Lumen (LUMN) 10-Q 6 Aug 20 2020 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Cover Page

Cover Page - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jul. 31, 2020
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-7784
Entity Registrant Name	CENTURYLINK, INC.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	LA
Entity Tax Identification Number	72-0651161
Entity Address, Address Line One	100 CenturyLink Drive,
Entity Address, City or Town	Monroe,
Entity Address, State or Province	LA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	71203
City Area Code	318
Local Phone Number	388-9000
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		1,097,537,902
Entity Central Index Key	0000018926
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Common Stock
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share
Trading Symbol	CTL
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Preferred Stock
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Preferred Stock Purchase Rights
No Trading Symbol Flag	true
Security Exchange Name	NYSE

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPER

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Income Statement [Abstract]
OPERATING REVENUE	$ 5,192	$ 5,375	$ 10,420	$ 10,802
OPERATING EXPENSES
Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	2,232	2,243	4,467	4,543
Selling, general and administrative	895	960	1,748	1,892
Depreciation and amortization	1,162	1,196	2,322	2,384
Goodwill impairment	0	0	0	6,506
Total operating expenses	4,289	4,399	8,537	15,325
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)	903	976	1,883	(4,523)
OTHER (EXPENSE) INCOME
Interest expense	(414)	(518)	(863)	(1,041)
Other income (loss), net	24	44	(74)	39
Total other expense, net	(390)	(474)	(937)	(1,002)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	513	502	946	(5,525)
Income tax expense	136	131	255	269
NET INCOME (LOSS)	$ 377	$ 371	$ 691	$ (5,794)
BASIC AND DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE
BASIC (in dollars per share)	$ 0.35	$ 0.35	$ 0.64	$ (5.41)
DILUTED (in dollars per share)	$ 0.35	$ 0.35	$ 0.64	$ (5.41)
WEIGHTED-AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING
BASIC (in shares)	1,079,475	1,071,341	1,077,755	1,070,110
DILUTED (in shares)	1,082,567	1,072,813	1,082,218	1,070,110

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
NET INCOME (LOSS)	$ 377	$ 371	$ 691	$ (5,794)
Items related to employee benefit plans:
Change in net actuarial loss, net of $(13), $(14), $(25) and $(28) tax	39	42	77	85
Change in net prior service credit, net of $(1), $—, $(1) and $(1) tax	2	2	3	3
Reclassification of realized loss on interest rate swaps to net income, net of $(5), $—, $(5) and $— tax	11	0	16	0
Unrealized holding loss on interest rate swaps, net of $2, $8, $28 and $14 tax	(8)	(26)	(88)	(43)
Foreign currency translation adjustment and other net of $(4), $3, $19 and $2 tax	9	(8)	(230)	(3)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	53	10	(222)	42
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	$ 430	$ 381	$ 469	$ (5,752)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CO_2

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Change in net actuarial loss, tax	$ (13)	$ (14)	$ (25)	$ (28)
Change in net prior service credit, tax	(1)	0	(1)	(1)
Reclassification of realized loss on interest rate swaps to net income, tax	(5)	0	(5)	0
Unrealized holding loss on interest rate swaps, tax	2	8	28	14
Foreign currency translation adjustment and other, tax	$ (4)	$ 3	$ 19	$ 2

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,763	$ 1,690
Accounts receivable, less allowance of $124 and $106	2,182	2,259
Other	913	819
Total current assets	4,858	4,768
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $30,332 and $29,346	26,079	26,079
GOODWILL AND OTHER ASSETS
Goodwill	21,469	21,534
Other intangible assets, net	8,903	9,567
Other, net	2,862	2,794
Total goodwill and other assets	33,234	33,895
TOTAL ASSETS	64,171	64,742
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Current maturities of long-term debt	2,885	2,300
Accounts payable	1,448	1,724
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
Salaries and benefits	917	1,037
Income and other taxes	337	311
Current operating lease liabilities	474	416
Interest	303	280
Other	349	386
Current portion of deferred revenue	759	804
Total current liabilities	7,472	7,258
LONG-TERM DEBT	31,414	32,394
DEFERRED CREDITS AND OTHER LIABILITIES
Deferred income taxes, net	3,094	2,918
Benefit plan obligations, net	4,428	4,594
Other	4,301	4,108
Total deferred credits and other liabilities	11,823	11,620
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 12)
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred Stock, Value, Issued	0	0
Common Stock, Value, Issued	1,097	1,090
Additional paid-in capital	21,376	21,874
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(2,902)	(2,680)
Accumulated deficit	(6,109)	(6,814)
Total stockholders' equity	13,462	13,470
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	$ 64,171	$ 64,742

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, allowance	$ 124	$ 106
PP&E, accumulated depreciation	$ 30,332	$ 29,346
Preferred stock-non-redeemable, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 25	$ 25
Preferred stock-non-redeemable, shares authorized (in shares)	2,000,000	2,000,000
Preferred stock-non-redeemable, shares issued (in shares)	7,000	7,000
Preferred stock-non-redeemable, shares outstanding (in shares)	7,000	7,000
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 1	$ 1
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	2,200,000,000	2,200,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	1,097,114,000	1,090,058,000
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	1,097,114,000	1,090,058,000

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income (loss)	$ 691	$ (5,794)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	2,322	2,384
Impairment of goodwill	0	6,506
Deferred income taxes	220	244
Provision for uncollectible accounts	90	85
Net loss (gain) on early retirement of debt	86	(66)
Share-based compensation	89	76
Changes in current assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(2)	(132)
Accounts payable	(227)	(266)
Accrued income and other taxes	(3)	20
Other current assets and liabilities, net	(203)	(233)
Retirement benefits	(62)	(8)
Changes in other noncurrent assets and liabilities, net	51	67
Other, net	(4)	0
Net cash provided by operating activities	3,048	2,883
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital expenditures	(1,983)	(1,731)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and other assets	84	26
Other, net	1	(12)
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,898)	(1,717)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	2,425	0
Payments of long-term debt	(3,696)	(760)
Net proceeds from revolving line of credit	825	100
Dividends paid	(562)	(554)
Other, net	(75)	(30)
Net cash used in financing activities	(1,083)	(1,244)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	67	(78)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	1,717	518
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	1,784	440
Supplemental cash flow information:
Income taxes paid, net	(20)	(22)
Interest paid (net of capitalized interest of $43 and $32)	(828)	(1,050)
Total	$ 1,784	$ 440

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CA_2

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Capitalized interest	$ 43	$ 32

