Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

Large accelerated filer

☐

Accelerated filer

☐

Non-accelerated filer

☒

Smaller reporting company

☐

Emerging growth company

☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

☐

All references herein to CenturyLink, Lumen Technologies or Lumen are to CenturyLink, Inc., our ultimate controlling member. On September 14, 2020, CenturyLink, Inc. announced the "Lumen" brand launch and effective September 18, 2020 CenturyLink, Inc. began trading under the ticker symbol “LUMN”. As a result, CenturyLink, Inc. is referred to as “Lumen Technologies”, or simply “Lumen”. The legal name “CenturyLink, Inc.” is expected to be formally changed to “Lumen Technologies, Inc.” upon satisfying all applicable legal requirements.

This report and other documents filed by us under the federal securities law include, and future oral or written statements or press releases by us and our management may include, forward-looking statements about our business, financial condition, operating results and prospects. These "forward-looking" statements are defined by, and are subject to the "safe harbor" protections under, the federal securities laws. These statements include, among others:

•statements about our liquidity, profitability, profit margins, tax position, tax assets, tax rates, asset values, contingent liabilities, growth opportunities, growth rates, acquisition and divestiture opportunities, business prospects, regulatory and competitive outlook, market share, product capabilities, investment and expenditure plans, business strategies, debt leverage, capital allocation plans, financing alternatives and sources, and pricing plans; and

•other similar statements of our expectations, beliefs, future plans and strategies, anticipated developments and other matters that are not historical facts, many of which are highlighted by words such as “may,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “plan,” “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “projects,” “intends,” “likely,” “seeks,” “hopes,” or variations or similar expressions with respect to the future.

These forward-looking statements are based upon our judgment and assumptions as of the date such statements are made concerning future developments and events, many of which are beyond our control. These forward-looking statements, and the assumptions upon which they are based, (i) are not guarantees of future results, (ii) are inherently speculative and (iii) are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual events and results may differ materially from those anticipated, estimated, projected or implied by us in those statements if one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if our underlying assumptions prove incorrect. All of our forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to our discussion of factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, estimated, projected or implied by us in those forward-looking statements. Factors that could affect actual results include but are not limited to:

•uncertainties due to events outside of our control regarding the impact that COVID-19 health and economic disruptions will continue to have on our business, operations, employees, customers, suppliers, distribution channels, controls, regulatory environment, access to capital, operating or capital plans and corporate initiatives, and ultimately on our financial performance, financial position and cash flows;

Additional factors or risks that we currently deem immaterial, that are not presently known to us or that arise in the future could also cause our actual results to differ materially from our expected results. Given these uncertainties, investors are cautioned not to unduly rely upon our forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements for any reason, whether as a result of new information, future events or developments, changed circumstances, or otherwise. Furthermore, any information about our intentions contained in any of our forward-looking statements reflects our intentions as of the date of such forward-looking statement, and is based upon, among other things, existing regulatory, technological, industry, competitive, economic and market conditions, and our assumptions as of such date. We may change our intentions, strategies or plans (including our distribution or other capital allocation plans) at any time and without notice, based upon any changes in such factors, in our assumptions or otherwise.


		Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,					Three Months Ended September 30,		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2020		2019	2020	2019		2020		2019	2020	2019
		(Dollars in millions)										(Dollars in millions)
OPERATING REVENUE	OPERATING REVENUE						OPERATING REVENUE
Operating revenue	Operating revenue	$	1,932	1,888	3,864	3,783	Operating revenue	$	1,918	1,911	5,782	5,694
Operating revenue - affiliates	Operating revenue - affiliates	52		38	100	93	Operating revenue - affiliates	53		41	153	134
Total operating revenue	Total operating revenue	1,984		1,926	3,964	3,876	Total operating revenue	1,971		1,952	5,935	5,828
OPERATING EXPENSES	OPERATING EXPENSES						OPERATING EXPENSES
Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	890		831	1,766	1,702	Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	857		848	2,623	2,550
Selling, general and administrative	Selling, general and administrative	312		347	622	675	Selling, general and administrative	300		289	922	964
Operating expenses - affiliates	Operating expenses - affiliates	80		87	173	133	Operating expenses - affiliates	101		76	274	209
Depreciation and amortization	Depreciation and amortization	405		389	821	779	Depreciation and amortization	429		430	1,250	1,209
Goodwill impairment	Goodwill impairment	—		—	—	3,708	Goodwill impairment	0		0	0	3,708
Total operating expenses	Total operating expenses	1,687		1,654	3,382	6,997	Total operating expenses	1,687		1,643	5,069	8,640
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)	OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)	297		272	582	(3,121)	OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)	284		309	866	(2,812)
OTHER (EXPENSE) INCOME	OTHER (EXPENSE) INCOME						OTHER (EXPENSE) INCOME
Interest income - affiliate	Interest income - affiliate	13		16	26	32	Interest income - affiliate	13		15	39	47
Interest expense	Interest expense	(96)		(130)	(202)	(261)	Interest expense	(99)		(123)	(301)	(384)
Other income (expense), net	Other income (expense), net	22		3	(12)	15	Other income (expense), net	41		(13)	29	2
Total other expense, net	Total other expense, net	(61)		(111)	(188)	(214)	Total other expense, net	(45)		(121)	(233)	(335)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	236		161	394	(3,335)	INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	239		188	633	(3,147)
Income tax expense	Income tax expense	60		51	105	140	Income tax expense	42		74	147	214
NET INCOME (LOSS)	NET INCOME (LOSS)	$	176	110	289	(3,475)	NET INCOME (LOSS)	$	197	114	486	(3,361)


		Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,					Three Months Ended September 30,		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2020		2019	2020	2019		2020		2019	2020	2019
		(Dollars in millions)										(Dollars in millions)
NET INCOME (LOSS)	NET INCOME (LOSS)	$	176	110	289	(3,475)	NET INCOME (LOSS)	$	197	114	486	(3,361)
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)						OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of $(4), $3, $19 and $2 tax		8		(8)	(220)	(5)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of $(21), $22, $(2) and $24 tax							Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of $(21), $22, $(2) and $24 tax	41		(110)	(179)	(115)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	8		(8)	(220)	(5)	Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	41		(110)	(179)	(115)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	$	184	102	69	(3,480)	COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	$	238	4	307	(3,476)


		June 30, 2020 (unaudited)		December 31, 2019		September 30, 2020 (unaudited)		December 31, 2019
		(Dollars in millions)						(Dollars in millions)
ASSETS	ASSETS				ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS	CURRENT ASSETS				CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,462	316	Cash and cash equivalents	$	256	316
Accounts receivable, less allowance of $28 and $13		793		667
Accounts receivable, less allowance of $37 and $13					Accounts receivable, less allowance of $37 and $13	730		667
Note receivable - affiliate	Note receivable - affiliate	1,468		1,590	Note receivable - affiliate	1,468		1,590
Other	Other	305		269	Other	316		269
Total current assets	Total current assets	4,028		2,842	Total current assets	2,770		2,842
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $2,309 and $1,825		10,059		9,936
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $2,546 and $1,825					Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $2,546 and $1,825	10,334		9,936
GOODWILL AND OTHER ASSETS	GOODWILL AND OTHER ASSETS				GOODWILL AND OTHER ASSETS
Goodwill	Goodwill	7,355		7,415	Goodwill	7,369		7,415
Other intangible assets, net	Other intangible assets, net	6,958		7,334	Other intangible assets, net	6,779		7,334
Other, net	Other, net	1,508		1,571	Other, net	1,490		1,571
Total goodwill and other assets	Total goodwill and other assets	15,821		16,320	Total goodwill and other assets	15,638		16,320
TOTAL ASSETS	TOTAL ASSETS	$	29,908	29,098	TOTAL ASSETS	$	28,742	29,098
LIABILITIES AND MEMBER'S EQUITY	LIABILITIES AND MEMBER'S EQUITY				LIABILITIES AND MEMBER'S EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES	CURRENT LIABILITIES				CURRENT LIABILITIES
Current maturities of long-term debt	Current maturities of long-term debt	$	1,210	11	Current maturities of long-term debt	$	13	11
Accounts payable	Accounts payable	689		654	Accounts payable	612		654
Accounts payable - affiliates	Accounts payable - affiliates	959		669	Accounts payable - affiliates	1,149		669
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	Accrued expenses and other liabilities				Accrued expenses and other liabilities
Salaries and benefits	Salaries and benefits	188		240	Salaries and benefits	196		240
Income and other taxes	Income and other taxes	132		152	Income and other taxes	127		152
Current operating lease liabilities	Current operating lease liabilities	275		249	Current operating lease liabilities	256		249
Other	Other	168		162	Other	137		162
Current portion of deferred revenue	Current portion of deferred revenue	310		309	Current portion of deferred revenue	305		309
Total current liabilities	Total current liabilities	3,931		2,446	Total current liabilities	2,795		2,446
LONG-TERM DEBT	LONG-TERM DEBT	10,332		10,356	LONG-TERM DEBT	10,377		10,356
DEFERRED REVENUE AND OTHER LIABILITIES	DEFERRED REVENUE AND OTHER LIABILITIES				DEFERRED REVENUE AND OTHER LIABILITIES
Deferred revenue	Deferred revenue	1,382		1,343	Deferred revenue	1,389		1,343
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities		851		854
Operating lease liabilities					Operating lease liabilities	930		854
Other	Other	510		554	Other	513		554
Total deferred revenue and other liabilities	Total deferred revenue and other liabilities	2,743		2,751	Total deferred revenue and other liabilities	2,832		2,751
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 8)	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 8)				COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 8)
MEMBER'S EQUITY	MEMBER'S EQUITY				MEMBER'S EQUITY
Member's equity	Member's equity	13,301		13,724	Member's equity	13,096		13,724
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(399)		(179)	Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(358)		(179)
Total member's equity	Total member's equity	12,902		13,545	Total member's equity	12,738		13,545
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND MEMBER'S EQUITY	TOTAL LIABILITIES AND MEMBER'S EQUITY	$	29,908	29,098	TOTAL LIABILITIES AND MEMBER'S EQUITY	$	28,742	29,098


