Leases

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Leases [Abstract]

Leases

Leases

Our financial position for reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019 is presented under the new accounting guidance, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with previous guidance, as discussed in Note 1— Background and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.

We primarily lease to or from third parties various office facilities and colocation facilities, equipment and dark fiber. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet; we recognize lease expense for these leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception and whether that lease meets the classification criteria of a finance or operating lease. Lease-related assets, or right-of-use assets, are recognized at the lease commencement date at amounts equal to the respective lease liabilities. Lease-related liabilities are recognized at the present value of the remaining contractual fixed lease payments, discounted using our incremental borrowing rates. As part of the present value calculation for the lease liabilities, we use an incremental borrowing rate as the rates implicit in the leases are not readily determinable. The incremental borrowing rates used for lease accounting are based on our unsecured rates, adjusted to approximate the rates at which we could borrow on a collateralized basis over a term similar to the recognized lease term. We apply the incremental borrowing rates to lease components using a portfolio approach based upon the length of the lease term and the reporting entity in which the

lease resides. Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term, while variable lease payments are expensed as incurred.

Some of our lease arrangements contain lease components, non-lease components (including common-area maintenance costs) and executory costs (including real estate taxes and insurance costs). We generally account for each component separately based on the estimated standalone price of each component. For colocation leases, we account for the lease and non-lease components as a single lease component.

Many of our lease agreements contain renewal options; however, we do not recognize right-of-use assets or lease liabilities for renewal periods unless it is determined that we are reasonably certain of renewing the lease at inception or when a triggering event occurs. Certain leases also include options to purchase the leased property. The depreciable life of assets and leasehold improvements are limited by the expected lease term, unless there is a transfer of title or purchase option reasonably certain to be exercised. Our lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants.

Lease expense consisted of the following:

	Years Ended December 31,
	2020		2019
	(Dollars in millions)
Operating and short-term lease cost	$	729	677
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of right-of-use assets	36		44
Interest on lease liability	12		12
Total finance lease cost	48		56
Total lease cost	$	777	733

Lumen Technologies leases various equipment, office facilities, retail outlets and other network sites. These leases, with few exceptions, provide for renewal options and escalations that are either fixed or based on the consumer price index. Any rent abatements, along with rent escalations, are included in the computation of rent expense calculated on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The lease term for most leases includes the initial non-cancelable term plus any term under renewal options that are reasonably assured. For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, our gross rental expense was $777 million, $733 million and $875 million, respectively. We also received sublease rental income for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 of $25 million, $24 million and $21 million, respectively.

Supplemental consolidated balance sheet information and other information related to leases:

		As of December 31,
Leases (Dollars in millions)	Classification on the Balance Sheet	2020			2019
Assets
Operating lease assets	Other, net	$	1,699		1,686
Finance lease assets	Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	329			252
Total leased assets		$	2,028		1,938
Liabilities
Current
Operating	Current operating lease liabilities	$	379		416
Finance	Current maturities of long-term debt	26			35
Noncurrent
Operating	Other	1,405			1,342
Finance	Long-term debt	267			185
Total lease liabilities		$	2,077		1,978
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years)
Operating leases		6.7			7.2
Finance leases		12.1			11.3
Weighted-average discount rate
Operating leases		6.01		%	6.46	%
Finance leases		4.94		%	5.47	%

Supplemental consolidated cash flow statement information related to leases:

	Years Ended December 31,
	2020		2019
	(Dollars in millions)
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows for operating leases	$	566	665
Operating cash flows for finance leases	14		14
Financing cash flows for finance leases	40		32
Supplemental lease cash flow disclosures
Operating lease right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities	$	375	358
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities	124		14

As of December 31, 2020, maturities of lease liabilities were as follows:

	Operating Leases		Finance Leases
	(Dollars in millions)
2021	$	469	40
2022	411		32
2023	331		29
2024	232		28
2025	177		29
Thereafter	592		240
Total lease payments	2,212		398
Less: interest	(428)		(105)
Total	1,784		293
Less: current portion	(379)		(26)
Long-term portion	$	1,405	267

As of December 31, 2020, we had no material operating or finance leases that had not yet commenced.

Operating Lease Income

Lumen Technologies leases various dark fiber, office facilities, colocation facilities, switching facilities, other network sites and service equipment to third parties under operating leases. Lease and sublease income are included in operating revenue in the consolidated statements of operations.

For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, our gross rental income was $1.3 billion, $1.4 billion and $882 million, respectively, which represents 6%, 7% and 4% respectively, of our operating revenue for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.