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Millions	Total	COMMON STOCK	ADDITIONAL PAID-IN CAPITAL	ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS	ACCUMULATED DEFICIT	ACCUMULATED DEFICITCumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2018		$ 1,080	$ 22,852	$ (2,461)	$ (1,643)	$ 96
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Issuance of common stock through dividend reinvestment, incentive and benefit plans		10
Shares withheld to satisfy tax withholdings			(29)
Share-based compensation and other, net			77
Dividends declared			(558)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	$ 42			42
Net income (loss)	(5,794)				(5,794)
Other					1
Balance at end of period at Jun. 30, 2019	$ 13,673	1,090	22,342	(2,419)	(7,340)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE (in dollars per share)	$ 0.50
Balance at beginning of period at Mar. 31, 2019		1,090	22,575	(2,429)	(7,712)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Issuance of common stock through dividend reinvestment, incentive and benefit plans		0
Shares withheld to satisfy tax withholdings			(3)
Share-based compensation and other, net			44
Dividends declared			(274)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	$ 10			10
Net income (loss)	371				371
Other					1
Balance at end of period at Jun. 30, 2019	$ 13,673	1,090	22,342	(2,419)	(7,340)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE (in dollars per share)	$ 0.25
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2019	$ 13,470	1,090	21,874	(2,680)	(6,814)	$ 9
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Issuance of common stock through dividend reinvestment, incentive and benefit plans		7
Shares withheld to satisfy tax withholdings			(35)
Share-based compensation and other, net			99
Dividends declared			(562)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(222)			(222)
Net income (loss)	691				691
Other					5
Balance at end of period at Jun. 30, 2020	$ 13,462	1,097	21,376	(2,902)	(6,109)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE (in dollars per share)	$ 0.50
Balance at beginning of period at Mar. 31, 2020		1,098	21,634	(2,955)	(6,486)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Issuance of common stock through dividend reinvestment, incentive and benefit plans		(1)
Shares withheld to satisfy tax withholdings			(2)
Share-based compensation and other, net			20
Dividends declared			(276)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	$ 53			53
Net income (loss)	377				377
Other					0
Balance at end of period at Jun. 30, 2020	$ 13,462	$ 1,097	$ 21,376	$ (2,902)	$ (6,109)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE (in dollars per share)	$ 0.25

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF ST_2

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Accounting Standards Update [Extensible List]	us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201613Member	us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201602Member
ACCUMULATED DEFICIT
Cumulative net effect of adoption, tax	$ 2	$ 37

Background

Background	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Background	Background General We are an international facilities-based communications company engaged primarily in providing a broad array of integrated services to our residential and business customers. Our specific products and services are detailed in Note 11—Segment Information Basis of Presentation 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"). However, in our opinion, the disclosures made therein 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 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. To simplify the overall presentation of our consolidated financial statements, we report immaterial amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests in certain of our subsidiaries as follows: (i) income attributable to noncontrolling interests in other loss, net, (ii) equity attributable to noncontrolling interests in additional paid-in capital and (iii) cash flows attributable to noncontrolling interests in other, net, financing activities. We reclassified certain prior period amounts to conform to the current period presentation, including the categorization of our revenue and expenses in our segment reporting. See Note 11—Segment Information for additional information. These changes had no impact on total operating revenue, total operating expenses or net income (loss) for any period. Operating lease assets are included in Other, net under goodwill and other assets on our consolidated balance sheets. Noncurrent operating lease liabilities are included in Other under deferred credits and other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. There were no book overdrafts included in accounts payable at June 30, 2020. Included in accounts payable at December 31, 2019 was $106 million representing book overdrafts. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies 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. Change in Accounting Policy 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 $204 million and $203 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and $419 million and $423 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The change has no impact on operating income (loss), net income (loss), or earnings (loss) per share in our consolidated statements of operations. Refer to our Form 8-K filing dated April 30, 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. Operating Lease Income CenturyLink leases various dark fiber, office facilities, switching facilities and other network sites to third parties under operating leases. Lease and sublease income are included in operating revenue in the consolidated statements of operations. For the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, our gross rental income was $333 million and $205 million, respectively, which represents approximately 6% and 4%, respectively, of our operating revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 and for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, our gross rental income was $666 million and $404 million, respectively, which represents 6% and 4%, respectively, of our operating revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019. Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements Financial Instruments In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU 2016-13, " Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments ". 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 Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, " Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (Topic 740) ". 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

Goodwill, Customer Relationship

Goodwill, Customer Relationships and Other Intangible Assets	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill, Customer Relationships and Other Intangible Assets	Goodwill, Customer Relationships and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill, customer relationships and other intangible assets consisted of the following: June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 (Dollars in millions) Goodwill $ 21,469 21,534 Indefinite-life intangible assets $ 269 269 Other intangible assets subject to amortization: Customer relationships, less accumulated amortization of $10,430 and $9,809 6,934 7,596 Capitalized software, less accumulated amortization of $3,138 and $2,957 1,612 1,599 Trade names and patents, less accumulated amortization of $105 and $91 88 103 Total other intangible assets, net $ 8,903 9,567 Our goodwill was derived from numerous acquisitions where the purchase price exceeded the fair value of the net assets acquired. We assess our goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets 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 any of our reporting units exceeds its fair value. Our annual impairment assessment date for goodwill is October 31, at which date we assess our reporting units. Our annual impairment assessment date for indefinite-lived intangible assets other than goodwill is December 31. Our reporting units are not discrete legal entities with discrete full financial statements. Our assets and liabilities are employed in and relate to the operations of multiple reporting units. For each reporting unit, we compare its estimated fair value of equity to its carrying value of equity that we assign to the reporting unit. If the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is greater than the carrying value, we conclude that no impairment exists. If the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying value, we record an impairment equal to the excess amount. Depending on the facts and circumstances, we typically estimate the fair value of our reporting units by considering either or both of (i) a market approach, which includes the use of multiples of publicly-traded companies whose services are comparable to ours, and (ii) a discounted cash flow method, which is based on the present value of projected cash flows and a terminal value, which represents the expected normalized cash flows of the reporting units beyond the cash flows from the discrete projection period . Both our January 2019 internal reorganization and the decline in our stock price triggered impairment testing in the first quarter of 2019. Because our low stock price was a key trigger for impairment testing during the first quarter of 2019, we estimated the fair value of our operations in such quarter using only the market approach. Applying this approach, we utilized company comparisons and analyst reports within the telecommunications industry which have historically supported a range of fair values derived from annualized revenue and EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) multiples between 2.1x and 4.9x and 4.9x and 9.8x, respectively. We selected a revenue and EBITDA multiple for each of our reporting units within this range. We reconciled the estimated fair values of the reporting units to our market capitalization as of the date of each of our triggering events during the first quarter of 2019 and concluded that the indicated control premium of approximately 4.5% and 4.1% was reasonable based on recent market transactions. In the quarter ended March 31, 2019, based on our assessments performed with respect to the reporting units as described above, we concluded that the estimated fair value of certain of our reporting units was less than our carrying value of equity as of the date of each of our triggering events during the first quarter. As a result, we recorded non-cash, non-tax-deductible goodwill impairment charges aggregating to $6.5 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 our 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 units were below their carrying values. 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 values of our reporting units were less than their carrying values as of the period ended June 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 one or more reporting units is less than its carrying amount. Future changes could cause one or more of our reporting unit fair values to be less than its 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. The following table shows the rollforward of goodwill assigned to our reportable segments from December 31, 2019 through June 30, 2020: International and Global Accounts Enterprise Small and Medium Business Wholesale Consumer Total (Dollars in millions) As of December 31, 2019 $ 2,670 4,738 3,259 3,813 7,054 21,534 Effect of foreign currency exchange rate change and other (65) — — — — (65) As of June 30, 2020 $ 2,605 4,738 3,259 3,813 7,054 21,469 Total amortization expense for intangible assets for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 totaled $440 million for each quarter, and for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 totaled $871 million and $869 million, respectively. As of June 30, 2020, the gross carrying amount of goodwill, customer relationships, indefinite-life and other intangible assets was $44.0 billion. We estimate that total amortization expense for intangible assets for the years ending December 31, 2020 through 2024 will be as follows: (Dollars in millions) 2020 (remaining six months) $ 859 2021 1,233 2022 1,004 2023 923 2024 858

