CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net (loss) income	$ (239)	$ 777	$ 573
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	4,541	4,780	4,026
Impairment	1,092	0	0
Deferred income taxes	391	394	395
Provision for uncollectible accounts	152	187	153
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Intangible Assets	(32)	0	0
Long-term debt (premium) discount amortization	(57)	(88)	(148)
Net (gain) loss on early retirement of debt	(10)	179	8
Changes in current assets and current liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(212)	(154)	(102)
Accounts payable	(76)	(72)	(58)
Accrued income and other taxes	28	(14)	31
Other current assets and other current liabilities, net	263	16	(76)
Retirement benefits	(342)	(169)	(688)
Changes in other noncurrent assets and liabilities	19	161	(6)
Other, net	41	68	93
Net cash provided by operating activities	5,559	6,065	4,201
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Payments for property, plant and equipment and capitalized software	(3,048)	(2,919)	(2,411)
Cash paid for Savvis acquisition, net of $61 cash acquired	0	0	(1,671)
Cash acquired in Qwest acquisition, net of $5 cash paid	0	0	419
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross	(160)	0	0
Proceeds from sale of property and intangible assets	80	191	0
Other, net	(20)	38	16
Net cash used in investing activities	(3,148)	(2,690)	(3,647)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	2,481	3,362	4,102
Payments of long-term debt	(2,010)	(5,118)	(2,984)
Net (payments) borrowings on credit facility	95	(543)	88
Early retirement of debt costs	(31)	(346)	(114)
Dividends paid	(1,301)	(1,811)	(1,556)
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock	73	110	103
Repurchase of common stock	(1,586)	(37)	(31)
Other, net	15	2	(9)
Net cash used in financing activities	(2,454)	(3,295)	(577)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	0	3	(22)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(43)	83	(45)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	211	128	173
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	168	211	128
Supplemental cash flow information:
Income taxes (paid) refunded, net	(48)	(82)	118
Interest (paid) (net of capitalized interest of $41, $43 and $25)	$ (1,333)	$ (1,405)	$ (1,225)