable to AT&T ($0.56 and $0.75 per diluted share)		4,662			4,662
Dividends to stockholders ($0.51 and $0.50 per share)					(3,092)
Other comprehensive income attributable to AT&T							1,024
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		97						97
Interest acquired by noncontrolling owners								0
Distributions								(124)
Translation adjustments attributable to noncontrolling interest, net of taxes		2						2
Balance at end of period at Mar. 31, 2018		147,076	$ 6,495	89,404	55,067	$ (12,432)	7,386	1,156
Balance at end of period (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2018			6,495			(348)
Amounts reclassified to retained earnings	[1]						(655)
Cumulative effect of accounting changes, net of taxes					2,997			35
Balance at beginning of year at Dec. 31, 2018		193,884	$ 7,621	125,525	58,753	$ (12,059)	4,249	9,795
Balance at beginning of year (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2018			7,621			(339)
Issuance of stock			$ 0
Issuance of stock (in shares)			0
Repurchase and acquisition of common stock						$ (208)
Repurchase and acquisition of common stock (in shares)						(7)
Issuance of treasury stock				(77)		$ 815
Issuance of treasury stock, (in shares)						22
Share-based payments				(274)
Net income attributable to AT&T ($0.56 and $0.75 per diluted share)		4,096			4,096
Dividends to stockholders ($0.51 and $0.50 per share)					(3,741)
Other comprehensive income attributable to AT&T							96
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		252						252
Interest acquired by noncontrolling owners								9
Distributions								(246)
Translation adjustments attributable to noncontrolling interest, net of taxes		0						0
Balance at end of period at Mar. 31, 2019		$ 194,951	$ 7,621	$ 125,174	59,424	$ (11,452)	$ 4,345	9,839
Balance at end of period (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2019			7,621			(324)
Cumulative effect of accounting changes, net of taxes					$ 316			$ 29
[1]	With the adoption of ASU 2016-01, the unrealized (gains) losses on our equity investments are reclassifed to retained earnings.

Consolidated Statement Of Cha_2

Consolidated Statement Of Changes In Stockholders' Equity (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Consolidated Statements Of Changes In Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited)
Net income attributable to AT&T, per diluted share	$ 0.56	$ 0.75
Dividends to stockholders, per share	$ 0.51	$ 0.5

Preparation Of Interim Financia

Preparation Of Interim Financial Statements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies	NOTE 1. PREPARATION OF INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Basis of Presentation Throughout this document, AT&T Inc. is referred to as “we,” “AT&T” or the “C ompany.” The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and subsidiaries and affiliates which we control , including the operating resu lts of Warner Media, LLC (formerly Time Warner Inc. and referred to as “Time Warner” or “Warner Media ”), which was acquired on June 14, 2018 (see Note 8 ). AT&T is a holding company w hose subsidiaries and affiliates operate worldwide in the telecommunications, m edia and technology industries. You should read this document in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in our Annual Report on F orm 10-K for th e year ended December 31, 2018. The results for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of those for the full year. These consolidated financial statements include all adjustments that are necessary to present fairly the results f or the presented interim periods, consisting of normal recurring accruals and other items. All significant intercompany transactions are eliminated in the consolidation process. Investments in subsidiaries and partnerships which we do not control but have significant influence are accounted for under the equity method. Earnings from certain investments accounted for using the equity method are included for periods ended within up to one quarter of our period end. We also record our proportionate share of o ur equity method investees’ other comprehensive income (OCI) items. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amoun ts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes, including estimates of probable losses and expenses. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Certain prior period amounts have been conformed to the current period’s presentation. I n the tables throughout this document, percentage increases and decreases that are not considered meaningful are denoted with a dash. Adopted Accounting Standards and Other Changes Leases As of January 1, 2019, we adopted, with modified retrospective application, Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842),” as modified (ASC 842), which replaces existing leasing rules with a comprehensive lease measurement and recog nition standard and expanded disclosure requirements (see Note 10). ASC 842 requires lessees to recognize most leases on their balance sheets as liabilities, with corresponding “right-of-use” assets. For income statement recognition purposes, leases are cl assified as either a finance or an operating lease without relying upon bright-line tests. The key change upon adoption of the standard was balance sheet recognition, given that the recognition of lease expense on our income statement is similar to our cu rrent accounting. Using the modified retrospective transition method of adoption, we did not adjust the balance sheet for comparative periods but recorded a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings on January 1, 2019. We elected the package of pra ctical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within the new standard, which, among other things, allowed us to carry forward our historical lease classification. We also elected the practical expedient related to land easements, allowing us to carry forward our accounting treatment for land easements on existing agreements that were not accounted for as leases. We excluded all the leases with original terms of one year or less. Additionally, we elected to not separate lease and non-lease compon ents for certain classes of assets in arrangements where we are the lessee and for certain classes of assets where we are the lessor. Our accounting for finance leases did not change from our prior accounting for capital leases. The adoption of ASC 842 re sulted in the recognition of an operating lease liability of $22,121 and an operating right-of-use asset of the same amount. Existing prepaid and deferred rent accruals were recorded as an offset to the right-of-use asset, resulting in a net asset of $20,9 60. The cumulative effect of the adoption to retained earnings was an increase of $316 reflecting the reclassification of deferred gains related to sale/leaseback transactions. We do not believe the standard will materially impact our future income stateme nts or have a notable impact on our liquidity. The standard will have no impact on our debt-covenant compliance under our current agreements. Deferral of Episodic Television and Film Costs In March 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-02, “ Entertainment—Fi lms—Other Assets—Film Costs (Subtopic 926-20) and Entertainment—Broadcasters—Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Subtopic 920-350): Improvements to Accounting for Costs of Films and License Agreements for Program Materials ” (ASU 2019-02), which we early adopte d as of January 1, 2019, with prospective application. The standard eliminates certain revenue-related constraints on capitalization of inventory costs for episodic television that existed under prior guidance. In addition, the balance sheet classification requirements that existed in prior guidance for film production costs and programming inventory were eliminated. As of January 1, 2019, we reclassified $2,274 of our programming inventory costs from “Other current assets” to “Other Assets” in accordance w ith the guidance. This change in accounting does not materially impact our income statement. Spectrum Licenses in Mexico During the first quarter of 2019, in conjunction with the renewal process of certain spectrum licenses in Mexico, we reassessed the e stimated economic lives and renewal assumptions for these licenses. As a result, we have changed the life of these licenses from indefinite to finite-lived. On January 1, 2019, we began amortizing our spectrum licenses in Mexico over their average remainin g economic life of 25 years. This change in accounting does not materially impact our income statement.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Earnings Per Share
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]	NOTE 2. EARNINGS PER SHARE A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 , is shown in the table below: Three months ended March 31, 2019 2018 Numerators Numerator for basic earnings per share: Net Income $ 4,348 $ 4,759 Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest (252) (97) Net Income attributable to AT&T 4,096 4,662 Dilutive potential common shares: Share-based payment 6 5 Numerator for diluted earnings per share $ 4,102 $ 4,667 Denominators (000,000) Denominator for basic earnings per share: Weighted average number of common shares outstanding 7,313 6,161 Dilutive potential common shares: Share-based payment (in shares) 29 19 Denominator for diluted earnings per share 7,342 6,180 Basic earnings per share attributable to AT&T $ 0.56 $ 0.75 Diluted earnings per share attributable to AT&T $ 0.56 $ 0.75

Accumulated Other Comprehensive

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Text Block]	NOTE 3. OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME Changes in the balances of each component included in accumulated OCI are presented below. All amounts are net of tax and exclude noncontrolling interest. Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Securities Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Derivative Instruments Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Balance as of December 31, 2018 $ (3,084) $ (2) $ 818 $ 6,517 $ 4,249 Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 288 16 127 - 431 Amounts reclassified from accumulated OCI - - 11 1 (346) 2 (335) Net other comprehensive income (loss) 288 16 138 (346) 96 Balance as of March 31, 2019 $ (2,796) $ 14 $ 956 $ 6,171 $ 4,345 Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Securities Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Derivative Instruments Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Balance as of December 31, 2017 $ (2,054) $ 660 $ 1,402 $ 7,009 $ 7,017 Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 106 (12) 674 567 1,335 Amounts reclassified from accumulated OCI - - 12 1 (323) 2 (311) Net other comprehensive income (loss) 106 (12) 686 244 1,024 Amounts reclassified to retained earnings - (655) 3 - - (655) Balance as of March 31, 2018 $ (1,948) $ (7) $ 2,088 $ 7,253 $ 7,386 1 (Gains) losses are included in Interest expense in the consolidated statements of income (see Note 7). 2 The amortization of prior service credits associated with postretirement benefits are included in Other income (expense) in the consolidated statements of income (see Note 6). 3 With the adoption of ASU 2016-01, the unrealized (gains) losses on our equity investments are reclassified to retained earnings.

Segment Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Segment Information
Segment Information [Text Block]	NOTE 4. SEGMENT INFORMATION Our segments are strategic business units that offer products and services to different customer segments over various technology platforms and/or in different geographies that are managed accordingly. We analyze our segments based on segment operating contribution, which consists of operating income, excluding acquisition-related costs and other significant items (as discussed below), and equity in net income (loss) of affiliates for investments managed within each segment. We have four reportable segments: (1) Communications, (2) WarnerMedia, (3) Latin America, and (4) Xandr. We also evaluate segment and business unit performance based on EBITDA and/or EBITDA margin, which is defined as operating contribution excluding equity in net income (loss) of affiliates and depreciation and amortization. We believe EBITDA to be a relevant and useful measurement to our investors as it is part of our internal management reporting and planning processes and it is an important metric that m anagement uses to evaluate operating performance. EBITDA does not give effect to cash used for debt service requirements and thus does not reflect available funds for distributions, reinvestment or other discretionary uses. EBITDA margin is EBITDA divided by total revenues. The Communications segment provides wireless and wireline teleco m, video and broadband services to consumers located in the U.S. or in U.S. territories and businesses globally. This segment contains the following business units: Mobility provides nationwide wireless service and equipment. Entertainment Group provides video, including over-the-top (OTT) services, broadband and voice communications services primarily to residential customers. This segment also sells advertising on DIRECTV and U-verse distribution platforms. Business Wireline provides advanced IP-based s ervices, as well as traditional voice and data services to business customers. The WarnerMedia segment develops, produces and distributes feature films, television, gaming and other content in various physical and digital formats globally. Historical fin ancial results from AT&T’s Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) and equity investments (predominantly Game Show Network and Otter Media), previously included in Entertainment Group, have been reclassified into the WarnerMedia segment and are combined with the T ime Warner operations for the period subsequent to our acquisition on June 14, 2018. This segment contains the following business units: Turner is comprised of the historic Turner division as well as the financial results of our RSNs. This business unit pr imarily operates multichannel basic television networks and digital properties. Turner also sells advertising on its networks and digital properties. Home Box Office consists of premium pay television and OTT services domestically and premium pay, basic ti er television and OTT services internationally, as well as content licensing and home entertainment. Warner Bros. consists of the production, distribution and licensing of television programming and feature films, the distribution of home entertainment pro ducts and the production and distribution of games. The Latin America segment provides entertainment and wireless services outside of the U.S. This segment contains the following business units: Vrio provides video services primarily to residential customers using satellite technology in Latin America and the Caribbean. Mexico provides wireless service and equipment to customers in Mexico. The Xandr segment provides advertising services and includes AppNexus, an advertising technology company we acquired in August 2018. Xander services utilize data insights to develop and deliver targeted advertising across video and digital platforms. Certain revenues in this segment are also reported by the Communications segment and are eliminated upon consolid ation . Corporate and Other reconcile our segment results to consolidated operating income and income before income taxes, and include: Corporate , which consists of: (1) businesses no longer integral to our operations or which we no longer actively marke t, (2) corporate support functions, (3) impacts of corporate-wide decisions for which the individual operating segments are not being evaluated, (4) the reclassification of the amortization of prior service credits, which we continue to report with segment operating expenses, to consolidated other income (expense)-net and (5) the recharacterization of $ 150 of programming intangible asset amortization, for released programming acquired in the Time Warner acquisition, which we continue to report within WarnerMedia se gment operating expense, to consolidated amortization expense. Acquisition-related items which consists of items associated with the merger and integration of acquired businesses, including amortization of intangible assets. Certain significant items incl udes (1) employee separation charges associated with voluntary and/or strategic offers, (2) losses resulting from abandonment or impairment of assets and (3) other items for which the segments are not being evaluated. Eliminations and consolidations , which (1) removes transactions involving dealings between our segments, including content licensing between WarnerMedia and Communications, and (2) includes adjustments for our reporting of the advertising business. Interest expense and other income (expense) – net, are managed only on a total company basis and are, accordingly, reflected only in consolidated results. For the three months ended March 31, 2019 Revenues Operations and Support Expenses EBITDA Depreciation and Amortization Operating Income (Loss) Equity in Net Income (Loss) of Affiliates Segment Contribution Communications Mobility $ 17,567 $ 10,181 $ 7,386 $ 2,035 $ 5,351 $ - $ 5,351 Entertainment Group 11,328 8,527 2,801 1,323 1,478 - 1,478 Business Wireline 6,498 4,040 2,458 1,235 1,223 - 1,223 Total Communications 35,393 22,748 12,645 4,593 8,052 - 8,052 WarnerMedia Turner 3,443 2,136 1,307 60 1,247 25 1,272 Home Box Office 1,510 921 589 22 567 15 582 Warner Bros. 3,518 2,919 599 52 547 6 553 Other (92) 17 (109) 9 (118) 21 (97) Total WarnerMedia 8,379 5,993 2,386 143 2,243 67 2,310 Latin America Vrio 1,067 866 201 169 32 - 32 Mexico 651 725 (74) 131 (205) - (205) Total Latin America 1,718 1,591 127 300 (173) - (173) Xandr 426 160 266 13 253 - 253 Segment Total 45,916 30,492 15,424 5,049 10,375 $ 67 $ 10,442 Corporate and Other Corporate 209 513 (304) 169 (473) Acquisition-related items (42) 73 (115) 1,988 (2,103) Certain significant items - 248 (248) - (248) Eliminations and consolidations (1,256) (938) (318) - (318) AT&T Inc. $ 44,827 $ 30,388 $ 14,439 $ 7,206 $ 7,233 For the three months ended March 31, 2018 Revenues Operations and Support Expenses EBITDA Depreciation and Amortization Operating Income (Loss) Equity in Net Income (Loss) of Affiliates Segment Contribution Communications Mobility $ 17,355 $ 10,102 $ 7,253 $ 2,095 $ 5,158 $ - $ 5,158 Entertainment Group 11,431 8,811 2,620 1,310 1,310 (1) 1,309 Business Wireline 6,747 4,016 2,731 1,170 1,561 (1) 1,560 Total Communications 35,533 22,929 12,604 4,575 8,029 (2) 8,027 WarnerMedia Turner 112 74 38 1 37 27 64 Home Box Office - - - - - - - Warner Bros. - - - - - - - Other - 8 (8) - (8) (17) (25) Total WarnerMedia 112 82 30 1 29 10 39 Latin America Vrio 1,354 1,001 353 205 148 - 148 Mexico 671 803 (132) 127 (259) - (259) Total Latin America 2,025 1,804 221 332 (111) - (111) Xandr 337 50 287 1 286 - 286 Segment Total 38,007 24,865 13,142 4,909 8,233 $ 8 $ 8,241 Corporate and Other Corporate 333 735 (402) 23 (425) Acquisition-related items - 67 (67) 1,062 (1,129) Certain significant items - 180 (180) - (180) Eliminations and consolidations (302) (4) (298) - (298) AT&T Inc. $ 38,038 $ 25,843 $ 12,195 $ 5,994 $ 6,201 The following table is a reconciliation of Segment Contributions to “Income Before Income Taxes” reported on our consolidated state m ents of income . Three months ended March 31, 2019 2018 Communications $ 8,052 $ 8,027 WarnerMedia 2,310 39 Latin America (173) (111) Xandr 253 286 Segment Contribution 10,442 8,241 Reconciling Items: Corporate and Other (473) (425) Merger and integration items (115) (67) Amortization of intangibles acquired (1,988) (1,062) Employee separation charges (248) (51) Natural disaster items - (104) Foreign currency devaluation - (25) Segment equity in net income of affiliates (67) (8) Eliminations and consolidations (318) (298) AT&T Operating Income 7,233 6,201 Interest Expense 2,141 1,771 Equity in net income (loss) of affiliates (7) 9 Other income (expense) - net 286 1,702 Income Before Income Taxes $ 5,371 $ 6,141 The following table present s intersegment revenues by segment. Intersegment Reconciliation Three months ended March 31, 2019 2018 Intersegment revenues Communications $ - $ - WarnerMedia 858 31 Latin America - - Xandr - - Total Intersegment Revenues 858 31 Consolidations 398 271 Eliminations and consolidations $ 1,256 $ 302