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition Reconciliation of Total Revenue to Revenue from Contracts with Customers The following table provides the amount of revenue that is not subject to ASC 606, but is instead governed by other accounting standards: Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 (Dollars in millions) Total revenue $ 5,192 5,375 10,420 10,802 Adjustments for non-ASC 606 revenue (1) (481) (356) (962) (714) Total revenue from contracts with customers $ 4,711 5,019 9,458 10,088 ______________________________________________________________________ (1) Includes regulatory revenue, lease revenue, sublease rental income and revenue from fiber capacity lease arrangements, none of which are within the scope of ASC 606. Customer Receivables and Contract Balances The following table provides balances of customer receivables, contract assets and contract liabilities as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019: June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 (Dollars in millions) Customer receivables (1) $ 2,112 2,194 Contract assets 109 130 Contract liabilities 927 1,028 ______________________________________________________________________ (1) Reflects gross customer receivables of $2.2 billion and $2.3 billion, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $110 million and $94 million, at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. 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 typically ranges from one Performance Obligations As of June 30, 2020, our estimated revenue expected to be recognized in the future related to performance obligations associated with existing customer contracts that are unsatisfied (or partially satisfied) is approximately $5.5 billion. We expect to recognize approximately 88% 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. Contract Costs The following table provides changes in our contract acquisition costs and fulfillment costs: Three Months Ended June 30, 2020 Three Months Ended June 30, 2019 Acquisition Costs Fulfillment Costs Acquisition Costs Fulfillment Costs (Dollars in millions) Beginning of period balance $ 320 220 329 198 Costs incurred 36 34 43 44 Amortization (56) (35) (51) (35) End of period balance $ 300 219 321 207 Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 Acquisition Costs Fulfillment Costs Acquisition Costs Fulfillment Costs (Dollars in millions) Beginning of period balance $ 326 221 322 187 Costs incurred 85 70 100 78 Amortization (111) (72) (101) (58) End of period balance $ 300 219 321 207 Acquisition costs include commission fees paid to employees as a result of obtaining contracts. Fulfillment costs include third party and internal costs associated with the provision, installation and activation of telecommunications services to customers, including labor and materials consumed for these activities. Deferred acquisition and fulfillment costs are amortized based on the transfer of services on a straight-line basis over the average customer life of 30 months for consumer customers and 12 to 60 months for 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 months are included in other current assets on our consolidated balance sheets. The amount of deferred costs expected to be amortized beyond the next twelve 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.

Credit Losses on Financial Inst

Credit Losses on Financial Instruments	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Credit Loss [Abstract]
Credit Losses on Financial Instruments	Credit Losses on Financial InstrumentsIn accordance with ASC 326, "Financial Instruments - Credit 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 such assets. 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. In developing our accounts receivable portfolio, we pooled certain assets with similar credit risk characteristics based on the nature of our customers, their industry, policies used to grant credit terms and their historical and expected credit loss patterns. We grouped assets from our International and Global Accounts, Enterprise, Small and Medium Business and Wholesale segments into the Business portfolio in the below table. Prior to the adoption of the new credit loss standard, the allowance for doubtful accounts receivable reflected our best estimate of probable losses inherent in our receivable portfolio determined based on historical experience, specific allowances for known troubled accounts, and other currently available evidence. We implemented the new standard effective January 1, 2020, using a loss rate method to estimate our allowance for credit losses. Our current expected credit loss rate begins with the use of historical loss experience as a percentage of accounts receivable. We measure our historical loss period based on the average days to move accounts receivable to credit loss. When asset specific characteristics and current conditions change from those in the historical period, due to changes in our credit and collections strategy, certain classes of aged balances, or credit loss and recovery policies, we perform a qualitative and quantitative assessment to update our current loss rate. 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. If there is a deterioration of a customer's financial condition or if future default rates in general differ from currently anticipated default rates (including changes caused by COVID-19), we may need to adjust the allowance for credit losses, which would affect earnings in the period that adjustments are made. 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. The following table presents the activity of our allowance for credit losses by accounts receivable portfolio: (Dollars in millions) Business Consumer Total Beginning balance at January 1, 2020 (1) $ 58 37 95 Provision for expected losses 54 36 90 Write-offs charged against the allowance (37) (44) (81) Recoveries collected 11 11 22 Foreign currency exchange rate changes adjustment (2) — (2) Ending balance at June 30, 2020 $ 84 40 124 ______________________________________________________________________ (1) The beginning balance includes the cumulative effect of the adoption of new credit loss standard. For the six months ended June 30, 2020, we increased our allowance for credit losses for our business and consumer accounts receivable portfolio due to an increase in historical and expected loss experience in certain classes of aged balances, which we believe are predominantly attributable to the current COVID-19 induced economic slowdown. The increases were partially offset by foreign currency exchange rate changes.

