Share-based Compensation	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Share-based Compensation	Share-based Compensation Prior to our acquisition by CenturyLink on November 1, 2017, we recorded share-based compensation expense for our performance restricted stock units, restricted stock units, 401(k) matching contributions and prior to October 1, 2016, outperform stock appreciation rights. Due to CenturyLink's acquisition of us, we now record share-based compensation expense that is allocated to us from CenturyLink. Based on many factors that affect the allocation, the amount of share-based compensation expense recorded at CenturyLink and ultimately allocated to us may fluctuate. We cash settle the share-based compensation expense allocated to us from CenturyLink. Share-based compensation expenses were included in cost of services and products, and selling, general, and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of operations. During our predecessor period and years, we recognized compensation expense relating to awards granted to our employees under the Level 3 Communications, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan, as amended (the "Stock Plan"). The Stock Plan provided for accelerated vesting of stock awards upon retirement if an employee met certain age and years of service requirements and certain other requirements. Under the Stock Compensation guidance, if an employee meets the age and years of service requirements under the accelerated vesting provision, the award would be expensed at grant or expensed over the period from the grant date to the date the employee meets the requirements, even if the employee has not actually retired. For the successor period ended December 31, 2017, the predecessor period ended October 31, 2017 and the predecessor years ended December 31, 2016, and 2015, our total share-based compensation expense was approximately $26 million, $132 million, $156 million and $141 million, respectively. Annual Discretionary Bonus Grant Our annual discretionary bonus program is intended to motivate employees to achieve our financial and business goals. Each participant is provided a target award expressed as a percentage of base salary. For the predecessor period, actual awards under the program were based on corporate results as well as achievement of specific individual performance criteria during the bonus program period, and were paid in cash, at the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee of Level 3's predecessor Board of Directors. The annual discretionary bonus for the period through the closing of the merger on November 1, 2017 was paid in cash in November 2017 and the discretionary bonus awarded for the last two months of 2017 will be paid in cash in 2018 at the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee of CenturyLink's Board of Directors. The annual discretionary bonus was paid in cash for the 2016 and 2015 bonus programs.

Share-based Compensation

Prior to our acquisition by CenturyLink on November 1, 2017, we recorded share-based compensation expense for our performance restricted stock units, restricted stock units, 401(k) matching contributions and prior to October 1, 2016, outperform stock appreciation rights. Due to CenturyLink's acquisition of us, we now record share-based compensation expense that is allocated to us from CenturyLink. Based on many factors that affect the allocation, the amount of share-based compensation expense recorded at CenturyLink and ultimately allocated to us may fluctuate. We cash settle the share-based compensation expense allocated to us from CenturyLink.

Share-based compensation expenses were included in cost of services and products, and selling, general, and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of operations. During our predecessor period and years, we recognized compensation expense relating to awards granted to our employees under the Level 3 Communications, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan, as amended (the "Stock Plan"). The Stock Plan provided for accelerated vesting of stock awards upon retirement if an employee met certain age and years of service requirements and certain other requirements. Under the Stock Compensation guidance, if an employee meets the age and years of service requirements under the accelerated vesting provision, the award would be expensed at grant or expensed over the period from the grant date to the date the employee meets the requirements, even if the employee has not actually retired.

For the successor period ended December 31, 2017, the predecessor period ended October 31, 2017 and the predecessor years ended December 31, 2016, and 2015, our total share-based compensation expense was approximately $26 million, $132 million, $156 million and $141 million, respectively.

Annual Discretionary Bonus Grant

Our annual discretionary bonus program is intended to motivate employees to achieve our financial and business goals. Each participant is provided a target award expressed as a percentage of base salary. For the predecessor period, actual awards under the program were based on corporate results as well as achievement of specific individual performance criteria during the bonus program period, and were paid in cash, at the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee of Level 3's predecessor Board of Directors. The annual discretionary bonus for the period through the closing of the merger on November 1, 2017 was paid in cash in November 2017 and the discretionary bonus awarded for the last two months of 2017 will be paid in cash in 2018 at the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee of CenturyLink's Board of Directors. The annual discretionary bonus was paid in cash for the 2016 and 2015 bonus programs.