CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 728	$ 608
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	1,594	1,711
Deferred income taxes	(180)	(123)
Provision for uncollectible accounts	46	59
Long-term debt premium amortization	(40)	(50)
Net loss on early retirement of debt	0	47
Changes in current assets and current liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(77)	(77)
Accounts payable	17	(53)
Accrued income and other taxes	3	5
Other current assets and other current liabilities, net	68	59
Changes in other noncurrent assets and liabilities, net	(6)	(11)
Changes in other noncurrent assets and liabilities-affiliates	(130)	(101)
Other, net	9	5
Net cash provided by operating activities	2,032	2,079
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Payments for property, plant and equipment and capitalized software	(956)	(896)
Changes in advances to affiliates	(119)	(533)
Proceeds from sale of property	0	133
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,075)	(1,296)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	752	896
Payments of long-term debt	(794)	(1,419)
Early retirement of debt costs	0	(178)
Dividends paid to Qwest Services Corporation	(950)	(700)
Changes in notes payable-affiliates	40	685
Changes in advances from affiliates	0	(61)
Net cash provided by financing activities	(952)	(777)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	5	6
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	8	3
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	13	9
Supplemental cash flow information:
Income taxes (paid), net	(636)	(359)
Interest (paid) (net of capitalized interest of $12 and $14)	$ (344)	$ (355)