		Six Months Ended June 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2020		2019		2020		2019
		(Dollars in millions)						(Dollars in millions)
OPERATING ACTIVITIES	OPERATING ACTIVITIES				OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income (loss)	Net income (loss)	$	289	(3,475)	Net income (loss)	$	486	(3,361)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:	Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:				Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	Depreciation and amortization	821		779	Depreciation and amortization	1,250		1,209
Goodwill impairment	Goodwill impairment	—		3,708	Goodwill impairment	0		3,708
Deferred income taxes	Deferred income taxes	88		117	Deferred income taxes	124		165
Changes in current assets and liabilities:	Changes in current assets and liabilities:				Changes in current assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	Accounts receivable	(149)		(78)	Accounts receivable	(101)		(28)
Accounts payable	Accounts payable	5		(53)	Accounts payable	(139)		(72)
Other assets and liabilities, net	Other assets and liabilities, net	(82)		(124)	Other assets and liabilities, net	(195)		(126)
Other assets and liabilities, affiliate	Other assets and liabilities, affiliate	194		212	Other assets and liabilities, affiliate	364		306
Changes in other noncurrent assets and liabilities, net	Changes in other noncurrent assets and liabilities, net	25		33	Changes in other noncurrent assets and liabilities, net	116		57
Other, net	Other, net	(34)		4	Other, net	39		(14)
Net cash provided by operating activities	Net cash provided by operating activities	1,157		1,123	Net cash provided by operating activities	1,944		1,844
INVESTING ACTIVITIES	INVESTING ACTIVITIES				INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital expenditures	Capital expenditures	(726)		(576)	Capital expenditures	(1,124)		(982)
Payments of notes receivable - affiliates	Payments of notes receivable - affiliates	122		—	Payments of notes receivable - affiliates	122		235
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and other assets	Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and other assets	80		1	Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and other assets	105		27
Other, net					Other, net	0		(25)
Net cash used in investing activities	Net cash used in investing activities	(524)		(575)	Net cash used in investing activities	(897)		(745)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES	FINANCING ACTIVITIES				FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	1,188		—	Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	2,020		988
Distributions	Distributions	(675)		(565)	Distributions	(1,075)		(709)
Payments of long-term debt					Payments of long-term debt	(2,056)		(404)
Other	Other	(7)		(2)	Other	(4)		0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		506		(567)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash		1,139		(19)
Net cash used in financing activities					Net cash used in financing activities	(1,115)		(125)
Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash					Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(68)		974
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	338		272	Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	338		272
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	$	1,477	253	Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	$	270	1,246
Supplemental cash flow information:	Supplemental cash flow information:				Supplemental cash flow information:
Income taxes paid, net	Income taxes paid, net	$	(12)	(12)	Income taxes paid, net	$	(20)	(17)
Interest paid (net of capitalized interest of $13 and $4)		$	(199)	(275)
Interest paid (net of capitalized interest of $18 and $9)					Interest paid (net of capitalized interest of $18 and $9)	$	(323)	(416)

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash:	Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash:				Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash:
Cash and cash equivalents	Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,462	228	Cash and cash equivalents	$	256	1,224
Restricted cash included in Other current assets	Restricted cash included in Other current assets	3		3	Restricted cash included in Other current assets	2		3
Restricted cash included in Other, net noncurrent assets	Restricted cash included in Other, net noncurrent assets	12		22	Restricted cash included in Other, net noncurrent assets	12		19
Total	Total	$	1,477	253	Total	$	270	1,246


		Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,					Three Months Ended September 30,		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2020		2019	2020	2019		2020		2019	2020	2019
		(Dollars in millions)										(Dollars in millions)
MEMBER'S EQUITY	MEMBER'S EQUITY						MEMBER'S EQUITY
Balance at beginning of period	Balance at beginning of period	$	13,524	14,199	13,724	18,048	Balance at beginning of period	$	13,301	13,969	13,724	18,048
Net income (loss)	Net income (loss)	176		110	289	(3,475)	Net income (loss)	197		114	486	(3,361)
Cumulative effect of adoption of ASU 2016-02, Leases	Cumulative effect of adoption of ASU 2016-02, Leases	—		—	—	(39)	Cumulative effect of adoption of ASU 2016-02, Leases	—		—	—	(39)
Cumulative effect of adoption of ASU 2016-13, Credit losses	Cumulative effect of adoption of ASU 2016-13, Credit losses	—		—	(3)	—	Cumulative effect of adoption of ASU 2016-13, Credit losses	—		—	(3)	—
Distributions	Distributions	(400)		(340)	(718)	(565)	Distributions	(400)		(144)	(1,118)	(709)
Other	Other	1		—	9	—	Other	(2)		0	7	0
Balance at end of period	Balance at end of period	13,301		13,969	13,301	13,969	Balance at end of period	13,096		13,939	13,096	13,939
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS	ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS						ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
Balance at beginning of period	Balance at beginning of period	(407)		(168)	(179)	(171)	Balance at beginning of period	(399)		(176)	(179)	(171)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	Other comprehensive income (loss)	8		(8)	(220)	(5)	Other comprehensive income (loss)	41		(110)	(179)	(115)
Balance at end of period	Balance at end of period	(399)		(176)	(399)	(176)	Balance at end of period	(358)		(286)	(358)	(286)
TOTAL MEMBER'S EQUITY	TOTAL MEMBER'S EQUITY	$	12,902	13,793	12,902	13,793	TOTAL MEMBER'S EQUITY	$	12,738	13,653	12,738	13,653

References in the Notes to “Level 3 Communications, Inc.,” "Level 3," “we,~~��~~” “us,” "its," the “Company” and “our”, unless the context otherwise requires, refer to Level 3 Parent, LLC and its consolidated subsidiaries. References to "Lumen Technologies" or "Lumen" refer to our ultimate parent company, CenturyLink, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries including Qwest Corporation, referred to as "Qwest", and its direct parent company, Qwest Services Corporation.

We are an international facilities-based communications provider (that is, a provider that owns or leases a substantial portion of the property, plant and equipment necessary to provide our services) of a broad range of integrated communications services. We created our communications network by constructing our own assets and through a combination of purchasing other companies and purchasing or leasing facilities from others. We designed our network to provide communications services that employ and take advantage of rapidly improving underlying optical, Internet Protocol, computing and storage technologies.

Our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2019, which was derived from our audited consolidated financial statements, and our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements provided herein have been prepared in accordance with the instructions for Form 10-Q. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") have been condensed or omitted pursuant to rules and regulations of the ~~Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC");~~SEC; however, in our opinion, the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. We believe that these consolidated financial statements include all normal recurring adjustments necessary to fairly present the results for the interim periods. The consolidated results of operations and cash flows for the first ~~six~~nine months of the year are not necessarily indicative of the consolidated results of operations and cash flows that might be expected for the entire year. These consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include our accounts and the accounts of our subsidiaries in which we have a controlling interest. Intercompany amounts and transactions with our consolidated subsidiaries have been eliminated. Transactions with our non-consolidated affiliates ~~(CenturyLink~~(Lumen Technologies and its other subsidiaries, referred to herein as affiliates) have not been eliminated. Due to exchange restrictions and other conditions, effective at the end of the third quarter of 2015, we deconsolidated our Venezuelan subsidiary and began accounting for our investment in our Venezuelan subsidiary using the cost method of accounting. The factors that led to our conclusions at the end of the third quarter of 2015 continued to exist through the ~~second~~third quarter of 2020.

Our operations are integrated into and reported as part of ~~CenturyLink. CenturyLink's~~Lumen Technologies. Lumen's chief operating decision maker ("CODM") is our CODM, but reviews our financial information on an aggregate basis only in connection with our quarterly and annual reports that we file with the SEC. Consequently, we do not provide our discrete financial information to the CODM on a regular basis. As such, we have 1 reportable segment.

The significant accounting policy below is in addition to the significant accounting policies described in Note 1 — Background and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes in Part II Item 8 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.

During the first quarter of 2020, we elected to change the presentation for taxes assessed by a governmental authority that are both imposed on and concurrent with a specific revenue-producing transaction, including federal and certain state Universal Service Fund (USF) regulatory fees, to present all such taxes on a net basis in our consolidated statements of operations. Prior to the first quarter of 2020, we assessed whether we were the primary obligor or principal taxpayer for the taxes assessed in each jurisdiction where we do business. The previous policy resulted in presenting such USF fees on a gross basis within operating revenue and cost of services and products, and all other significant taxes on a net basis. We applied this change in accounting policy retrospectively during the first quarter of 2020. As a result, we have decreased both operating revenue and cost of services and products by ~~$92~~$113 million and ~~$88~~$112 million for the three months ended ~~June~~September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and ~~$188~~$301 million and ~~$184~~$296 million for the ~~six~~nine months ended ~~June~~September 30, 2020 and 2019 respectively. The change has no impact on operating income (loss) or net income (loss) in our consolidated statements of operations. Refer to our Form 8-K filing dated May 7, 2020 for further information.

We changed our policy to present such taxes on the net basis and believe the new policy is preferable because of the historical and potential future regulatory rate changes outside of our control resulting in significant variability in tax and fee revenue that are not indicative of our operating performance. We believe the net presentation provides the most useful and transparent financial information and improves comparability and consistency of financial results.

For the three and ~~six~~nine months ended ~~June~~September 30, 2020, our gross rental income was ~~$192~~$197 million and ~~$368~~$565 million, respectively, which represents approximately 10% ~~and 9%, respectively,~~for both periods of our operating revenue. For the three and ~~six~~nine months ended ~~June~~September 30, 2019, our gross rental income was ~~$51~~$52 million and ~~$101~~$153 million, respectively, which represents approximately 3% for both periods of our operating ~~revenue for both periods.~~revenue.

During the first quarter of 2020, the SEC made significant changes to its disclosure requirements, Financial Disclosures About Guarantors and Issuers of Guaranteed Securities and Affiliates Whose Securities Collateralize a Registrant’s Securities, which amended disclosure requirements related to registered debt securities which have been updated and relocated to Rule 13-01 of Regulation S-X. The final rule allows for streamlined disclosure models and permits presentation to be included within Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. The rules become effective January 4, 2021, with voluntary compliance permitted immediately as elected by the Company.

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU 2016-13, "Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments" ("ASU 2016-13"). The primary impact of ASU 2016-13 for us is a change in the model for the recognition of credit losses related to our financial instruments from an incurred loss model, which recognized credit losses only if it was probable that a loss had been incurred, to an expected loss model, which requires us to estimate the total credit losses expected on the portfolio of financial instruments.