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Text Block]	NOTE 5 . REVENUE RECOGNITION Revenue Categories The following tables set forth reported revenue by category: For the three months ended March 31, 2019 Service Revenues Wireless Advanced Data Legacy Voice & Data Subscription Content Advertising Other Equipment Total Communications Mobility $ 13,725 $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 67 $ - $ 3,775 $ 17,567 Entertainment Group - 2,070 683 7,724 - 350 501 - 11,328 Business Wireline - 3,186 2,404 - - - 749 159 6,498 WarnerMedia Turner - - - 1,965 135 1,261 82 - 3,443 Home Box Office - - - 1,334 173 - 3 - 1,510 Warner Bros. - - - 21 3,332 10 155 - 3,518 Eliminations and Other - - - 49 (152) 8 3 - (92) Latin America Vrio - - - 1,067 - - - - 1,067 Mexico 442 - - - - - - 209 651 Xandr - - - - - 426 - - 426 Corporate and Other - - - - - - 167 - 167 Eliminations and consolidations - - - - (837) (350) (69) - (1,256) Total Operating Revenues $ 14,167 $ 5,256 $ 3,087 $ 12,160 $ 2,651 $ 1,772 $ 1,591 $ 4,143 $ 44,827 For the three months ended March 31, 2018 Service Revenues Wireless Advanced Data Legacy Voice & Data Subscription Content Advertising Other Equipment Total Communications Mobility $ 13,362 $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 41 $ - $ 3,952 $ 17,355 Entertainment Group - 1,878 806 7,891 - 334 519 3 11,431 Business Wireline - 3,043 2,865 - - - 669 170 6,747 WarnerMedia Turner - - - 98 - 14 - - 112 Home Box Office - - - - - - - - - Warner Bros. - - - - - - - - - Eliminations and Other - - - - - - - - - Latin America Vrio - - - 1,354 - - - - 1,354 Mexico 404 - - - - - - 267 671 Xandr - - - - - 337 - - 337 Corporate and Other - - - - - - 333 - 333 Eliminations and consolidations - - - - - (334) 32 - (302) Total Operating Revenues $ 13,766 $ 4,921 $ 3,671 $ 9,343 $ - $ 392 $ 1,553 $ 4,392 $ 38,038 Deferred Customer Contract Acquisition and Fulfillment Costs Costs to acquire customer contracts, including commissions on service activations, for our wireless, business wireline and video entertainment services, are deferred and amortized over the contract period or expected customer relationship life, which typically ranges from two to five years. Costs to fulfill customer contracts are deferred and amortized over periods ranging generally from four to five years, reflecting the estimated economic lives of the respective customer relationships, subject to an assessment of the recoverability of such costs. For contracts with an estimated amortization period of less than one year, we expense incremental costs immediately. Our deferred customer contr act acquisition costs and deferred customer contract fulfillment costs balances were $4,297 and $11,592 as of March 31, 2019, respectively, of which $2,143 and $4,214 were included in Other current assets on our consolidated balance sheets. For the three m onths ended March 31, 2019, we amortized $547 and $1,098 of these costs, respectively. Our deferred customer contract acquisition costs and deferred customer contract fulfillment costs balances were $3,974 and $11,540 as of December 31, 2018, respectively , of which $1,901 and $4,090 were included in Other current assets on our consolidated balance sheets. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, we amortized $263 and $1,047 of these costs, respectively. Contract Assets and Liabilities A contract asset is recorded when revenue is recognized in advance of our right to bill and receive consideration (i.e., we must perform additional services or satisfy another performance obligation in order to bill and receive consideration). The contract asset will decre ase as services are provided and billed. When consideration is received in advance of the delivery of goods or services, a contract liability is recorded. Reductions in the contract liability will be recorded as we satisfy the performance obligations. The following table presents contract assets and liabilities at March 31 , 201 9 and December 31, 2018 : March 31, December 31, 2019 2018 Contract asset $ 2,198 $ 1,896 Contract liability 6,899 6,856 Our beginning of period contract liability recorded as customer contract revenue during 2019 was $4,379 . Our consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 included approximately $1,462 and $1,244, respectively, for the current portion of our contract asset in “Other current assets” and $5,715 and $5,752, respectively, for the current portion of our contract liability in “Advanced billings and customer deposits.” Remaining Performance Obligations Remaining per formance obligations represent services we are required to provide to customers under bundled or discounted arrangements, which are satisfied as services are provided over the contract term. In determining the transaction price allocated, we do not include non-recurring charges and estimates for usage, nor do we consider arrangements with an original expected duration of less than one year, which are primarily prepaid wireless, video and residential internet agreements. Remaining performance obligations a ssociated with business contracts reflect recurring charges billed, adjusted to reflect estimates for sales incentives and revenue adjustments. Performance obligations associated with wireless contracts are estimated using a portfolio approach in which we review all relevant promotional activities, calculating the remaining performance obligation using the average service component for the portfolio and the average device price. As of March 31, 2019, the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated t o remaining performance obligations was $39,627 of which we expect to recognize approximately 80% by the end of 2020, with the balance recognized thereafter.

Pension And Postretirement Bene

Pension And Postretirement Benefits	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Pension And Postretirement Benefits
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]	NOTE 6. PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS Many of our employees are covered by one of our noncontributory pension plans. We also provide certain medical, dental, life insurance and death benefits to certain retired employees under various plans and accrue actuarially determined postretirement benefit costs. Our objective in funding these plans, in combination with the standards of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA), is to accumulate assets sufficient to provide be nefits described in the plans to employees upon their retirement. During the quarter, for certain management participants in our pension plan who terminated employment before April 1, 2019, we offered the option of more favorable 2018 interest rates and m ortality basis for determining lump-sum distributions. For the quarter ended March 31, 2019 we recorded special termination benefits of $93 associated with this offer in “Other income (expense) – net.” During the first quarter, we also committed to a plan to offer certain terminated vested pension plan participants the opportunity to receive their benefit in a lump-sum amount. We recognize actuarial gains and losses on pension and postretirement plan assets in our consolidated results as a component of o t her income (expense) – net at our annual measurement date of December 31, unless earlier remeasurements are required. We anticipate total distributions from the pension plan will exceed the threshold of service and interest costs for 2019, requiring us to follow settlement accounting. We have remeasured our pension benefit obligations at March 31, 2019, and will remeasure our pension benefit obligation at each quarter-end of 2019 as we expect settlements to occur during each quarter. As part of our first- quarter 2019 remeasurement, we decreased the weighted-average discount rate used to measure our pension benefit obligation from 4.50% to 4.10%. The discount rate in effect for determining pension service and interest costs after remeasurement is 4.30% and 3.70%, respectively. The remeasurement reflects an actual return on plan assets of 5.8 0 % (quarterly rate) relative to our expected long-term rate of 7 .00 % (annual rate). The following table details pension and postretirement benefit costs included in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. The service cost component of net periodic pension cost (benefit) is recorded in operating expenses in the consolidated statements of income while the remaining components are recorded in “Other income (expen se) – net.” Three months ended March 31, 2019 2018 Pension cost: Service cost – benefits earned during the period $ 240 $ 291 Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 549 487 Expected return on assets (851) (760) Amortization of prior service credit (33) (30) Actuarial (gain) loss 432 - Net pension (credit) cost $ 337 $ (12) Postretirement cost: Service cost – benefits earned during the period $ 18 $ 29 Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation 186 191 Expected return on assets (56) (77) Amortization of prior service credit (426) (397) Actuarial (gain) loss - (930) Net postretirement (credit) cost $ (278) $ (1,184) Combined net pension and postretirement (credit) cost $ 59 $ (1,196) We also provide senior- and middle-management employees with nonqualified, unfunded supplemental retirement and savings plans. For the first quarter ended 2019 and 2018, net supplemental pension benefits costs not included in the table above were $25 and $21.

