CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 1,665	$ 1,657	$ 1,085
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	1,436	1,583	1,691
Deferred income taxes	48	(773)	(123)
Provision for uncollectible accounts	60	74	80
Net long-term debt issuance costs and premium amortization	1	(2)	(12)
Accrued interest on affiliate note	43	51	59
Net loss on early retirement of debt	30	5	27
Impairment of asset	0	1	11
Changes in current assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	40	(20)	(92)
Accounts payable	69	(44)	5
Accrued income and other taxes	(34)	(1)	(14)
Other current assets and liabilities, net	40	(36)	47
Other current assets and liabilities - affiliates	8	11	0
Changes in other noncurrent assets and liabilities, net	473	17	1
Changes in affiliate obligations, net	(105)	(88)	(117)
Other, net	17	0	4
Net cash provided by operating activities	3,791	2,435	2,652
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Payments for property, plant and equipment and capitalized software	(1,040)	(1,328)	(1,259)
Changes in advances to affiliates	(119)	(152)	(84)
Proceeds from sale of property	6	49	9
Cash paid for acquisition	0	(5)	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,153)	(1,436)	(1,334)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt		638	1,173
Payments of long-term debt	(1,359)	(641)	(1,189)
Dividends paid to Qwest Services Corporation	(1,275)	(1,000)	(1,300)
Net cash used in financing activities	(2,634)	(1,003)	(1,316)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	4	(4)	2
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	3	7	5
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	7	3	7
Supplemental cash flow information:
Income taxes refunded (paid), net	8	(907)	(801)
Interest paid (net of capitalized interest of $24, $32 and $19)	(466)	(467)	(488)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash:
Total	$ 3	$ 7	$ 5