CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Total	COMMON STOCK	ADDITIONAL PAID-IN CAPITAL	TREASURY STOCK	ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS	RETAINED EARNINGS
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010		$ 305	$ 6,181		$ (141)	$ 3,302
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2010		305,000,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Issuance of common stock to acquire Qwest, including shares issued in connection with share-based compensation awards		294	11,974
Issuance of common stock to acquire Qwest, including shares issued in connection with share-based compensation awards (in shares)		294,000,000
Issuance of common stock through dividend reinvestment, incentive and benefit plans		4	55
Issuance of common stock through dividend reinvestment, incentive and benefit plans (in shares)		4,000,000
Shares withheld to satisfy tax withholdings		(1)	(15)	(14)
Shares withheld to satisfy tax withholdings (in shares)		(1,000,000)
Share-based compensation and other, net			41
Net income	326					326
Dividends declared						(657)
Balance at Jun. 30, 2011	21,654	602	18,236	(14)	(141)	2,971
Balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2011		602,000,000
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	20,827	619	18,901		(1,012)	2,319
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011	618,514,000	619,000,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Issuance of common stock through dividend reinvestment, incentive and benefit plans		4	61
Issuance of common stock through dividend reinvestment, incentive and benefit plans (in shares)		4,000,000
Shares withheld to satisfy tax withholdings		(1)	(19)
Shares withheld to satisfy tax withholdings (in shares)		(1,000,000)
Share-based compensation and other, net			56
Other comprehensive income	14				14
Net income	274					274
Dividends declared	(905)					(905)
Balance at Jun. 30, 2012	$ 20,311	$ 622	$ 18,999		$ (998)	$ 1,688
Balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2012	622,327,000	622,000,000