Long-Term Debt and Credit Facil

Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities	Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities The following chart reflects the consolidated long-term debt of CenturyLink, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including unamortized discounts and premiums and unamortized debt issuance costs, but excluding intercompany debt: Interest Rates (1) Maturities June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 (Dollars in millions) Senior Secured Debt: (2) CenturyLink, Inc. Revolving Credit Facility (3) 2.190% 2025 $ 1,075 250 Term Loan A (3)(4) LIBOR + 2.00% 2025 1,137 1,536 Term Loan A-1 (3)(4) LIBOR + 2.00% 2025 325 333 Term Loan B (3)(5) LIBOR + 2.25% 2027 4,975 5,880 Senior note 4.000% 2027 1,250 — Subsidiaries: Level 3 Financing, Inc. Tranche B 2027 Term Loan (6) LIBOR + 1.75% 2027 3,111 3,111 Senior notes 3.400% - 3.875% 2027 - 2029 1,500 1,500 Embarq Corporation subsidiaries First mortgage bonds 7.125% - 8.375% 2023 - 2025 138 138 Senior Notes and Other Debt: CenturyLink, Inc. Senior notes 5.125% - 7.650% 2021 - 2042 7,645 8,696 Subsidiaries: Level 3 Financing, Inc. Senior notes 4.250% - 5.625% 2022 - 2028 6,715 5,515 Qwest Corporation Senior notes 6.125% - 7.750% 2021 - 2057 4,656 5,956 Term Loan (7) LIBOR + 2.00% 2025 100 100 Qwest Capital Funding, Inc. Senior notes 6.875% - 7.750% 2021 - 2031 352 352 Embarq Corporation and subsidiary Senior note 7.995% 2036 1,437 1,450 Finance lease and other obligations Various Various 202 222 Unamortized discounts, net (48) (52) Unamortized debt issuance costs (271) (293) Total long-term debt 34,299 34,694 Less current maturities (8) (2,885) (2,300) Long-term debt, excluding current maturities $ 31,414 32,394 ______________________________________________________________________ (1) As of June 30, 2020. (2) See Note 7—Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities 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) CenturyLink's credit agreement was amended as noted below, extending the maturity date of its (a) Term Loan A, Term Loan A-1 and Revolving Credit Facilities from 2022 to 2025 and (b) Term Loan B from 2025 to 2027. (4) Term Loans A and A-1 had interest rates of 2.178% and 4.549% as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. (5) Term Loan B had interest rates of 2.428% and 4.549% as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. (6) The Tranche B 2027 Term Loan had an interest rate of 1.928% as of June 30, 2020 and 3.549% as of December 31, 2019, respectively. (7) Qwest Corporation Term Loan had an interest rate of 2.180% as of June 30, 2020 and 3.800% as of December 31, 2019, respectively. (8) See "Subsequent Event" for further details on the July 15, 2020 redemption of $1.2 billion of senior unsecured notes. Long-Term Debt Maturities Set forth below is the aggregate principal amount of our long-term debt as of June 30, 2020 (excluding unamortized discounts, net and unamortized debt issuance costs) maturing during the following years: (Dollars in millions) 2020 (remaining six months) (1) $ 1,585 2021 2,419 2022 1,537 2023 1,800 2024 2,037 2025 and thereafter 25,240 Total long-term debt $ 34,618 ______________________________________________________________________ (1) See "—Subsequent Event" below. Amended and Restated Credit Agreement On January 31, 2020, CenturyLink, Inc. amended and restated its credit agreement dated June 19, 2017 (as so amended and restated, the “Amended Credit Agreement”). Coupled with CenturyLink’s prepayment on January 24, 2020 of $1.25 billion of indebtedness outstanding under its Term Loan B facility (using principally the net proceeds from its below-described sale of $1.25 billion of its 4.000% Senior Secured Notes due 2027), the Amended Credit Agreement then provided for approximately $8.699 billion in senior secured credit facilities, consisting of an approximately $1.166 billion Term Loan A credit facility, a $333 million Term Loan A-1 credit facility, a $5.0 billion Term Loan B credit facility and a $2.2 billion revolving credit facility (collectively, the “Amended Senior Secured Credit Facilities”). The Amended Credit Agreement, among other things, (i) extended the maturity date of (a) the Term Loan A, Term Loan A-1 and Revolving Credit facilities from November 1, 2022 to January 31, 2025 and (b) the Term Loan B facility from January 31, 2025 to March 15, 2027, and (ii) lowered the interest rate applicable to loans made under each of the Amended Senior Secured Credit Facilities. As so amended, (i) loans under the Term Loan A, Term Loan A-1 and Revolving Credit facilities will bear interest at a rate equal to, at CenturyLink’s option, the Eurodollar rate or the alternative base rate (each as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement) plus an applicable margin between 1.50% to 2.25% per annum for Eurodollar loans and 0.50% to 1.25% per annum for alternative base rate loans, depending on CenturyLink’s then current total leverage ratio, and (ii) loans under the Term Loan B facility will bear interest at the rate equal to, at CenturyLink’s option, the Eurodollar rate plus 2.25% per annum or the alternative base rate plus 1.25% per annum. The subsidiary guarantor and collateral provisions and the financial covenants contained in the Amended Credit Agreement are unchanged from the credit agreement dated June 19, 2017. These January 2020 transactions resulted in an aggregate net loss of $67 million from modification and extinguishment of the debt. Repayments During the six months ended June 30, 2020, CenturyLink and its affiliates repurchased approximately $2.6 billion of their respective debt securities, which primarily included $1.25 billion of CenturyLink, Inc. credit agreement debt, $1.3 billion of Qwest Corporation senior notes and $78 million of CenturyLink, Inc. senior notes, which resulted in a loss of $86 million, including the modification of the Amended Credit Agreement discussed above. In addition, during the six months ended June 30, 2020, (i) CenturyLink paid at maturity $973 million aggregate principal amount of its outstanding senior notes, (ii) CenturyLink made $62 million of scheduled amortization payments under its term loans and (iii) Qwest Corporation issued notices to redeem the remaining $300 million in outstanding principal amount of its 6.875% Notes due 2054, effective August 7, 2020. New Issuances 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"). As noted below, Level 3 Financing, Inc. used the net proceeds from this offering to redeem certain of its outstanding senior notes indebtedness. 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. On January 24, 2020, CenturyLink issued $1.25 billion aggregate principal amount of its 4.000% Senior Secured Notes due 2027 (the “2027 Notes”). As noted above, CenturyLink used the net proceeds from this offering to repay a portion of the outstanding indebtedness under its Term Loan B facility. The 2027 Notes are unconditionally guaranteed by each of CenturyLink's domestic subsidiaries that guarantee CenturyLink's Amended Credit Agreement. While the 2027 Notes are not secured by any of the assets of CenturyLink, certain of the note guarantees are secured by a first priority security interest in substantially all of the assets of such guarantors (including the stock of certain of their respective subsidiaries), which assets also secure obligations under the Amended Credit Agreement on a pari passu basis. Covenants Certain of our debt instruments contain affirmative and negative covenants. Debt at CenturyLink, Inc. and Level 3 Financing, Inc. contain more extensive covenants including, among other things and subject to certain exceptions, restrictions on their ability to declare or pay dividends, repay certain other indebtedness, create liens, incur additional indebtedness, make investments, engage in transactions with their affiliates, dispose of assets and merge or consolidate with any other person. Also, CenturyLink, Inc. and certain of its affiliates will be required to offer to purchase certain of their respective outstanding debt under certain circumstances in connection with certain specified "change of control" transactions. Certain of our debt instruments contain cross acceleration provisions. Compliance As of June 30, 2020, CenturyLink, Inc, believes it and its subsidiaries were in compliance with the provisions and financial covenants in their respective material debt agreements in all material respects. Subsequent Event On July 15, 2020, the proceeds from the issuance of the 2028 Notes were used to fully redeem all $840 million aggregate of Level 3 Financing's outstanding 5.375% Senior Notes due 2022 and $360 million aggregate principal amount of Level 3 Financing's outstanding 5.625% Senior Notes due 2023.

Severance

Severance	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Severance	SeverancePeriodically, we reduce our workforce and accrue liabilities for the related severance costs. These workforce reductions result primarily from the progression or completion of our post-acquisition integration plans, increased competitive pressures, cost reduction initiatives, process improvements through automation and reduced workload demands due to the loss of customers purchasing certain services. Changes in our accrued liabilities for severance expenses were as follows: Severance (Dollars in millions) Balance at December 31, 2019 $ 89 Accrued to expense 44 Payments, net (54) Balance at June 30, 2020 $ 79

Employee Benefits

Employee Benefits	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Employee Benefits	Employee Benefits Net periodic benefit (income) expense for our combined pension plan includes the following components: Combined Pension Plan Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 (Dollars in millions) Service cost $ 13 14 29 28 Interest cost 80 107 162 217 Expected return on plan assets (149) (153) (298) (309) Recognition of prior service credit (1) (2) (4) (4) Recognition of actuarial loss 52 56 102 113 Net periodic pension benefit (income) expense $ (5) 22 (9) 45 Net periodic benefit expense for our post-retirement benefit plans includes the following components: Post-Retirement Benefit Plans Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 (Dollars in millions) Service cost $ 3 4 7 8 Interest cost 20 28 40 55 Recognition of prior service cost 4 4 8 8 Net periodic post-retirement benefit expense $ 27 36 55 71 Service costs are included in the cost of services and products and selling, general and administrative line items on the consolidated statements of operations and all other costs listed above are included in the other income, net line item on the consolidated statements of operations. Benefits paid by our qualified pension plan are paid through a trust that holds all of the plan's assets. Based on current laws and circumstances, we do not expect any contributions to be required for our qualified pension plan during 2020. The amount of required contributions to our qualified pension plan in 2021 and beyond will depend on a variety of factors, most of which are beyond our control, including earnings on plan investments, prevailing interest rates, demographic experience, changes in plan benefits and changes in funding laws and regulations. We occasionally make voluntary contributions in addition to required contributions. Based on current circumstances, we do not anticipate making a voluntary contribution to the trust for our qualified pension plan in 2020.