Fair Value Measurements And Dis

Fair Value Measurements And Disclosure	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Fair Value Disclosures
Fair Value Measurements And Disclosure [Text Block]	NOTE 7 . FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND DISCLOSURE The Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure framework provides a three-tiered fair value hierarchy based on the reliability of the inputs used to determine fair value. Level 1 refers to fair values determined based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets. Level 2 refers to fair values estimated using significant other observable inputs and Level 3 includes fair values estimated using significant unobservable inputs. The fair value measurements level of an asset or liability within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Our valuation techniques maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The valuation methodologies described above may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of future net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. We believe our valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants. The use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date. There have been no changes in the methodologies used since December 31, 2018 . Long-Term Debt and Ot her Financial Instruments The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of our long-term debt, including current maturities, and other financial instruments, are summarized as follows: March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 Carrying Fair Carrying Fair Amount Value Amount Value Notes and debentures 1 $ 170,532 $ 179,576 $ 171,529 $ 172,287 Commercial paper 2,957 2,957 3,048 3,048 Bank borrowings 4 4 4 4 Investment securities 2 3,606 3,606 3,409 3,409 1 Includes credit agreement borrowings. 2 Excludes investments accounted for under the equity method. The carrying amount of debt with an original maturity of less than one year approximates market value. The fair value measurements used for notes and debentures are considered Level 2 and are determined using various methods, including quoted prices for identical or similar securities in both active and inactive markets. Following is the fair value leveling for investment securities that are measured at fair value and derivatives as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 . Derivatives designat ed as hedging instruments are reflected as “Other assets, ” “Other noncurrent liabilities” and, for a portion of interest rate swaps, “Other current assets” on our consolidated balance sheets. March 31, 2019 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Equity Securities Domestic equities $ 1,092 $ - $ - $ 1,092 International equities 263 - - 263 Fixed income equities 208 - - 208 Available-for-Sale Debt Securities - 989 - 989 Asset Derivatives Interest rate swaps - 2 - 2 Cross-currency swaps - 427 - 427 Foreign exchange contracts - 87 - 87 Liability Derivatives Interest rate swaps - (13) - (13) Cross-currency swaps - (2,697) - (2,697) Foreign exchange contracts - (6) - (6) December 31, 2018 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Equity Securities Domestic equities $ 1,061 $ - $ - $ 1,061 International equities 256 - - 256 Fixed income equities 172 - - 172 Available-for-Sale Debt Securities - 870 - 870 Asset Derivatives Cross-currency swaps - 472 - 472 Foreign exchange contracts - 87 - 87 Liability Derivatives Interest rate swaps - (39) - (39) Cross-currency swaps - (2,563) - (2,563) Foreign exchange contracts - (2) - (2) Investment Securities Our investment securities include both equity and debt securities that are measured at fair value, as well as equity securities without readily determinable fair values. A substantial portion of the fair values of our investment securities are estimated based on quoted market prices. Investments in equity securities not traded on a national securities exchange are valued at cost, less any impairment, and adjusted for changes resulting from observable, orderly transactions for iden tical or similar securities. Investments in debt securities not traded on a national securities exchange are valued using pricing models, quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics or discounted cash flows. The components comprising total g ains and losses on equity securities are as follows: Three months ended March 31, 2019 2018 Total gains (losses) recognized on equity securities $ 160 $ (13) Gains (Losses) recognized on equity securities sold 86 52 Unrealized gains (losses) recognized on equity securities held at end of period 74 (65) At March 31, 2019 , available-for-sale debt securities totaling $ 989 have maturities as follows - less than one year: $ 46 ; one to three years: $ 178 ; three to five years: $ 98 ; for five or more years: $ 667 . Our cash equivalents (money market securities), short-term investments (certificate and time deposits) and nonrefundable customer deposits are recorded at amortized cost, and the respective carrying amounts approximate fair values. Short-term investments and nonrefundable customer deposits are recorded in “Other current assets” and our investment securities are recorded in “Other Assets” on the consolidated balance sheets. Derivative Financial Instruments We enter into derivative transactions to manage certain market risks, primarily interest rate risk and foreign currency exchange risk. This includes the use of interest rate swaps, interest rate locks, foreign exchange forward contracts and combined interest rate forei gn exchange contracts (cross-currency swaps). We do not use derivatives for trading or speculative purposes. We record derivatives on our consolidated balance sheets at fair value that is derived from observable market data, including yield curves and fore ign exchange rates (all of our derivatives are Level 2). Cash flows associated with derivative instruments are presented in the same category on the consolidated statements of cash flows as the item being hedged. Fair Value Hedging We designate our fixed -to-floating interest rate swaps as fair value hedges. The purpose of these swaps is to manage interest rate risk by managing our mix of fixed-rate and floating-rate debt. These swaps involve the receipt of fixed-rate amounts for floating interest rate pay ments over the life of the swaps without exchange of the underlying principal amount. We also designate some of our foreign exchange contracts as fair value hedges. The purpose of these contracts is to hedge currency risk associated with foreign-currency -denominated operating assets and liabilities. Accrued and realized gains or losses from fair value hedges impact the same category on the consolidated statements of income as the item being hedged. Unrealized gains on fair value hedges are recorded at f air market value as assets, and unrealized losses are recorded at fair market value as liabilities. Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments designated as fair value hedges are offset against the change in fair value of the hedged assets or liab ilities through earnings. In the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 , no ineffectiveness was measured on fair value hedges . Cash Flow Hedging We designate our cross-currency swaps as cash flow hedges. We have entered into multiple cross-currency swaps to hedge our exposure to variability in expected future cash flows that are attributable to foreign currency risk generated from the issuance of our foreign-denominated debt. These agreements include initial and final exc hanges of principal from fixed foreign currency denominated amounts to fixed U.S. dollar denominated amounts, to be exchanged at a specified rate that is usually determined by the market spot rate upon issuance. They also include an interest rate swap of a fixed or floating foreign currency-denominated interest rate to a fixed U.S. dollar denominated interest rate. We also designate some of our foreign exchange contracts as cash flow hedges. The purpose of these contracts is to hedge currency risk associat ed with variability in anticipated foreign-currency-denominated cash flows, such as unremitted or forecasted royalty and license fees owed to WarnerMedia’s domestic companies for the sale or anticipated sale of U.S. copyrighted products abroad or cash flow s for certain film production costs denominated in a foreign currency. Unrealized gains on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges are recorded at fair value as assets, and unrealized losses are recorded at fair value as liabilities. For derivative in struments designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion is reported as a component of accumulated OCI until reclassified into the consolidated statements of income in the same period the hedged transaction affects earnings. The gain or loss on the ineffective portion is recognized as “Other income (expense) – net” in the consolidated statements of income in each period. We evaluate the effectiveness of our cash flow hedge s each quarter. In the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 , no ineffectiveness was measured on cash flow hedges. Periodically, we enter into and designate interest rate locks to partially hedge the risk of changes in interest payments attributable to increases in the benchmark interest rate during the period leading up to the probable issuance of fixed-rate debt. We designate our interest rate locks as cash flow hedges. Gains and losses when we settle our interest rate locks are amortized into income over the life of the related debt, except where a material amount is deemed to be ineffective, which would be immediately reclassified to “Other income (expense) – net” in the consolidated statements of income. Over the next 12 months, we expect to reclassify $ 63 from accumulated OCI to interest expense due to the amortization of net losses on historical interest rate locks. Net Investment Hedging We have designated €700 million aggregate principal amount of debt as a hedge of the variability of some of the Euro-denominated net investm ents of WarnerMedia. The gain or loss on the debt that is designated as, and is effective as, an economic hedge of the net investment in a foreign operation is recorded as a currency translation adjustment within accumulated other comprehensive income, net on the consolidated balance sheet. Collateral and Credit-Risk Contingency We have entered into agreements with our derivative counterparties establishing collateral thresholds based on respective credit ratings and netting agreements. At March 31, 2019 , we had posted collateral of $334 (a deposit asset) and held collateral of $166 (a receipt liability) . Under the agreements, if AT&T’s credit rating had been downgraded one rating level by Fitch Ratings, before the final collateral exchange in March , we would have been required to post additional collate ral of $ 175 . If AT&T’s credit rating had been downgraded four ratings levels by Fitch Ratings, two levels by S&P, and two levels by Moody’s, we would have been required to post additional collateral of $1,360. If DIRECTV Holdings LLC’s cre dit rating had been downgraded below BBB- by S&P, we would have been required to post additional collateral of $ 258 . At December 31, 2018 , we had posted collateral of $1,675 (a deposit asset) and held collateral of $103 (a receipt liability) . We do not offset the fair value of collateral, whether the right to rec laim cash collateral (a receivable) or the obligation to return cash collateral (a payable) exists, against the fair value of the derivative instruments. Following are the notional amounts of our outstanding derivative positions: March 31, December 31, 2019 2018 Interest rate swaps $ 1,633 $ 3,483 Cross-currency swaps 42,192 42,192 Foreign exchange contracts 1,238 2,094 Total $ 45,063 $ 47,769 Following are the related hedged items affecting our financial position and performance: Effect of Derivatives on the Consolidated Statements of Income Three months ended March 31, Fair Value Hedging Relationships 2019 2018 Interest rate swaps (Interest expense): Gain (Loss) on interest rate swaps $ 24 $ (53) Gain (Loss) on long-term debt (24) 53 In addition, the net swap settlements that accrued and settled in the quarter ended March 31 were offset against interest expense. Three months ended March 31, Cash Flow Hedging Relationships 2019 2018 Cross-currency swaps: Gain (Loss) recognized in accumulated OCI $ 168 $ 854 Foreign exchange contracts: Gain (Loss) recognized in accumulated OCI (7) - Other income (expense) - net reclassified from accumulated OCI into income 3 - Interest rate locks: Interest income (expense) reclassified from accumulated OCI into income (16) (15)

Acquisitions, Dispositions And

Acquisitions, Dispositions And Other Adjustments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Acquisitions, Dispositions And Other Adjustments
Acquisitions, Dispositions And Other Adjustments [Text Block]	NOTE 8. ACQUISITIONS, DISPOSITIONS AND OTHER ADJUSTMENTS Acquisitions Time Warner On June 14, 2018, we completed our acquisition of Time Warner, a leader in media and entertainment whose major businesses encompass an array of some of the most respected media brands. The deal combines Time Warner’s vast library of content and ability to create new premium content for audiences around the world with our extensive customer relationships and distribution, one of the world's largest pay-TV subscriber bases a nd scale in TV, mobile and broadband distribution. We expect that the transaction will advance our direct-to-consumer efforts and provide us with the ability to develop innovative new offerings. In July 2018, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) appealed the U.S. District Court’s decision permitting the merger. On February 26, 2019, the D.C. Circuit unanimously affirmed our win. AT&T’s representations to the DOJ regarding its operation of Turner expired on February 28, 2019. The DOJ did not ask the D.C. Circuit to rehear its appeal before the applicable April 12, 2019 deadline, and it stated publicly on February 26, 2018 that “[t]he department has no plans to seek further review” of the D.C. Circuit’s decision. The DOJ’s deadline to file a petition for writ of certiorari with the United States Supreme Court is May 28, 2019. We pa id Time Warner shareholders $36,599 in AT&T stock and $42,100 in cash. Total consideration, including share-based payment arrangements and other adjustments totaled $79,358, excluding Time Warner’s net debt at acquisition. The fair values of the assets acq uired and liabilities assumed were preliminarily determined using the income, cost and market approaches. The fair value measurements were primarily based on significant inputs that are not observable in the market and thus represent a Level 3 measurement as defined in ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurement,” other than cash and long-term debt acquired in the acquisition. The income approach was primarily used to value the intangible assets, consisting primarily of distribution network, released TV and film conte nt, in-place advertising network, trade names, and franchises. The income approach estimates fair value for an asset based on the present value of cash flow projected to be generated by the asset. Projected cash flow is discounted at a required rate of ret urn that reflects the relative risk of achieving the cash flow and the time value of money. The cost approach, which estimates value by determining the current cost of replacing an asset with another of equivalent economic utility, was used, as appropriate , for plant, property and equipment. The cost to replace a given asset reflects the estimated reproduction or replacement cost for the property, less an allowance for loss in value due to depreciation. The following table summarizes the preliminary estima ted fair values of the Time Warner assets acquired and liabilities assumed and related deferred income taxes as of the acquisition date: Assets acquired Cash $ 1,889 Accounts receivable 9,052 All other current assets 2,913 Noncurrent inventory and theatrical film and television production costs 5,591 Property, plant and equipment 4,785 Intangible assets subject to amortization Distribution network 18,040 Released television and film content 10,806 Trademarks and trade names 18,081 Other 10,300 Investments and other assets 9,449 Goodwill 38,569 Total assets acquired 129,475 Liabilities assumed Current liabilities, excluding current portion of long-term debt 8,303 Debt maturing within one year 4,471 Long-term debt 18,394 Other noncurrent liabilities 18,948 Total liabilities assumed 50,116 Net assets acquired 79,359 Noncontrolling interest (1) Aggregate value of consideration paid $ 79,358 These estimates are preliminary in nature and subject to adjustments, which could be material. Any necessary adjustments will be finalized within one year from the date of acquisition. Substantially all the receivables acquired are expected to be collectible. We have not identified any material unrecorded pre-acquisition contingencies where the related asset or liability , or an impairment is probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Goodwill is calculated as the difference between the acquisit ion date fair value of the consideration transferred and the fair value of the net a ssets acquired, and represents the future economic benefits that we expect to achieve as a result of the acquisition. Prior to the finalization of the purchase price alloca tion, if information becomes available that would indicate it is probable that unknown events had occurred and the amounts can be reasonably estimated, such items will be included in the final purchase price allocation and may change goodwill. Purchased go odwill is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes. As we finalize the valuation of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, we will determine to which reporting units within the WarnerMedia segment any changes in goodwill should be recorded.

