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Acquisition of Savvis (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data in Thousands, unless otherwise specified		1 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jul. 31, 2011 SAVVIS, Inc.	Jul. 15, 2011 SAVVIS, Inc.	Jul. 14, 2011 SAVVIS, Inc.
Acquisition of Savvis
Cash payments to Savvis shareholders			$ 1,732
Number of shares issued (in shares)		14,313
CenturyLink common stock issued to Savvis shareholders			552
Closing stock price used to value shares issued for acquisition (in dollars per share)				$ 38.54
Payments towards retirement of existing Savvis debt and accrued interest		547
Payments towards transaction costs	76		15
Principal amount of senior notes issued to fund a portion of the acquisition and refinance Savvis' existing debt		$ 2,000.00