Earnings (Loss) Per Common Shar

Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share	Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share were calculated as follows: Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 (Dollars in millions, except per share amounts, shares in thousands) Income (Loss) (Numerator): Net income (loss) $ 377 371 691 (5,794) Net income (loss) applicable to common stock for computing basic earnings per common share 377 371 691 (5,794) Net income (loss) as adjusted for purposes of computing diluted earnings per common share $ 377 371 691 (5,794) Shares (Denominator): Weighted-average number of shares: Outstanding during period 1,097,586 1,090,342 1,095,278 1,086,966 Non-vested restricted stock (18,111) (19,001) (17,523) (16,856) Weighted-average shares outstanding for computing basic earnings per common share 1,079,475 1,071,341 1,077,755 1,070,110 Incremental common shares attributable to dilutive securities: Shares issuable under convertible securities 10 10 10 — Shares issuable under incentive compensation plans 3,082 1,462 4,453 — Number of shares as adjusted for purposes of computing diluted earnings (loss) per common share 1,082,567 1,072,813 1,082,218 1,070,110 Basic earnings (loss) per common share $ 0.35 0.35 0.64 (5.41) Diluted earnings (loss) per common share (1) $ 0.35 0.35 0.64 (5.41) ______________________________________________________________________ (1) For the six months ended June 30, 2019, we excluded from the calculation of diluted loss per share 2.4 million shares, potentially issuable under incentive compensation plans or convertible securities, as their effect, if included, would have been anti-dilutive. Our calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per common share excludes shares of common stock that are issuable upon exercise of stock options when the exercise price is greater than the average market price of our common stock. We also exclude unvested restricted stock awards that are antidilutive as a result of unrecognized compensation cost. Such shares averaged 8.7 million and 14.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and 5.7 million and 9.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Fair Value of Financial Instrum

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	Fair Value of Financial Instruments Our financial instruments consist of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, long-term debt, excluding finance lease and other obligations, and interest rate swap contracts. Due to their short-term nature, the carrying amounts of our cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate their fair values. The three input levels in the hierarchy of fair value measurements defined by the Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure framework are generally as follows: 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. The following table presents the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of our financial liabilities as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019: June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Input Carrying Fair Carrying Fair (Dollars in millions) Long-term debt, excluding finance lease and other obligations 2 $ 34,097 34,289 34,472 35,737 Interest rate swap contracts (see Note 10) 2 $ 148 148 51 51

Derivative Financial Instrument

Derivative Financial Instruments	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative Financial Instruments	Derivative Financial Instruments From time to time, we use derivative financial instruments, primarily interest rate swaps, to manage our exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. Our primary objective in managing interest rate risk is to decrease the volatility of our earnings and cash flows affected by changes in the underlying rates. We have floating rate long-term debt (see Note 5—Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities to our consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of Part I of this report). These obligations expose us to variability in interest payments due to changes in interest rates. If interest rates increase, interest expense increases. Conversely, if interest rates decrease, interest expense also decreases. We have designated our currently outstanding interest rate swap agreements as cash flow hedges. As described further below, under these hedges, we receive variable-rate amounts from a counterparty in exchange for us making fixed-rate payments over the lives of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount. The change in the fair value of the interest rate swap agreements is reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI") and, as described below, is subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged transaction affects earnings. We do not use derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes. In February 2019, we entered into five variable-to-fixed interest rate swap agreements to hedge the interest payments on $2.5 billion notional amount of floating rate debt. The five interest rate swap agreements are with different counterparties; one for $700 million and the other four for $450 million each. The transactions were effective beginning March 31, 2019 and mature March 31, 2022. Under the terms of these interest rate swap transactions, we receive interest payments based on one-month floating LIBOR terms and pay interest at the fixed rate of 2.48%. In June 2019, we entered into six variable-to-fixed interest rate swap agreements to hedge the interest payments on $1.5 billion notional amount of floating rate debt. The six interest rate swap agreements are with different counterparties for $250 million each. The transactions were effective beginning June 30, 2019 and mature June 30, 2022. Under the terms of these interest rate swap transactions, we receive interest payments based on one-month floating LIBOR terms and pay interest at the fixed rate of 1.58%. As of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 we evaluated the effectiveness of our hedges qualitatively and any hedges we had entered into at the time qualified as effective hedge relationships. We are exposed to credit-related losses in the event of non-performance by counterparties. The counterparties to any of the financial derivatives we enter into are major institutions with investment grade credit ratings. We evaluate counterparty credit risk before entering into any hedge transaction and continue to closely monitor financial markets and the risk that our counterparties will default on their obligations as part of our quarterly qualitative effectiveness evaluation. Amounts accumulated in AOCI related to derivatives are indirectly recognized in earnings as periodic settlement payments are made throughout the term of the swaps. The table below presents the fair value of our derivative financial instruments as well as their classification on the consolidated balance sheet at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 as follows (in millions): June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Derivatives designated as Balance Sheet Location Fair Value Cash flow hedging contracts Other current and noncurrent liabilities $ 148 51 The amount of unrealized losses recognized in AOCI consists of the following (in millions): Derivatives designated as hedging instruments 2020 2019 Cash flow hedging contracts Three Months Ended June 30, $ 10 34 Six Months Ended June 30, $ 116 57 The amount of realized losses reclassified from AOCI to the statement of operations consists of the following (in millions): Derivatives designated as hedging instruments 2020 2019 Cash flow hedging contracts Three Months Ended June 30, $ 16 — Six Months Ended June 30, $ 21 —

