Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net Loss	$ (422)	$ (756)	$ (622)
(Income) loss from discontinued operations	0	(71)	1
Loss from Continuing Operations	(422)	(827)	(621)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations:
Depreciation and amortization	749	805	870
Asset retirement obligation adjustment	(47)	0	0
Non-cash compensation expense attributable to stock awards	135	101	67
Loss on extinguishment of debt, net	160	100	59
Loss on interest rate swaps	60	0	0
Change in fair value of embedded derivative	0	0	(10)
Accretion of debt discount and amortization of debt issuance costs	43	56	57
Accrued interest on long-term debt, net	(5)	82	6
Loss on impairment of wireless spectrum licenses	0	20	0
Deferred income taxes	10	33	(93)
Loss (gain) on sale of property, plant, and equipment and other assets	(1)	(2)	4
Other, net	(23)	5	(9)
Changes in working capital items:
Receivables	(86)	(12)	58
Other current assets	(5)	(1)	3
Payables	18	30	(33)
Deferred revenue	(10)	(3)	(9)
Other current liabilities	2	1	(10)
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities of Continuing Operations	578	388	339
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(743)	(494)	(435)
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash and securities, net	20	(54)	3
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment and other assets	11	4	4
Investment in Global Crossing, net of cash acquired	0	146	0
Payments for other investing activities	(13)	0	0
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities in Investing Activities of Continuing Operations	(725)	(398)	(428)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Long-term debt borrowings, net of issuance costs	4,504	1,878	808
Payments on and repurchases of long-term debt, including current portion and refinancing costs	(4,302)	(1,617)	(930)
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised	5	0	0
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities of Continuing Operations	207	261	(122)
Discontinued Operations:
Net cash used in operating activities	0	(4)	0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	0	55	(1)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Discontinued Operations	0	51	(1)
Effect of Exchange Rates on Cash and Cash Equivalents	1	0	(8)
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents	61	302	(220)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year	918	616	836
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year	979	918	616
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:
Cash interest paid	695	576	523
Income taxes paid, net of refunds	32	7	(1)
Non-cash Investing and Financing Activities:
Long-term debt issued in exchange transaction	0	300	0
Non Cash Long Term Debt Retired in Exchange Transaction	0	295	0
Conversion of notes into common stock	100	128	0
Non-cash inducement premium on conversion of debt to equity	39	0	0
Non cash accrued interest payment	2	0	0
Long-term debt issued and proceeds placed in escrow	0	1,200	0
Settlement of Global Crossing debt with escrowed securities	$ 0	$ 1,254	$ 0