CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 278	$ 304
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	391	419
Deferred income taxes	(32)	(18)
Provision for uncollectible accounts	21	23
Net long-term debt issuance costs and premium amortization	(2)	(4)
Changes in current assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	42	(11)
Accounts payable	59	78
Accrued income and other taxes	16	31
Other current assets and liabilities, net	(147)	(55)
Other current assets and liabilities - affiliates, net	15	14
Changes in other noncurrent assets and liabilities, net	12	(17)
Changes in affiliate obligations, net	(21)	(22)
Other, net	(8)	5
Net cash provided by operating activities	624	747
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Payments for property, plant and equipment and capitalized software	(318)	(271)
Changes in advances to affiliates	(83)	(398)
Proceeds from sale of property	41	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(360)	(669)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	0	227
Payments of long-term debt	(1)	(4)
Dividends paid to Qwest Services Corporation	(250)	(300)
Net cash used in financing activities	(251)	(77)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	13	1
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	5	3
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	18	4
Supplemental cash flow information:
Income taxes paid, net	(205)	(206)
Interest paid (net of capitalized interest of $7 and $4)	$ (101)	$ (101)