CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 1,074	$ 970	$ 964
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	1,857	2,005	2,128
Deferred income taxes	(189)	(228)	(152)
Provision for uncollectible accounts	78	64	65
Net long-term debt issuance costs and premium amortization	(18)	(38)	(51)
Accrued interest on affiliate note	59	42	0
Impairment of asset	0	17	0
Changes in current assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(26)	(66)	(94)
Accounts payable	(79)	(9)	(1)
Accrued income and other taxes	(8)	(9)	(9)
Other current assets and liabilities, net	1	34	34
Other current assets and liabilities - affiliates	(4)	9	0
Changes in other noncurrent assets and liabilities, net	(30)	1	0
Changes in affiliate obligations, net	(123)	8	(179)
Other, net	(1)	1	8
Net cash provided by operating activities	2,591	2,801	2,713
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Payments for property, plant and equipment and capitalized software	(1,247)	(1,165)	(1,264)
Changes in advances to affiliates	24	(100)	(119)
Proceeds from sale of property	3	14	2
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,220)	(1,251)	(1,381)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	495	483	752
Payments of long-term debt	(517)	(641)	(806)
Early retirement of debt costs	(2)	0	0
Dividends paid to Qwest Services Corporation	(1,350)	(1,400)	(1,325)
Changes in note payable - affiliate	0	0	53
Net cash used in financing activities	(1,374)	(1,558)	(1,326)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents,	(3)	(8)	6
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	6	14	8
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	3	6	14
Supplemental cash flow information:
Income taxes paid, net	(848)	(861)	(750)
Interest paid (net of capitalized interest of $18, $17 and $17)	$ (497)	$ (505)	$ (513)