We adopted ASU 2016-13 on January 1, 2020 and recognized a cumulative adjustment to our ~~opening~~ accumulated deficit as of the date of ~~adoption. The impact was a~~adoption of $3 million, ~~reduction~~net of tax effect. Please refer to ~~member's equity in the consolidated financial statements.~~Note 4—Credit Losses on Financial Instruments for more information.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, "Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (Topic 740)" ("ASU 2019-12"). ASU 2019-12 removes certain exceptions for investments, intra-period allocations and interim calculations, and adds guidance to reduce complexity in accounting for income taxes. ASU 2019-12 will become effective for us in the first quarter of fiscal 2021 and early adoption is permitted. We do not believe the adoption will have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, "Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial ~~Reporting. The~~ Reporting" ("ASU ~~is intended~~2020-04"), designed to ~~help stakeholders during~~ease the burden of accounting for contract modifications related to the global market-wide reference rate transition period. ~~Therefore, it will be in effect for a limited time through~~Subject to certain criteria, ASU 2020-04 provides qualifying entities the option to apply expedients and exceptions to contract modifications and hedging accounting relationships made until December 31, 2022. We are evaluating ASU 2020-04's applicability to relevant transactions referencing the ~~optional expedients and exceptions for applying generally accepted accounting principles to contract modifications and hedging relationships, subject to meeting certain criteria, that reference LIBOR~~London Inter-bank Offering Rate ("LIBOR") or another reference rate expected to be discontinued and the ~~related~~resulting impact on our consolidated financial statements.

The notes receivable - affiliate due to mature on November 1, 2020 was refinanced via a revolving credit facility on October 15, 2020 due upon demand, or on October 15, 2025, whichever occurs first. Level 3 Parent, LLC is the sole lender under the revolving credit facility, which was initially priced at 4.250%. The revolving credit facility has covenants, such as a maximum total leverage ratio, and is subject to other limitations. The revolving credit facility is subordinated in accordance to the terms required under the CenturyLink credit agreement.

June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019
(Dollars in millions)
Goodwill $ 7,355 7,415
Other intangible assets subject to amortization:
Customer relationships, less accumulated amortization of $1,878 and $1,538 $ 6,484 6,865
Capitalized software, less accumulated amortization of $204 and $146 413 395
Trade names, less accumulated amortization of $70 and $57 61 74
Total other intangible assets, net $ 6,958 7,334


	September 30, 2020		December 31, 2019
	(Dollars in millions)
Goodwill	$	7,369	7,415
Customer relationships, less accumulated amortization of $2,058 and $1,538	$	6,315	6,865
Capitalized software, less accumulated amortization of $229 and $146	409		395
Trade names, less accumulated amortization of $76 and $57	55		74
Total other intangible assets, net	$	6,779	7,334

We assess our goodwill for impairment annually, or, under certain circumstances, more frequently, such as when events or changes in circumstances indicate there may be impairment. We are required to write down the value of goodwill only when our assessment determines the carrying value of equity of our reporting unit exceeds its fair value. Our annual impairment assessment date for goodwill is October 31, at which date we ~~assessed~~assess goodwill at our reporting unit. In reviewing the criteria for reporting units, we have determined that we are 1 reporting unit.

Because ~~CenturyLink's~~Lumen's low stock price was a trigger for impairment testing, we estimated the fair value of our operations using only the market approach in the quarter ended March 31, 2019. Applying this approach, we utilized company comparisons and analyst reports within the telecommunications industry, which have historically supported a range of fair values of annualized revenue and EBITDA multiples between 2.1x and 4.9x and 4.9x and 9.8x, respectively. We selected a revenue and EBITDA multiple within this range. As of March 31, 2019, based on our assessments performed as described above, we concluded that the estimated fair value of equity was less than our carrying value of equity as of the date of our triggering event during the first quarter. As a result, we recorded a non-cash, non-tax-deductible goodwill impairment charge of $3.7 billion in the quarter ended March 31, 2019.

The market multiples approach that we used in the quarter ended March 31, 2019 incorporated significant estimates and assumptions related to the forecasted results for the remainder of the year, including revenues, expenses, and the achievement of certain cost synergies. In developing the market multiple, we also considered observed trends of our industry participants. Our assessment included many qualitative factors that required significant judgment. Alternative interpretations of these factors could have resulted in different conclusions regarding the size of our impairments.

During ~~the first half of~~ 2020, we observed a decline in ~~CenturyLink's~~Lumen's stock price as a result of events occurring after the end of 2019, including the COVID-19 pandemic. We evaluated whether such events would indicate the fair value of our reporting unit was below its carrying value. We believe these events have impacted the global economy more directly than us and, when considered with other factors, we have concluded it is not more likely than not that our fair value of our reporting unit was less than its carrying value as of the period ended ~~June~~September 30, 2020. In light of the negative impacts of COVID-19 on the global economy, we will continue to evaluate the general economic trends which could have an impact on our assessment of whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of our reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Future changes could cause our reporting unit fair value to be less than our carrying value, resulting in potential impairments of our goodwill which could have a material effect on our results of operations and financial condition. The extent of the impact, if any, will depend on future developments, including the length and severity of the pandemic and its long-term impacts on the overall economy.

Total amortization expense for intangible assets for the three months ended ~~June~~September 30, 2020 and 2019, was ~~$208~~$210 million and ~~$205~~$206 million, respectively, and for the ~~six~~nine months ended ~~June~~September 30, 2020 and 2019 was ~~$416~~$626 million and ~~$398~~$604 million, respectively. As of ~~June~~September 30, 2020, the gross carrying amount of goodwill, customer relationships, indefinite-life and other intangible assets was $16.5 billion.


		(Dollars in millions)			(Dollars in millions)
2020 (remaining six months)		$	420
2020 (remaining three months)				2020 (remaining three months)	$	211
2021	2021	837		2021	841
2022	2022	776		2022	780
2023	2023	749		2023	752
2024	2024	737		2024	740


		Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,					Three Months Ended September 30,		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2020		2019	2020	2019		2020		2019	2020	2019
		(Dollars in millions)										(Dollars in millions)
Total revenue ⁽¹⁾	Total revenue ⁽¹⁾	$	1,984	1,926	3,964	3,876	Total revenue ⁽¹⁾	$	1,971	1,952	5,935	5,828
Adjustments for non-ASC 606 revenue(1)	Adjustments for non-ASC 606 revenue(1)	(228)		(89)	(453)	(194)	Adjustments for non-ASC 606 revenue(1)	(234)		(94)	(687)	(288)
Total revenue from contracts with customers	Total revenue from contracts with customers	$	1,756	1,837	3,511	3,682	Total revenue from contracts with customers	$	1,737	1,858	5,248	5,540


		June 30, 2020		December 31, 2019		September 30, 2020		December 31, 2019
		(Dollars in millions)						(Dollars in millions)
Customer receivables ⁽¹⁾	Customer receivables ⁽¹⁾	$	805	678	Customer receivables (1)	$	766	678
Contract assets	Contract assets	33		32	Contract assets	32		32
Contract liabilities	Contract liabilities	382		423	Contract liabilities	383		423

Contract liabilities are consideration we have received from our customers or billed in advance of providing goods or services promised in the future. We defer recognizing this consideration as revenue until we have satisfied the related performance obligation to the customer. Contract liabilities include recurring services billed one month in advance and installation and maintenance charges that are deferred and recognized over the actual or expected contract term, which ranges from one to five years depending on the service. Contract liabilities are included within deferred revenue in our consolidated balance sheets. During the three months ended ~~June~~September 30, 2020 and 2019, we recognized ~~$30~~$29 million and ~~$24~~$27 million, respectively, and for the ~~six~~nine months ended ~~June~~September 30, 2020 and 2019, we recognized ~~$129~~$158 million and ~~$119~~$146 million, respectively, of revenue that was included in contract liabilities as of January 1, 2020 and January 1, 2019, respectively.

As of ~~June~~September 30, 2020, our estimated revenue expected to be recognized in the future related to performance obligations associated with existing customer contracts (including affiliates) that are ~~unsatisfied (or~~ partially ~~satisfied)~~or wholly unsatisfied is approximately ~~$3.8~~$3.9 billion. We expect to recognize approximately ~~87%~~84% of this revenue through 2022, with the balance recognized thereafter.

These amounts exclude (i) the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for contracts for which we recognize revenue at the amount to which we have the right to invoice for services performed (for example, uncommitted usage or non-recurring charges associated with professional or technical services to be completed), and (ii) contracts that are classified as leasing arrangements that are not subject to ASC 606.


		Three Months Ended June 30,										Three Months Ended September 30,
		2020				2019					2020		2019
		(Dollars in millions)										(Dollars in millions)
		Acquisition Costs		Fulfillment Costs	Acquisition Costs	Fulfillment Costs		Acquisition Costs		Fulfillment Costs	Acquisition Costs	Fulfillment Costs
Beginning of period balance	Beginning of period balance	$	86	122	74	97	Beginning of period balance	$	77	122	73	106
Costs incurred	Costs incurred	7		21	11	25	Costs incurred	14		21	13	26
Amortization	Amortization	(16)		(21)	(12)	(16)	Amortization	(15)		(22)	(12)	(17)
End of period balance	End of period balance	$	77	122	73	106	End of period balance	$	76	121	74	115


		Six Months Ended June 30,										Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2020				2019					2020		2019
		(Dollars in millions)										(Dollars in millions)
		Acquisition Costs		Fulfillment Costs	Acquisition Costs	Fulfillment Costs		Acquisition Costs		Fulfillment Costs	Acquisition Costs	Fulfillment Costs
Beginning of period balance	Beginning of period balance	$	79	121	64	84	Beginning of period balance	$	79	121	64	84
Costs incurred	Costs incurred	30		44	29	51	Costs incurred	44		65	42	77
Amortization	Amortization	(32)		(43)	(20)	(29)	Amortization	(47)		(65)	(32)	(46)
End of period balance	End of period balance	$	77	122	73	106	End of period balance	$	76	121	74	115

Deferred acquisition and fulfillment costs are amortized based on the transfer of services on a straight-line basis over an expected contract term of 12 to 60 months for our business customers. Amortized fulfillment costs are included in cost of services and products, and amortized acquisition costs are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of operations. The amount of these deferred costs that are anticipated to be amortized in the next ~~twelve~~12 months are included in other current assets on our consolidated balance sheets. The amount of deferred costs expected to be amortized beyond ~~twelve~~12 months is included in other non-current assets on our consolidated balance sheets. Deferred acquisition and fulfillment costs are assessed for impairment on an annual basis.

In accordance with ASC 326, ~~"Financial~~"Financial Instruments - Credit ~~Losses"~~Losses" ("ASC 326"), we aggregate financial assets with similar risk characteristics to align our expected credit losses with the credit quality or deterioration over the life of the asset. We monitor certain risk characteristics within our aggregated financial assets and revise their composition accordingly, to the extent internal and external risk factors change each reporting period. Financial assets that do not share risk characteristics with other financial assets are evaluated separately. Our financial assets measured at amortized cost primarily consist of accounts receivable.

