Repurchase of CenturyLink Common Stock (Details) (USD $) Share data in Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended	16 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014 Share repurchase program authorized February 2013	May 31, 2014 Share repurchase program authorized February 2013	Feb. 28, 2013 Share repurchase program authorized February 2013	Feb. 27, 2014 Share repurchase program authorized February 2014	Sep. 30, 2014 Share repurchase program authorized February 2014	Feb. 28, 2014 Share repurchase program authorized February 2014
Schedule of Stock Repurchases
Stock repurchases, aggregate authorized amount			$ 2,000,000,000			$ 1,000,000,000
Number of shares repurchased (shares)	13.7				2.9
Aggregate market price of shares repurchased	433,000,000				109,000,000
Average purchase price at which shares were repurchased (in dollars per share)	$ 31.54				$ 37.29
Stock repurchased and retired during program period, shares		59.5
Stock repurchased and retired during program period, average cost per share		$ 33.63
Stock repurchase program, period in force				24 months
Stock repurchases, remaining authorized amount					$ 891,000,000