CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 544	$ 464
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	3,560	2,774
Deferred income taxes	260	298
Provision for uncollectible accounts	144	94
Long-term debt (premium) discount amortization	(71)	(119)
Net loss on early retirement of debt	194	1
Changes in current assets and current liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(136)	(66)
Accounts payable	48	(14)
Accrued income and other taxes	65	80
Other current assets and other current liabilities, net	134	43
Retirement benefits	(179)	(170)
Changes in other noncurrent assets and liabilities	91	21
Other, net	32	67
Net cash provided by operating activities	4,686	3,473
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Payments for property, plant and equipment and capitalized software	(2,024)	(1,511)
Cash paid for Savvis acquisition, net of $94 cash acquired		(1,671)
Cash acquired in Qwest acquisition, net of $5 cash paid		419
Proceeds from sale of property	133
Other, net	28	14
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,863)	(2,749)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	3,363	3,159
Payments of long-term debt	(4,529)	(1,442)
Early retirement of debt costs	(324)	(13)
Net borrowings (payments) on credit facility	3	(365)
Dividends paid	(1,357)	(1,105)
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock	91	79
Repurchase of common stock	(20)	(31)
Other, net	14	(41)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(2,759)	241
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	2	(15)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	66	950
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	128	173
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	194	1,123
Supplemental cash flow information:
Income taxes (paid) refunded, net	(59)	100
Interest (paid) (net of capitalized interest of $33 and $17)	$ (997)	$ (760)