CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 272	$ 584
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	2,739	2,958
Deferred income taxes	(243)	32
Loss on the sale of data centers and colocation business	82	0
Impairment of assets held for sale	11	1
Provision for uncollectible accounts	127	144
Net loss on early retirement of debt	5	27
Share-based compensation	64	60
Changes in current assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	2	(158)
Accounts payable	(93)	52
Accrued income and other taxes	103	1
Other current assets and liabilities, net	(221)	(24)
Retirement benefits	(181)	(143)
Changes in other noncurrent assets and liabilities, net	(54)	(41)
Other, net	87	19
Net cash provided by operating activities	2,700	3,512
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Payments for property, plant and equipment and capitalized software	(2,363)	(2,010)
Cash paid for acquisitions	(5)	(24)
Proceeds from sale of data centers and colocation business, less cash sold	1,467	0
Proceeds from sale of property	51	22
Net cash used in investing activities	(850)	(2,012)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	6,608	2,161
Proceeds from financing obligation (Note 3)	356	0
Payments of long-term debt	(1,612)	(2,436)
Net payments on credit facility and revolving line of credit	(370)	(325)
Dividends paid	(881)	(876)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	5	5
Shares withheld to satisfy tax withholdings	(16)	(15)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	4,090	(1,486)
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	5,940	14
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	224	128
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	6,164	142
Supplemental cash flow information:
Income taxes paid, net	(378)	(344)
Interest paid (net of capitalized interest of $61 and $38)	$ (917)	$ (922)