Repurchase of CenturyLink Common Stock (Details) (USD $) Share data in Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]
Stock repurchases, aggregate authorized amount	$ 2,000,000,000
Number of shares repurchased (shares)		35.2
Aggregate market price of shares repurchased		1,240,000,000
Average purchase price at which shares were repurchased (in dollars per share)		$ 35.09
Stock repurchases, remaining authorized amount		764,000,000
Aggregate market value of shares agreed to be repurchased, in transactions that will settle early in the fourth quarter of 2013		$ 18,000,000
Average purchase price of shares agreed to be repurchased, in transactions that will settle early in the fourth quarter of 2013 (in dollars per share)		$ 31.76