CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 1,657	$ 1,085	$ 1,074
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	1,583	1,691	1,857
Deferred income taxes	(773)	(123)	(189)
Provision for uncollectible accounts	74	80	78
Net long-term debt issuance costs and premium amortization	(2)	(12)	(18)
Accrued interest on affiliate note	51	59	59
Net loss on early retirement of debt	5	27	0
Impairment of asset	1	11	0
Changes in current assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(20)	(92)	(26)
Accounts payable	(44)	5	(79)
Accrued income and other taxes	(1)	(14)	(8)
Other current assets and liabilities, net	(36)	47	1
Other current assets and liabilities - affiliates	11	0	(4)
Changes in other noncurrent assets and liabilities, net	17	1	(30)
Changes in affiliate obligations, net	(88)	(117)	(123)
Other, net	0	4	(1)
Net cash provided by operating activities	2,435	2,652	2,591
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Payments for property, plant and equipment and capitalized software	(1,328)	(1,259)	(1,247)
Changes in advances to affiliates	(152)	(84)	24
Proceeds from sale of property	49	9	3
Cash paid for acquisition	(5)	0	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,436)	(1,334)	(1,220)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	638	1,173	495
Payments of long-term debt	(641)	(1,189)	(517)
Early retirement of debt costs	0	0	(2)
Dividends paid to Qwest Services Corporation	(1,000)	(1,300)	(1,350)
Net cash used in financing activities	(1,003)	(1,316)	(1,374)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(4)	2	(3)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	5	3	6
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	1	5	3
Supplemental cash flow information:
Income taxes paid, net	(907)	(801)	(848)
Interest paid (net of capitalized interest of $32, $19 and $18)	$ (467)	$ (488)	$ (497)