Leases

Leases

Our financial position for reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019 is presented under the new accounting guidance, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with previous guidance, as discussed in Note 1— Background and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.

We primarily lease to or from third parties various office facilities and colocation facilities, equipment and dark fiber. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet; we recognize lease expense for these leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception and whether that lease meets the classification criteria of a finance or operating lease. Lease-related assets, or right-of-use assets, are recognized at the lease commencement date at amounts equal to the respective lease liabilities. Lease-related liabilities are recognized at the present value of the remaining contractual fixed lease payments, discounted using our incremental borrowing rates. As part of the present value calculation for the lease liabilities, we use an incremental borrowing rate as the rates implicit in the leases are not readily determinable. The incremental borrowing rates used for lease accounting are based on our unsecured rates, adjusted to approximate the rates at which we could borrow on a collateralized basis over a term similar to the recognized lease term. We apply the incremental borrowing rates to lease components using a portfolio approach based upon the length of the lease term and the reporting entity in which the

lease resides. Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term, while variable lease payments are expensed as incurred.

Some of our lease arrangements contain lease components, non-lease components (including common-area maintenance costs) and executory costs (including real estate taxes and insurance costs). We generally account for each component separately based on the estimated standalone price of each component. For colocation leases, we account for the lease and non-lease components as a single lease component.

Many of our lease agreements contain renewal options; however, we do not recognize right-of-use assets or lease liabilities for renewal periods unless it is determined that we are reasonably certain of renewing the lease at inception or when a triggering event occurs. Certain leases also include options to purchase the leased property. The depreciable life of assets and leasehold improvements are limited by the expected lease term, unless there is a transfer of title or purchase option reasonably certain to be exercised. Our lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants.

Lease expense consisted of the following:

	Years Ended December 31,
	2020		2019
	(Dollars in millions)
Operating and short-term lease cost	$	729	677
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of right-of-use assets	36		44
Interest on lease liability	12		12
Total finance lease cost	48		56
Total lease cost	$	777	733

Lumen Technologies leases various equipment, office facilities, retail outlets and other network sites. These leases, with few exceptions, provide for renewal options and escalations that are either fixed or based on the consumer price index. Any rent abatements, along with rent escalations, are included in the computation of rent expense calculated on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The lease term for most leases includes the initial non-cancelable term plus any term under renewal options that are reasonably assured. For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, our gross rental expense was $777 million, $733 million and $875 million, respectively. We also received sublease rental income for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 of $25 million, $24 million and $21 million, respectively.

Supplemental consolidated balance sheet information and other information related to leases:

		As of December 31,
Leases (Dollars in millions)	Classification on the Balance Sheet	2020			2019
Assets
Operating lease assets	Other, net	$	1,699		1,686
Finance lease assets	Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	329			252
Total leased assets		$	2,028		1,938
Liabilities
Current
Operating	Current operating lease liabilities	$	379		416
Finance	Current maturities of long-term debt	26			35
Noncurrent
Operating	Other	1,405			1,342
Finance	Long-term debt	267			185
Total lease liabilities		$	2,077		1,978
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years)
Operating leases		6.7			7.2
Finance leases		12.1			11.3
Weighted-average discount rate
Operating leases		6.01		%	6.46	%
Finance leases		4.94		%	5.47	%

Supplemental consolidated cash flow statement information related to leases:

	Years Ended December 31,
	2020		2019
	(Dollars in millions)
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows for operating leases	$	566	665
Operating cash flows for finance leases	14		14
Financing cash flows for finance leases	40		32
Supplemental lease cash flow disclosures
Operating lease right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities	$	375	358
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities	124		14

As of December 31, 2020, maturities of lease liabilities were as follows:

	Operating Leases		Finance Leases
	(Dollars in millions)
2021	$	469	40
2022	411		32
2023	331		29
2024	232		28
2025	177		29
Thereafter	592		240
Total lease payments	2,212		398
Less: interest	(428)		(105)
Total	1,784		293
Less: current portion	(379)		(26)
Long-term portion	$	1,405	267

As of December 31, 2020, we had no material operating or finance leases that had not yet commenced.

Operating Lease Income

Lumen Technologies leases various dark fiber, office facilities, colocation facilities, switching facilities, other network sites and service equipment to third parties under operating leases. Lease and sublease income are included in operating revenue in the consolidated statements of operations.

For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, our gross rental income was $1.3 billion, $1.4 billion and $882 million, respectively, which represents 6%, 7% and 4% respectively, of our operating revenue for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.

