CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 274	$ 326
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	2,416	1,546
Deferred income taxes	137	174
Provision for uncollectible accounts	103	61
Long-term debt (premium) discount amortization	(49)	(66)
Net loss on early retirement of debt	194	1
Changes in current assets and current liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(64)	8
Accounts payable	(140)	(24)
Accrued income and other taxes	22	67
Other current assets and other current liabilities, net	(6)	22
Retirement benefits	(163)	(129)
Changes in other noncurrent assets and liabilities	53	(10)
Other, net	22	42
Net cash provided by operating activities	2,799	2,018
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Payments for property, plant and equipment and capitalized software	(1,305)	(790)
Cash acquired in Qwest acquisition, net of $5 cash paid		419
Proceeds from sale of property	133
Other, net	(3)	9
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,175)	(362)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	3,361	2,602
Payments of long-term debt	(3,630)	(857)
Early retirement of debt costs	(324)	(13)
Net payments on credit facility	(27)	(365)
Dividends paid	(905)	(657)
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock	65	58
Repurchase of common stock	(20)	(30)
Other, net	7	(21)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(1,473)	717
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	2
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	153	2,373
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	128	173
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	281	2,546
Supplemental cash flow information:
Income taxes (paid) refunded, net	(31)	99
Interest paid (net of capitalized interest of $21 and $10)	$ (729)	$ (460)