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Represents the number of nonvested shares of the acquiring entity issued from the conversion of nonvested shares of the acquiree entity outstanding immediately prior to the acquisition.

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Represents the number of non-qualified stock options of the acquiring entity issued from the conversion of shares of the acquiree entity outstanding immediately prior to acquisition.

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Represents the number of non-qualified fully vested stock options of the acquiring entity issued from the conversion of shares of the acquiree entity outstanding immediately prior to acquisition.

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Represents the compensation costs recognized for accelerated recognition of certain awards resulting from the consummation of an acquisition.

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Period during which lower of beginning and ending stock price is considered for purchase of common stock under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

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Represents the fair value of equity-based compensation awards assumed as part of the acquisition and attributable to services performed prior to the acquisition.

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Represents the fair value of equity-based compensation awards assumed as part of the acquisition.

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Represents the number of restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan) assumed during the acquisition of an entity wherein the acquiring entity obtains control over the acquired entity.

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Represents the closing traded price of the entity's common stock, considered in determination of the fair value of entity's shares in business acquisition.

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Represents the number of share options (or share units) assumed during the acquisition of an entity wherein the acquiring entity obtains control over the acquired entity.

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Represents the weighted-average exercise price of stock options assumed during the acquisition of an entity wherein the acquiring entity obtains control over the acquired entity.

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Represents the expense recognized during the period arising from equity-based compensation arrangements (for example, shares of stock, unit, stock options or other equity instruments) with employees, directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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As of the balance sheet date, the aggregate unrecognized cost of equity-based awards made to employees under equity-based compensation awards that have yet to vest.

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The weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation is expected to be recognized for equity-based compensation plans, using a decimal to express in number of years.

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Description of the period of time over which an employee's right to exercise an award is no longer contingent on satisfaction of either a service condition, market condition or a performance condition, which may be expressed in a variety of ways (for example, in years, month and year).

+ References

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The maximum vesting term over which an employee's right to exercise an award is no longer contingent on satisfaction of either a service condition, market condition or a performance condition.

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The minimum vesting term over which an employee's right to exercise an award is no longer contingent on satisfaction of either a service condition, market condition or a performance condition.

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The discount rate from market value on purchase date that participants pay for shares.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

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- Definition

The number of equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that were forfeited during the reporting period.

+ References

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- Definition

The weighted average fair value as of the grant date of equity-based award plans other than stock (unit) option plans that were not exercised or put into effect during the reporting period as a result of the occurrence of a terminating event specified in the contractual agreement of the plan.

+ References

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- Definition

The number of grants made during the period on other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan).

+ References

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- Definition

The weighted average fair value at grant date for nonvested equity-based awards issued during the period on other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph A240
-Subparagraph b(2)(c)
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

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- Definition

The number of non-vested equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that validly exist and are outstanding as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
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-Paragraph A240
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-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(2)(i)-(ii)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

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- Definition

A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

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The weighted average fair value of nonvested awards on equity-based plans excluding option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, revenue or profit achievement stock award plan) for which the employer is contingently obligated to issue equity instruments or transfer assets to an employee who has not yet satisfied service or performance criteria necessary to gain title to proceeds from the sale of the award or underlying shares or units.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph A240
-Subparagraph b(2)(a)
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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(2)(i)-(ii)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

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- Definition

The number of equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that vested during the reporting period.

+ References

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The weighted average fair value as of grant date pertaining to an equity-based award plan other than a stock (or unit) option plan for which the grantee gained the right during the reporting period, by satisfying service and performance requirements, to receive or retain shares or units, other instruments, or cash in accordance with the terms of the arrangement.

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- Definition

The estimated dividend rate (a percentage of the share price) to be paid (expected dividends) to holders of the underlying shares over the option's term.

+ References

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- Definition

The maximum period of time an equity-based award is expected to be outstanding. An equity-based award's expected term is generally determined based on, among other factors, the instrument's contractual term and the effects of employees' expected exercise and post-vesting employment termination behavior.

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- Definition

The minimum period of time an equity-based award is expected to be outstanding. An equity-based award's expected term is generally determined based on, among other factors, the instrument's contractual term and the effects of employees' expected exercise and post-vesting employment termination behavior.

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The estimated measure of the maximum percentage by which a share price is expected to fluctuate during a period. Volatility also may be defined as a probability-weighted measure of the dispersion of returns about the mean. The volatility of a share price is the standard deviation of the continuously compounded rates of return on the share over a specified period. That is the same as the standard deviation of the differences in the natural logarithms of the stock prices plus dividends, if any, over the period.

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The estimated measure of the minimum percentage by which a share price is expected to fluctuate during a period. Volatility also may be defined as a probability-weighted measure of the dispersion of returns about the mean. The volatility of a share price is the standard deviation of the continuously compounded rates of return on the share over a specified period. That is the same as the standard deviation of the differences in the natural logarithms of the stock prices plus dividends, if any, over the period.

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- Definition

The maximum risk-free interest rate assumption that is used in valuing an option on its own shares.

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The minimum risk-free interest rate assumption that is used in valuing an option on its own shares.