Segment Information

Segment Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	Segment Information As described in more detail below, our segments are managed based on the direct costs of providing services to their customers and the associated selling, general and administrative costs (primarily salaries and commissions). Shared costs are managed separately and included in "Operations and Other", in the tables below. We reclassified certain prior period amounts to conform to the current period presentation, See Note 1— Background for further detail on these changes. At June 30, 2020, we had the following five reportable segments: • International and Global Accounts Management ("IGAM") Segment. Under our IGAM segment, we provide our products and services to approximately 200 global enterprise customers and to enterprises and carriers in three operating regions: Europe Middle East and Africa, Latin America and Asia Pacific; • Enterprise Segment. Under our enterprise segment, we provide our products and services to large and regional domestic and global enterprises, as well as public sector, which includes the U.S. Federal government, state and local governments and research and education institutions; • Small and Medium Business ("SMB") Segment. Under our SMB segment, we provide our products and services to small and medium businesses directly and through our indirect channel partners; • Wholesale Segment. Under our wholesale segment, we provide our products and services to a wide range of other communication providers across the wireline, wireless, cable, voice and data center sectors. Our wholesale customers range from large global telecom providers to small regional providers; and • Consumer Segment. Under our consumer segment, we provide our products and services to residential customers. Additionally, Connect America Fund ("CAF") federal support revenue and other revenue from leasing and subleasing are reported in our consumer segment as regulatory revenue. Product and Service Categories We categorize our products and services revenue among the following four categories for the IGAM, Enterprise, SMB and Wholesale segments: • IP and Data Services , which includes primarily VPN data networks, Ethernet, IP, content delivery and other ancillary services; • Transport and Infrastructure , which includes wavelengths, dark fiber, private line, colocation and data center services, including cloud, hosting and application management solutions, professional services and other ancillary services; • Voice and Collaboration , which includes primarily local and long-distance voice, including wholesale voice, and other ancillary services, as well as VoIP services; and • IT and Managed Services , which includes information technology services and managed services, which may be purchased in conjunction with our other network services. We categorize our products and services revenue among the following four categories for the Consumer segment: • Broadband , which includes high-speed, fiber based and lower speed DSL broadband services; • Voice , which includes local and long-distance services; • Regulatory Revenue, which consists of (i) CAF and other support payments designed to reimburse us for various costs related to certain telecommunications services and (ii) other operating revenue from the leasing and subleasing of space; and • Other, which includes retail video services (including our linear and TV services), professional services and other ancillary services. The following tables summarize our segment results for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 based on the segment categorization we were operating under at June 30, 2020. Three Months Ended June 30, 2020 International and Global Accounts Enterprise Small and Medium Business Wholesale Consumer Total Segments Operations and Other Total (Dollars in millions) Revenue: IP and Data Services $ 386 623 263 320 — 1,592 — 1,592 Transport and Infrastructure 311 381 91 433 — 1,216 — 1,216 Voice and Collaboration 97 371 282 195 — 945 — 945 IT and Managed Services 55 58 10 — — 123 — 123 Broadband — — — — 726 726 — 726 Voice — — — — 409 409 — 409 Regulatory — — — — 154 154 — 154 Other — — — — 27 27 — 27 Total revenue 849 1,433 646 948 1,316 5,192 — 5,192 Expenses: Cost of services and products 232 463 99 132 42 968 1,264 2,232 Selling, general and administrative 61 135 109 16 119 440 455 895 Less: share-based compensation — — — — — — (20) (20) Total expense 293 598 208 148 161 1,408 1,699 3,107 Total adjusted EBITDA $ 556 835 438 800 1,155 3,784 (1,699) 2,085 Three Months Ended June 30, 2019 International and Global Accounts Enterprise Small and Medium Business Wholesale Consumer Total Segments Operations and Other Total (Dollars in millions) Revenue: IP and Data Services $ 409 632 271 337 — 1,649 — 1,649 Transport and Infrastructure 323 354 94 482 — 1,253 — 1,253 Voice and Collaboration 89 358 312 191 — 950 — 950 IT and Managed Services 56 65 11 2 — 134 — 134 Broadband — — — — 718 718 — 718 Voice — — — — 467 467 — 467 Regulatory — — — — 157 157 — 157 Other — — — — 47 47 — 47 Total revenue 877 1,409 688 1,012 1,389 5,375 — 5,375 Expenses: Cost of services and products 232 434 102 140 51 959 1,284 2,243 Selling, general and administrative 67 141 115 15 137 475 485 960 Less: share-based compensation — — — — — — (43) (43) Total expense 299 575 217 155 188 1,434 1,726 3,160 Total adjusted EBITDA $ 578 834 471 857 1,201 3,941 (1,726) 2,215 The following tables summarize our segment results for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 based on the segment categorization we were operating under at June 30, 2020. Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 International and Global Accounts Enterprise Small and Medium Business Wholesale Consumer Total Segments Operations and Other Total (Dollars in millions) Revenue: IP and Data Services $ 786 1,251 532 647 — 3,216 — 3,216 Transport and Infrastructure 627 761 180 880 — 2,448 — 2,448 Voice and Collaboration 188 727 572 378 — 1,865 — 1,865 IT and Managed Services 113 114 20 1 — 248 — 248 Broadband — — — — 1,448 1,448 — 1,448 Voice — — — — 830 830 — 830 Regulatory — — — — 310 310 — 310 Other — — — — 55 55 — 55 Total revenue 1,714 2,853 1,304 1,906 2,643 10,420 — 10,420 Expenses: Cost of services and products 465 910 203 263 84 1,925 2,542 4,467 Selling, general and administrative 126 271 219 33 234 883 865 1,748 Less: share-based compensation — — — — — — (89) (89) Total expense 591 1,181 422 296 318 2,808 3,318 6,126 Total adjusted EBITDA $ 1,123 1,672 882 1,610 2,325 7,612 (3,318) 4,294 Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 International and Global Accounts Enterprise Small and Medium Business Wholesale Consumer Total Segments Operations and Other Total (Dollars in millions) Revenue: IP and Data Services $ 817 1,270 547 675 — 3,309 — 3,309 Transport and Infrastructure 632 701 189 977 — 2,499 — 2,499 Voice and Collaboration 178 724 629 386 — 1,917 — 1,917 IT and Managed Services 113 139 23 4 — 279 — 279 Broadband — — — — 1,440 1,440 — 1,440 Voice — — — — 944 944 — 944 Regulatory — — — — 314 314 — 314 Other — — — — 100 100 — 100 Total revenue 1,740 2,834 1,388 2,042 2,798 10,802 — 10,802 Expenses: Cost of services and products 463 862 207 274 109 1,915 2,628 4,543 Selling, general and administrative 134 289 239 29 281 972 920 1,892 Less: share-based compensation — — — — — — (76) (76) Total expense 597 1,151 446 303 390 2,887 3,472 6,359 Total adjusted EBITDA $ 1,143 1,683 942 1,739 2,408 7,915 (3,472) 4,443 Revenue and Expenses Our segment revenue includes all revenue from our five segments as described in more detail above. Our segment revenue is based upon each customer's classification. We report our segment revenue based upon all services provided to that segment's customers. Our segment expenses include specific cost of service expenses incurred as a direct result of providing services and products to segment customers, along with selling, general and administrative expenses that are directly associated with specific segment customers or activities. The following items are excluded from our segment results, because they are centrally managed and not monitored by or reported to our chief operating decision maker by segment: • Network expenses not incurred as a direct result of providing services and products to segment customers; • centrally managed expenses such as Operations, Finance, Human Resources, Legal, Marketing, Product Management and IT, which are reported as "Operations and Other"; • depreciation and amortization expense or impairments; • interest expense, because we manage our financing on a consolidated basis and have not allocated assets or debt to specific segments; • stock-based compensation; and • other income and expense items are not monitored as a part of our segment operations. The following table reconciles total segment adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss): Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 (Dollars in millions) Total segment adjusted EBITDA $ 3,784 3,941 7,612 7,915 Depreciation and amortization (1,162) (1,196) (2,322) (2,384) Impairment of goodwill — — — (6,506) Other operating expenses (1,699) (1,726) (3,318) (3,472) Stock-based compensation (20) (43) (89) (76) Operating income (loss) 903 976 1,883 (4,523) Total other expense, net (390) (474) (937) (1,002) Income (loss) before income taxes 513 502 946 (5,525) Income tax expense 136 131 255 269 Net income (loss) $ 377 371 691 (5,794)

