Revenue Recognition - Disaggregation of Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total operating revenue	$ 6,951	$ 7,313	$ 8,052
Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue	(483)	(479)	(497)
Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers	6,468	6,834	7,555
Goods and services transferred at a point in time
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers	30	46	54
Services performed over time
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers	6,438	6,788	7,501
Voice and Other - CAF Phase II
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total operating revenue	145
Voice and Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total operating revenue	2,099	2,281	2,496
Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue	(334)	(352)	(376)
Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers	1,765	1,929	2,120
Fiber Infrastructure
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total operating revenue	1,990	2,033	2,115
Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue	(120)	(123)	(121)
Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers	1,870	1,910	1,994
IP and Data Services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total operating revenue	473	512	568
Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue	0	0	0
Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers	473	512	568
Affiliate Services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total operating revenue	2,389	2,487	2,873
Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue	(29)	(4)	0
Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers	$ 2,360	$ 2,483	$ 2,873