CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 1,827	$ 1,665	$ 1,657
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	1,364	1,436	1,583
Deferred income taxes	100	48	(773)
Provision for uncollectible accounts	51	60	74
Accrued interest on affiliate note	61	43	51
Net loss on early retirement of debt	0	30	5
Changes in current assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(19)	40	(20)
Accounts payable	(50)	69	(44)
Accrued income and other taxes	(46)	(34)	(1)
Other current assets and liabilities, net	60	40	(36)
Other current assets and liabilities - affiliates, net	1	8	11
Changes in other noncurrent assets and liabilities, net	15	473	17
Changes in affiliate obligations, net	(49)	(105)	(88)
Other, net	17	18	(1)
Net cash provided by operating activities	3,332	3,791	2,435
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital expenditures	(1,055)	(1,040)	(1,328)
Changes in advances to affiliates	(694)	(119)	(152)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and other assets	26	6	49
Cash paid for acquisition	0	0	(5)
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,723)	(1,153)	(1,436)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt		0	638
Payments of long-term debt	(12)	(1,359)	(641)
Dividends paid to Qwest Services Corporation	(1,600)	(1,275)	(1,000)
Net cash used in financing activities	(1,612)	(2,634)	(1,003)
Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(3)	4	(4)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	7	3	7
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	4	7	3
Supplemental cash flow information:
Income taxes (paid) refunded, net	(539)	8	(907)
Interest paid (net of capitalized interest of $27, $24 and $32)	(378)	(466)	(467)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash:
Total	$ 4	$ 3	$ 3