Commitments and Contingencies a

Commitments and Contingencies and Other Items	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies and Other Items	Commitments and Contingencies and Other Items 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 30, 2020 aggregated to approximately $135 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 this Note, when we refer to a class action as "putative" it is because a class has been alleged, but not certified in that matter. Principal Proceedings Shareholder Class Action Suit CenturyLink and certain CenturyLink board members and officers were named as defendants in a putative shareholder class action lawsuit filed on June 12, 2018 in the Boulder County District Court of the state of Colorado, captioned Houser et al. v. CenturyLink, et al. The complaint asserts claims on behalf of a putative class of former Level 3 shareholders who became CenturyLink shareholders as a result of our acquisition of Level 3. It alleges that the proxy statement provided to the Level 3 shareholders failed to disclose various material information of several kinds, including information about strategic revenue, customer loss rates, and customer account issues, among other items. The complaint seeks damages, costs and fees, rescission, rescissory damages, and other equitable relief. In May 2020, the court dismissed the complaint. Plaintiffs appealed that decision, and the appeal is pending. Switched Access Disputes Subsidiaries of CenturyLink, Inc. are among hundreds of companies involved in an industry-wide dispute, raised in nearly 100 federal lawsuits (filed between 2014 and 2016) that have been consolidated in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas for pretrial procedures. The disputes relate to switched access charges that local exchange carriers ("LECs") collect from interexchange carriers ("IXCs") for IXCs' use of LEC's access services. In the lawsuits, IXCs, including Sprint Communications Company L.P. ("Sprint") and various affiliates of Verizon Communications Inc. ("Verizon"), assert that federal and state laws bar LECs from collecting access charges when IXCs exchange certain types of calls between mobile and wireline devices that are routed through an IXC. Some of these IXCs have asserted claims seeking refunds of payments for access charges previously paid and relief from future access charges. In November 2015, the federal court agreed with the LECs and rejected the IXCs' contention that federal law prohibits these particular access charges. Final judgments were entered in the consolidated lawsuits, and the IXCs appealed. In May 2020, the appellate court rendered a decision in favor of the LECs. Separately, some of the defendants, including CenturyLink's LECs, have petitioned the FCC to address these issues on an industry-wide basis. Our subsidiaries include both IXCs and LECs which respectively pay and assess significant amounts of the charges in question. The outcome of these disputes and lawsuits, as well as any related regulatory proceedings that could ensue, are currently not predictable. State Tax Suits Since 2012, a number of Missouri municipalities have asserted claims in the Circuit Court of St. Louis County, Missouri, alleging that we and several of our subsidiaries have underpaid taxes. These municipalities are seeking, among other things, declaratory relief regarding the application of business license and gross receipts taxes and back taxes from 2007 to the present, plus penalties and interest. In a February 2017 ruling in connection with one of these pending cases, the court entered an order awarding plaintiffs $4 million and broadening the tax base on a going-forward basis. We appealed that decision to the Missouri Supreme Court. In December 2019, it affirmed the circuit court's order in some respects and reversed it in others, remanding the case to the circuit court for further proceedings. The Missouri Supreme Court's decision will reduce our exposure in the case. In a June 2017 ruling in connection with another one of these pending cases, the circuit court made findings in a non-final ruling which, if not overturned or modified in light of the Missouri Supreme Court's decision, will result in a tax liability to us well in excess of the contingent liability we have established. We plan to appeal any circuit court final ruling that substantially incorporates the June 2017 findings. We continue to vigorously defend against these claims. Billing Practices Suits In June 2017, a former employee filed an employment lawsuit against us claiming that she was wrongfully terminated for alleging that we charged some of our retail customers for products and services they did not authorize. Starting shortly thereafter and continuing since then and based in part on the allegations made by the former employee, several legal proceedings have been filed. In June 2017, McLeod v. CenturyLink, a putative consumer class action, was filed against us in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California alleging that we charged some of our retail customers for products and services they did not authorize. Other complaints asserting similar claims were filed in other federal and state courts. The lawsuits assert claims including fraud, unfair competition, and unjust enrichment. Also in June 2017, Craig. v. CenturyLink, Inc., et al., a putative securities investor class action, was filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, alleging that we failed to disclose material information regarding improper sales practices, and asserting federal securities law claims. A number of other cases asserting similar claims have also been filed. Beginning June 2017, we also received several shareholder derivative demands addressing related topics. In August 2017, the Board of Directors formed a special litigation committee of outside directors to address the allegations of impropriety contained in the shareholder derivative demands. In April 2018, the special litigation committee concluded its review of the derivative demands and declined to take further action. Since then, derivative cases were filed in Louisiana state court in the Fourth Judicial District Court for the Parish of Ouachita and in federal court in Louisiana and Minnesota. These cases have been brought on behalf of CenturyLink against certain current and former officers and directors of the Company and seek damages for alleged breaches of fiduciary duties. The consumer putative class actions, the securities investor putative class actions, and the federal derivative actions have been transferred to the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota for coordinated and consolidated pretrial proceedings as In Re: CenturyLink Sales Practices and Securities Litigation. Subject to confirmatory discovery and court approval, we have agreed to settle the consumer putative class actions for payments of $15.5 million to compensate class members and of up to $3.5 million for administrative costs. In the second quarter of 2019, we accrued for these obligations, and a portion of the administrative costs has been expended in 2020. Certain class members may elect to opt out of the class settlement and pursue the resolution of their individual claims against us on these issues through various dispute resolution processes, including individual arbitration. One law firm claims to represent more than 22,000 potential class members. To the extent that a substantial number of class members meet the contractual requirements to arbitrate, elect to opt out of the settlement (or otherwise successfully exclude their individual claims), and actually pursue arbitrations, the Company could incur a material amount of filing and other arbitrations fees in relation to the administration of those claims. In July 2017, the Minnesota state attorney general filed State of Minnesota v. CenturyTel Broadband Services LLC, et al. in the Anoka County Minnesota District Court, alleging claims of fraud and deceptive trade practices relating to improper consumer sales practices. We have engaged in discussions regarding potential resolutions of these claims with a number of state attorneys general, and have entered into agreements settling the Minnesota suit and certain of the consumer practices claims asserted by state attorneys general. While we do not agree with allegations raised in these matters, we have been willing to consider reasonable settlements where appropriate. As previously disclosed, in the fourth quarter of 2019, we recorded an accrual with respect to the above-described settlements and other consumer litigation related matters. Peruvian Tax Litigation In 2005, the Peruvian tax authorities ("SUNAT") issued tax assessments against one 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 million at June 30, 2020. We challenged the assessments via administrative and then judicial review processes. In October 2011, the highest administrative review tribunal (the 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. Brazilian Tax Claims In December 2004, March 2009, April 2009 and July 2014, the São Paulo state tax authorities issued tax assessments against one 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 issued tax assessments to the same Brazilian subsidiary on similar issues. We have filed objections to these assessments, arguing that the lease of assets and the provision of Internet access are not 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 judicial courts. In October 2012 and June 2014, we received favorable rulings from the lower court on the December 2004 and March 2009 assessments regarding equipment leasing, but those rulings are subject to appeal by the state. No ruling has been obtained with respect to the September 2002 assessment. The objections to the April and July 2009 and May 2012 assessments are still pending final administrative 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 to be without merit. These assessments, if upheld, could result in a loss of $37 million to as high as $52 million at June 30, 2020 in excess of the accruals established for these matters. Qui Tam Action Level 3 was notified in late 2017 of a qui tam action pending against Level 3 Communications, Inc. and others in the United States 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 and an amended complaint were filed under seal on November 26, 2013 and June 16, 2014, respectively. The court unsealed the complaints on October 26, 2017. The amended complaint alleges that Level 3, principally through two former employees, submitted false claims and made false statements to the government in connection with two 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. Level 3 is evaluating its defenses to the claims. At this time, Level 3 does not believe it is probable Level 3 will incur a material loss. If, contrary to its 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 two former Level 3 employees, were indicted in the United States 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 two former employees, one entered into a plea agreement, and the other is deceased. Level 3 is fully cooperating in the government’s investigations in this matter. Other Proceedings, Disputes and Contingencies 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 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 19 - 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.