We implemented the new standard effective January 1, 2020, using a loss rate method to estimate our allowance for credit losses. Our determination of the current expected credit loss rate begins with ~~the~~our use of historical loss experience as a percentage of accounts receivable. We measure our historical loss period based on the average days to ~~move~~recognize accounts receivable toas credit ~~loss.~~losses. When asset specific characteristics and current conditions change from those in the historical period, due to changes in our credit and collections strategy, or credit loss and recovery policies, we perform a qualitative and quantitative assessment to update our current loss rate, which as noted below has increased due to an increase in historic loss experience and weakening economic forecasts. We use regression analysis to develop an expected loss rate using historical experience and economic data over a forecast period. We measure our forecast period based on the average days to collect payment on billed accounts receivable. The historical, current, and expected credit loss rates are combined and applied to period end accounts receivable, which results in our allowance for credit losses.

The assessment of the correlation between historical observed default rates, current conditions and forecasted economic conditions requires judgment. Alternative interpretations of these factors could have resulted in different conclusions regarding the allowance for credit losses. The amount of credit loss is sensitive to changes in circumstances and forecasted economic conditions. Our historical credit loss experience, current conditions and forecast of economic conditions may also not be representative of the customers' actual default experience in the future.

For the ~~six~~nine months ended ~~June~~September 30, 2020, we increased our allowance for credit losses for our accounts receivable portfolio due to an increase in historical and expected loss experience in certain classes of aged balances, which we believe ~~are~~were predominantly attributable to the ~~current~~ COVID-19 induced economic slowdown. ~~The increases were partially offset~~We believe that decreased write-offs (net of recoveries) driven by ~~foreign currency exchange rate changes.~~COVID-19 have further contributed to an increase in our allowance for credit losses.


		Interest Rates⁽¹⁾	Maturities	June 30, 2020		December 31, 2019		Interest Rates(1)	Maturities(1)	September 30, 2020		December 31, 2019
				(Dollars in millions)								(Dollars in millions)
Level 3 Financing, Inc.	Level 3 Financing, Inc.						Level 3 Financing, Inc.
Senior Secured Debt: ^{(2) (3)}
Senior Secured Debt:(2)(3)							Senior Secured Debt:(2)(3)
Senior notes	Senior notes	3.400% - 3.875%	2027 - 2029	$	1,500	1,500	Senior notes	3.400% - 3.875%	2027 - 2029	$	1,500	1,500
Tranche B 2027 Term Loan⁽⁴⁾	Tranche B 2027 Term Loan⁽⁴⁾	LIBOR + 1.750%	2027	3,111		3,111	Tranche B 2027 Term Loan (4)	LIBOR + 1.750%	2027	3,111		3,111
Senior Notes and other debt:	Senior Notes and other debt:						Senior Notes and other debt:
Senior notes ⁽³⁾	Senior notes ⁽³⁾	4.250% - 5.625%	2022 - 2028	6,715		5,515	Senior notes (3)	3.625% - 5.375%	2024 - 2029	5,515		5,515
Finance leases	Finance leases	Various	Various	169		171	Finance leases	Various	Various	256		171
Unamortized premiums, net	Unamortized premiums, net			93		104	Unamortized premiums, net			63		104
Unamortized debt issuance costs	Unamortized debt issuance costs			(46)		(34)	Unamortized debt issuance costs			(55)		(34)
Total long-term debt	Total long-term debt			11,542		10,367	Total long-term debt			10,390		10,367
Less current maturities ⁽⁵⁾	Less current maturities ⁽⁵⁾			(1,210)		(11)	Less current maturities ⁽⁵⁾			(13)		(11)
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities	Long-term debt, excluding current maturities			$	10,332	10,356	Long-term debt, excluding current maturities			$	10,377	10,356


~~(1)~~			~~As of June 30, 2020.~~(2)See Note 6—Long-Term Debt in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 for a description of certain parent or subsidiary guarantees and liens securing this debt. (3)This debt is, or is expected to be, fully and unconditionally guaranteed by certain affiliates of Level 3 Financing, Inc., including Level 3 Parent, LLC and Level 3 Communications, LLC. (4)The Tranche B 2027 Term Loan had an interest rate of 1.897% at September 30, 2020 and 3.549% at December 31, 2019.
~~(2)~~			~~See Note 6—Long-Term Debt in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 for a description of certain parent or subsidiary guarantees and liens securing this debt.~~
~~(3)~~			~~This debt is fully and unconditionally guaranteed by certain affiliates of Level 3 Financing, Inc., including Level 3 Parent, LLC and Level 3 Communications, LLC.~~
~~(4)~~			~~The Tranche B 2027 Term Loan had an interest rate of 1.928% at June 30, 2020 and 3.549% at December 31, 2019.~~
~~(5)~~			~~See "Subsequent Event" for further details on the July 15, 2020 redemption of $1.2 billion of senior unsecured notes.~~


		(Dollars in millions)			(Dollars in millions)
2020 (remaining six months)		$	1,207
2020 (remaining three months)				2020 (remaining three months)	$	5
2021	2021	8		2021	12
2022	2022	10		2022	13
2023	2023	850		2023	15
2024	2024	911		2024	916
2025 and thereafter	2025 and thereafter	8,509		2025 and thereafter	9,421
Total long-term debt	Total long-term debt	$	11,495	Total long-term debt	$	10,382

On September 11, 2020, Level 3 Financing, Inc. redeemed all $140 million aggregate principal amount of its remaining outstanding 5.625% Senior Notes due 2023 and all $700 million aggregate principal amount of its 5.125% Senior Notes due 2023. On July 15, 2020, Level 3 Financing, Inc. redeemed all $840 million aggregate principal amount of its outstanding 5.375% Senior Notes due 2022 and $360 million aggregate principal amount of its outstanding 5.625% Senior Notes due 2023. These transactions resulted in a gain of $27 million.

On August 12, 2020, Level 3 Financing, Inc. issued $840 million aggregate principal amount of its 3.625% Senior Notes due 2029 (the "2029 Notes"). The net proceeds from the offering were used to redeem certain of its outstanding senior note indebtedness. See "—Redemption of Senior Notes" above. The 2029 Notes are (i) unconditionally guaranteed by Level 3 Parent, LLC and (ii) expected to be unconditionally guaranteed by Level 3 Communications, LLC upon receipt of all requisite material governmental authorizations.

On June 15, 2020, Level 3 Financing, Inc. issued $1.2 billion aggregate principal amount of its 4.250% Senior Notes due 2028 (the "2028 Notes"). The net proceeds from the offering were used ~~together with cash on hand,~~ to redeem ~~all $840 million aggregate principal amount~~certain of ~~Level 3 Financing, Inc.’s~~its outstanding ~~5.375%~~senior note indebtedness. See "—Redemption of Senior ~~Notes due 2022 and $360 million aggregate principal amount of Level 3 Financing’s outstanding 5.625% Senior Notes due 2023.~~Notes" above. The 2028 Notes are (i) unconditionally guaranteed by Level 3 Parent, LLC and (ii) expected to be unconditionally guaranteed by Level 3 Communications, LLC upon receipt of all requisite material governmental authorizations. ~~See "Subsequent Event" for more detail.~~

The term loan, senior secured notes, and senior notes of Level 3 Financing, Inc. contain extensive affirmative and negative covenants. Such covenants include, among other things and subject to certain significant exceptions, restrictions on its ability to declare or pay dividends, repay certain other indebtedness, create liens, incur additional indebtedness, make investments, engage in transactions with its affiliates including ~~CenturyLink~~Lumen Technologies and its other subsidiaries, dispose of assets and merge or consolidate with any other person. Also, in connection with a "change of control" of Level 3 Parent, LLC, or Level 3 Financing, Inc., Level 3 Financing, Inc. will be required to offer to repurchase or repay certain of its long-term debt at a price of 101% of the principal amount of debt repurchased or repaid, plus accrued and unpaid interest.

Our financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, note receivable-affiliate, accounts payable, accounts payable-affiliate and long-term debt, excluding finance lease and other obligations. Due to their short-term nature, the carrying amounts of our cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, accounts receivable, note receivable-affiliate, accounts payable and accounts payable-affiliate approximate their fair values.

June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019
Input Level Carrying Amount Fair Value Carrying Amount Fair Value
(Dollars in millions)
Liabilities-Long-term debt, excluding finance leases 2 $ 11,373 11,271 10,196 10,244


		September 30, 2020			December 31, 2019
	Input Level	Carrying Amount		Fair Value	Carrying Amount	Fair Value
		(Dollars in millions)
Liabilities-Long-term debt, excluding finance leases	2	$	10,134	10,225	10,196	10,244

Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
2020 2019 2020 2019
(Dollars in millions)
IP and Data Services $ 893 915 1,798 1,838
Transport and Infrastructure 634 631 1,282 1,261
Voice and Collaboration 382 341 735 681
Other 23 1 49 3
Affiliate Services 52 38 100 93
Total operating revenue $ 1,984 1,926 3,964 3,876


	Three Months Ended September 30,			Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019	2020	2019
	(Dollars in millions)
IP and Data Services	$	889	910	2,687	2,748
Transport and Infrastructure	654		636	1,936	1,897
Voice and Collaboration	350		362	1,085	1,043
Other	25		3	74	6
Affiliate Services	53		41	153	134
Total operating revenue	$	1,971	1,952	5,935	5,828

We are subject to various claims, legal proceedings and other contingent liabilities, including the matters described below, which individually or in the aggregate could materially affect our financial condition, future results of operations or cash flows. As a matter of course, we are prepared to both litigate these matters to judgment as needed, as well as to evaluate and consider reasonable settlement opportunities.

Irrespective of its merits, litigation may be both lengthy and disruptive to our operations and could cause significant expenditure and diversion of management attention. We review our litigation accrual liabilities on a quarterly basis, but in accordance with applicable accounting guidelines only establish accrual liabilities when losses are deemed probable and reasonably estimable and only revise previously-established accrual liabilities when warranted by changes in circumstances, in each case based on then-available information. As such, as of any given date we could have exposure to losses under proceedings as to which no liability has been accrued or as to which the accrued liability is inadequate. Amounts accrued for our litigation and non-income tax contingencies at

~~June~~ September 30, 2020 aggregated to approximately ~~$56~~$55 million and are included in other current liabilities and other liabilities in our consolidated balance sheet as of such date. The establishment of an accrual does not mean that actual funds have been set aside to satisfy a given contingency. Thus, the resolution of a particular contingency for the amount accrued could have no effect on our results of operations but nonetheless could have an adverse effect on our cash flows.

In 2005, the Peruvian tax authorities ("SUNAT") issued tax assessments against ~~one~~1 of our Peruvian subsidiaries asserting $26 million, of additional income tax withholding and value-added taxes ("VAT"), penalties and interest for calendar years 2001 and 2002 on the basis that the Peruvian subsidiary incorrectly documented its importations. After taking into account the developments described below, as well as the accrued interest and foreign exchange effects, we believe the total amount of our exposure was $5$3 million ~~at June~~as of September 30, 2020.

