Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Cash flows provided from (used by) operating activities:
Net loss	$ (1,804)	$ (373)	$ (196)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	2,184	2,031	1,320
Loss on early extinguishment of debt and debt exchanges	88	7
Pension settlement costs	83
Pension/OPEB costs	17	79	10
Special Termination Benefits	5	26
Stock based compensation expense	14	24	27
Amortization of deferred financing costs	33	46	191
Other adjustments	(14)	(12)
Deferred income taxes	(1,385)	(206)	(167)
Goodwill impairment	2,748
Change in accounts receivable	122	(19)	62
Change in accounts payable and other liabilities	(315)	(12)	116
Change in prepaid expenses, income taxes and other current assets	74	85	(48)
Net cash provided from operating activities	1,850	1,676	1,315
Cash flows provided from (used by) investing activities:
Cash paid for CTF acquisition		(9,871)
Capital expenditures - Business operations	(1,154)	(1,259)	(710)
Capital expenditures - Integration activities	(34)	(142)	(153)
Network expansion funded by Connect America Fund - Phase I			(22)
Proceeds on sale of assets	110	8	22
Cash paid for an acquisition, net of cash acquired			(17)
Other	24	5	2
Net cash used by investing activities	(1,054)	(11,259)	(878)
Cash flows provided from (used by) financing activities:
Long-term debt payments	(1,811)	(453)	(298)
Proceeds from long-term debt borrowings	1,500	1,940	6,603
Financing costs paid	(15)	(39)	(119)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net			799
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock, net			1,866
Dividends paid on common stock	(266)	(493)	(456)
Dividends paid on preferred stock	(214)	(214)	(120)
Premium paid to retire debt	(86)
Capital lease obligation payments	(42)	(8)
Other	(8)	(8)	(14)
Net cash provided from (used by) financing activities	(942)	725	8,261
Increase/(Decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(146)	(8,858)	8,698
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at January 1,	522	9,380	682
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at December 31,	376	522	9,380
Cash paid (received) during the period for:
Interest	1,548	1,467	728
Income taxes(refunds), net	(51)	(120)	28
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Financing obligation for contribution of real property to pension plan		15
Reduction of pension obligation		15
Increase (decrease) in capital expenditures due to change in accounts payable	50	(60)	$ (56)
Capital lease obligations	$ 17	$ 111