CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 1,085	$ 1,074	$ 970
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	1,691	1,857	2,005
Deferred income taxes	(123)	(189)	(228)
Provision for uncollectible accounts	80	78	64
Net long-term debt issuance costs and premium amortization	(12)	(18)	(38)
Accrued interest on affiliate note	59	59	42
Net loss on early retirement of debt	27	0	0
Impairment of asset	11	0	17
Changes in current assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(92)	(26)	(66)
Accounts payable	5	(79)	(9)
Accrued income and other taxes	(14)	(8)	(9)
Other current assets and liabilities, net	47	1	34
Other current assets and liabilities - affiliates	0	(4)	9
Changes in other noncurrent assets and liabilities, net	1	(30)	1
Changes in affiliate obligations, net	(117)	(123)	8
Other, net	4	(1)	1
Net cash provided by operating activities	2,652	2,591	2,801
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Payments for property, plant and equipment and capitalized software	(1,259)	(1,247)	(1,165)
Changes in advances to affiliates	(84)	24	(100)
Proceeds from sale of property	9	3	14
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,334)	(1,220)	(1,251)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	1,173	495	483
Payments of long-term debt	(1,189)	(517)	(641)
Early retirement of debt costs	0	(2)	0
Dividends paid to Qwest Services Corporation	(1,300)	(1,350)	(1,400)
Net cash used in financing activities	(1,316)	(1,374)	(1,558)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	2	(3)	(8)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	3	6	14
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	5	3	6
Supplemental cash flow information:
Income taxes paid, net	(801)	(848)	(861)
Interest paid (net of capitalized interest of $19, $18 and $17)	$ (488)	$ (497)	$ (505)