We challenged the assessments via administrative and then judicial review processes. In October 2011, the highest administrative review tribunal (the ~~"Tribunal")~~Tribunal) decided the central issue underlying the 2002 assessments in SUNAT's favor. We appealed the Tribunal's decision to the first judicial level, which decided the central issue in favor of Level 3. SUNAT and we filed cross-appeals with the court of appeal. In May 2017, the court of appeal issued a decision reversing the first judicial level. In June 2017, we filed an appeal of the decision to the Supreme Court of Justice, the final judicial level. Oral argument was held before the Supreme Court of Justice in October 2018. A decision on this case is pending.

In October 2013, the Tribunal decided the central issue underlying the 2001 assessments in SUNAT’s favor. We appealed that decision to the first judicial level in Peru, which decided the central issue in favor of SUNAT. In June 2017, we filed an appeal with the court of appeal. In November 2017, the court of appeals issued a decision affirming the first judicial level and we filed an appeal of the decision to the Supreme Court of Justice. Oral argument was held before the Supreme Court of Justice in June 2019. A decision on this case is pending.

In December 2004, March 2009, April 2009 and July 2014, the São Paulo state tax ~~authorities~~authority issued tax assessments against ~~one~~1 of our Brazilian subsidiaries for the Tax on Distribution of Goods and Services (“ICMS”) with respect to revenue from leasing certain assets (in the case of the December 2004, March 2009 and July 2014 assessments) and revenue from the provision of Internet access services (in the case of the April 2009 and July 2014 assessments), by treating such activities as the provision of communications services, to which the ICMS tax applies. In September 2002, July 2009 and May 2012, the Rio de Janeiro state tax ~~authorities~~authority issued tax assessments to the same Brazilian subsidiary on similar issues.

We ~~have~~ filed objections to these assessments in both states, arguing, among other things, that neither the lease of assets ~~and~~nor the provision of Internet access ~~are not communication services~~qualify as "communication services" subject to ICMS. The objections to the September 2002, December 2004 and March 2009 assessments were rejected by the respective state administrative courts, and we have appealed those decisions to the respective state judicial courts.

In October 2012 and June 2014, ~~we received favorable rulings from~~ the São Paulo state lower court onruled partially in our favor finding that the lease assets are not subject to ICMS in connection with the December 2004 and March 2009 ~~assessments regarding equipment leasing, but~~assessments. The state of São Paulo appealed those ~~rulings are subject~~rulings. Our objection to the April 2009 assessment is pending final administrative action in São Paulo. The July 2014 assessment was affirmed at the first administrative level and our appeal byto the ~~state. No ruling has been obtained with respect to~~second administrative level is pending.

Regarding the September 2002 ~~assessment. The~~assessment, in July 2020, the Rio de Janeiro state court ruling in our favor became final once the appeals process had been exhausted. Accordingly, we released the related reserve. Our objections to the ~~April and~~ July 2009 and May 2012 assessments are still pending ~~final administrative~~state judicial decisions. ~~The July 2014 assessment was confirmed during the fourth quarter of 2014 at the first administrative level, and we appealed this decision to the second administrative level.~~

We are vigorously contesting all such assessments in both states and ~~in particular,~~ view the assessment of ICMS on revenue from equipment leasing and Internet access to be without merit. These assessments, if upheld, could result in a loss of ~~$37~~$16 million up to ~~$52~~as high as $44 million ~~at June~~as of September 30, 2020, in excess of the accruals established for these matters.

We were notified in late 2017 of a qui tam action pending against Level 3 Communications, Inc. and others in the ~~United States~~U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, captioned United States of America ex rel., Stephen Bishop v. Level 3 Communications, Inc. et al. The original qui tam complaint was filed under seal on November 26, 2013, and an amended complaint was filed under seal on June 16, 2014. The court unsealed the complaints on October 26, 2017.

The amended complaint alleges that we, principally through 2 former employees, submitted false claims and made false statements to the government in connection with 2 government contracts. The relator seeks damages in this lawsuit of approximately $50 million, subject to trebling, plus statutory penalties, pre-and-post judgment interest, and attorney’s fees. The case is currently stayed.

We are evaluating our defenses to the claims. At this time, we do not believe it is probable we will incur a material loss. If, contrary to our expectations, the plaintiff prevails in this matter and proves damages at or near $50 million, and is successful in having those damages trebled, the outcome could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations in the period in which a liability is recognized and on our cash flows for the period in which any damages are paid.

Several people, including 2 former Level 3 employees, were indicted in the ~~United States~~U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia on October 3, 2017, and charged with, among other things, accepting kickbacks from a subcontractor, who was also indicted, for work to be performed under a prime government contract. Of the 2 former employees, 1 entered a plea agreement, and the other is deceased. We are fully cooperating in the government’s investigations in this matter.

It is customary for us to use various financial instruments in the normal course of business. These instruments include letters of credit which are conditional commitments issued on our behalf in accordance with specified terms and conditions. As of both ~~June~~September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, we had outstanding letters of credit or other similar obligations of approximately $17 million and $23 million, respectively, of which ~~$12~~$11 million and $18 million, respectively, are collateralized by cash that is reflected on the consolidated balance sheets as restricted cash and securities.

From time to time, we are involved in other proceedings incidental to our business, including patent infringement allegations, administrative hearings of state public utility commissions relating primarily to our rates or services, actions relating to employee claims, various tax issues, environmental law issues, grievance hearings before labor regulatory agencies and miscellaneous third-party tort actions.

We are currently defending several patent infringement lawsuits asserted against us by non-practicing entities, many of which are seeking substantial recoveries. These cases have progressed to various stages and one or more may go to trial during 2020 if they are not otherwise resolved. Where applicable, we are seeking full or partial indemnification from our vendors and suppliers. As with all litigation, we are vigorously defending these actions and, as a matter of course, are prepared to litigate these matters to judgment, as well as to evaluate and consider all reasonable settlement opportunities.

We are subject to various foreign, federal, state and local environmental protection and health and safety laws. From time to time, we are subject to judicial and administrative proceedings brought by various governmental authorities under these laws. Several such proceedings are currently pending, but none individually is reasonably expected to exceed $100,000 in fines and penalties.

The outcome of these other proceedings described under this heading is not predictable. However, based on current circumstances, we do not believe that the ultimate resolution of these other proceedings, after considering available defenses and any insurance coverage or indemnification rights, will have a material adverse effect on us.

The matters listed above in this Note do not reflect all of our contingencies. For additional information on our contingencies, see Note 17 - Commitments, Contingencies and Other Items to the financial statements included in Item 8 of Part II of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019. The ultimate outcome of the above-described matters may differ materially from the outcomes anticipated, estimated, projected or implied by us in certain of our statements appearing above in this Note, and proceedings currently viewed as immaterial by us may ultimately materially impact us.


		Pension Plans		Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment and Other	Total		Pension Plans		Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment and Other	Total
		(Dollars in millions)								(Dollars in millions)
Balance at December 31, 2019	Balance at December 31, 2019	$	2	(181)	(179)	Balance at December 31, 2019	$	2	(181)	(179)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	—		(220)	(220)	Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	0		(179)	(179)
Net other comprehensive loss	Net other comprehensive loss	—		(220)	(220)	Net other comprehensive loss	0		(179)	(179)
Balance at June 30, 2020		$	2	(401)	(399)
Balance at September 30, 2020						Balance at September 30, 2020	$	2	(360)	(358)


		Pension Plans		Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment and Other	Total		Pension Plans		Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment and Other	Total
		(Dollars in millions)								(Dollars in millions)
Balance at December 31, 2018	Balance at December 31, 2018	$	5	(176)	(171)	Balance at December 31, 2018	$	5	(176)	(171)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	—		(5)	(5)	Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	0		(115)	(115)
Net other comprehensive loss	Net other comprehensive loss	—		(5)	(5)	Net other comprehensive loss	0		(115)	(115)
Balance at June 30, 2019		$	5	(181)	(176)
Balance at September 30, 2019						Balance at September 30, 2019	$	5	(291)	(286)

Certain statements in this report constitute forward-looking statements. See "Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" appearing at the beginning of this report and "Risk Factors" set forth or referenced in Item 1A of Part II of this report or other of our filings with the SEC for a discussion of certain factors that could cause our actual results to differ from our anticipated results or otherwise impact our business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity or prospects.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ("MD&A") included herein should be read in conjunction with MD&A and the other information included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, and with the consolidated financial statements and related notes in Item 1 of Part I of this report. The results of operations and cash flows for the first ~~six~~nine months of the year are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations and cash flows that might be expected for the entire year.

We are an international facilities-based communications company engaged in providing a broad array of integrated communication services to our business customers. We designed our network to provide communications services that employ and take advantage of rapidly improving underlying optical, Internet Protocol, computing and storage technologies.

In response to the safety and economic challenges arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic and in an attempt to mitigate the negative impact on our stakeholders, we have taken a variety of steps over the past several months to ensure the availability of our network infrastructure, to promote the safety of our employees and customers, to enable us to continue to adapt and provide our products and services worldwide to our customers, and to strengthen our communities. These steps have included:

•~~CenturyLink~~Lumen Technologies taking the FCC’s “Keep Americans Connected Pledge,” under which ~~obligated us in~~we waived certain ~~circumstances to waive~~ late fees and ~~to forego certain~~suspended the application of data caps and service terminations for non-payment by small business customers through the end of the second quarter of 2020;

Social distancing, business and school closures, travel restrictions and other actions taken in response to the pandemic have impacted us, our customers and our business since March 2020. In particular, as discussed further elsewhere herein, ~~the~~we are tracking pandemic ~~has~~impacts such as: (i) ~~increased~~increases in certain of our revenue streams and ~~decreased~~decreases in others (including late fee revenue), ~~and~~ (ii) ~~caused us to increase~~increases in our allowances for credit ~~losses.~~losses and overtime expenses and (iii) any delays in our cost transformation initiatives. Thus far, these changes have not materially impacted our financial performance or financial position. This could change, however, if the pandemic intensifies or economic conditions ~~further~~ deteriorate. The impact of the pandemic after the ~~second~~third quarter of 2020 will materially depend on additional steps that we may take in response to the pandemic and various events outside of our control, including the length and severity of the health crisis and economic slowdown, actions taken by governmental agencies or legislative bodies, and the impact of those events on our employees, suppliers and customers. For additional information, see the risk factor disclosures set forth or referenced in Item 1A of Part II of this report.


		Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,					Three Months Ended September 30,		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2020		2019	2020	2019		2020		2019	2020	2019
		(Dollars in millions)										(Dollars in millions)
Operating revenue	Operating revenue	$	1,984	1,926	3,964	3,876	Operating revenue	$	1,971	1,952	5,935	5,828
Operating expenses	Operating expenses	1,687		1,654	3,382	6,997	Operating expenses	1,687		1,643	5,069	8,640
Operating income (loss)	Operating income (loss)	297		272	582	(3,121)	Operating income (loss)	284		309	866	(2,812)
Other expense, net	Other expense, net	(61)		(111)	(188)	(214)	Other expense, net	(45)		(121)	(233)	(335)
Income (loss) before income taxes	Income (loss) before income taxes	236		161	394	(3,335)	Income (loss) before income taxes	239		188	633	(3,147)
Income tax expense	Income tax expense	60		51	105	140	Income tax expense	42		74	147	214
Net income (loss)	Net income (loss)	$	176	110	289	(3,475)	Net income (loss)	$	197	114	486	(3,361)

For a discussion of certain trends that impact our business, see the MD&A discussion of trends impacting ~~CenturyLink’s~~Lumen’s non-consumer business included in ~~CenturyLink’s~~Lumen’s reports filed with the SEC, including its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended ~~June~~September 30, 2020.


		Three Months Ended June 30,								Three Months Ended September 30,
		2020		2019 ⁽¹⁾	% Change			2020		2019		% Change
		(Dollars in millions)									(Dollars in millions)
IP and Data Services	IP and Data Services	$	893	915	(2)	%	IP and Data Services	$	889	910		(2)	%
Transport and Infrastructure	Transport and Infrastructure	634		631	—	%	Transport and Infrastructure	654		636		3	%
Voice and Collaboration	Voice and Collaboration	382		341	12	%	Voice and Collaboration	350		362		(3)	%
Other	Other	23		1	nm		Other	25		3		nm
Affiliate Services	Affiliate Services	52		38	37	%	Affiliate Services	53		41		29	%
Total operating revenue	Total operating revenue	$	1,984	1,926	3	%	Total operating revenue	$	1,971	1,952		1	%


		Six Months Ended June 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2020		2019	% Change			2020		2019		% Change
		(Dollars in millions)									(Dollars in millions)
IP and Data Services	IP and Data Services	$	1,798	1,838	(2)	%	IP and Data Services	$	2,687	2,748		(2)	%
Transport and Infrastructure	Transport and Infrastructure	1,282		1,261	2	%	Transport and Infrastructure	1,936		1,897		2	%
Voice and Collaboration	Voice and Collaboration	735		681	8	%	Voice and Collaboration	1,085		1,043		4	%
Other	Other	49		3	nm		Other	74		6		nm
Affiliate Services	Affiliate Services	100		93	8	%	Affiliate Services	153		134		14	%
Total operating revenue	Total operating revenue	$	3,964	3,876	2	%	Total operating revenue	$	5,935	5,828		2	%

Our total operating revenue increased by $58 million, or 3%, and $88 million, or 2%, respectively for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, as compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2019. Increases in total operating revenue for both periods were primarily due to the increase in transport and infrastructure, voice and collaboration services, managed services, and affiliate services, which were partially offset by declines in IP and data from reduced VPN networks.

Three Months Ended June 30,
2020 2019 % Change
(Dollars in millions)
Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) $ 890 831 7 %
Selling, general and administrative 312 347 (10) %
Operating expenses - affiliates 80 87 (8) %
Depreciation and amortization 405 389 4 %
Total operating expenses $ 1,687 $ 1,654 2 %

Six Months Ended June 30,
2020 2019 % Change
(Dollars in millions)
Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) $ 1,766 1,702 4 %
Selling, general and administrative 622 675 (8) %
Operating expenses - affiliates 173 133 30 %
Depreciation and amortization 821 779 5 %
Goodwill impairment — 3,708 nm
Total operating expenses $ 3,382 $ 6,997 (52) %
Our total operating revenue increased by $19 million, or 1%, for the three months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2019 primarily due to increases in IT and managed services, transportation and infrastructure, and affiliate services, which were partially offset by declines in IP and data services and voice and collaboration. Our total operating revenue increased by $107 million, or 2%, respectively for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2019 primarily due to increases in IT and managed services, voice and collaboration, transport and infrastructure, and affiliate services, which were partially offset by declines in IP and data services.


	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019	% Change
	(Dollars in millions)
Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	$	857	848	1	%
Selling, general and administrative	300		289	4	%
Operating expenses - affiliates	101		76	33	%
Depreciation and amortization	429		430	—	%
Total operating expenses	$	1,687	1,643	3	%


	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019	% Change
	(Dollars in millions)
Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	$	2,623	2,550	3	%
Selling, general and administrative	922		964	(4)	%
Operating expenses - affiliates	274		209	31	%
Depreciation and amortization	1,250		1,209	3	%
Goodwill impairment	—		3,708	nm
Total operating expenses	$	5,069	8,640	(41)	%

Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) increased by ~~$59~~$9 million, or 7%1%, ~~and $64 million, or 4%, respectively,~~ for the three ~~and six~~ months ended ~~June~~September 30, 2020, as compared to the three ~~and six~~ months ended ~~June~~September 30, ~~2019. Increases~~2019 primarily due to accelerated real estate expense from an increase in ~~cost~~exited properties and higher network expenses from higher maintenance costs. Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) increased by $73 million, or 3%, for ~~both periods were~~the nine months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2019 primarily due to increases in salaries and wages, ~~from higher bonus accrual, overtime and severance, facility costs from higher voice usage and conferencing,~~employee-related expenses and network expenses from increases in customer installation, repairs and ~~maintenance.~~maintenance, as well as real estate and power costs from accelerated real estate expense from an increase in exited properties.

Selling, general and administrative ~~decreased~~increased by ~~$35~~$11 million, or ~~10%~~4%, ~~and $53 million, or 8%, respectively,~~ for the three ~~and six~~ months ended ~~June~~September 30, 2020, as compared to the three ~~and six~~ months ended ~~June~~September 30, ~~2019. The decreases~~2019 primarily due to increases in ~~selling,~~the allowance for credit losses related to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Selling, general and administrative decreased by $42 million, or 4%, for ~~both periods were~~the nine months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2019 primarily due to gains on sale of assets, partially offset by increases in ~~bad debt expense and property and other taxes.~~the allowance for credit losses related to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Operating expenses - affiliates ~~decreased~~increased by $7$25 million, or 8%33%, and $65 million, or 31% for the three and nine months ended ~~June~~September 30, 2020, as compared to the three and nine months ended June 30, 2019 primarily due to a decline in the level of services provided to us by our affiliates. Operating expenses - affiliates increased by $40 million, or 30%, for the six months ended June 30, 2020, as compared to the six months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2019, primarily due to an increase in the level of services provided to us by our affiliates.


		Six Months Ended June 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2020		2019	% Change			2020		2019		% Change
		(Dollars in millions)									(Dollars in millions)
Depreciation	Depreciation	$	405	381	6	%	Depreciation	$	624	605		3	%
Amortization	Amortization	416		398	5	%	Amortization	626		604		4	%
Total depreciation and amortization	Total depreciation and amortization	$	821	779	5	%	Total depreciation and amortization	$	1,250	1,209		3	%

Depreciation expense decreased by $5 million, or 2%, for the three months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2019 primarily due to decreases associated with changes in our estimates of the remaining economic life of certain network assets of $40 million in 2019, which was partially offset by higher depreciation expense associated with net growth in depreciable assets of $32 million. Depreciation expense increased by ~~$13~~$19 million, or 7%3%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2019 primarily due to higher depreciation expense associated with net growth in depreciable assets of $61 million, which was partially offset by decreases associated with changes in our estimates of the remaining economic life of certain network assets of $32 million in 2019.

Amortization expense increased by $4 million, or 2%, and ~~$24~~$22 million, or 6%4%, respectively, for the three and ~~six~~nine months ended ~~June~~September 30, 2020, as compared to the three and ~~six~~nine months ended June 30, 2019. Increases in depreciation expense for both periods were primarily due to net growth in depreciable assets of $21 million and $31 million, respectively, which was partially offset by foreign currency impact of $6 million and $9 million, respectively.

~~Amortization expense increased by $3 million, or 1%, and $18 million, or 5%, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, as compared to the three and six months ended June~~September 30, 2019. Increases in amortization expense for both periods were primarily due to amortization expense associated with net growth in amortizable assets of $4 million and ~~$19~~$20 million, respectively.

We are required to perform an impairment test related to our goodwill annually, which we perform as of October 31, or sooner if an indicator of impairment occurs. The decline in ~~CenturyLink's~~Lumen's stock price triggered impairment testing in the first quarter of 2019. Consequently, we evaluated our goodwill as of March 31, 2019.

When we performed our impairment test during the first quarter of 2019, we concluded that the estimated fair value of our business was less than our carrying value of equity as of the date of our triggering event during the first quarter. As a result, we recorded a non-cash, non-tax-deductible goodwill impairment charge of $3.7 billion in the quarter ended March 31, 2019.

During ~~the first half of~~ 2020, we observed a decline in ~~CenturyLink's~~Lumen's stock price as a result of events occurring after the end of 2019, including the COVID-19 pandemic. We evaluated whether such events would indicate the fair value of our reporting unit was below its carrying value. We believe these events have impacted the global economy more directly than us and, when considered with other factors, we have concluded it is not more likely than not that the fair value of our reporting unit was less than its carrying value as of the period ended ~~June~~September 30, 2020. In light of the negative impacts of COVID-19 on the global economy, we will continue to evaluate the general economic trends which could have an impact on our assessment of whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of our reporting unit is less than ~~our~~its carrying amount. Future changes could cause our reporting unit fair value to be less than our carrying value, resulting in potential impairments of our goodwill which could have a material effect on our results of operations and financial condition. The extent of the impact, if any, will depend on future developments, including the length and severity of the pandemic and its long-term impacts on the overall economy.


