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Acquisition of Level 3 (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions
6 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Nov. 02, 2017
Nov. 01, 2017
Jun. 30, 2017
Sep. 30, 2017
Sep. 30, 2016
Oct. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Business acquisition              
Outstanding long-term debt       $ 24,978     $ 19,993
Payments to acquire Level 3       5 $ 24    
Level 3 Communications, Inc.              
Business acquisition              
Business acquisition transaction costs       70      
Cash awards granted under deferred compensation arrangements     $ 21        
Description of vesting rights under share-based compensation awards and payments of deferred cash compensation awards     The shares of restricted stock will vest in equal installments on the first, second and third anniversaries of the merger closing date. Each employee receiving a deferred cash award is expected to receive one-half of the award no later than 15 days after the closing date and receive the other half on the one year anniversary of the merger closing date, subject to continued employment with us. Both the restricted stock grant and the deferred cash award will accelerate if we terminate the recipient without cause or under certain other conditions.        
Compensation expense under share-based and deferred compensation arrangements       17      
Subsequent event | Level 3 Communications, Inc.              
Business acquisition              
Price per share of stock in business acquisition (per share)   $ 26.50          
Payments to acquire Level 3   $ 9,600          
Expected tax deductible amount of goodwill acquired   $ 0          
Subsequent event | Level 3 Communications, Inc. | CenturyLink, Inc.              
Business acquisition              
CenturyLink, Inc. shareholders ownership control (percent)   51.00%          
Level 3 Communications, Inc. shareholders ownership control (percent)   49.00%          
Subsequent event | Level 3 Communications, Inc. | Common Stock              
Business acquisition              
Stock issuable in business acquisition on a per share basis, description   1.4286 shares of CenturyLink common stock          
Number of CenturyLink, Inc. shares issued (in shares)   517          
Value of common stock consideration   $ 9,800          
Closing stock price of CenturyLInk, Inc. stock (per share)           $ 18.99  
Subsequent event | Level 3 Communications, Inc. | Level 3 Communications, Inc.              
Business acquisition              
Outstanding long-term debt   11,000          
Level 3 Parent, LLC | Subsequent event | CenturyLink, Inc.              
Business acquisition              
Note payable to Level 3 Parent, LLC   1,825          
Medium-term notes | CenturyLink Escrow, LLC              
Business acquisition              
Long-term debt, gross       6,000     0
Medium-term notes | CenturyLink, Inc.              
Business acquisition              
Long-term debt, gross       $ 319     $ 336
Medium-term notes | Subsequent event | CenturyLink Escrow, LLC              
Business acquisition              
Long-term debt, gross   7,945          
New Revolving Credit Facility | Revolving credit facility | Subsequent event | CenturyLink Escrow, LLC              
Business acquisition              
Long-term debt, gross   $ 400          
Restricted stock units | Subsequent event | Level 3 Communications, Inc.              
Business acquisition              
Price per share of stock in business acquisition (per share)   $ 26.50          
Restricted stock units | Subsequent event | Level 3 Communications, Inc. | Common Stock              
Business acquisition              
Stock issuable in business acquisition on a per share basis, description 1.4286 shares of CenturyLink common stock each outstanding Level 3 restricted stock unit award granted on or after April 1, 2014 (other than those granted to outside directors of Level 3) was converted into a CenturyLink, Inc. restricted stock unit award using a ratio of 2.8386 to 1 as determined in accordance with a formula set forth in the merger agreement          
Restricted stock | Level 3 Communications, Inc.              
Business acquisition              
Restricted stock granted under share-based compensation arrangements (less than) (in shares)     1