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

Represents the approximate charges received in connection with two lawsuits filed against subsidiaries of Sprint Nextel to recover terminating access charges for VoIP traffic owed under various interconnection agreements and tariffs.

No definition available.

Name:	ctl_ChargesReceivedInLawsuitsFromSubsidiariesOfThirdParty
Namespace Prefix:	ctl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Reduction to the liability for retiree benefits at the time of the modifications made to Embarq's benefits program is greater than this amount.

No definition available.

Name:	ctl_EffectOfModificationsMadeToBenefitsProgramsGreaterThan
Namespace Prefix:	ctl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The total number of claims with a favorable ruling pertaining to a gain contingency during the period.

No definition available.

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

- Details

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

Represents the number of actions under which the entity is a defendant.

No definition available.

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

Represents the number of action pending purport to be brought on behalf of state-wide classes in named of plaintiffs' respective states.

No definition available.

Name:	ctl_NumberOfActionsPendingPurportToBeBroughtOnBehalfOfStateWideClassesInNamedPlaintiffsRespectiveStates
Namespace Prefix:	ctl_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

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

Represents the number of states in which final approval of settlements were received during the period.

No definition available.

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

Represents the number of states in which preliminary approval of settlements were received during the period.

No definition available.

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

Represents the number of states in which preliminary or final approval of settlements have not yet been received during the period.

No definition available.

Name:	ctl_NumberOfStatesInWhichPreliminaryOrFinalApprovalOfSettlementsHaveNotBeenReceived
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

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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.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

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Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyNewClaimsFiledNumber
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The number of states the entity operates in as of the balance sheet date.

No definition available.