Leases

Leases

Our financial position for reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019 is presented under the new accounting guidance, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with previous guidance, as discussed in Note 1— Background and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.

We primarily lease to or from third parties various office facilities and colocation facilities, equipment and dark fiber. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet; we recognize lease expense for these leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception and whether that lease meets the classification criteria of a finance or operating lease. Lease-related assets, or right-of-use assets, are recognized at the lease commencement date at amounts equal to the respective lease liabilities. Lease-related liabilities are recognized at the present value of the remaining contractual fixed lease payments, discounted using our incremental borrowing rates. As part of the present value calculation for the lease liabilities, we use an incremental borrowing rate as the rates implicit in the leases are not readily determinable. The incremental borrowing rates used for lease accounting are based on our unsecured rates, adjusted to approximate the rates at which we could borrow on a collateralized basis over a term similar to the recognized lease term. We apply the incremental borrowing rates to lease components using a portfolio approach based upon the length of the lease term and the reporting entity in which the

lease resides. Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term, while variable lease payments are expensed as incurred.

Some of our lease arrangements contain lease components, non-lease components (including common-area maintenance costs) and executory costs (including real estate taxes and insurance costs). We generally account for each component separately based on the estimated standalone price of each component. For colocation leases, we account for the lease and non-lease components as a single lease component.

Many of our lease agreements contain renewal options; however, we do not recognize right-of-use assets or lease liabilities for renewal periods unless it is determined that we are reasonably certain of renewing the lease at inception or when a triggering event occurs. Certain leases also include options to purchase the leased property. The depreciable life of assets and leasehold improvements are limited by the expected lease term, unless there is a transfer of title or purchase option reasonably certain to be exercised. Our lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants.

Lease expense consisted of the following:

	Years Ended December 31,
	2020		2019
	(Dollars in millions)
Operating and short-term lease cost	$	729	677
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of right-of-use assets	36		44
Interest on lease liability	12		12
Total finance lease cost	48		56
Total lease cost	$	777	733

Lumen Technologies leases various equipment, office facilities, retail outlets and other network sites. These leases, with few exceptions, provide for renewal options and escalations that are either fixed or based on the consumer price index. Any rent abatements, along with rent escalations, are included in the computation of rent expense calculated on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The lease term for most leases includes the initial non-cancelable term plus any term under renewal options that are reasonably assured. For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, our gross rental expense was $777 million, $733 million and $875 million, respectively. We also received sublease rental income for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 of $25 million, $24 million and $21 million, respectively.

Supplemental consolidated balance sheet information and other information related to leases:

		As of December 31,
Leases (Dollars in millions)	Classification on the Balance Sheet	2020			2019
Assets
Operating lease assets	Other, net	$	1,699		1,686
Finance lease assets	Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	329			252
Total leased assets		$	2,028		1,938
Liabilities
Current
Operating	Current operating lease liabilities	$	379		416
Finance	Current maturities of long-term debt	26			35
Noncurrent
Operating	Other	1,405			1,342
Finance	Long-term debt	267			185
Total lease liabilities		$	2,077		1,978
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years)
Operating leases		6.7			7.2
Finance leases		12.1			11.3
Weighted-average discount rate
Operating leases		6.01		%	6.46	%
Finance leases		4.94		%	5.47	%

Supplemental consolidated cash flow statement information related to leases:

	Years Ended December 31,
	2020		2019
	(Dollars in millions)
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows for operating leases	$	566	665
Operating cash flows for finance leases	14		14
Financing cash flows for finance leases	40		32
Supplemental lease cash flow disclosures
Operating lease right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities	$	375	358
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities	124		14

As of December 31, 2020, maturities of lease liabilities were as follows:

	Operating Leases		Finance Leases
	(Dollars in millions)
2021	$	469	40
2022	411		32
2023	331		29
2024	232		28
2025	177		29
Thereafter	592		240
Total lease payments	2,212		398
Less: interest	(428)		(105)
Total	1,784		293
Less: current portion	(379)		(26)
Long-term portion	$	1,405	267

As of December 31, 2020, we had no material operating or finance leases that had not yet commenced.

Operating Lease Income

Lumen Technologies leases various dark fiber, office facilities, colocation facilities, switching facilities, other network sites and service equipment to third parties under operating leases. Lease and sublease income are included in operating revenue in the consolidated statements of operations.

For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, our gross rental income was $1.3 billion, $1.4 billion and $882 million, respectively, which represents 6%, 7% and 4% respectively, of our operating revenue for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.