Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Cash flows provided from (used by) operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ (93)	$ 119
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	1,001	816
Pension/OPEB costs	(3)	(21)
Stock based compensation expense	19	18
Gains on sale of assets		(25)
Amortization of deferred financing costs	194	30
Deferred income taxes	(163)	(125)
Change in accounts receivable	59	17
Change in accounts payable and other liabilities	(46)	53
Change in prepaid expenses, income taxes and other current assets	(7)	60
Net cash provided from operating activities	961	942
Cash flows provided from (used by) investing activities:
Capital expenditures - Business operations	(525)	(413)
Capital expenditures - Integration activities	(101)	(82)
Network expansion funded by Connect America Fund - Phase I	(22)	(41)
Grant funds received for network expansion from Connect America Fund - Phase I		4
Proceeds on sale of assets		25
Cash transferred (to)/from escrow	(8,440)	(1,508)
Cash paid for an acquisition, net of cash acquired	(17)
Other	(2)	27
Net cash used by investing activities	(9,107)	(1,988)
Cash flows provided from (used by) financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt borrowings	6,603	1,561
Financing costs paid	(119)	(39)
Long-term debt payments	(274)	(245)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net	799
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock, net	1,866
Dividends paid on common stock	(333)	(301)
Dividends paid on preferred stock	(67)
Other		(2)
Net cash provided from (used by) financing activities	8,475	974
Increase/(Decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	329	(72)
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1,	682	880
Cash and cash equivalents at September 30,	1,011	808
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest	553	464
Income taxes, net	$ 27	$ 36