Sale of Equipment Installment R

Sale of Equipment Installment Receivables	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Other Assets [Abstract]
Finance Receivables Disclosure[Text Block]	NOTE 9. SALES OF RECEIVABLES As described further below, we have agreements with various third-party financial institutions pertaining to the sale of certain types of our accounts receivable. The most significant of these programs are discussed in detail below and generally consist of (1) receivables arising from equipment installment plans, which are sold for cash and a deferred purchase price, and (2) receivables related to licensed programming and advertising. Under these programs, we transfer receivab les to purchasers in exchange for cash and additional consideration upon settlement of the receivables, where applicable. Under the terms of our agreements for these programs, we continue to bill and collect the payments from our customers on behalf of the financial institutions. As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, gross receivables included on our consolidated balance sheets, related to these programs, are $ 6,611 and $5,994, respectively, of which $ 3,072 and $3,457 are notes receivable that are i ncluded in “Accounts receivable - net.” The outstanding portfolio of receivables derecognized from our consolidated balance sheets, but which we continue to service, was $ 10,863 and $9,065 at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , respectively . As of March 31, 2019, total cash proceeds received, net of remittances (excluding amounts returned as deferred purchase price), were $ 8,387 . The following table sets forth a summary of receivables sold during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018: Three months ended March 31, 2019 2018 Gross receivables sold $ 4,101 $ 3,010 Net receivables sold 1 3,909 2,795 Cash proceeds received 3,675 2,395 Deferred purchase price recorded 309 519 Guarantee obligation recorded 138 123 1 Receivables net of allowance, imputed interest and trade-in right guarantees. The sales of receivables did not have a material impact on our consolidated statements of income or to “Total Assets” reported on our consolidated balance sheets. We reflect cash receipts on sold receivables as cash flows from operations in our consolidated statements of cash flows. Cash receipts on the deferred purchase price are classified as cash flows from investing activities. Equipment Installment Receivables We offer our customers the option to purchase certain wireless devices in install ments over a specified period of time and, in many cases, once certain conditions are met, they may be eligible to trade in the original equipment for a new device and have the remaining unpaid balance paid or settled. We maintain a program, under which w e transfer a portion of these receivables in exchange for cash and additional consideration upon settlement of the receivables, referred to as the deferred purchase price. In the event a customer trades in a device prior to the end of the installment contr act period, we agree to make a payment to the financial institutions equal to any outstanding remaining installment receivable balance. Accordingly, we record a guarantee obligation for this estimated amount at the time the receivables are transferred. T he deferred purchase price and guarantee obligation are initially recorded at estimated fair value and subsequently carried at the lower of cost or net realizable value. The estimation of their fair values is based on remaining installment payments expecte d to be collected and the expected timing and value of device trade-ins. The estimated value of the device trade-ins considers prices offered to us by independent third parties that contemplate changes in value after the launch of a device model. The fair value measurements used for the deferred purchase price and the guarantee obligation are considered Level 3 under the Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure framework (see Note 7). The following table shows the previously transferred equipment installment receivables, which we repurchased in exchange for the associated deferred purchase price and cash during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018: Three months ended March 31, 2019 2018 Fair value of repurchased receivables $ 423 $ - Carrying value of deferred purchase price 407 - Gain (loss) on repurchases 1 $ 16 $ - 1 These gains (losses) are included in “Selling, general and administrative” in the consolidated statements of income. At March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, our deferred purchase price receivable was $2,240 and $2,370, respectively, of which $1,418 and $1,448 are included in “Other current assets” on our consolidated balance sheets, with the remainder in “Other Assets.” The guarantee obligation at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 was $430 and $439, respectively, of which $16 0 and $196 are includ ed in “Accounts payable and accrued liabilities” on our consolidated balance sheets, with the remainder in “Other noncurrent liabilities.” Our maximum exposure to loss as a result of selling these equipment installment receivables is limited to the total a mount of our deferred purchase price and guarantee obligation. Programm ing and Advertising Receivables In March 2019, we entered into a revolving agreement to transfer certain receivables from our WarnerMedia business to various financial institutions in e xchange for cash. These receivables originate from the sale of licensed programm ing and advertising. Upon sale, we reclassify the allowance against these receivables to a guarantee liability. We have fully guaranteed the repayment of the transferred receiva bles and have also pledged, as collateral under this agreement, additional receivables in the amount of $1,402. Our maximum exposure to loss related to selling these receivables is limited to the outstanding $1,400 of sold receivables.

Leases

Leases	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Leases [Abstract]
Leases of Lessee Disclosure [Text Block]	NOTE 10. LEASES We have operating and finance leases for certain facilities and equipment used in operations. Our leases have remaining lease terms of 1 year to 13 years. Some of our real estate operating leases contain renewal options that may be exercised, and some of our leases include options to terminate the leases within one year. We have recognized a right-of-use asset for both operating and finance leases, and an operating lease liability that represents the present val ue of our obligation to make payments over the lease term. The present value of the lease payments is calculated using the incremental borrowing rate for operating and finance leases, which was determined using a portfolio approach based on the rate of int erest that we would have to pay to borrow an amount equal to the lease payments on a collateralized basis over a similar term. We use the unsecured borrowing rate and risk-adjust that rate to approximate a collateralized rate in the currency of the lease, which will be updated on a quarterly basis for measurement of new lease liabilities. The components of lease expense were as follows: Three months ended March 31, 2019 Operating lease cost $ 1,242 Finance lease cost: Amortization of right-of-use assets $ 66 Interest on lease obligation 42 Total finance lease cost $ 108 Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases is as follows: At March 31, 2019 Operating Leases Operating lease right-of-use assets $ 20,235 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 3,072 Operating lease obligation 18,253 Total operating lease obligation $ 21,325 Finance Leases Property, plant and equipment, at cost $ 3,377 Accumulated depreciation and amortization (1,173) Property, plant and equipment, net $ 2,204 Current portion of long-term debt $ 135 Long-term debt 1,852 Total finance lease obligation $ 1,987 Weighted-Average Remaining Lease Term Operating leases 7.9 yrs Finance leases 10.9 yrs Weighted-Average Discount Rate Operating leases 4.7 % Finance leases 8.6 % Future minimum m atu rities of lease liabilities are as follows: At March 31, 2019 Operating Finance Leases Leases Remainder of 2019 $ 3,201 $ 246 2020 3,981 290 2021 3,533 279 2022 3,231 263 2023 2,893 254 Thereafter 9,633 1,828 Total lease payments 26,472 3,160 Less imputed interest (5,147) (1,173) Total $ 21,325 $ 1,987

Additional Financial Informatio

Additional Financial Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Additional Financial Information [Abstract]
Additional Financial Information [Text Block]	NOTE 11. ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION Cash and Cash Flow s We typically maintain our restricted cash balances for purchases and sales of certain investment securities and funding of certain deferred compensation benefit payments. March 31, December 31, Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash 2019 2018 2018 2017 Cash and cash equivalents $ 6,516 $ 48,872 $ 5,204 $ 50,498 Restricted cash in Other current assets 20 8 61 6 Restricted cash in Other Assets 94 345 135 428 Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 6,630 $ 49,225 $ 5,400 $ 50,932 Three months ended March 31, Cash Paid for Amounts Included in the Measurement of Lease Liabilities: 2019 2018 Operating cash flows from operating leases $ 1,332 $ 1,207 Three months ended March 31, Cash Paid (Received) During the Period for: 2019 2018 Interest $ 2,507 $ 2,408 Income taxes, net of refunds (379) (1,089)

Preparation Of Interim Financ_2

Preparation Of Interim Financial Statements (Policy)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Leases [Policy Text Block]	Leases As of January 1, 2019, we adopted, with modified retrospective application, Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842),” as modified (ASC 842), which replaces existing leasing rules with a comprehensive lease measurement and recog nition standard and expanded disclosure requirements (see Note 10). ASC 842 requires lessees to recognize most leases on their balance sheets as liabilities, with corresponding “right-of-use” assets. For income statement recognition purposes, leases are cl assified as either a finance or an operating lease without relying upon bright-line tests. The key change upon adoption of the standard was balance sheet recognition, given that the recognition of lease expense on our income statement is similar to our cu rrent accounting. Using the modified retrospective transition method of adoption, we did not adjust the balance sheet for comparative periods but recorded a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings on January 1, 2019. We elected the package of pra ctical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within the new standard, which, among other things, allowed us to carry forward our historical lease classification. We also elected the practical expedient related to land easements, allowing us to carry forward our accounting treatment for land easements on existing agreements that were not accounted for as leases. We excluded all the leases with original terms of one year or less. Additionally, we elected to not separate lease and non-lease compon ents for certain classes of assets in arrangements where we are the lessee and for certain classes of assets where we are the lessor. Our accounting for finance leases did not change from our prior accounting for capital leases. The adoption of ASC 842 re sulted in the recognition of an operating lease liability of $22,121 and an operating right-of-use asset of the same amount. Existing prepaid and deferred rent accruals were recorded as an offset to the right-of-use asset, resulting in a net asset of $20,9 60. The cumulative effect of the adoption to retained earnings was an increase of $316 reflecting the reclassification of deferred gains related to sale/leaseback transactions. We do not believe the standard will materially impact our future income stateme nts or have a notable impact on our liquidity. The standard will have no impact on our debt-covenant compliance under our current agreements.
Television and Film Inventory Cost [Policy Text Block]	Deferral of Episodic Television and Film Costs In March 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-02, “ Entertainment—Fi lms—Other Assets—Film Costs (Subtopic 926-20) and Entertainment—Broadcasters—Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Subtopic 920-350): Improvements to Accounting for Costs of Films and License Agreements for Program Materials ” (ASU 2019-02), which we early adopte d as of January 1, 2019, with prospective application. The standard eliminates certain revenue-related constraints on capitalization of inventory costs for episodic television that existed under prior guidance. In addition, the balance sheet classification requirements that existed in prior guidance for film production costs and programming inventory were eliminated. As of January 1, 2019, we reclassified $2,274 of our programming inventory costs from “Other current assets” to “Other Assets” in accordance w ith the guidance. This change in accounting does not materially impact our income statement.
Spectrum Licenses [Policy Text Block]	Spectrum Licenses in Mexico During the first quarter of 2019, in conjunction with the renewal process of certain spectrum licenses in Mexico, we reassessed the e stimated economic lives and renewal assumptions for these licenses. As a result, we have changed the life of these licenses from indefinite to finite-lived. On January 1, 2019, we began amortizing our spectrum licenses in Mexico over their average remainin g economic life of 25 years. This change in accounting does not materially impact our income statement.

Pension And Postretirement Be_2

Pension And Postretirement Benefits (Policy)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Pension And Postretirement Benefits
Recognition Of Actuarial Gains And Losses	We recognize actuarial gains and losses on pension and postretirement plan assets in our consolidated results as a component of o t her income (expense) – net at our annual measurement date of December 31, unless earlier remeasurements are required.

Fair Value Measurements And D_2

Fair Value Measurements And Disclosure (Policy)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Fair Value Disclosures
Derivatives, Offsetting Fair Value Amounts, Policy [Policy Text Block]	We do not offset the fair value of collateral, whether the right to rec laim cash collateral (a receivable) or the obligation to return cash collateral (a payable) exists, against the fair value of the derivative instruments.

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Earnings Per Share
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]	Three months ended March 31, 2019 2018 Numerators Numerator for basic earnings per share: Net Income $ 4,348 $ 4,759 Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest (252) (97) Net Income attributable to AT&T 4,096 4,662 Dilutive potential common shares: Share-based payment 6 5 Numerator for diluted earnings per share $ 4,102 $ 4,667 Denominators (000,000) Denominator for basic earnings per share: Weighted average number of common shares outstanding 7,313 6,161 Dilutive potential common shares: Share-based payment (in shares) 29 19 Denominator for diluted earnings per share 7,342 6,180 Basic earnings per share attributable to AT&T $ 0.56 $ 0.75 Diluted earnings per share attributable to AT&T $ 0.56 $ 0.75

Accumulated Other Comprehensi_2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Securities Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Derivative Instruments Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Balance as of December 31, 2018 $ (3,084) $ (2) $ 818 $ 6,517 $ 4,249 Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 288 16 127 - 431 Amounts reclassified from accumulated OCI - - 11 1 (346) 2 (335) Net other comprehensive income (loss) 288 16 138 (346) 96 Balance as of March 31, 2019 $ (2,796) $ 14 $ 956 $ 6,171 $ 4,345 Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Securities Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Derivative Instruments Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Balance as of December 31, 2017 $ (2,054) $ 660 $ 1,402 $ 7,009 $ 7,017 Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 106 (12) 674 567 1,335 Amounts reclassified from accumulated OCI - - 12 1 (323) 2 (311) Net other comprehensive income (loss) 106 (12) 686 244 1,024 Amounts reclassified to retained earnings - (655) 3 - - (655) Balance as of March 31, 2018 $ (1,948) $ (7) $ 2,088 $ 7,253 $ 7,386 1 (Gains) losses are included in Interest expense in the consolidated statements of income (see Note 7). 2 The amortization of prior service credits associated with postretirement benefits are included in Other income (expense) in the consolidated statements of income (see Note 6). 3 With the adoption of ASU 2016-01, the unrealized (gains) losses on our equity investments are reclassified to retained earnings.

