Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net Loss	$ (109)	$ (422)	$ (756)
(Income) loss from discontinued operations	0	0	(71)
Loss from Continuing Operations	(109)	(422)	(827)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations:
Depreciation and amortization	800	749	805
Asset retirement obligation adjustment	0	(47)	0
Asset Impairment Charges	7	0	0
Non-cash compensation expense attributable to stock awards	151	135	101
Loss on extinguishment of debt, net	84	160	100
Loss on interest rate swaps	0	60	0
Accretion of debt discount and amortization of debt issuance costs	36	46	56
Accrued interest on long-term debt, net	(49)	(5)	82
Loss on impairment of wireless spectrum licenses	0	0	20
Non-cash tax adjustments [Line Items]	(42)	(14)	0
Deferred income taxes	(29)	21	33
Loss (gain) on sale of property, plant, and equipment and other assets	(2)	(1)	(2)
Other, net	(41)	(23)	5
Changes in working capital items:
Receivables	30	(86)	(12)
Other current assets	3	(5)	(1)
Payables	(162)	18	30
Deferred revenue	28	(10)	(3)
Other current liabilities	8	2	1
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities of Continuing Operations	713	578	388
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(760)	(743)	(494)
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash and securities, net	13	20	(54)
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment and other assets			4
Investment in Global Crossing, net of cash acquired	0	0	146
Payments for other investing activities	2	(2)	4
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities in Investing Activities of Continuing Operations	(745)	(725)	(398)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Long-term debt borrowings, net of issuance costs	1,502	4,504	1,878
Payments on and repurchases of long-term debt, including current portion and refinancing costs	(1,796)	(4,302)	(1,617)
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised	0	5	0
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities of Continuing Operations	(294)	207	261
Discontinued Operations:
Net cash used in operating activities	0	0	(4)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	0	0	55
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Discontinued Operations	0	0	51
Effect of Exchange Rates on Cash and Cash Equivalents	(22)	1	0
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents	(348)	61	302
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year	979	918	616
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year	631	979	918
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:
Cash interest paid	674	695	576
Income taxes paid, net of refunds	33	32	7
Non-cash Investing and Financing Activities:
Capital Lease Obligations	13	0	0
Notes Issued	12	0	0
Long-term debt issued in exchange transaction	0	0	300
Non Cash Long Term Debt Retired in Exchange Transaction	0	0	295
Conversion of notes into common stock	200	100	128
Non-cash inducement premium on conversion of debt to equity	0	39	0
Non cash accrued interest payment	3	2	0
Long-term debt issued and proceeds placed in escrow	0	0	1,200
Settlement of Global Crossing debt with escrowed securities	$ 0	$ 0	$ 1,254