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- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

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The difference between the maximum number of shares (or other type of equity) authorized for issuance under the plan (including the effects of amendments and adjustments), and the sum of: 1) the number of shares (or other type of equity) already issued upon exercise of options or other equity-based awards under the plan; and 2) shares (or other type of equity) reserved for issuance on granting of outstanding awards, net of cancellations and forfeitures, if applicable.

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The total dollar difference between fair values of the underlying shares reserved for issuance and exercise prices of vested portions of options outstanding and currently exercisable under the option plan as of the balance sheet date.

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The number of shares into which fully or partially vested stock options outstanding as of the balance sheet date can be currently converted under the option plan.

+ References

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The weighted-average price as of the balance sheet date at which grantees can acquire the shares reserved for issuance on vested portions of options outstanding and currently exercisable under the stock option plan.

+ References

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The weighted average period between the balance sheet date and expiration for all vested portions of options outstanding and currently exercisable (or convertible) under the plan, which may be expressed in a decimal value for number of years.

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The weighted average price at which option holders acquired shares when converting their stock options into shares under the plan during the reporting period.

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For presentations that combine terminations, the number of shares under options that were cancelled during the reporting period as a result of occurrence of a terminating event specified in contractual agreements pertaining to the stock option plan or that expired.

+ References

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The combined weighted average exercise price associated with stock options during the period that have either lapsed or been forfeited.

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The total dollar difference between fair values of the underlying shares reserved for issuance and exercise prices pertaining to options outstanding under the plan as of the balance sheet date.

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- Definition

The number of shares reserved for issuance under stock option agreements awarded under the plan that validly exist and are outstanding as of the balance sheet date, including vested options.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(1)(i)-(ii)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph A240
-Subparagraph b(1)(a)
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
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The number of shares newly issued during the reporting period under the plan.

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Share-based Compensation (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended				3 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011 Stock option awards	Jun. 30, 2011 Restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards	Jun. 30, 2011 Restricted Stock	Apr. 30, 2011 Qwest	Apr. 02, 2011 Qwest	Mar. 31, 2011 Qwest
Share-based compensation
Number of shares reserved for incentive compensation programs (in shares)	59,000,000
Discount given to employees on common stock (as a percent)	15.00%
Period during which lower of beginning and ending stock price is considered for purchase of common stock at discount (in months)	Recurring six-month periods
Restricted stock granted to certain executives and outside directors					292,191
Award vesting period					3 years
Number of shares of nonvested CenturyLink restricted stock issued upon conversion of Quest restricted stock							780,455
Represents the number of non-qualified CenturyLink stock options outstanding upon conversion of Qwest stock options							7,198,331
Represents the number of non-qualified fully vested CenturyLink stock options issued upon conversion of Qwest stock options							5,562,198
Common stock issued to settle market-based award outstanding immediately prior to acquisition						563,269
Fair value of awards assumed							$ 114
Fair value of assumed awards attributable to services performed prior to acquisition							85
Valuation assumptions for awards assumed
Closing traded price on March 31, 2011								$ 41.55
Risk free interest rate, low end of range (as a percent)						0.00%
Risk free interest rate, high end of range (as a percent)						2.10%
Expected dividend yield						6.98%
Expected term, low end of range (in years)						0.1
Expected term, high end of range (in years)						4.8
Expected volatility rate, low end of range (as a percent)						11.00%
Expected volatility rate, high end of range (as a percent)						35.00%
Remaining vesting period, low end of range (in years)						0.1Y
Remaining vesting period, high end of range (in years)						3.0Y
Summary of stock option awards activity
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in shares)			5,040,000
Assumed in Qwest acquisition (in shares)			7,198,000
Exercised (in shares)			(1,651,000)
Forfeited/Expired (in shares)			(901,000)
Outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)			9,686,000
Exercisable at the end of the period (in shares)			8,551,000
Weighted-Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)			$ 39.06
Assumed in Qwest acquisition (in dollars per share)			$ 34.50
Exercised (in dollars per share)			$ 30.29
Forfeited/Expired (in dollars per share)			$ 66.41
Outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share)			$ 34.62
Exercisable at the end of the period (in dollars per share)			$ 35.52
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding at the end of the period			83
Exercisable at the end of the period			69
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term
Outstanding at the end of the period (in years)			5.0
Stock option awards exercisable at the end of the period (in years)			4.5
Summary of restricted stock and restricted stock unit activity
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in shares)				2,892,000
Granted (in shares)				292,000
Assumed in Qwest acquisition (in shares)				780,000
Vested (in shares)				(1,673,000)
Forfeited (in shares)				(17,000)
Outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)				2,274,000
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)				$ 33.69
Granted (in dollars per share)				$ 41.71
Assumed in Qwest acquisition (in dollars per share)				$ 41.55
Vested (in dollars per share)				$ 34.31
Forfeited (in dollars per share)				$ 35.23
Outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share)				$ 36.96
Share-based compensation, aggregate disclosures
Compensation cost	32	18
Compensation costs recognized as a result of accelerated recognition of certain awards	11
Unrecognized compensation cost	$ 73						$ 29
Weighted-average recognition period (in years)	2.0