		Three Months Ended June 30,								Three Months Ended September 30,
		2020		2019	% Change			2020		2019		% Change
		(Dollars in millions)									(Dollars in millions)
Interest income - affiliate	Interest income - affiliate	$	13	16	(19)	%	Interest income - affiliate	$	13	15		(13)	%
Interest expense	Interest expense	(96)		(130)	(26)	%	Interest expense	(99)		(123)		(20)	%
Other income, net		22		3	nm
Other income (expense), net							Other income (expense), net	41		(13)		nm
Total other expense, net	Total other expense, net	$	(61)	(111)	(45)	%	Total other expense, net	$	(45)	(121)		(63)	%
Income tax expense	Income tax expense	$	60	51	18	%	Income tax expense	$	42	74		(43)	%


		Six Months Ended June 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2020		2019	% Change			2020		2019		% Change
		(Dollars in millions)									(Dollars in millions)
Interest income - affiliate	Interest income - affiliate	$	26	32	(19)	%	Interest income - affiliate	$	39	47		(17)	%
Interest expense	Interest expense	(202)		(261)	(23)	%	Interest expense	(301)		(384)		(22)	%
Other (expense) income, net		(12)		15	nm
Other income, net							Other income, net	29		2		nm
Total other expense, net	Total other expense, net	$	(188)	(214)	(12)	%	Total other expense, net	$	(233)	(335)		(30)	%
Income tax expense	Income tax expense	$	105	140	(25)	%	Income tax expense	$	147	214		(31)	%

Interest income - affiliate decreased by $3$2 million, or ~~19%~~13%, and $6$8 million, or ~~19%~~17%, respectively, for the three and ~~six~~nine months ended ~~June~~September 30, 2020, as compared to the three and ~~six~~nine months ended ~~June~~September 30, 2019. ~~Decreases in interest income - affiliate~~These decreases for both periods were primarily due to lower receivable balances due to repayments from ~~CenturyLink.~~CenturyLink, Inc.

Interest expense decreased by $34 million, or 26%, and $59 million, or 23%, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, as compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2019. These decreases in interest expense were primarily due to (i) the decrease in our average interest rate of 5.13% to 4.11% for the three months ended June 30, 2019 compared to June 30, 2020 and (ii) the decrease in our average interest rate from 5.13% to 4.23% for the six months ended June 30, 2019 compared to June 30, 2020.

Other income, net increased by $19 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020, as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2019 primarily due to a foreign currency gain. Other income, net decreased by $27 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020, as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2019 primarily due to foreign currency.

Interest expense decreased by $24 million, or 20%, and $83 million, or 22%, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019. These decreases were primarily due to (i) the decrease in our average interest rate of 5.00% to 3.85% for the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to September 30, 2020 and (ii) the decrease in our average interest rate from 5.02% to 4.08% for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to September 30, 2020.

Other income (expense), net changed by $54 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2019 primarily due to foreign currency gains and the gain on the early extinguishment of debt. Other income, net increased by $27 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2019 primarily due to the gain on the early extinguishment of debt and foreign currency gains.

For the three months ended ~~June~~September 30, 2020 and the three months ended ~~June~~September 30, 2019, our effective income tax rate was ~~25.4%~~17.6% and ~~31.7%~~39.4%, respectively. The effective tax rate for the three months ended ~~June~~September 30, 2020 was significantly impacted by favorable U.S. tax law changes regarding Global Intangible Low Taxed Income regulations. The effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2019 was significantly impacted by the new base erosion and anti-abuse provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. For the ~~six~~nine months ended ~~June~~September 30, 2020 and the ~~six~~nine months ended ~~June~~September 30, 2019, our effective income tax rate was ~~26.6%~~23.2% and ~~(4.2)~~(6.8)%, respectively. The effective tax rate for the ~~six~~nine months ended ~~June~~September 30, 2019 was significantly impacted by the goodwill impairment and the new base erosion and anti-abuse provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Without the goodwill impairment, the rate would have been ~~37.5%~~38.1%.

At ~~June~~September 30, 2020, we held cash and cash equivalents of ~~$1.5 billion (including cash held to fund redemptions of $1.2 billion aggregate principal amount of debt securities scheduled for July 15, 2020).~~$256 million. At ~~June~~September 30, 2020, cash and cash equivalents of ~~$80~~$75 million were held in foreign bank accounts for funding our foreign operations. Due to various factors, our access to foreign cash is generally more restricted than our access to domestic cash.

We incur capital expenditures on an ongoing basis to enhance and modernize our networks, compete effectively in our markets and expand our service offerings. We and ~~CenturyLink~~Lumen Technologies evaluate capital expenditure projects based on a variety of factors, including expected strategic impacts (such as forecasted impact on revenue growth, productivity, expenses, service levels and customer retention) and the expected return on investment. The amount of ~~CenturyLink's~~Lumen's consolidated capital investment is influenced by, among other things, demand for ~~CenturyLink's~~Lumen's services and products, cash flow generated by operating activities and cash required for other purposes.

As of ~~June~~September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, our long-term debt outstanding (including current maturities and finance leases) totaled ~~$11.5 billion, compared to~~ $10.4 ~~billion outstanding as of December 31, 2019.~~billion. See Note ~~5 -~~ 5—Long-Term Debt. ~~See Note 5 - Long-Term Debt "—Subsequent Event," we paid off $1.2 billion of Senior Notes on July 15, 2020.~~

Our credit ratings are reviewed and adjusted from time to time by the rating agencies. Any future downgrades of the senior unsecured or secured debt ratings of us or our subsidiaries could impact our access to debt capital or further raise our borrowing costs. See "Risk Factors—Risks Affecting our Liquidity and Capital Resources" in Item 1A of Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and Item 1A of Part II of this report.


		Six Months Ended June 30,							Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2020		2019	Change		2020		2019	Change
		(Dollars in millions)								(Dollars in millions)
Net cash provided by operating activities	Net cash provided by operating activities	$	1,157	1,123	34	Net cash provided by operating activities	$	1,944	1,844	100
Net cash used in investing activities	Net cash used in investing activities	(524)		(575)	(51)	Net cash used in investing activities	$	(897)	(745)	152
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		506		(567)	1,073
Net cash used in financing activities						Net cash used in financing activities	$	(1,115)	(125)	990

Net cash provided by operating activities increased ~~$34~~by $100 million for the ~~six~~nine months ended ~~June~~September 30, 2020, as compared to the ~~six~~nine months ended ~~June~~September 30, 2019, primarily due to an increase in net income adjusted for non-cash items, ~~and~~which was partially offset by a decrease in accounts payable ~~partially offset by~~and an increase in accounts receivable. Cash provided by operating activities is subject to variability period over period as a result of ~~the~~ timing, ~~differences,~~ including ~~with respect to~~ the collection of receivables and payments of interest, accounts payable, and bonuses.

Net cash used in investing activities ~~decreased $51~~increased by $152 million for the ~~six~~nine months ended ~~June~~September 30, 2020, as compared to the ~~six~~nine months ended ~~June~~September 30, 2019 primarily due to an increase in capital expenditures and decrease in receipt of affiliate notes receivable payments, ~~and increases~~which was partially offset by an increase in proceeds from the sale of property, plant and ~~equipment,~~equipment.

~~CenturyLink~~Lumen Technologies is involved in several legal proceedings to which we are not a party that, if resolved against it, could have a material adverse effect on its business and financial condition. As a wholly owned subsidiary of ~~CenturyLink,~~Lumen Technologies, our business and financial condition could be similarly affected. You can find descriptions of these legal proceedings in ~~CenturyLink's~~Lumen's quarterly and annual reports filed with the ~~Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").~~SEC. Because we are not a party to any of the matters, we have not accrued any liabilities for these matters.

Level 3 Financing, Inc., our wholly owned subsidiary, has registered several series of Senior Notes that are fully and unconditionally and jointly and severally guaranteed on an unsubordinated unsecured basis by Level 3 Parent, LLC and Level 3 Communications, LLC. Level 3 Financing, Inc., Level 3 Parent, LLC and Level 3 Communications, LLC are collectively referred to as the “Obligor Group.”


		Six Months Ended June 30, 2020								Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020
		Level 3 Parent, LLC		Level 3 Financing, Inc.	Level 3 Communications, LLC		Level 3 Parent, LLC		Level 3 Financing, Inc.	Level 3 Communications, LLC
		(Dollars in millions)								(Dollars in millions)
Operating revenue	Operating revenue	$	—	—	1,940	Operating revenue	$	—	—	2,922
Operating revenue-affiliates	Operating revenue-affiliates	—		—	109	Operating revenue-affiliates	—		—	170
Operating expenses	Operating expenses	(50)		1	1,931	Operating expenses	(75)		2	2,881
Operating expenses-affiliates	Operating expenses-affiliates	—		—	128	Operating expenses-affiliates	—		—	210
Operating income (loss)	Operating income (loss)	50		(1)	(10)	Operating income (loss)	75		(2)	1
Net income (loss)	Net income (loss)	2,055		180	(2,350)	Net income (loss)	3,121		327	(3,629)


		June 30, 2020								September 30, 2020
		Level 3 Parent, LLC		Level 3 Financing, Inc.	Level 3 Communications, LLC		Level 3 Parent, LLC		Level 3 Financing, Inc.	Level 3 Communications, LLC
		(Dollars in millions)								(Dollars in millions)
Advances to affiliates	Advances to affiliates	$	18,351	31,102	—	Advances to affiliates	$	19,028	29,954	—
Note receivable-affiliate	Note receivable-affiliate	1,468		—	—	Note receivable-affiliate	1,468		—	—
Other current assets	Other current assets	3		—	1,759	Other current assets	3		—	547
Operating lease assets - affiliates	Operating lease assets - affiliates	—		—	492	Operating lease assets - affiliates	—		—	495
Other noncurrent assets	Other noncurrent assets	279		1,534	8,821	Other noncurrent assets	273		1,567	8,849
Accounts payable-affiliates	Accounts payable-affiliates	83		16	835	Accounts payable-affiliates	83		21	1,039
Current operating lease liabilities-affiliates	Current operating lease liabilities-affiliates	—		—	105	Current operating lease liabilities-affiliates	—		—	98
Due to affiliates	Due to affiliates	—		—	53,848	Due to affiliates	—		—	53,739
Other current liabilities	Other current liabilities	1		1,303	869	Other current liabilities	1		77	832
Non-current operating lease liabilities-affiliates	Non-current operating lease liabilities-affiliates	—		—	387	Non-current operating lease liabilities-affiliates	—		—	399
Other noncurrent liabilities	Other noncurrent liabilities	70		10,172	2,618	Other noncurrent liabilities	74		10,133	2,650


	December 31, 2019
	Level 3 Parent, LLC		Level 3 Financing, Inc.	Level 3 Communications, LLC
	(Dollars in millions)
Advances to affiliates	$	16,828	29,796	—
Note receivable-affiliate	1,590		—	—
Other current assets	4		—	380
Operating lease assets - affiliates	—		—	527
Other noncurrent assets	284		1,485	8,546
Accounts payable-affiliates	80		17	569
Current operating lease liabilities-affiliates	—		—	109
Due to affiliates	—		—	50,005
Other current liabilities	1		104	977
Non-current operating lease liabilities-affiliates	—		—	418
Other noncurrent liabilities	57		10,196	2,613

As of ~~June~~September 30, 2020, we had approximately ~~$11.3~~$10.1 billion (excluding unamortized premiums, unamortized debt issuance costs and finance leases) of long-term debt outstanding, ~~73%~~69% of which bears interest at fixed rates and is therefore not exposed to interest rate risk. We also had $3.1 billion of floating rate debt exposed to changes in the ~~London InterBank Offered Rate ("LIBOR").~~LIBOR. A hypothetical increase of 100 basis points in LIBOR relative to this debt would decrease our annual pre-tax earnings by $31 million.

