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Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 5) (USD $)
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Sep. 30, 2014
Jun. 30, 2014
Mar. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Sep. 30, 2013
Jun. 30, 2013
Mar. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Immaterial Error Correction [Line Items]                      
Depreciation                 $ 2,958us-gaap_Depreciation $ 2,952us-gaap_Depreciation $ 3,070us-gaap_Depreciation
Net income (loss) 188us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss 188us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss 193us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss 203us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss 239us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss (1,045)us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss 269us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss 298us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss 772us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss (239)us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss 777us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
Basic earnings per common share (in dollars per share) $ 0.33us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic $ 0.33us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic $ 0.34us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic $ 0.35us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic $ 0.41us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic $ (1.76)us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic $ 0.45us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic $ 0.48us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic $ 1.36us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic $ (0.40)us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic $ 1.25us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic
Diluted earnings per common share (in dollars per share) $ 0.33us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted $ 0.33us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted $ 0.34us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted $ 0.35us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted $ 0.41us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted $ (1.76)us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted $ 0.44us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted $ 0.48us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted $ 1.36us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted [1] $ (0.40)us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted [1] $ 1.25us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted [1]
Correction of immaterial error of overstatement of depreciation                      
Immaterial Error Correction [Line Items]                      
Depreciation                     30us-gaap_Depreciation
/ us-gaap_QuantifyingMisstatementInCurrentYearFinancialStatementsByNatureOfErrorAxis
= ctl_CorrectionofImmaterialErrorofOverstatementofDepreciationMember
Net income (loss)                     $ 19us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_QuantifyingMisstatementInCurrentYearFinancialStatementsByNatureOfErrorAxis
= ctl_CorrectionofImmaterialErrorofOverstatementofDepreciationMember
Basic earnings per common share (in dollars per share)                     $ 0.03us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic
/ us-gaap_QuantifyingMisstatementInCurrentYearFinancialStatementsByNatureOfErrorAxis
= ctl_CorrectionofImmaterialErrorofOverstatementofDepreciationMember
Diluted earnings per common share (in dollars per share)                     $ 0.03us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted
/ us-gaap_QuantifyingMisstatementInCurrentYearFinancialStatementsByNatureOfErrorAxis
= ctl_CorrectionofImmaterialErrorofOverstatementofDepreciationMember
[1] Years Ended December 31, 2014 2013 2012 (Dollars in millions, except per share amounts, shares in thousands)Income (Loss) (Numerator): Net income (loss)$772 (239) 777Earnings applicable to non-vested restricted stock— — (1)Net income (loss) applicable to common stock for computing basic earnings (loss) per common share772 (239) 776Net income (loss) as adjusted for purposes of computing diluted earnings (loss) per common share$772 (239) 776Shares (Denominator): Weighted average number of shares: Outstanding during period572,748 604,404 622,139Non-vested restricted stock(4,313) (3,512) (2,796)Non-vested restricted stock units— — 862Weighted average shares outstanding for computing basic earnings (loss) per common share568,435 600,892 620,205Incremental common shares attributable to dilutive securities: Shares issuable under convertible securities10 — 12Shares issuable under incentive compensation plans1,294 — 2,068Number of shares as adjusted for purposes of computing diluted earnings (loss) per common share569,739 600,892 622,285Basic earnings (loss) per common share$1.36 (0.40) 1.25Diluted earnings (loss) per common share$1.36 (0.40) 1.25