Share-based Compensation (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data in Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended												3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended						12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011 Qwest	Dec. 31, 2013 Stock option awards	Dec. 31, 2012 Stock option awards	Dec. 31, 2011 Stock option awards	Dec. 31, 2013 Restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards	Dec. 31, 2012 Restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards	Dec. 31, 2013 Restricted Stock	Dec. 31, 2012 Restricted Stock	Dec. 31, 2011 Restricted Stock	Mar. 31, 2013 Restricted Stock Executive Officers And Other Key Employees	Mar. 31, 2012 Restricted Stock Executive Officers And Other Key Employees	Mar. 31, 2012 Restricted Stock Executive Officers And Other Key Employees Awards vesting on January 9, 2013, 2014 and 2015	Mar. 31, 2012 Restricted Stock Executive Officers And Other Key Employees Awards vesting on March 15, 2013, 2014 and 2015	Jun. 30, 2013 Restricted Stock Key Employees And Outside Directors	Dec. 31, 2011 Restricted Stock Qwest and Savvis	Mar. 31, 2013 Service based restricted stock Executive Officers And Other Key Employees	Mar. 31, 2012 Service based restricted stock Executive Officers And Other Key Employees	Mar. 31, 2013 Performance Based Restricted Stock Executive Officers And Other Key Employees Minimum	Mar. 31, 2012 Performance Based Restricted Stock Executive Officers And Other Key Employees Minimum	Mar. 31, 2013 Performance Based Restricted Stock Executive Officers And Other Key Employees Maximum	Mar. 31, 2012 Performance Based Restricted Stock Executive Officers And Other Key Employees Maximum	Dec. 31, 2013 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Share-based compensation
Option expiration term					10 years
Discount given to employees on common stock (as a percent)																									15.00%
Period during which lower of beginning and ending stock price is considered for purchase of common stock at discount																									6 months
Summary of stock option awards activity
Outstanding at December 31, 2012 (in shares)					6,733
Exercised (in shares)					(1,142)
Forfeited/Expired (in shares)					(266)
Outstanding at December 31, 2013 (in shares)					5,325	6,733
Exercisable at December 31, 2013 (in shares)					5,325
Weighted-Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at December 31, 2012 (in dollars per share)					$ 34.23
Exercised (in dollars per share)					$ 27.07
Forfeited/Expired (in dollars per share)					$ 30.51
Outstanding at December 31, 2013 (in dollars per share)					$ 35.95	$ 34.23
Exercisable at the end of the period (in dollars per share)					$ 35.95
Aggregate Intrinsic value
Outstanding at the end of the period					$ 14
Weighted-average remaining contractual term
Outstanding at the end of the period					3 years 6 months
Net cash proceeds received in connection with option exercises					31
Tax benefit realized from option exercises					4
Total intrinsic value of options exercised					11	49	47
Restricted stock awards
Percentage of target award																					0.00%	0.00%	200.00%	200.00%
Period over which total shareholder return will be considered for determining satisfaction of specific performance conditions																	3 years
Summary of restricted stock and restricted stock unit activity
Nonvested at the beginning of the period (in shares)								3,528
Granted (in shares)								1,886	2,100			1,300	335	402	519	873	1,200	1,900	223	201
Vested (in shares)								(1,493)
Forfeited (in shares)								(296)
Nonvested at the end of the period (in shares)								3,625	3,528
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Nonvested at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)								$ 38.43
Granted (in dollars per share)								$ 35.63	$ 39.13			$ 36.15
Vested (in dollars per share)								$ 37.08
Forfeited (in dollars per share)								$ 36.26
Nonvested at the end of the period (in dollars per share)								$ 37.33	$ 38.43
Total fair value of awards vested during the period										52	102	72
Compensation cost	63	78	65	12
Share-based compensation, aggregate disclosures
Tax benefit recognized in the income statement for share-based payment arrangements	25	31	25
Unrecognized compensation cost	$ 89
Weighted-average recognition period	1 year 8 months 12 days