CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 264	$ 218
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	530	568
Deferred income taxes	(49)	(62)
Provision for uncollectible accounts	13	20
Long-term debt (premium) discount amortization	(15)	(22)
Changes in current assets and current liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(29)	(11)
Accounts payable	49	(82)
Accrued income and other taxes	34	42
Other current assets and other current liabilities, net	(1)	71
Changes in other noncurrent assets and liabilities	(7)	(7)
Changes in other noncurrent assets and liabilities-affiliates	(41)	(37)
Other, net	2	5
Net cash provided by operating activities	750	703
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Payments for property, plant and equipment and capitalized software	(262)	(341)
Changes in advances to affiliates	(177)	(278)
Net cash used in investing activities	(439)	(619)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Payments of long-term debt	(24)	(26)
Dividends paid to Qwest Services Corporation	(300)
Changes in advances from affiliates	16	(61)
Net cash used in financing activities	(308)	(87)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	3	(3)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	8	3
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	11
Supplemental cash flow information:
Income taxes (paid) refunded, net	(215)	(51)
Interest (paid) (net of capitalized interest of $4 and $3)	$ (87)	$ (80)