By operating internationally, we are exposed to the risk of fluctuations in the foreign currencies used by our international subsidiaries, including the British Pound, the Euro, the Brazilian Real and the Argentinian Peso. Although the percentages of our consolidated revenue and costs that are denominated in these currencies are immaterial, our consolidated results of operations could be adversely impacted by volatility in exchange rates or an increase in the number of foreign currency transactions.

Certain shortcomings are inherent in the method of analysis presented in the computation of exposures to market risks. Actual values may differ materially from those presented above if market conditions vary from the assumptions used in the analyses performed. These analyses only incorporate the risk exposures that existed at ~~June~~September 30, 2020.

As of ~~June~~September 30, 2020, we have no special purpose or limited purpose entities that provide off-balance sheet financing, liquidity, or market or credit risk support and we did not engage in leasing, hedging or other similar activities that expose us to any significant liabilities that are not (i) reflected on the face of the consolidated financial statements, (ii) disclosed in Note 17 - Commitments and Contingencies to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, or in the Future Contractual Obligations table included in Item 7 of Part II of the same report, or (iii) discussed under the heading "Market Risk" above.

~~CenturyLink's~~Lumen's and our website is ~~www.centurylink.com.~~www.lumen.com. We routinely post important investor information in the "Investor Relations" section of our website at ~~ir.centurylink.com.~~ir.lumen.com. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, our website is not part of this quarterly report. You may obtain free electronic copies of ~~our Annual Reports~~annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K filed by us or our ultimate controlling member CenturyLink, Inc., and all amendments to those reports, in the "Investor Relations" section of our website ~~(ir.centurylink.com)~~(ir.lumen.com) under the heading "SEC Filings." These reports are available on our website as soon as reasonably practicable after wethey are electronically ~~file them~~filed with the SEC. ~~From time to time, we also use our website to webcast our earnings calls and certain of our meetings with investors or other members of the investment community.~~

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)) designed to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by ~~the Company~~us in the reports ~~that it files~~we file or ~~furnishes~~furnish under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. These include controls and procedures designed to ensure ~~that~~ this information is accumulated and communicated to ~~the Company’s~~our senior management, including ~~its~~our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer, Jeff K. Storey, and our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Indraneel Dev, evaluated the effectiveness of ~~the Company’s~~our disclosure controls and procedures as of ~~June~~September 30, 2020. Based on this evaluation, ~~the Company’s~~our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded ~~that the Company’s~~our disclosure controls and procedures were effective, as of ~~June~~September 30, 2020, in providing reasonable assurance ~~that~~ the information required to be disclosed by us in this report was accumulated and communicated in the manner provided above.

There have been no changes in ~~the Company’s~~our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) that occurred during the ~~second~~third quarter of 2020 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, ~~the Company’s~~our internal control over financial reporting.

The effectiveness of our or any system of disclosure controls and procedures is subject to certain limitations, including the exercise of judgment in designing, implementing and evaluating the controls and procedures, the assumptions used in identifying the likelihood of future events and the inability to eliminate misconduct completely. As a result, there can be no assurance that our disclosure controls and procedures will detect all errors or fraud. By their nature, our or any system of disclosure controls and procedures can provide only reasonable assurance regarding management's control objectives.

The information contained in Note ~~8 -~~ 8—Commitments, Contingencies and Other Items, included in Item 1 of Part I of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q is incorporated herein by reference. The ultimate outcome of the matters described in Note 8 may differ materially from the outcomes anticipated, estimated, projected or implied by us in certain of our statements appearing in such Note, and proceedings currently viewed as immaterial by us may ultimately materially impact us. For more information, see “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Legal and Regulatory Matters—Our pending legal proceedings could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and operating results, on the trading price of our securities and on our ability to access the capital markets” in Item 1A of Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and Item 1A of Part II of this report.

Our operations and financial results are subject to various risks and uncertainties, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition or future results. We urge you to carefully consider (i) the other information set forth in this report, (ii) the risk factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 ~~and~~ (iii) the risk factors discussed in Part II, Item 1A of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2020, and (iv) the risk factors discussed in Part II, Item 1A of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2020, which are amended and restated in their entirety below:

We are vulnerable to the general economic effects of disease outbreaks and similar public health threats. Since the latter half of the first quarter of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a sudden and substantial reduction in worldwide economic activity. COVID-19 poses the risk that we or our employees, contractors, suppliers, customers and other business partners may be prevented from conducting business activities at expected levels through established processes for ~~an indefinite~~a prolonged period of time, including due to ~~shutdowns or related restrictions that may be requested or mandated by~~the continuing effects of governmental ~~authorities (such as the shutdowns~~regulation of ~~events or businesses from which we previously earned revenues).~~permissible social and business activity. Future events regarding the pandemic, which are unpredictable and beyond our control, will ultimately impact our operations and results, including its impact on demand for our products and services and related impacts upon network usage, the ability of our customers to continue to pay us in a timely manner, the impact on other third parties upon which we are materially reliant, impacts on our workforce, impacts upon performance risk under our contracts, and impacts on our supply chains or distribution channels for our products and services. Such future uncertain and unpredictable developments include:

•The duration, extent and severity of the pandemic. The ultimate impact of the pandemic will depend on various medical factors that are currently unknown, including (i) whether, ~~or when the current pandemic will abate, (ii) whether,~~ when or to what extent additional outbreaks may arise or return, ~~(iii)~~(ii) the effectiveness of current or future mitigation steps, and ~~(iv)~~(iii) whether or when treatments or vaccines will be ~~developed~~widely available to ~~ameliorate~~improve or ~~staunch~~stem the pandemic.

•The response of governmental and nongovernmental authorities. ~~Many~~Actions taken by governmental and nongovernmental bodies ~~have taken action~~ in response to the pandemic ~~that has depressed~~have continued to depress economic activity. In the United States and ~~many~~most other countries, these mandates have been issued by state or local officials, which significantly increases the unpredictability and variability of when and how these mandates will be amended, rescinded or reimposed. The pandemic has also led to changes in laws governing the rights of workers and has caused, and may continue to cause, various parties to propose additional changes to laws or regulations, including those governing communications companies.

•Impacts to economic and market conditions. Continuing uncertainties related to the duration and intensity of the pandemic will likely continue to create substantial disruptions and volatility in global, national, regional and local economies and markets. These disruptions could (i) limit or restrict our ability to conduct normal business activities with customers, vendors, lenders or others with whom we do business, (ii) continue to result in changes in spending patterns or reduced demand for certain of our products and services, (iii) continue to cause us to incur higher credit losses and overtime expenses, (iv) cause us to delay, change, or fail to attain our operating, capital spending or transformational plans, ~~(iv)~~(v) result in future changes in tax rates, ~~(v)~~(vi) increase the risk of litigation and ~~(vi)~~(vii) otherwise render it more difficult or impossible to implement our operational or strategic plans.

•Impacts to capital markets. Shortly after COVID-19 began its worldwide spread, domestic and worldwide capital markets experienced periods of instability or unpredictability, particularly for non-investment grade issuers. Legislative bodies and reserve banks have taken various actions in response to the pandemic that have impacted the capital markets, and we expect that these efforts could continue. We are materially reliant upon the capital markets to access funding necessary to refinance our outstanding indebtedness. If the economic disruptions caused by COVID-19 continue to interfere with the operations of the capital markets, our access to cash to refinance our debt or to fund our other cash requirements could be materially adversely affected.

In addition, responding to the continuing pandemic could divert management’s attention from our key strategic priorities, increase costs as we prioritize health and safety matters for our employees and customers, cause us to reduce, delay, alter or abandon initiatives that may otherwise increase our long-term value, increase vulnerability to information technology or cybersecurity related risks as more of our employees work remotely and otherwise continue to disrupt our business operations. Moreover, if the pandemic ultimately materially reduces our cash flows, we may need to re-evaluate our capital allocation plans, especially if increased broadband usage increases our need to invest in our network to remain competitive.

Moreover, to the extent any of these risks and uncertainties adversely impact us in the ways described above or otherwise, they may also have the effect of heightening many of the other risks described under the section entitled “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019. In particular, ~~further~~ deterioration of global economic conditions could increase the possibility that we will incur a future goodwill impairment, as discussed in greater detail in Footnote 2 and Item 2 of Part 1 of this report.

The precautionary measures described in this report that we have taken to safeguard our employees and customers could make it more difficult to (i) timely and efficiently furnish products and services to our customers, (ii) devote sufficient resources to our ongoing network, ~~and~~ product simplification and cost reduction projects, (iii) efficiently monitor and maintain our network, (iv) maintain effective internal controls, (v) mitigate information technology or cybersecurity related risks and (vi) otherwise operate and administer our affairs. As such, these measures ultimately could have a material adverse impact on our operating results and financial condition.


	(Dollars in millions)
As of December 31, 2019	$	7,415
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes and other	~~(60)~~(46)
As of ~~June~~September 30, 2020	$	~~7,355~~7,369


	(Dollars in millions)
Beginning balance at January 1, 2020 ⁽¹⁾	$	18
Provision for expected losses	1834
Write-offs charged against the allowance	~~(12)~~(21)
Recoveries collected	68
Foreign currency exchange rate changes adjustment	(2)
Ending balance at ~~June~~September 30, 2020	$	2837


Input Level						Description of Input
Level 1						Observable inputs such as quoted market prices in active markets.
Level 2						Inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable.
Level 3						Unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists.


4.1			~~Ind~~Indenture, dated ~~enture, dated June 15,~~August 12 , 2020, among Level 3 Parent, LLC, as Guarantor, Level 3 Financing, Inc., as Issuer, and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee, relating to the ~~4.250%~~3.625 % Senior Notes due ~~2028~~202 9 of Level 3 Financing, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to CenturyLink, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-35134) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on ~~June 15,~~August 12 , 2020).
~~22.1~~22.1*			Guaranteed Securities ~~(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 22.1 to Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020)~~
31.1*			Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2*			Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1*			Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2*			Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101*			The following materials from the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Level 3 Parent, LLC for the quarter ended ~~June~~September 30, 2020, formatted in Inline XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language); (i) Consolidated Statements of Operations, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss), (iii) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, (v) Consolidated Statements of Member's Equity and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
104*			Cover page formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101.


LEVEL 3 PARENT, LLC
By:	/s/ Eric J. Mortensen
		Eric J. Mortensen Senior Vice President - Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)


☒			QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


☐			TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934