CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Total	COMMON STOCK	ADDITIONAL PAID-IN CAPITAL	ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME	RETAINED EARNINGS
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2010		$ 305
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2010		305,000,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Issuance of common stock to acquire Qwest, including shares issued in connection with share-based compensation awards		294	11,974
Issuance of common stock to acquire Qwest, including shares issued in connection with share-based compensation awards (shares)		294,000,000
Issuance of common stock to acquire Savvis, including shares issued in connection with share-based compensation awards		14	601
Issuance of common stock to acquire Savvis, including shares issued in connection with share-based compensation awards (shares)		14,000,000
Issuance of common stock through dividend reinvestment, incentive and benefit plans		6	97
Issuance of common stock through dividend reinvestment, incentive and benefit plans (shares)		6,000,000
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value		0	0
Shares withheld to satisfy tax withholdings		0	(30)
Shares withheld to satisfy tax withholdings (shares)		0
Share-based compensation and other, net			(78)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(871)			(871)
Net (loss) income	573				573
Dividends declared			0		(1,556)
Balance at end of period at Dec. 31, 2011	20,827	619	18,901	(1,012)	2,319
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011		619,000,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Issuance of common stock to acquire Qwest, including shares issued in connection with share-based compensation awards		0	0
Issuance of common stock to acquire Qwest, including shares issued in connection with share-based compensation awards (shares)		0
Issuance of common stock to acquire Savvis, including shares issued in connection with share-based compensation awards		0	0
Issuance of common stock to acquire Savvis, including shares issued in connection with share-based compensation awards (shares)		0
Issuance of common stock through dividend reinvestment, incentive and benefit plans		8	102
Issuance of common stock through dividend reinvestment, incentive and benefit plans (shares)		8,000,000
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value		0	0
Shares withheld to satisfy tax withholdings		(1)	(34)
Shares withheld to satisfy tax withholdings (shares)		1,000,000
Share-based compensation and other, net			(110)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(689)			(689)
Net (loss) income	777				777
Dividends declared			0		(1,811)
Balance at end of period at Dec. 31, 2012	19,289	626	19,079	(1,701)	1,285
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012	625,658,000	626,000,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Issuance of common stock to acquire Qwest, including shares issued in connection with share-based compensation awards			0
Issuance of common stock to acquire Qwest, including shares issued in connection with share-based compensation awards (shares)		0
Issuance of common stock to acquire Savvis, including shares issued in connection with share-based compensation awards			0
Issuance of common stock to acquire Savvis, including shares issued in connection with share-based compensation awards (shares)		0
Issuance of common stock through dividend reinvestment, incentive and benefit plans			69
Issuance of common stock through dividend reinvestment, incentive and benefit plans (shares)		4,000,000
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value	(1,570)	(46)	(1,551)
Shares withheld to satisfy tax withholdings			(18)
Shares withheld to satisfy tax withholdings (shares)		0
Share-based compensation and other, net			(85)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	899			899
Net (loss) income	(239)				(239)
Dividends declared			(321)		(980)
Balance at end of period at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 17,191	$ 584		$ (802)	$ 66