XML 41 R67.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Share-based Compensation (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, except Share data in Thousands, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Mar. 31, 2014
Jun. 30, 2013
Mar. 31, 2012
Jun. 30, 2013
Jun. 30, 2014
Sep. 30, 2014
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value                  
Compensation cost $ 75us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense $ 63us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense $ 78us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense            
Share-based compensation, aggregate disclosures                  
Tax benefit recognized in the income statement for share-based payment arrangements 29us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense 25us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense 31us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense            
Unrecognized compensation cost 112us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized                
Weighted-average recognition period 2 years 2 months                
Stock option awards                  
Share-based compensation                  
Option expiration term (in years) 10 years                
Summary of stock option awards activity                  
Outstanding at December 31, 2012 (in shares) 5,325us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
    5,325us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
         
Exercised (in shares) (1,065)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
               
Forfeited/Expired (in shares) (154)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
               
Outstanding at December 31, 2013 (in shares) 4,106us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
5,325us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
             
Exercisable at December 31, 2013 (in shares) 4,106us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
               
Weighted-Average Exercise Price                  
Outstanding at December 31, 2012 (in dollars per share) $ 35.95us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
    35.95us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
         
Exercised (in dollars per share) $ 28.57us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
               
Forfeited/Expired (in dollars per share) $ 32.68us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
               
Outstanding at December 31, 2013 (in dollars per share)   $ 35.95us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
             
Exercisable at the end of the period (in dollars per share) $ 37.99us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
               
Aggregate Intrinsic value                  
Outstanding at the end of the period 23us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
               
Net cash proceeds received in connection with option exercises 30us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationCashReceivedFromExerciseOfStockOptions
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
               
Tax benefit realized from option exercises 4us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitRealizedFromExerciseOfStockOptions
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
               
Total intrinsic value of options exercised 9us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
11us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
49us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
           
Weighted-average remaining contractual term                  
Outstanding at the end of the period 2 years 8 months 15 days                
Restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards                  
Summary of restricted stock and restricted stock unit activity                  
Nonvested at the beginning of the period (in shares) 3,625us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ctl_RestrictedStockAndRestrictedStockUnitsMember
    3,625us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ctl_RestrictedStockAndRestrictedStockUnitsMember
         
Granted (in shares) 2,851us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ctl_RestrictedStockAndRestrictedStockUnitsMember
1,900us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ctl_RestrictedStockAndRestrictedStockUnitsMember
2,100us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ctl_RestrictedStockAndRestrictedStockUnitsMember
           
Vested (in shares) (1,561)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ctl_RestrictedStockAndRestrictedStockUnitsMember
               
Forfeited (in shares) (515)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ctl_RestrictedStockAndRestrictedStockUnitsMember
               
Nonvested at the end of the period (in shares) 4,400us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ctl_RestrictedStockAndRestrictedStockUnitsMember
3,625us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ctl_RestrictedStockAndRestrictedStockUnitsMember
             
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value                  
Nonvested at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share) $ 37.33us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ctl_RestrictedStockAndRestrictedStockUnitsMember
    37.33us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ctl_RestrictedStockAndRestrictedStockUnitsMember
         
Granted (in dollars per share) $ 35.87us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ctl_RestrictedStockAndRestrictedStockUnitsMember
$ 35.63us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ctl_RestrictedStockAndRestrictedStockUnitsMember
$ 39.13us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ctl_RestrictedStockAndRestrictedStockUnitsMember
           
Vested (in dollars per share) $ 36.48us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ctl_RestrictedStockAndRestrictedStockUnitsMember
               
Forfeited (in dollars per share) $ 38.10us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ctl_RestrictedStockAndRestrictedStockUnitsMember
               
Nonvested at the end of the period (in dollars per share) $ 36.59us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ctl_RestrictedStockAndRestrictedStockUnitsMember
$ 37.33us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ctl_RestrictedStockAndRestrictedStockUnitsMember
             
Restricted Stock                  
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value                  
Total fair value of awards vested during the period $ 53us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
$ 52us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
$ 102us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
           
Restricted Stock | Executive Officers And Other Key Employees                  
Summary of restricted stock and restricted stock unit activity                  
Granted (in shares)       440us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ ctl_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardByTitleOfIndividualsAxis
= ctl_ExecutiveOfficersAndOtherKeyEmployeesMember
335us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ ctl_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardByTitleOfIndividualsAxis
= ctl_ExecutiveOfficersAndOtherKeyEmployeesMember
402us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ ctl_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardByTitleOfIndividualsAxis
= ctl_ExecutiveOfficersAndOtherKeyEmployeesMember
     
Service based restricted stock | Executive Officers And Other Key Employees                  
Summary of restricted stock and restricted stock unit activity                  
Granted (in shares)       250us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ctl_ServiceBasedRestrictedStockMember
/ ctl_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardByTitleOfIndividualsAxis
= ctl_ExecutiveOfficersAndOtherKeyEmployeesMember
223us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ctl_ServiceBasedRestrictedStockMember
/ ctl_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardByTitleOfIndividualsAxis
= ctl_ExecutiveOfficersAndOtherKeyEmployeesMember
201us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ctl_ServiceBasedRestrictedStockMember
/ ctl_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardByTitleOfIndividualsAxis
= ctl_ExecutiveOfficersAndOtherKeyEmployeesMember
     
