The high end of the range of percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.

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- Definition

The low end of the range of percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.

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- Definition

Represents the percentage of equity interest of the entity's Canadian subsidiary which is held as collateral for a debt instrument.

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- Definition

Represents the number of convertible notes.

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- Definition

The percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.

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- Definition

The reference rate for the variable rate of the debt instrument, such as LIBOR or the US Treasury rate and the maturity of the reference rate used, such as three months or six months LIBOR.

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- Definition

This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 10
-Subparagraph (a)
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- Definition

Interest rate stated in the contractual debt agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 22
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- Definition

When presenting a range of interest rates, the highest stated (contractual) rate for funds borrowed under the debt agreement as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

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- Definition

When presenting a range of interest rates, the lowest stated (contractual) rate for funds borrowed under the debt agreement as of the balance sheet date.

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-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
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- Definition

The reference rate for the variable rate of the interest rate derivative, such as LIBOR or the US Treasury rate and the maturity of the reference rate used, such as three months or six months LIBOR.

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- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

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Including current and noncurrent portions, aggregate carrying amount of long-term borrowings as of the balance sheet date. May include notes payable, bonds payable, commercial loans, mortgage loans, convertible debt, subordinated debt and other types of debt, which had initial maturities beyond one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer, and after deducting unamortized discount or premiums, if any.

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-Publisher FASB
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-SubTopic 10
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Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended			6 Months Ended					6 Months Ended								6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011 Senior Notes	Dec. 31, 2010 Senior Notes	Jun. 30, 2011 Actively traded convertible notes	Dec. 31, 2010 Actively traded convertible notes	Jun. 30, 2011 Convertible Senior Notes due 2012 (3.5%)	Jun. 30, 2011 6.5% Convertible Senior Notes due in 2016	Jun. 30, 2011 Convertible Senior Notes due 2011 (5.25%)	Jun. 30, 2011 Not actively traded convertible notes	Dec. 31, 2010 Not actively traded convertible notes	Jun. 30, 2011 Convertible Senior Notes due 2015 (7.0%)	Jun. 30, 2011 Convertible Senior Notes due 2015 Series B (7.0%)	Jun. 30, 2011 Convertible Senior Notes due 2013 (15.0%)	Jun. 30, 2011 Convertible Senior Discount Notes due 2013 (9.0%)	Jun. 30, 2011 Term Loans	Dec. 31, 2010 Term Loans	Jun. 30, 2011 Tranche A Term Loan	Jun. 30, 2011 Tranche B Term Loan	Jun. 30, 2011 Commercial Mortgages	Dec. 31, 2010 Commercial Mortgages	Jun. 30, 2011 Senior Notes due 2019 (11.875%)	Jan. 31, 2011 Senior Notes due 2019 (11.875%)	Jun. 30, 2011 Senior Notes due 2019 (9.375%)
Liabilities measured on a recurring basis
Basis of interest payment	LIBOR
Basis of interest rate on debt		LIBOR															LIBOR	LIBOR
Interest spread on debt, low end of range		3.75%																3.00%
Interest spread on debt, high end of range		11.875%
Fair value of long-term debt		$ 4,300	$ 2,800	$ 718	$ 697				$ 1,419	$ 1,200					$ 1,700	$ 1,600	$ 1,400	$ 280	$ 79	$ 79
Carrying value of long term debt																			$ 66	$ 67
Number of convertible notes				2
Security coupon rates used for valuation, lowest interest rate									7.00%
Security coupon rates used for valuation, highest interest rate									15.00%
Debt instrument, stated interest rate (as a percent)						3.50%	6.50%	5.25%			7.00%	7.00%	15.00%	9.00%							11.875%	11.875%	9.375%
Interest spread on debt																	2.25%	8.50%
Collateral for debt, Equity interest in Level 3 Financing, Inc's Canadian subsidiary (as a percent)															65.00%