Segment Information (Tables)

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Segment Information
Reconciliation of Revenue from Segments to Consolidated [Table Text Block]	For the three months ended March 31, 2019 Revenues Operations and Support Expenses EBITDA Depreciation and Amortization Operating Income (Loss) Equity in Net Income (Loss) of Affiliates Segment Contribution Communications Mobility $ 17,567 $ 10,181 $ 7,386 $ 2,035 $ 5,351 $ - $ 5,351 Entertainment Group 11,328 8,527 2,801 1,323 1,478 - 1,478 Business Wireline 6,498 4,040 2,458 1,235 1,223 - 1,223 Total Communications 35,393 22,748 12,645 4,593 8,052 - 8,052 WarnerMedia Turner 3,443 2,136 1,307 60 1,247 25 1,272 Home Box Office 1,510 921 589 22 567 15 582 Warner Bros. 3,518 2,919 599 52 547 6 553 Other (92) 17 (109) 9 (118) 21 (97) Total WarnerMedia 8,379 5,993 2,386 143 2,243 67 2,310 Latin America Vrio 1,067 866 201 169 32 - 32 Mexico 651 725 (74) 131 (205) - (205) Total Latin America 1,718 1,591 127 300 (173) - (173) Xandr 426 160 266 13 253 - 253 Segment Total 45,916 30,492 15,424 5,049 10,375 $ 67 $ 10,442 Corporate and Other Corporate 209 513 (304) 169 (473) Acquisition-related items (42) 73 (115) 1,988 (2,103) Certain significant items - 248 (248) - (248) Eliminations and consolidations (1,256) (938) (318) - (318) AT&T Inc. $ 44,827 $ 30,388 $ 14,439 $ 7,206 $ 7,233 For the three months ended March 31, 2018 Revenues Operations and Support Expenses EBITDA Depreciation and Amortization Operating Income (Loss) Equity in Net Income (Loss) of Affiliates Segment Contribution Communications Mobility $ 17,355 $ 10,102 $ 7,253 $ 2,095 $ 5,158 $ - $ 5,158 Entertainment Group 11,431 8,811 2,620 1,310 1,310 (1) 1,309 Business Wireline 6,747 4,016 2,731 1,170 1,561 (1) 1,560 Total Communications 35,533 22,929 12,604 4,575 8,029 (2) 8,027 WarnerMedia Turner 112 74 38 1 37 27 64 Home Box Office - - - - - - - Warner Bros. - - - - - - - Other - 8 (8) - (8) (17) (25) Total WarnerMedia 112 82 30 1 29 10 39 Latin America Vrio 1,354 1,001 353 205 148 - 148 Mexico 671 803 (132) 127 (259) - (259) Total Latin America 2,025 1,804 221 332 (111) - (111) Xandr 337 50 287 1 286 - 286 Segment Total 38,007 24,865 13,142 4,909 8,233 $ 8 $ 8,241 Corporate and Other Corporate 333 735 (402) 23 (425) Acquisition-related items - 67 (67) 1,062 (1,129) Certain significant items - 180 (180) - (180) Eliminations and consolidations (302) (4) (298) - (298) AT&T Inc. $ 38,038 $ 25,843 $ 12,195 $ 5,994 $ 6,201
Reconciliation of Operating Income (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated Statements of Income [Table Text Block]	Three months ended March 31, 2019 2018 Communications $ 8,052 $ 8,027 WarnerMedia 2,310 39 Latin America (173) (111) Xandr 253 286 Segment Contribution 10,442 8,241 Reconciling Items: Corporate and Other (473) (425) Merger and integration items (115) (67) Amortization of intangibles acquired (1,988) (1,062) Employee separation charges (248) (51) Natural disaster items - (104) Foreign currency devaluation - (25) Segment equity in net income of affiliates (67) (8) Eliminations and consolidations (318) (298) AT&T Operating Income 7,233 6,201 Interest Expense 2,141 1,771 Equity in net income (loss) of affiliates (7) 9 Other income (expense) - net 286 1,702 Income Before Income Taxes $ 5,371 $ 6,141
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]	Intersegment Reconciliation Three months ended March 31, 2019 2018 Intersegment revenues Communications $ - $ - WarnerMedia 858 31 Latin America - - Xandr - - Total Intersegment Revenues 858 31 Consolidations 398 271 Eliminations and consolidations $ 1,256 $ 302

Revenue Recognition (Tables)

Revenue Recognition (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Table Text Block]	Revenue Categories The following tables set forth reported revenue by category: For the three months ended March 31, 2019 Service Revenues Wireless Advanced Data Legacy Voice & Data Subscription Content Advertising Other Equipment Total Communications Mobility $ 13,725 $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 67 $ - $ 3,775 $ 17,567 Entertainment Group - 2,070 683 7,724 - 350 501 - 11,328 Business Wireline - 3,186 2,404 - - - 749 159 6,498 WarnerMedia Turner - - - 1,965 135 1,261 82 - 3,443 Home Box Office - - - 1,334 173 - 3 - 1,510 Warner Bros. - - - 21 3,332 10 155 - 3,518 Eliminations and Other - - - 49 (152) 8 3 - (92) Latin America Vrio - - - 1,067 - - - - 1,067 Mexico 442 - - - - - - 209 651 Xandr - - - - - 426 - - 426 Corporate and Other - - - - - - 167 - 167 Eliminations and consolidations - - - - (837) (350) (69) - (1,256) Total Operating Revenues $ 14,167 $ 5,256 $ 3,087 $ 12,160 $ 2,651 $ 1,772 $ 1,591 $ 4,143 $ 44,827 For the three months ended March 31, 2018 Service Revenues Wireless Advanced Data Legacy Voice & Data Subscription Content Advertising Other Equipment Total Communications Mobility $ 13,362 $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 41 $ - $ 3,952 $ 17,355 Entertainment Group - 1,878 806 7,891 - 334 519 3 11,431 Business Wireline - 3,043 2,865 - - - 669 170 6,747 WarnerMedia Turner - - - 98 - 14 - - 112 Home Box Office - - - - - - - - - Warner Bros. - - - - - - - - - Eliminations and Other - - - - - - - - - Latin America Vrio - - - 1,354 - - - - 1,354 Mexico 404 - - - - - - 267 671 Xandr - - - - - 337 - - 337 Corporate and Other - - - - - - 333 - 333 Eliminations and consolidations - - - - - (334) 32 - (302) Total Operating Revenues $ 13,766 $ 4,921 $ 3,671 $ 9,343 $ - $ 392 $ 1,553 $ 4,392 $ 38,038
Contract with Customer, Asset and Liability [Table Text Block]	March 31, December 31, 2019 2018 Contract asset $ 2,198 $ 1,896 Contract liability 6,899 6,856

Pension And Postretirement Be_3

Pension And Postretirement Benefits (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Pension And Postretirement Benefits
Pension and postretirement benefit costs included in operating expenses [Table Text Block]	Three months ended March 31, 2019 2018 Pension cost: Service cost – benefits earned during the period $ 240 $ 291 Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 549 487 Expected return on assets (851) (760) Amortization of prior service credit (33) (30) Actuarial (gain) loss 432 - Net pension (credit) cost $ 337 $ (12) Postretirement cost: Service cost – benefits earned during the period $ 18 $ 29 Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation 186 191 Expected return on assets (56) (77) Amortization of prior service credit (426) (397) Actuarial (gain) loss - (930) Net postretirement (credit) cost $ (278) $ (1,184) Combined net pension and postretirement (credit) cost $ 59 $ (1,196)

Fair Value Measurements And D_3

Fair Value Measurements And Disclosure (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Fair Value Disclosures
Long-term debt and other financial instruments [Table Text Block]	March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 Carrying Fair Carrying Fair Amount Value Amount Value Notes and debentures 1 $ 170,532 $ 179,576 $ 171,529 $ 172,287 Commercial paper 2,957 2,957 3,048 3,048 Bank borrowings 4 4 4 4 Investment securities 2 3,606 3,606 3,409 3,409 1 Includes credit agreement borrowings. 2 Excludes investments accounted for under the equity method.
Fair Value Leveling [Table Text Block]	March 31, 2019 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Equity Securities Domestic equities $ 1,092 $ - $ - $ 1,092 International equities 263 - - 263 Fixed income equities 208 - - 208 Available-for-Sale Debt Securities - 989 - 989 Asset Derivatives Interest rate swaps - 2 - 2 Cross-currency swaps - 427 - 427 Foreign exchange contracts - 87 - 87 Liability Derivatives Interest rate swaps - (13) - (13) Cross-currency swaps - (2,697) - (2,697) Foreign exchange contracts - (6) - (6) December 31, 2018 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Equity Securities Domestic equities $ 1,061 $ - $ - $ 1,061 International equities 256 - - 256 Fixed income equities 172 - - 172 Available-for-Sale Debt Securities - 870 - 870 Asset Derivatives Cross-currency swaps - 472 - 472 Foreign exchange contracts - 87 - 87 Liability Derivatives Interest rate swaps - (39) - (39) Cross-currency swaps - (2,563) - (2,563) Foreign exchange contracts - (2) - (2)
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments [Table Text Block]	Three months ended March 31, 2019 2018 Total gains (losses) recognized on equity securities $ 160 $ (13) Gains (Losses) recognized on equity securities sold 86 52 Unrealized gains (losses) recognized on equity securities held at end of period 74 (65)
Notional Amount of Outstanding Derivative Positions [Table Text Block]	March 31, December 31, 2019 2018 Interest rate swaps $ 1,633 $ 3,483 Cross-currency swaps 42,192 42,192 Foreign exchange contracts 1,238 2,094 Total $ 45,063 $ 47,769
Effect on Derivatives on the Consolidated Statements of Income [Table Text Block]	Effect of Derivatives on the Consolidated Statements of Income Three months ended March 31, Fair Value Hedging Relationships 2019 2018 Interest rate swaps (Interest expense): Gain (Loss) on interest rate swaps $ 24 $ (53) Gain (Loss) on long-term debt (24) 53 Three months ended March 31, Cash Flow Hedging Relationships 2019 2018 Cross-currency swaps: Gain (Loss) recognized in accumulated OCI $ 168 $ 854 Foreign exchange contracts: Gain (Loss) recognized in accumulated OCI (7) - Other income (expense) - net reclassified from accumulated OCI into income 3 - Interest rate locks: Interest income (expense) reclassified from accumulated OCI into income (16) (15)

Acquisitions, Dispositions An_2

Acquisitions, Dispositions And Other Adjustments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Acquisitions, Dispositions And Other Adjustments
Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table Text Block]	Assets acquired Cash $ 1,889 Accounts receivable 9,052 All other current assets 2,913 Noncurrent inventory and theatrical film and television production costs 5,591 Property, plant and equipment 4,785 Intangible assets subject to amortization Distribution network 18,040 Released television and film content 10,806 Trademarks and trade names 18,081 Other 10,300 Investments and other assets 9,449 Goodwill 38,569 Total assets acquired 129,475 Liabilities assumed Current liabilities, excluding current portion of long-term debt 8,303 Debt maturing within one year 4,471 Long-term debt 18,394 Other noncurrent liabilities 18,948 Total liabilities assumed 50,116 Net assets acquired 79,359 Noncontrolling interest (1) Aggregate value of consideration paid $ 79,358

Sale of Equipment Installment_2

Sale of Equipment Installment Receivables (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Finance Receivables [Table Text Block]	Three months ended March 31, 2019 2018 Gross receivables sold $ 4,101 $ 3,010 Net receivables sold 1 3,909 2,795 Cash proceeds received 3,675 2,395 Deferred purchase price recorded 309 519 Guarantee obligation recorded 138 123 1 Receivables net of allowance, imputed interest and trade-in right guarantees.
Deferred Purchase Price [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Finance Receivables [Table Text Block]	Three months ended March 31, 2019 2018 Fair value of repurchased receivables $ 423 $ - Carrying value of deferred purchase price 407 - Gain (loss) on repurchases 1 $ 16 $ - 1 These gains (losses) are included in “Selling, general and administrative” in the consolidated statements of income.

Leases (Tables)

Leases (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Leases [Abstract]
Lease, Cost [Table Text Block]	Three months ended March 31, 2019 Operating lease cost $ 1,242 Finance lease cost: Amortization of right-of-use assets $ 66 Interest on lease obligation 42 Total finance lease cost $ 108 At March 31, 2019 Operating Leases Operating lease right-of-use assets $ 20,235 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 3,072 Operating lease obligation 18,253 Total operating lease obligation $ 21,325 Finance Leases Property, plant and equipment, at cost $ 3,377 Accumulated depreciation and amortization (1,173) Property, plant and equipment, net $ 2,204 Current portion of long-term debt $ 135 Long-term debt 1,852 Total finance lease obligation $ 1,987 Weighted-Average Remaining Lease Term Operating leases 7.9 yrs Finance leases 10.9 yrs Weighted-Average Discount Rate Operating leases 4.7 % Finance leases 8.6 %
Schedule Of Maturities Of Operating And Finance Leases Liabilities [Table Text Block]	At March 31, 2019 Operating Finance Leases Leases Remainder of 2019 $ 3,201 $ 246 2020 3,981 290 2021 3,533 279 2022 3,231 263 2023 2,893 254 Thereafter 9,633 1,828 Total lease payments 26,472 3,160 Less imputed interest (5,147) (1,173) Total $ 21,325 $ 1,987

Additional Financial Informat_2

Additional Financial Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Additional Financial Information [Abstract]
Schedule of Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Table Text Block]	March 31, December 31, Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash 2019 2018 2018 2017 Cash and cash equivalents $ 6,516 $ 48,872 $ 5,204 $ 50,498 Restricted cash in Other current assets 20 8 61 6 Restricted cash in Other Assets 94 345 135 428 Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 6,630 $ 49,225 $ 5,400 $ 50,932 Three months ended March 31, Cash Paid for Amounts Included in the Measurement of Lease Liabilities: 2019 2018 Operating cash flows from operating leases $ 1,332 $ 1,207 Three months ended March 31, Cash Paid (Received) During the Period for: 2019 2018 Interest $ 2,507 $ 2,408 Income taxes, net of refunds (379) (1,089)

Preparation Of Interim Financ_3

Preparation Of Interim Financial Statements (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Jan. 01, 2019
New Accounting Pronouncements Or Change In Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating lease liability	$ 21,325
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset	20,235	$ 0
Retained earnings	59,424	58,753
Other current assets	$ 14,575	$ 17,704
Mexico [Member] | Spectrum Licenses [Member]
Change in Accounting Estimate [Line Items]
Estimated economic useful life	25 years
Time Warner Inc. [Member]
Acquisition and Dispositions [Line Items]
Acquisition of business - acquisition period		Jun. 14, 2018
ASU 2016-02 [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements Or Change In Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating lease liability			$ 22,121
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset			22,121
Net Assets			20,960
Retained earnings			316
Transition Option Elected [Prospective/Retrospective/Modified Prospective/Modified Retrospective]	Modified Retrospective
ASU Adoption Date [CCYY-MM-DD format]	Jan. 1, 2019
ASU Early Adoption [true/false]	false
Prior Period Not Restated [true/false]	true
Significant effect on the financial statements [Yes/No]	No
ASU 2019-02 [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements Or Change In Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Transition Option Elected [Prospective/Retrospective/Modified Prospective/Modified Retrospective]	Prospective
ASU Adoption Date [CCYY-MM-DD format]	Jan. 1, 2019
ASU Early Adoption [true/false]	true
Prior Period Not Restated [true/false]	true
Significant effect on the financial statements [Yes/No]	No
ASU 2019-02 [Member] | Programming Inventory Costs [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements Or Change In Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Other current assets			(2,274)
Other Assets			$ 2,274

