XML 23 R55.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Long-Term Debt - Schedule of Long Term Debt (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
 0 Months Ended
Aug. 16, 2013
Aug. 12, 2013
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2011
Long-term debt          
Total Debt Obligations     $ 11,366us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount $ 8,392us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount  
Total Unamortized (Discount) Premium     (33)us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumNet (30)us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumNet  
Carrying Value of Debt     11,333us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations 8,362us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations  
Less current portion     (349)us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsCurrent (31)us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsCurrent  
Long-Term Debt, less current portion     10,984us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations 8,331us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations  
Tranche B III 2019 and Tranche B 2020 Term Loans [Member]          
Long-term debt          
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage     4.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_TrancheBIII2019andTrancheB2020TermLoansMember		    
Term Loans          
Long-term debt          
Total Debt Obligations     4,611us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_TermLoansMember		 [1] 2,611us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_TermLoansMember		 [1]  
Total Unamortized (Discount) Premium     (21)us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumNet
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_TermLoansMember		 (7)us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumNet
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_TermLoansMember		  
Floating Rate Senior Notes due 2015          
Long-term debt          
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage     3.846%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_FloatingRateSeniorNotesDue2015Member		   4.202%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_FloatingRateSeniorNotesDue2015Member
Senior Notes due 2018 (10.0%)          
Long-term debt          
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage     10.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_SeniorNotes10Point0PercentDue2018Member		 10.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_SeniorNotes10Point0PercentDue2018Member		 10.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_SeniorNotes10Point0PercentDue2018Member
Floating Rate Senior Notes due 2018 [Member]          
Long-term debt          
Total Debt Obligations     300us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_FloatingRateSeniorNotesdue2018Member		 300us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_FloatingRateSeniorNotesdue2018Member		  
Senior Notes 11 Point 875 Percent Due 2019 [Member]          
Long-term debt          
Total Debt Obligations     0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_SeniorNotes11Point875PercentDue2019Member		 605us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_SeniorNotes11Point875PercentDue2019Member		  
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage     11.875%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_SeniorNotes11Point875PercentDue2019Member		   11.875%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_SeniorNotes11Point875PercentDue2019Member
Total Unamortized (Discount) Premium     0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumNet
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_SeniorNotes11Point875PercentDue2019Member		 (8)us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumNet
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_SeniorNotes11Point875PercentDue2019Member		  
Senior Notes due 2019 (9.375%)          
Long-term debt          
Total Debt Obligations     500us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_SeniorNotes9Point375PercentDue2019Member		 500us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_SeniorNotes9Point375PercentDue2019Member		  
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage     9.375%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_SeniorNotes9Point375PercentDue2019Member		   9.375%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_SeniorNotes9Point375PercentDue2019Member
Total Unamortized (Discount) Premium     (6)us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumNet
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_SeniorNotes9Point375PercentDue2019Member		 (7)us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumNet
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_SeniorNotes9Point375PercentDue2019Member		  
Senior Notes due 2019 (8.125%)          
Long-term debt          
Total Debt Obligations     1,200us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_SeniorNotes8Point125PercentDue2019Member		 1,200us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_SeniorNotes8Point125PercentDue2019Member		  
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage     8.125%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_SeniorNotes8Point125PercentDue2019Member		   8.125%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_SeniorNotes8Point125PercentDue2019Member
Total Unamortized (Discount) Premium     (6)us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumNet
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_SeniorNotes8Point125PercentDue2019Member		 (7)us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumNet
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_SeniorNotes8Point125PercentDue2019Member		  
Senior Notes due 2019 (8.875%)          
Long-term debt          
Total Debt Obligations     300us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_SeniorNotes8Point875PercentDue2019Member		 300us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_SeniorNotes8Point875PercentDue2019Member		  
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage     8.875%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_SeniorNotes8Point875PercentDue2019Member		    
Senior Notes due 2020 (8.625%)          
Long-term debt          
Total Debt Obligations     900us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_SeniorNotes8Point625PercentDue2020Member		 900us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_SeniorNotes8Point625PercentDue2020Member		  
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage     8.625%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_SeniorNotes8Point625PercentDue2020Member		    
Senior Notes due 2020 (7.0%)          
Long-term debt          
Total Debt Obligations     775us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_SeniorNotes7PercentDue2020Member		 775us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_SeniorNotes7PercentDue2020Member		  
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage     7.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_SeniorNotes7PercentDue2020Member		    
Senior Notes due 2021 (6.125%)          
Long-term debt          
Total Debt Obligations     640us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_SeniorNotes6Point125PercentDue2021Member		 640us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_SeniorNotes6Point125PercentDue2021Member		  
5point375SeniorNotesdue2022 [Member]          
Long-term debt          
Total Debt Obligations     1,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_A5point375SeniorNotesdue2022Member		 0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_A5point375SeniorNotesdue2022Member		  
Convertible Senior Notes due 2013 (15.0%)          
Long-term debt          
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage     15.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_ConvertibleSeniorNotes15PercentDue2013Member		   15.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_ConvertibleSeniorNotes15PercentDue2013Member
Convertible Senior Notes 7 Percent Due 2015 [Member]          
Long-term debt          
Total Debt Obligations     58us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_ConvertibleSeniorNotes7PercentDue2015Member		 200us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_ConvertibleSeniorNotes7PercentDue2015Member		  
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage     7.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_ConvertibleSeniorNotes7PercentDue2015Member		   7.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_ConvertibleSeniorNotes7PercentDue2015Member
Total Unamortized (Discount) Premium     0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumNet
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_ConvertibleSeniorNotes7PercentDue2015Member		 (1)us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumNet
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_ConvertibleSeniorNotes7PercentDue2015Member		  
Convertible Senior Notes due 2015 Series B (7.0%)          
Long-term debt          
Total Debt Obligations     275us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_ConvertibleSeniorNotes7PercentDue2015SeriesBMember		 275us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_ConvertibleSeniorNotes7PercentDue2015SeriesBMember		  
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage     7.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_ConvertibleSeniorNotes7PercentDue2015SeriesBMember		   7.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_ConvertibleSeniorNotes7PercentDue2015SeriesBMember
Convertible Senior Notes due 2016 (6.5%)          
Long-term debt          
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage     6.50%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_ConvertibleSeniorNotes6Point5PercentDue2016Member		   6.50%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_ConvertibleSeniorNotes6Point5PercentDue2016Member
Capital Leases          
Long-term debt          
Total Debt Obligations     207us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsMember		 73us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsMember		  
Other          
Long-term debt          
Total Debt Obligations     0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_DebtInstrumentOtherMember		 13us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_DebtInstrumentOtherMember		  
Tranche B 2016 Term Loan [Member]          
Long-term debt          
Repayments of Debt 595.5us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_TrancheB2016TermLoanMember		        
Tranche B 2019 Term Loan [Member]          
Long-term debt          
Repayments of Debt   815.0us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_TrancheB2019TermLoanMember		      
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]          
Long-term debt          
Less current portion     0us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember		 0us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember		  
Long-Term Debt, less current portion     9,893us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember		 6,905us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember		  
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] | TrancheB2020TermLoanTotal [Member]          
Long-term debt          
Total Debt Obligations     $ 1,796us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lvlt_TrancheB2020TermLoanTotalMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember		    
[1] *The $2 billion Tranche B Term Loan due 2022 had an interest rate of 4.5% as of December 31, 2014. The $815 million Tranche B-III 2019 Term Loan due 2019 and the $1.796 billion Tranche B 2020 Term Loan due 2020 each had an interest rate of 4.00% as of December 31, 2014.