CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 811	$ 847
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	1,181	1,267
Deferred income taxes	(93)	(52)
Provision for uncollectible accounts	55	58
Net loss on early retirement of debt	5	27
Accrued interest on affiliate note	51	29
Changes in current assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(39)	(49)
Accounts payable	(2)	(3)
Accrued income and other taxes	(9)	(6)
Other current assets and liabilities, net	(95)	(25)
Other current assets and liabilities - affiliates, net	(5)	15
Changes in other noncurrent assets and liabilities, net	24	(21)
Changes in affiliate obligations, net	(66)	(72)
Other, net	(3)	(5)
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,815	2,010
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Payments for property, plant and equipment and capitalized software	(1,086)	(860)
Changes in advances to affiliates	23	(186)
Proceeds from sale of property	43	7
Other	(5)	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,025)	(1,039)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	638	1,173
Payments of long-term debt	(629)	(1,190)
Dividends paid to Qwest Services Corporation	(800)	(950)
Net cash used in financing activities	(791)	(967)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(1)	4
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	5	3
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	4	7
Supplemental cash flow information:
Income taxes paid, net	(604)	(578)
Interest paid (net of capitalized interest of $24 and $13)	$ (343)	$ (353)