Earnings Per Share (Details)

Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Earnings Per Share
Net income	$ 4,348	$ 4,759
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(252)	(97)
Net Income attributable to AT&T	4,096	4,662
Share-based payment	6	5
Numerator for diluted earnings per share	$ 4,102	$ 4,667
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding	7,313	6,161
Share-based payment (in shares)	29	19
Denominator for diluted earnings per share	7,342	6,180
Basic Earnings Per Share Attributable to AT&T	$ 0.56	$ 0.75
Diluted Earnings Per Share Attributable to AT&T	$ 0.56	$ 0.75

Accumulated Other Comprehensi_3

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income, beginning balance		$ 4,249	$ 7,017
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification, net of tax		431	1,335
Amounts reclassifed from accumulated OCI, net of tax		(335)	(311)
Net other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax		96	1,024
Amounts reclassified to retained earnings	[1]		(655)
Accumulated other comprehensive income, ending balance		4,345	7,386
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income, beginning balance		(3,084)	(2,054)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification, net of tax		288	106
Amounts reclassifed from accumulated OCI, net of tax		0	0
Net other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax		288	106
Amounts reclassified to retained earnings	[1]		0
Accumulated other comprehensive income, ending balance		(2,796)	(1,948)
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Available-for-Sale Securities [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income, beginning balance		(2)	660
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification, net of tax		16	(12)
Amounts reclassifed from accumulated OCI, net of tax		0	0
Net other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax		16	(12)
Amounts reclassified to retained earnings	[1]		(655)
Accumulated other comprehensive income, ending balance		14	(7)
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income, beginning balance		818	1,402
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification, net of tax		127	674
Amounts reclassifed from accumulated OCI, net of tax	[2]	11	12
Net other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax		138	686
Amounts reclassified to retained earnings	[1]		0
Accumulated other comprehensive income, ending balance		956	2,088
Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income, beginning balance		6,517	7,009
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification, net of tax		0	567
Amounts reclassifed from accumulated OCI, net of tax	[3]	(346)	(323)
Net other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax		(346)	244
Amounts reclassified to retained earnings	[1]		0
Accumulated other comprehensive income, ending balance		$ 6,171	$ 7,253
[1]	With the adoption of ASU 2016-01, the unrealized (gains) losses on our equity investments are reclassifed to retained earnings.
[2]	(Gains) losses are included in Interest expense in the consolidated statements of income (see Note 7).
[3]	The amortization of prior service credits associated with postretirement benefits are included in Other income (expense) in the consolidated statements of income (see Note 6).

Segment Information (Summary Of

Segment Information (Summary Of Operating Revenues And Expenses) (Narrative) (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Reportable Segments	4
Amortization of production costs	$ 2,497	$ 0
Time Warner Inc. [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Effective Date of Acquisition			Jun. 14, 2018
Corporate and Other [Member] | Time Warner Inc. [Member] | Pre-Acquisition Released Programming Costs Member [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Amortization of production costs	$ 150

Segment Information (Summary _2

Segment Information (Summary Of Operating Revenues And Expenses) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 44,827	$ 38,038
Operations and Support Expenses	30,388	25,843
EBITDA	14,439	12,195
Depreciation and Amortization	7,206	5,994
Operating Income (Loss)	7,233	6,201
Equity in Net Income (Loss) of Affiliates	(7)	9
Segment Contribution	5,371	6,141
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	45,916	38,007
Operations and Support Expenses	30,492	24,865
EBITDA	15,424	13,142
Depreciation and Amortization	5,049	4,909
Operating Income (Loss)	10,375	8,233
Equity in Net Income (Loss) of Affiliates	67	8
Segment Contribution	10,442	8,241
Consolidations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	209	333
Operations and Support Expenses	513	735
EBITDA	(304)	(402)
Depreciation and Amortization	169	23
Operating Income (Loss)	(473)	(425)
Consolidations [Member] | Acquisition-related items [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	(42)	0
Operations and Support Expenses	73	67
EBITDA	(115)	(67)
Depreciation and Amortization	1,988	1,062
Operating Income (Loss)	(2,103)	(1,129)
Eliminations and consolidations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	(1,256)	(302)
Operations and Support Expenses	(938)	(4)
EBITDA	(318)	(298)
Depreciation and Amortization	0	0
Operating Income (Loss)	(318)	(298)
Certain Significant Items [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	0	0
Operations and Support Expenses	248	180
EBITDA	(248)	(180)
Depreciation and Amortization	0	0
Operating Income (Loss)	(248)	(180)
Communications [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	35,393	35,533
Operations and Support Expenses	22,748	22,929
EBITDA	12,645	12,604
Depreciation and Amortization	4,593	4,575
Operating Income (Loss)	8,052	8,029
Equity in Net Income (Loss) of Affiliates	0	(2)
Segment Contribution	8,052	8,027
Communications [Member] | Mobility [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	17,567	17,355
Operations and Support Expenses	10,181	10,102
EBITDA	7,386	7,253
Depreciation and Amortization	2,035	2,095
Operating Income (Loss)	5,351	5,158
Equity in Net Income (Loss) of Affiliates	0	0
Segment Contribution	5,351	5,158
Communications [Member] | Entertainment Group [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	11,328	11,431
Operations and Support Expenses	8,527	8,811
EBITDA	2,801	2,620
Depreciation and Amortization	1,323	1,310
Operating Income (Loss)	1,478	1,310
Equity in Net Income (Loss) of Affiliates	0	(1)
Segment Contribution	1,478	1,309
Communications [Member] | Business Wireline [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	6,498	6,747
Operations and Support Expenses	4,040	4,016
EBITDA	2,458	2,731
Depreciation and Amortization	1,235	1,170
Operating Income (Loss)	1,223	1,561
Equity in Net Income (Loss) of Affiliates	0	(1)
Segment Contribution	1,223	1,560
WarnerMedia [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	8,379	112
Operations and Support Expenses	5,993	82
EBITDA	2,386	30
Depreciation and Amortization	143	1
Operating Income (Loss)	2,243	29
Equity in Net Income (Loss) of Affiliates	67	10
Segment Contribution	2,310	39
WarnerMedia [Member] | Turner [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	3,443	112
Operations and Support Expenses	2,136	74
EBITDA	1,307	38
Depreciation and Amortization	60	1
Operating Income (Loss)	1,247	37
Equity in Net Income (Loss) of Affiliates	25	27
Segment Contribution	1,272	64
WarnerMedia [Member] | Home Box Office [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	1,510	0
Operations and Support Expenses	921	0
EBITDA	589	0
Depreciation and Amortization	22	0
Operating Income (Loss)	567	0
Equity in Net Income (Loss) of Affiliates	15	0
Segment Contribution	582	0
WarnerMedia [Member] | Warner Bros. [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	3,518	0
Operations and Support Expenses	2,919	0
EBITDA	599	0
Depreciation and Amortization	52	0
Operating Income (Loss)	547	0
Equity in Net Income (Loss) of Affiliates	6	0
Segment Contribution	553	0
WarnerMedia [Member] | Other [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	(92)	0
Operations and Support Expenses	17	8
EBITDA	(109)	(8)
Depreciation and Amortization	9	0
Operating Income (Loss)	(118)	(8)
Equity in Net Income (Loss) of Affiliates	21	(17)
Segment Contribution	(97)	(25)
Latin America [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	1,718	2,025
Operations and Support Expenses	1,591	1,804
EBITDA	127	221
Depreciation and Amortization	300	332
Operating Income (Loss)	(173)	(111)
Equity in Net Income (Loss) of Affiliates	0	0
Segment Contribution	(173)	(111)
Latin America [Member] | Vrio [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	1,067	1,354
Operations and Support Expenses	866	1,001
EBITDA	201	353
Depreciation and Amortization	169	205
Operating Income (Loss)	32	148
Equity in Net Income (Loss) of Affiliates	0	0
Segment Contribution	32	148
Latin America [Member] | Mexico [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	651	671
Operations and Support Expenses	725	803
EBITDA	(74)	(132)
Depreciation and Amortization	131	127
Operating Income (Loss)	(205)	(259)
Equity in Net Income (Loss) of Affiliates	0	0
Segment Contribution	(205)	(259)
Xandr [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	426	337
Operations and Support Expenses	160	50
EBITDA	266	287
Depreciation and Amortization	13	1
Operating Income (Loss)	253	286
Equity in Net Income (Loss) of Affiliates	0	0
Segment Contribution	253	286
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 167	$ 333

Segment Information (Reconcilia

Segment Information (Reconciliation Of Operating Income Loss to Consolidated Statement Of Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item For Operating Income (Loss) From Segment To Consolidated Statements Of Income [Line Items]
AT&T Operating Income	$ 7,233	$ 6,201
Interest expense	2,141	1,771
Equity in net income (loss) of affiliates	(7)	9
Other income (expense) - net	286	1,702
Income Before Income Taxes	5,371	6,141
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item For Operating Income (Loss) From Segment To Consolidated Statements Of Income [Line Items]
AT&T Operating Income	10,375	8,233
Equity in net income (loss) of affiliates	67	8
Income Before Income Taxes	10,442	8,241
Operating Segments [Member] | Communications [Member]
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item For Operating Income (Loss) From Segment To Consolidated Statements Of Income [Line Items]
AT&T Operating Income	8,052	8,029
Equity in net income (loss) of affiliates	0	(2)
Income Before Income Taxes	8,052	8,027
Operating Segments [Member] | WarnerMedia [Member]
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item For Operating Income (Loss) From Segment To Consolidated Statements Of Income [Line Items]
AT&T Operating Income	2,243	29
Equity in net income (loss) of affiliates	67	10
Income Before Income Taxes	2,310	39
Operating Segments [Member] | Latin America [Member]
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item For Operating Income (Loss) From Segment To Consolidated Statements Of Income [Line Items]
AT&T Operating Income	(173)	(111)
Equity in net income (loss) of affiliates	0	0
Income Before Income Taxes	(173)	(111)
Operating Segments [Member] | Xandr [Member]
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item For Operating Income (Loss) From Segment To Consolidated Statements Of Income [Line Items]
AT&T Operating Income	253	286
Equity in net income (loss) of affiliates	0	0
Income Before Income Taxes	253	286
Certain Significant Items [Member]
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item For Operating Income (Loss) From Segment To Consolidated Statements Of Income [Line Items]
AT&T Operating Income	(248)	(180)
Certain Significant Items [Member] | Merger and intergration items [Member]
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item For Operating Income (Loss) From Segment To Consolidated Statements Of Income [Line Items]
AT&T Operating Income	(115)	(67)
Certain Significant Items [Member] | Amortization of intangibles acquired [Member]
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item For Operating Income (Loss) From Segment To Consolidated Statements Of Income [Line Items]
AT&T Operating Income	(1,988)	(1,062)
Certain Significant Items [Member] | Employee separate charges [Member]
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item For Operating Income (Loss) From Segment To Consolidated Statements Of Income [Line Items]
AT&T Operating Income	(248)	(51)
Certain Significant Items [Member] | Natural Disaster Charges [Member]
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item For Operating Income (Loss) From Segment To Consolidated Statements Of Income [Line Items]
AT&T Operating Income	0	(104)
Certain Significant Items [Member] | Foreign Currency Devaluation [Member]
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item For Operating Income (Loss) From Segment To Consolidated Statements Of Income [Line Items]
AT&T Operating Income	0	(25)
Certain Significant Items [Member] | Segment equity in net (income) loss of affiliates
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item For Operating Income (Loss) From Segment To Consolidated Statements Of Income [Line Items]
AT&T Operating Income	(67)	(8)
Consolidations [Member]
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item For Operating Income (Loss) From Segment To Consolidated Statements Of Income [Line Items]
AT&T Operating Income	(473)	(425)
Eliminations and consolidations [Member]
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item For Operating Income (Loss) From Segment To Consolidated Statements Of Income [Line Items]
AT&T Operating Income	$ (318)	$ (298)

Segment Information (Intersegme

Segment Information (Intersegment Details) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Revenues [Abstract]
Total revenues	$ (44,827)	$ (38,038)
Operating Segments [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Total revenues	(45,916)	(38,007)
Total Intersegment Revenues [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Total revenues	858	31
Eliminations and consolidations [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Total revenues	1,256	302
Communications [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Total revenues	(35,393)	(35,533)
Communications [Member] | Total Intersegment Revenues [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Total revenues	0	0
WarnerMedia [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Total revenues	(8,379)	(112)
WarnerMedia [Member] | Total Intersegment Revenues [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Total revenues	858	31
Latin America [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Total revenues	(1,718)	(2,025)
Latin America [Member] | Total Intersegment Revenues [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Total revenues	0	0
Xandr [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Total revenues	(426)	(337)
Xandr [Member] | Total Intersegment Revenues [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Total revenues	0	0
Consolidations [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Total revenues	(167)	(333)
Consolidations [Member] | Total Intersegment Revenues [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Total revenues	$ 398	$ 271

