CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 847	$ 753
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	1,267	1,392
Deferred income taxes	(52)	(242)
Provision for uncollectible accounts	58	59
Net long-term debt issuance costs and premium amortization	(8)	(14)
Net loss on early retirement of debt	27	0
Accrued interest on affiliate note	29	31
Changes in current assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(49)	(25)
Accounts payable	(3)	34
Accrued income and other taxes	(6)	13
Other current assets and liabilities, net	(25)	57
Other current assets and liabilities - affiliates, net	15	9
Changes in other noncurrent assets and liabilities, net	(21)	(26)
Changes in affiliate obligations, net	(72)	(5)
Other, net	3	4
Net cash provided by operating activities	2,010	2,040
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Payments for property, plant and equipment and capitalized software	(860)	(899)
Changes in advances to affiliates	(186)	(571)
Proceeds from sale of property	7	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,039)	(1,470)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	1,173	495
Payments of long-term debt	(1,190)	(112)
Dividends paid to Qwest Services Corporation	(950)	(950)
Net cash used in financing activities	(967)	(567)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	4	3
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	3	6
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	7	9
Supplemental cash flow information:
Income taxes paid, net	(578)	(732)
Interest paid (net of capitalized interest of $13 and $14)	$ (353)	$ (347)