Service based restricted stock | Key Employees And Outside Directors                  
Restricted stock awards                  
Period over which total shareholder return will be considered for determining satisfaction of specific performance conditions 3 years   3 years       3 years    
Service based restricted stock | Key Employees                  
Summary of restricted stock and restricted stock unit activity                  
Granted (in shares)             1,200us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ctl_ServiceBasedRestrictedStockMember
/ ctl_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardByTitleOfIndividualsAxis
= ctl_KeyEmployeesMember
1,500us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ctl_ServiceBasedRestrictedStockMember
/ ctl_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardByTitleOfIndividualsAxis
= ctl_KeyEmployeesMember
 
Service based restricted stock | Key Employees | Awards vesting on January 9, 2013, 2014 and 2015                  
Summary of restricted stock and restricted stock unit activity                  
Granted (in shares)           519us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ctl_ServiceBasedRestrictedStockMember
/ ctl_AwardVestingPeriodAxis
= ctl_AwardVestingOn9January2013And2014And2015Member
/ ctl_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardByTitleOfIndividualsAxis
= ctl_KeyEmployeesMember
     
Service based restricted stock | Key Employees | Awards vesting on March 15, 2013, 2014 and 2015                  
Summary of restricted stock and restricted stock unit activity                  
Granted (in shares)           873us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ctl_ServiceBasedRestrictedStockMember
/ ctl_AwardVestingPeriodAxis
= ctl_AwardVestingOn15March2013And2014And2015Member
/ ctl_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardByTitleOfIndividualsAxis
= ctl_KeyEmployeesMember
     
Service based restricted stock | Key Employees | Awards vesting on August 4, 2017                  
Summary of restricted stock and restricted stock unit activity                  
Granted (in shares)                 105us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ctl_ServiceBasedRestrictedStockMember
/ ctl_AwardVestingPeriodAxis
= ctl_AwardsVestingonAugust42017Member
/ ctl_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardByTitleOfIndividualsAxis
= ctl_KeyEmployeesMember
Service based restricted stock | Key Employees | Awards Vesting on August 4, 2019                  
Summary of restricted stock and restricted stock unit activity                  
Granted (in shares)                 325us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ctl_ServiceBasedRestrictedStockMember
/ ctl_AwardVestingPeriodAxis
= ctl_AwardsVestingonAugust42019Member
/ ctl_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardByTitleOfIndividualsAxis
= ctl_KeyEmployeesMember
Service based restricted stock | Key Employees | Awards Vesting on August 4, 2021                  
Summary of restricted stock and restricted stock unit activity                  
Granted (in shares)                 220us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ctl_ServiceBasedRestrictedStockMember
/ ctl_AwardVestingPeriodAxis
= ctl_AwardsVestingonAugust42021Member
/ ctl_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardByTitleOfIndividualsAxis
= ctl_KeyEmployeesMember
Service based restricted stock | Key Employees | Minimum                  
Restricted stock awards                  
Period over which total shareholder return will be considered for determining satisfaction of specific performance conditions                 3 years
Service based restricted stock | Key Employees | Maximum                  
Restricted stock awards                  
Period over which total shareholder return will be considered for determining satisfaction of specific performance conditions                 7 years
Performance based restricted stock | Executive Officers And Other Key Employees | Minimum                  
Restricted stock awards                  
Percentage of target award (as a percent)       0.00%ctl_PercentageOfTargetAward
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ctl_PerformanceBasedRestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ ctl_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardByTitleOfIndividualsAxis
= ctl_ExecutiveOfficersAndOtherKeyEmployeesMember
0.00%ctl_PercentageOfTargetAward
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ctl_PerformanceBasedRestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ ctl_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardByTitleOfIndividualsAxis
= ctl_ExecutiveOfficersAndOtherKeyEmployeesMember
0.00%ctl_PercentageOfTargetAward
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ctl_PerformanceBasedRestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ ctl_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardByTitleOfIndividualsAxis
= ctl_ExecutiveOfficersAndOtherKeyEmployeesMember
     
Performance based restricted stock | Executive Officers And Other Key Employees | Maximum                  
Restricted stock awards                  
Percentage of target award (as a percent)       200.00%ctl_PercentageOfTargetAward
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ctl_PerformanceBasedRestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ ctl_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardByTitleOfIndividualsAxis
= ctl_ExecutiveOfficersAndOtherKeyEmployeesMember
200.00%ctl_PercentageOfTargetAward
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ctl_PerformanceBasedRestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ ctl_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardByTitleOfIndividualsAxis
= ctl_ExecutiveOfficersAndOtherKeyEmployeesMember
200.00%ctl_PercentageOfTargetAward
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ctl_PerformanceBasedRestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ ctl_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardByTitleOfIndividualsAxis
= ctl_ExecutiveOfficersAndOtherKeyEmployeesMember
     
Employee Stock Purchase Plan                  
Share-based compensation                  
Discount given to employees on common stock (as a percent) 15.00%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDiscountFromMarketPricePurchaseDate
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockMember
               
Period during which lower of beginning and ending stock price is considered for purchase of common stock at discount (in months) 6 months