Revenue Recognition (Narrative)

Revenue Recognition (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Contract with Customer, Asset and Liability [Abstract]
Beginning of period contract liability recorded as customer contract revenue during period	$ 4,379
Contract asset balance - current portion (in millions)	1,462		$ 1,244
Contract liability balance - current portion (in millions)	5,715		5,752
Revenue, Performance Obligation [Abstract]
Aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations (in millions)	$ 39,627
Aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations (percentage)	80.00%
Deferred Customer Contract Acquisition Costs [Member]
Capitalized Contract Cost, Net [Abstract]
Capitalized Contract Cost, Net (in millions)	$ 4,297		3,974
Capitalized Contract Cost, Amortization (in millions)	$ 547	$ 263
Capitalized Contract Cost, Amortization Method	Costs to acquire customer contracts, including commissions on service activations, for our wireless, business wireline and video entertainment services, are deferred and amortized over the contract period or expected customer relationship life, which typically ranges from two to five years. For contracts with an estimated amortization period of less than one year, we expense incremental costs immediately.
Deferred Customer Contract Acquisition Costs [Member] | Other Current Assets [Member]
Capitalized Contract Cost, Net [Abstract]
Capitalized Contract Cost, Net (in millions)	$ 2,143		1,901
Deferred Customer Contract Fulfillment Cost [Member]
Capitalized Contract Cost, Net [Abstract]
Capitalized Contract Cost, Net (in millions)	11,592		11,540
Capitalized Contract Cost, Amortization (in millions)	$ 1,098	$ 1,047
Capitalized Contract Cost, Amortization Method	Costs to fulfill customer contracts are deferred and amortized over periods ranging generally from four to five years, reflecting the estimated economic lives of the respective customer relationships, subject to an assessment of the recoverability of such costs. For contracts with an estimated amortization period of less than one year, we expense incremental costs immediately.
Deferred Customer Contract Fulfillment Cost [Member] | Other Current Assets [Member]
Capitalized Contract Cost, Net [Abstract]
Capitalized Contract Cost, Net (in millions)	$ 4,214		$ 4,090

Revenue Recognition (Revenue Ca

Revenue Recognition (Revenue Categories) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	$ 44,827	$ 38,038
Wireless service
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	14,167	13,766
Advanced Data
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	5,256	4,921
Legacy Voice and Data
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	3,087	3,671
Subscription
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	12,160	9,343
Content
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	2,651	0
Advertising
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	1,772	392
Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	1,591	1,553
Equipment
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	4,143	4,392
Corporate and Other [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	167	333
Corporate and Other [Member] | Wireless service
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Corporate and Other [Member] | Advanced Data
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Corporate and Other [Member] | Legacy Voice and Data
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Corporate and Other [Member] | Subscription
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Corporate and Other [Member] | Content
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Corporate and Other [Member] | Advertising
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Corporate and Other [Member] | Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	167	333
Corporate and Other [Member] | Equipment
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Operating Segments [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	45,916	38,007
Operating Segments [Member] | Communications [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	35,393	35,533
Operating Segments [Member] | Communications [Member] | Mobility [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	17,567	17,355
Operating Segments [Member] | Communications [Member] | Mobility [Member] | Wireless service
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	13,725	13,362
Operating Segments [Member] | Communications [Member] | Mobility [Member] | Advanced Data
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | Communications [Member] | Mobility [Member] | Legacy Voice and Data
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | Communications [Member] | Mobility [Member] | Subscription
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | Communications [Member] | Mobility [Member] | Content
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | Communications [Member] | Mobility [Member] | Advertising
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	67	41
Operating Segments [Member] | Communications [Member] | Mobility [Member] | Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | Communications [Member] | Mobility [Member] | Equipment
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	3,775	3,952
Operating Segments [Member] | Communications [Member] | Entertainment Group [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	11,328	11,431
Operating Segments [Member] | Communications [Member] | Entertainment Group [Member] | Wireless service
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | Communications [Member] | Entertainment Group [Member] | Advanced Data
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	2,070	1,878
Operating Segments [Member] | Communications [Member] | Entertainment Group [Member] | Legacy Voice and Data
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	683	806
Operating Segments [Member] | Communications [Member] | Entertainment Group [Member] | Subscription
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	7,724	7,891
Operating Segments [Member] | Communications [Member] | Entertainment Group [Member] | Content
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | Communications [Member] | Entertainment Group [Member] | Advertising
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	350	334
Operating Segments [Member] | Communications [Member] | Entertainment Group [Member] | Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	501	519
Operating Segments [Member] | Communications [Member] | Entertainment Group [Member] | Equipment
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	3
Operating Segments [Member] | Communications [Member] | Business Wireline [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	6,498	6,747
Operating Segments [Member] | Communications [Member] | Business Wireline [Member] | Wireless service
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | Communications [Member] | Business Wireline [Member] | Advanced Data
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	3,186	3,043
Operating Segments [Member] | Communications [Member] | Business Wireline [Member] | Legacy Voice and Data
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	2,404	2,865
Operating Segments [Member] | Communications [Member] | Business Wireline [Member] | Subscription
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | Communications [Member] | Business Wireline [Member] | Content
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | Communications [Member] | Business Wireline [Member] | Advertising
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | Communications [Member] | Business Wireline [Member] | Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	749	669
Operating Segments [Member] | Communications [Member] | Business Wireline [Member] | Equipment
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	159	170
Operating Segments [Member] | WarnerMedia [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	8,379	112
Operating Segments [Member] | WarnerMedia [Member] | Turner [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	3,443	112
Operating Segments [Member] | WarnerMedia [Member] | Turner [Member] | Wireless service
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | WarnerMedia [Member] | Turner [Member] | Advanced Data
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | WarnerMedia [Member] | Turner [Member] | Legacy Voice and Data
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | WarnerMedia [Member] | Turner [Member] | Subscription
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	1,965	98
Operating Segments [Member] | WarnerMedia [Member] | Turner [Member] | Content
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	135	0
Operating Segments [Member] | WarnerMedia [Member] | Turner [Member] | Advertising
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	1,261	14
Operating Segments [Member] | WarnerMedia [Member] | Turner [Member] | Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	82	0
Operating Segments [Member] | WarnerMedia [Member] | Turner [Member] | Equipment
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | WarnerMedia [Member] | Home Box Office [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	1,510	0
Operating Segments [Member] | WarnerMedia [Member] | Home Box Office [Member] | Wireless service
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | WarnerMedia [Member] | Home Box Office [Member] | Advanced Data
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | WarnerMedia [Member] | Home Box Office [Member] | Legacy Voice and Data
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | WarnerMedia [Member] | Home Box Office [Member] | Subscription
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	1,334	0
Operating Segments [Member] | WarnerMedia [Member] | Home Box Office [Member] | Content
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	173	0
Operating Segments [Member] | WarnerMedia [Member] | Home Box Office [Member] | Advertising
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | WarnerMedia [Member] | Home Box Office [Member] | Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	3	0
Operating Segments [Member] | WarnerMedia [Member] | Home Box Office [Member] | Equipment
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | WarnerMedia [Member] | Warner Bros. [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	3,518	0
Operating Segments [Member] | WarnerMedia [Member] | Warner Bros. [Member] | Wireless service
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | WarnerMedia [Member] | Warner Bros. [Member] | Advanced Data
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | WarnerMedia [Member] | Warner Bros. [Member] | Legacy Voice and Data
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | WarnerMedia [Member] | Warner Bros. [Member] | Subscription
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	21	0
Operating Segments [Member] | WarnerMedia [Member] | Warner Bros. [Member] | Content
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	3,332	0
Operating Segments [Member] | WarnerMedia [Member] | Warner Bros. [Member] | Advertising
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	10	0
Operating Segments [Member] | WarnerMedia [Member] | Warner Bros. [Member] | Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	155	0
Operating Segments [Member] | WarnerMedia [Member] | Warner Bros. [Member] | Equipment
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | WarnerMedia [Member] | Eliminations and other [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	(92)
Operating Segments [Member] | WarnerMedia [Member] | Eliminations and other [Member] | Wireless service
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | WarnerMedia [Member] | Eliminations and other [Member] | Advanced Data
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | WarnerMedia [Member] | Eliminations and other [Member] | Legacy Voice and Data
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | WarnerMedia [Member] | Eliminations and other [Member] | Subscription
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	49	0
Operating Segments [Member] | WarnerMedia [Member] | Eliminations and other [Member] | Content
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	(152)	0
Operating Segments [Member] | WarnerMedia [Member] | Eliminations and other [Member] | Advertising
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	8	0
Operating Segments [Member] | WarnerMedia [Member] | Eliminations and other [Member] | Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	3	0
Operating Segments [Member] | WarnerMedia [Member] | Eliminations and other [Member] | Equipment
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | Latin America [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	1,718	2,025
Operating Segments [Member] | Latin America [Member] | Vrio [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	1,067	1,354
Operating Segments [Member] | Latin America [Member] | Vrio [Member] | Wireless service
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | Latin America [Member] | Vrio [Member] | Advanced Data
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | Latin America [Member] | Vrio [Member] | Legacy Voice and Data
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | Latin America [Member] | Vrio [Member] | Subscription
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	1,067	1,354
Operating Segments [Member] | Latin America [Member] | Vrio [Member] | Content
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | Latin America [Member] | Vrio [Member] | Advertising
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | Latin America [Member] | Vrio [Member] | Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | Latin America [Member] | Vrio [Member] | Equipment
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | Latin America [Member] | Mexico [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	651	671
Operating Segments [Member] | Latin America [Member] | Mexico [Member] | Wireless service
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	442	404
Operating Segments [Member] | Latin America [Member] | Mexico [Member] | Advanced Data
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | Latin America [Member] | Mexico [Member] | Legacy Voice and Data
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | Latin America [Member] | Mexico [Member] | Subscription
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | Latin America [Member] | Mexico [Member] | Content
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | Latin America [Member] | Mexico [Member] | Advertising
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | Latin America [Member] | Mexico [Member] | Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | Latin America [Member] | Mexico [Member] | Equipment
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	209	267
Operating Segments [Member] | Xandr [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	426	337
Operating Segments [Member] | Xandr [Member] | Wireless service
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | Xandr [Member] | Advanced Data
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | Xandr [Member] | Legacy Voice and Data
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | Xandr [Member] | Subscription
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | Xandr [Member] | Content
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | Xandr [Member] | Advertising
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	426	337
Operating Segments [Member] | Xandr [Member] | Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | Xandr [Member] | Equipment
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Eliminations and consolidations [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	(1,256)	(302)
Eliminations and consolidations [Member] | Eliminations and other [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	(1,256)	(302)
Eliminations and consolidations [Member] | Eliminations and other [Member] | Wireless service
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Eliminations and consolidations [Member] | Eliminations and other [Member] | Advanced Data
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Eliminations and consolidations [Member] | Eliminations and other [Member] | Legacy Voice and Data
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Eliminations and consolidations [Member] | Eliminations and other [Member] | Subscription
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	0	0
Eliminations and consolidations [Member] | Eliminations and other [Member] | Content
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	(837)	0
Eliminations and consolidations [Member] | Eliminations and other [Member] | Advertising
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	(350)	(334)
Eliminations and consolidations [Member] | Eliminations and other [Member] | Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	(69)	32
Eliminations and consolidations [Member] | Eliminations and other [Member] | Equipment
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	$ 0	$ 0

Revenue Recognition (Contract A

Revenue Recognition (Contract Assets and Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Contract with Customer, Asset and Liability [Abstract]
Contract asset	$ 2,198	$ 1,896
Contract liability	$ 6,899	$ 6,856

Pension And Postretirement Be_4

Pension And Postretirement Benefits (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Pension Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate for determining projected benefit obligation	4.10%		4.50%
Discount rate in effect for determining net cost, Service Costs	4.30%
Discount rate in effect for determining net cost, Interest Costs	3.70%
Actual Long-term Rate of Return on Plan Assets	5.80%
Expected Long-term Rate of Return on Plan Assets	7.00%
Pension Benefit [Member] | Other Income (Expense) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Special termination benefits	$ 93
Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net supplemental retirement pension benefits costs	$ 25	$ 21

Pension And Postretirement Be_5

Pension And Postretirement Benefits (Pension And Postretirement Benefit Costs Included In Operating Expenses) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Actuarial (gain) loss	$ 432	$ (930)
Qualified Plan [Member] | Funded Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net (credit) cost	59	(1,196)
Pension Benefit [Member] | Qualified Plan [Member] | Funded Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	240	291
Interest cost on benefit obligation	549	487
Expected return on assets	(851)	(760)
Amortization of prior service credit	(33)	(30)
Actuarial (gain) loss	432	0
Net (credit) cost	337	(12)
Postretirement Benefit [Member] | Qualified Plan [Member] | Funded Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	18	29
Interest cost on benefit obligation	186	191
Expected return on assets	(56)	(77)
Amortization of prior service credit	(426)	(397)
Actuarial (gain) loss	0	(930)
Net (credit) cost	$ (278)	$ (1,184)

Fair Value Measurements And D_4

Fair Value Measurements And Disclosure (Narrative) (Details) € in Millions, $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2019EUR (€)	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)
Fair Value Disclosures [Line Items]
Collateral received from counterparty		$ 166	$ 103
Collateral submitted to counterparty		334	1,675
Collateral contingently payable to the counterparty		175
Available-for-sale Securities Debt Securities		989	$ 870
Fixed income investments - maturities less than 1 year		46
Fixed income investments - maturities within 1 to 3 years		178
Fixed income investments - maturities within 3 to 5 years		98
Fixed income investments - maturities for 5 or more years		667
Anticipated reclassification of holding losses during the next 12 months - cash flow hedges		63
Measurement Input, Entity Credit Risk [Member]
Fair Value Disclosures [Line Items]
Collateral contingently payable to the counterparty		1,360
DIRECTV [Member]
Fair Value Disclosures [Line Items]
Collateral contingently payable to the counterparty		$ 258
WarnerMedia [Member] | Net Investment Hedge [Member]
Fair Value Disclosures [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount | €	€ 700

Fair Value Measurements And D_5

Fair Value Measurements And Disclosure (Long-Term Debt And Other Financial Instruments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Carrying Amount [Member]
Schedule of Fair Value of Separate Accounts by Major Category of Investment [Line Items]
Notes and debentures	[1]	$ 170,532	$ 171,529
Commercial paper		2,957	3,048
Bank borrowings		4	4
Investment securities	[2]	3,606	3,409
Fair Value [Member]
Schedule of Fair Value of Separate Accounts by Major Category of Investment [Line Items]
Commercial paper		2,957	3,048
Bank borrowings		4	4
Investment securities	[2]	3,606	3,409
Fair Value [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Schedule of Fair Value of Separate Accounts by Major Category of Investment [Line Items]
Notes and debentures	[1]	$ 179,576	$ 172,287
[1]	Includes credit agreement borrowings.
[2]	Excludes investments accounted for under the equity method.

