CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net (loss) income	$ (1,733)	$ 1,389	$ 626
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	5,120	3,936	3,916
Impairment of goodwill and other assets	2,746	0	13
Deferred income taxes	522	(931)	6
Loss on the sale of data centers and colocation business	0	82	0
Provision for uncollectible accounts	153	176	192
Net long-term debt issuance costs and premium amortization	13	9	2
Net loss on early retirement of debt	7	5	27
Share-based compensation	186	111	80
Changes in current assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	25	31	(266)
Accounts payable	124	(123)	109
Accrued income and other taxes	75	54	(43)
Other current assets and liabilities, net	127	(614)	92
Retirement benefits	(667)	(202)	(152)
Changes in other noncurrent assets and liabilities, net	329	(174)	(18)
Other, net	5	129	24
Net cash provided by operating activities	7,032	3,878	4,608
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Payments for property, plant and equipment and capitalized software	(3,175)	(3,106)	(2,981)
Cash paid for Level 3 acquisition, net of $2.3 billion cash acquired	0	(7,289)	0
Proceeds from sale of property and intangible assets	158	1,529	30
Other, net	(61)	(5)	(43)
Net cash used in investing activities	(3,078)	(8,871)	(2,994)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	130	8,398	2,161
Proceeds from financing obligation (Note 3)	0	356	0
Payments of long-term debt	(1,936)	(1,963)	(2,462)
Net proceeds (payments) on credit facility and revolving line of credit	145	35	(40)
Dividends paid	(2,312)	(1,453)	(1,167)
Other, net	(50)	(17)	(10)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(4,023)	5,356	(1,518)
Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(69)	363	96
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	587	224	128
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	518	587	224
Supplemental cash flow information:
Income taxes received (paid), net	674	(392)	(397)
Interest paid (net of capitalized interest of $53, $78 and $54)	(2,138)	(1,401)	(1,301)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash:
Total	$ 587	$ 224	$ 128