Name:	ctl_ChargesClaimedInLawsuitsAgainstSubsidiariesOfThirdParty
Namespace Prefix:	ctl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Reduction to the liability for retiree benefits at the time of the modifications made to Embarq's benefits program.

No definition available.

Name:	ctl_EffectOfModificationsMadeToBenefitsPrograms
Namespace Prefix:	ctl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	ctl_LitigationMattersAssumedInQwestAcquisitionAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	ctl_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The number of former plant sites that may have been owned or operated by acquired entities of indirect subsidiary and produced manufactured gas.

No definition available.

Name:	ctl_NumberOfFormerPlantSitesThatProducedManufacturedGas
Namespace Prefix:	ctl_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Over 60 years ago, Centel Corporation acquired entities that may have owned or operated former plant sites.

No definition available.

Name:	ctl_NumberOfIndirectSubsidiariesThatAcquiredEntitiesWithPlantSites
Namespace Prefix:	ctl_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Represents the number of plaintiffs in a lawsuit filed.

No definition available.

Name:	ctl_NumberOfPlaintiffs
Namespace Prefix:	ctl_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Number of sites where Centel has entered into agreements with other potentially responsible parties to share remediation costs. Includes the sites where the EPA is involved.

No definition available.

Name:	ctl_NumberOfSitesIndirectSubsidiaryAgreedToShareRemediationCosts
Namespace Prefix:	ctl_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Number of sites on which Embarq and current landowners are working with Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to administrative consent orders.

No definition available.

Name:	ctl_NumberOfSitesLandOwnersAreWorkingWithEPA
Namespace Prefix:	ctl_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The value (monetary amount) of the award the plaintiff seeks in the legal matter.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6952336&loc=d3e14326-108349

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6952336&loc=d3e14435-108349

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 5

-Paragraph 9

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 9

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6952336&loc=d3e14557-108349

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 5

-Paragraph 11

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 5

-Paragraph 10

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 5

-Paragraph 12

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesSoughtValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The total number of new claims filed pertaining to a loss contingency during the period.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 5

-Paragraph 9, 10, 11, 12

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.