Fair Value Measurements And D_6

Fair Value Measurements And Disclosure (Fair Value Leveling) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities Debt Securities	$ 989	$ 870
Securities Investment [Member] | United States [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equity Securities (at fair value)	1,092	1,061
Securities Investment [Member] | Non-US [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equity Securities (at fair value)	263	256
Fixed Income Bonds [Member] | United States [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equity Securities (at fair value)	208	172
Interest Rate Swaps [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Asset Derivatives (at fair value)	2	0
Liability Derivatives (at fair value)	(13)	(39)
Cross-Currency Swaps [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Asset Derivatives (at fair value)	427	472
Liability Derivatives (at fair value)	(2,697)	(2,563)
Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Asset Derivatives (at fair value)	87	87
Liability Derivatives (at fair value)	(6)	(2)
Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities Debt Securities	0	0
Level 1 [Member] | Securities Investment [Member] | United States [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equity Securities (at fair value)	1,092	1,061
Level 1 [Member] | Securities Investment [Member] | Non-US [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equity Securities (at fair value)	263	256
Level 1 [Member] | Fixed Income Bonds [Member] | United States [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equity Securities (at fair value)	208	172
Level 1 [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Asset Derivatives (at fair value)	0	0
Liability Derivatives (at fair value)	0	0
Level 1 [Member] | Cross-Currency Swaps [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Asset Derivatives (at fair value)	0	0
Liability Derivatives (at fair value)	0	0
Level 1 [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Asset Derivatives (at fair value)	0	0
Liability Derivatives (at fair value)	0	0
Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities Debt Securities	989	870
Level 2 [Member] | Securities Investment [Member] | United States [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equity Securities (at fair value)	0	0
Level 2 [Member] | Securities Investment [Member] | Non-US [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equity Securities (at fair value)	0	0
Level 2 [Member] | Fixed Income Bonds [Member] | United States [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equity Securities (at fair value)	0	0
Level 2 [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Asset Derivatives (at fair value)	2	0
Liability Derivatives (at fair value)	(13)	(39)
Level 2 [Member] | Cross-Currency Swaps [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Asset Derivatives (at fair value)	427	472
Liability Derivatives (at fair value)	(2,697)	(2,563)
Level 2 [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Asset Derivatives (at fair value)	87	87
Liability Derivatives (at fair value)	(6)	(2)
Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities Debt Securities	0	0
Level 3 [Member] | Securities Investment [Member] | United States [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equity Securities (at fair value)	0	0
Level 3 [Member] | Securities Investment [Member] | Non-US [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equity Securities (at fair value)	0	0
Level 3 [Member] | Fixed Income Bonds [Member] | United States [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equity Securities (at fair value)	0	0
Level 3 [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Asset Derivatives (at fair value)	0	0
Liability Derivatives (at fair value)	0	0
Level 3 [Member] | Cross-Currency Swaps [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Asset Derivatives (at fair value)	0	0
Liability Derivatives (at fair value)	0	0
Level 3 [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Asset Derivatives (at fair value)	0	0
Liability Derivatives (at fair value)	$ 0	$ 0

Fair Value Measurement and Disc

Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure (Gain and Losses on Equity Securities) (Details) - Equity Securities [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Total gains (losses) recognized on equity securities	$ 160	$ (13)
Gains (Losses) recognized on equity securities sold	86	52
Unrealized gains (losses) recognized on equity securities held at end of period	$ 74	$ (65)

Fair Value Measurements And D_7

Fair Value Measurements And Disclosure (Notional Amount Of Our Outstanding Derivative Positions) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount of Outstanding Derivative Positions	$ 45,063	$ 47,769
Interest Rate Swaps [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount of Outstanding Derivative Positions	1,633	3,483
Cross-Currency Swaps [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount of Outstanding Derivative Positions	42,192	42,192
Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount of Outstanding Derivative Positions	$ 1,238	$ 2,094

Fair Value Measurements And D_8

Fair Value Measurements And Disclosure (Effect Of Derivatives On The Consolidated Statements Of Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Fair Value Hedging Relationships [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) on interest rate swaps	$ 24	$ (53)
Gain (Loss) on long-term debt	(24)	53
Cash Flow Hedging Relationships [Member] | Cross-Currency Swaps [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) recognized in accumulated OCI	168	854
Cash Flow Hedging Relationships [Member] | Interest Rate Locks [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) recognized in accumulated OCI	0	0
Cash Flow Hedging Relationships [Member] | Interest Rate Locks [Member] | Interest expense [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Interest income (expense) reclassified from accumulated OCI into income	(16)	(15)
Cash Flow Hedging Relationships [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) recognized in accumulated OCI	(7)	0
Cash Flow Hedging Relationships [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member] | Other income expense [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Interest income (expense) reclassified from accumulated OCI into income	$ 3	$ 0

Acquisitions, Dispositions An_3

Acquisitions, Dispositions And Other Adjustments (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Acquisition and Dispositions [Line Items]
Acquisition of business - purchase price (in millions)		$ 117	$ 234
Time Warner Inc. [Member]
Acquisition and Dispositions [Line Items]
Acquisition of business - acquisition period				Jun. 14, 2018
Time Warner Inc. [Member] | WarnerMedia [Member]
Acquisition and Dispositions [Line Items]
Acquisition of business - purchase price (in millions)	$ 79,358
Time Warner Inc. [Member] | WarnerMedia [Member] | Cash [Member]
Acquisition and Dispositions [Line Items]
Acquisition of business - purchase price (in millions)	42,100
Time Warner Inc. [Member] | WarnerMedia [Member] | Common Stock [Member]
Acquisition and Dispositions [Line Items]
Acquisition of business - purchase price (in millions)	$ 36,599

Acquisitions, Dispositions An_4

Acquisitions, Dispositions And Other Adjustments (Fair Value of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed) (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Assets acquired
Noncurrent Inventories and Theatrical Film and Television Production Costs	$ 10,270	$ 7,713
Goodwill	146,434	146,370
Liabilities assumed
Debt maturing within one year	11,538	$ 10,255
Time Warner Inc. [Member]
Assets acquired
Cash	1,889
Accounts Receivable	9,052
All other current assets	2,913
Noncurrent Inventories and Theatrical Film and Television Production Costs	5,591
Property, plant and equipment	4,785
Investments and other assets	9,449
Goodwill	38,569
Total assets acquired	129,475
Liabilities assumed
Current liabilities, excluding current portion of long-term debt	8,303
Debt maturing within one year	4,471
Long-term debt	18,394
Other noncurrent liabilities	18,948
Total liabilities assumed	50,116
Net assets acquired	79,359
Noncontrolling interest	(1)
Aggregate value of consideration paid	79,358
Time Warner Inc. [Member] | Distribution Networks [Member]
Assets acquired
Intangible assets subject to amortization	18,040
Time Warner Inc. [Member] | Released television and film content [Member]
Assets acquired
Intangible assets subject to amortization	10,806
Time Warner Inc. [Member] | Trademarks/trade names [Member]
Assets acquired
Intangible assets subject to amortization	18,081
Time Warner Inc. [Member] | Other [Member]
Assets acquired
Intangible assets subject to amortization	$ 10,300

Sale Of Equipment Installment_3

Sale Of Equipment Installment Receivables (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$ 42,306		$ 43,184
Outstanding derecognized receivables	10,863		9,065
Guarantee Obligations [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	160		196
Guarantee Obligation, current	430		439
Notes Receivable [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Gross equipment installment receivables balance - current	3,072		3,457
Finance Receivables [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Other Assets	6,611		5,994
Supplemental Deferred Purchase Price	309	$ 519
Cash proceeds received on finance receivables, net of remittances	8,387
Other Assets [Member] | WarnerMedia [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Pledged Assets, Not Separately Reported, Finance Receivables	1,402
Other Assets [Member] | Deferred Purchase Price [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Other Assets	2,240		2,370
Other Assets [Member] | Finance Receivables [Member] | WarnerMedia [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Other Assets	1,400
Other Current Assets [Member] | Deferred Purchase Price [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Supplemental Deferred Purchase Price	$ 1,418		$ 1,448

Sale Of Equipment Installment_4

Sale Of Equipment Installment Receivables (Finance Receivables) (Details) - Finance Receivables [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Gross receivables sold		$ 4,101	$ 3,010
Net receivables sold	[1]	3,909	2,795
Cash proceeds received		3,675	2,395
Deferred purchase price recorded		309	519
Guarantee obligation recorded		$ 138	$ 123
[1]	Receivables net of allowance, imputed interest and trade-in right guarantees.

Sale Of Equipment Installment_5

Sale Of Equipment Installment Receivables (Finance Receivables Repurchased) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Fair value of repurchased receivables	$ 423	$ 0
Carrying value of deferred purchase price	407	0
Gain (Loss) on repurchases	$ 16	$ 0

Leases (Narrative) (Details)

Leases (Narrative) (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Leases [Line Items]
Operating Lease, remaining term of contract	7 years 9 months 18 days
Finance Lease, remaining term of contract	10 years 9 months 18 days
Operating lease, option to terminate leases	Some of our operating leases inclue options to terminate within one year.
Finance Lease, option to terminate leases	Some of our finance leases inclue options to terminate within one year.
Minimum [Member]
Leases [Line Items]
Operating Lease, remaining term of contract	1 year
Finance Lease, remaining term of contract	1 year
Maximum [Member]
Leases [Line Items]
Operating Lease, remaining term of contract	13 years
Finance Lease, remaining term of contract	13 years

Leases (Components of Lease Exp

Leases (Components of Lease Expense) (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)
Operating Lease [Abstract]
Operating Lease Cost	$ 1,242
Finance Lease [Abstract]
Amortization of right-of-use assets	66
Interest on lease obligation	42
Finance Lease [Member]
Finance Lease [Abstract]
Total finance lease cost	$ 108

Leases (Supplemental Balance Sh

Leases (Supplemental Balance Sheet Information Related to Leases) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Operating Lease [Abstract]
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset	$ 20,235	$ 0
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	42,306	43,184
Operating lease liabilities	18,253	0
Total	21,325
Finance Lease [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	332,517	330,690
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(200,466)	(199,217)
Property, plant and equipment - net	132,051	$ 131,473
Current portion of long-term debt	135
Long-term debt	1,852
Total finance lease obligation	$ 1,987
Operating Lease, Weighted Average Discount Rate, Percent	4.70%
Finance Lease, Weighted Average Discount Rate, Percent	8.60%
Operating Lease
Operating Lease [Abstract]
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$ 3,072
Finance Lease
Finance Lease [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	3,377
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(1,173)
Property, plant and equipment - net	$ 2,204

Leases (Future Minimum Maturiti

Leases (Future Minimum Maturities of Lease Liabilities) (Details) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)
Operating Leases [Abstract]
Remainder of 2019	$ 3,201
2020	3,981
2021	3,533
2022	3,231
2023	2,893
Thereafter	9,633
Total lease payments	26,472
Less imputed interest	(5,147)
Total	21,325
Finance Leases [Abstract]
Remainder of 2019	246
2020	290
2021	279
2022	263
2023	254
Thereafter	1,828
Total lease payments	3,160
Less inputed interest	(1,173)
Total	$ 1,987

Additional Financial Informat_3

Additional Financial Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 6,516	$ 48,872	$ 5,204	$ 50,498
Restricted cash in Other current assets	20	8	61	6
Restricted cash in Other Assets	94	345	135	428
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash	6,630	49,225	$ 5,400	$ 50,932
Cash Paid for Amounts Included in the Measurement of Lease Liabilities [Abstract]
Operating cash flows from operating leases	1,332	1,207
Cash paid (refunded) during the year for:
Interest	2,507	2,408
Income taxes, net of refunds	$ (379)	$ (1,089)