CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 777	$ 573	$ 948
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	4,780	4,026	1,434
Deferred income taxes	394	395	132
Provision for uncollectible accounts	187	153	91
Long-term debt (premium) discount amortization	(88)	(148)	1
Net loss on early retirement of debt	179	8
Changes in current assets and current liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(154)	(102)	(118)
Accounts payable	(72)	(58)	(96)
Accrued income and other taxes	(14)	31	38
Other current assets and other current liabilities, net	16	(76)	(127)
Retirement benefits	(169)	(688)	(271)
Changes in other noncurrent assets and liabilities	161	(6)	(13)
Other, net	68	93	26
Net cash provided by operating activities	6,065	4,201	2,045
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Payments for property, plant and equipment and capitalized software	(2,919)	(2,411)	(864)
Cash paid for Savvis acquisition, net of $61 cash acquired		(1,671)
Cash acquired in Qwest acquisition, net of $5 cash paid		419
Proceeds from sale of property and intangible assets	191
Other, net	38	16	5
Net cash used in investing activities	(2,690)	(3,647)	(859)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	3,362	4,102
Payments of long-term debt	(5,118)	(2,984)	(500)
Net borrowings (payments) on credit facility	543	(88)	74
Early retirement of debt costs	(346)	(114)
Dividends paid	(1,811)	(1,556)	(879)
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock	110	103	130
Repurchase of common stock	(37)	(31)	(17)
Other, net	2	(9)	17
Net cash used in financing activities	(3,295)	(577)	(1,175)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	3	(22)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	83	(45)	11
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	128	173	162
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	211	128	173
Supplemental cash flow information:
Income taxes (paid) refunded, net	(82)	118	(424)
Interest (paid) (net of capitalized interest of $43, $25 and $13)	$ (1,405)	$ (1,225)	$ (548)