Other Financial Information

Other Financial Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Other Financial Information	Other Financial Information Other Current Assets The following table presents details of other current assets reflected in our consolidated balance sheets: June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 (Dollars in millions) Prepaid expenses $ 340 274 Income tax receivable 69 35 Materials, supplies and inventory 122 105 Contract assets 33 42 Contract acquisition costs 175 178 Contract fulfillment costs 111 115 Other 63 70 Total other current assets $ 913 819

Accumulated Other Comprehensive

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Information Relating to 2020 The table below summarizes changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss recorded on our consolidated balance sheet by component for the six months ended June 30, 2020: Pension Plans Post-Retirement Foreign Currency Interest Rate Swap Total (Dollars in millions) Balance at December 31, 2019 $ (2,229) (184) (228) (39) (2,680) Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications — — (230) (88) (318) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss 74 6 — 16 96 Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) 74 6 (230) (72) (222) Balance at June 30, 2020 $ (2,155) (178) (458) (111) (2,902) The tables below present further information about our reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss by component for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020: Three Months Ended June 30, 2020 Decrease (Increase) Affected Line Item in Consolidated Statement of Operations (Dollars in millions) Interest rate swaps $ 16 Interest expense Income tax expense (5) Income tax expense Net of tax $ 11 Amortization of pension & post-retirement plans (1) Net actuarial loss $ 52 Other income, net Prior service cost 3 Other income, net Total before tax 55 Income tax expense (14) Income tax expense Net of tax $ 41 Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 Decrease (Increase) in Net Income Affected Line Item in Consolidated Statement of Operations (Dollars in millions) Interest rate swaps $ 21 Interest expense Income tax expense (5) Income tax expense Net of tax $ 16 Amortization of pension & post-retirement plans (1) Net actuarial loss $ 102 Other income, net Prior service cost 4 Other income, net Total before tax 106 Income tax expense (26) Income tax expense Net of tax $ 80 (1) See Note 7—Employee Benefits for additional information on our net periodic benefit (income) expense related to our pension and post-retirement plans. Information Relating to 2019 The table below summarizes changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss recorded on our consolidated balance sheets by component for the six months ended June 30, 2019 : Pension Plans Post-Retirement Foreign Currency Interest Rate Swap Total (Dollars in millions) Balance at December 31, 2018 $ (2,173) (58) (230) — (2,461) Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications — — (3) (43) (46) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss 82 6 — — 88 Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) 82 6 (3) (43) 42 Balance at June 30, 2019 $ (2,091) (52) (233) (43) (2,419) The tables below present further information about our reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss by component for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 Three Months Ended June 30, 2019 Decrease (Increase) Affected Line Item in Consolidated Statement of Operations (Dollars in millions) Amortization of pension & post-retirement plans (1) Net actuarial loss $ 56 Other income, net Prior service cost 2 Other income, net Total before tax 58 Income tax benefit (14) Income tax expense Net of tax $ 44 Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 Decrease (Increase) in Net Income Affected Line Item in Consolidated Statement of Operations (Dollars in millions) Amortization of pension & post-retirement plans (1) Net actuarial loss $ 113 Other income, net Prior service cost 4 Other income, net Total before tax 117 Income tax benefit (29) Income tax expense Net of tax $ 88 (1) See Note 7—Employee Benefits for additional information on our net periodic benefit (income) expense related to our pension and post-retirement plans.

Labor Union Contracts

Labor Union Contracts	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Labor Union Contracts	Labor Union ContractsAs of June 30, 2020, approximately, 24% of our employees were represented by the Communication Workers of America ("CWA") or the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers ("IBEW"). Approximately 1% of our union-represented employees were subject to collective bargaining agreements that expired as of June 30, 2020 and are currently being renegotiated. Approximately 13% of our represented employees are subject to collective bargaining agreements that are scheduled to expire over the next 12 months.

Background (Policies)

Background (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation 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"). However, in our opinion, the disclosures made therein 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 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. To simplify the overall presentation of our consolidated financial statements, we report immaterial amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests in certain of our subsidiaries as follows: (i) income attributable to noncontrolling interests in other loss, net, (ii) equity attributable to noncontrolling interests in additional paid-in capital and (iii) cash flows attributable to noncontrolling interests in other, net, financing activities.
Reclassification	We reclassified certain prior period amounts to conform to the current period presentation, including the categorization of our revenue and expenses in our segment reporting. See Note 11—Segment Information for additional information. These changes had no impact on total operating revenue, total operating expenses or net income (loss) for any period.
Operating Leases	Operating lease assets are included in Other, net under goodwill and other assets on our consolidated balance sheets. Noncurrent operating lease liabilities are included in Other under deferred credits and other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets.
Operating Lease Income	Operating Lease Income CenturyLink leases various dark fiber, office facilities, switching facilities and other network sites to third parties under operating leases. Lease and sublease income are included in operating revenue in the consolidated statements of operations.
Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Pronouncements	Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements Financial Instruments In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU 2016-13, " Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments ". 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 Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, " Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (Topic 740) ". 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

Goodwill, Customer Relationsh_2

Goodwill, Customer Relationships and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Intangible Assets and Goodwill	Goodwill, customer relationships and other intangible assets consisted of the following: June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 (Dollars in millions) Goodwill $ 21,469 21,534 Indefinite-life intangible assets $ 269 269 Other intangible assets subject to amortization: Customer relationships, less accumulated amortization of $10,430 and $9,809 6,934 7,596 Capitalized software, less accumulated amortization of $3,138 and $2,957 1,612 1,599 Trade names and patents, less accumulated amortization of $105 and $91 88 103 Total other intangible assets, net $ 8,903 9,567
Schedule of Goodwill	The following table shows the rollforward of goodwill assigned to our reportable segments from December 31, 2019 through June 30, 2020: International and Global Accounts Enterprise Small and Medium Business Wholesale Consumer Total (Dollars in millions) As of December 31, 2019 $ 2,670 4,738 3,259 3,813 7,054 21,534 Effect of foreign currency exchange rate change and other (65) — — — — (65) As of June 30, 2020 $ 2,605 4,738 3,259 3,813 7,054 21,469
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense	We estimate that total amortization expense for intangible assets for the years ending December 31, 2020 through 2024 will be as follows: (Dollars in millions) 2020 (remaining six months) $ 859 2021 1,233 2022 1,004 2023 923 2024 858

Revenue Recognition (Tables)

Revenue Recognition (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Schedule of Revenue	The following table provides the amount of revenue that is not subject to ASC 606, but is instead governed by other accounting standards: Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 (Dollars in millions) Total revenue $ 5,192 5,375 10,420 10,802 Adjustments for non-ASC 606 revenue (1) (481) (356) (962) (714) Total revenue from contracts with customers $ 4,711 5,019 9,458 10,088 ______________________________________________________________________ (1) Includes regulatory revenue, lease revenue, sublease rental income and revenue from fiber capacity lease arrangements, none of which are within the scope of ASC 606.
Contract with Customer, Asset and Liability	The following table provides balances of customer receivables, contract assets and contract liabilities as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019: June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 (Dollars in millions) Customer receivables (1) $ 2,112 2,194 Contract assets 109 130 Contract liabilities 927 1,028 ______________________________________________________________________
Capitalized Contract Cost	The following table provides changes in our contract acquisition costs and fulfillment costs: Three Months Ended June 30, 2020 Three Months Ended June 30, 2019 Acquisition Costs Fulfillment Costs Acquisition Costs Fulfillment Costs (Dollars in millions) Beginning of period balance $ 320 220 329 198 Costs incurred 36 34 43 44 Amortization (56) (35) (51) (35) End of period balance $ 300 219 321 207 Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 Acquisition Costs Fulfillment Costs Acquisition Costs Fulfillment Costs (Dollars in millions) Beginning of period balance $ 326 221 322 187 Costs incurred 85 70 100 78 Amortization (111) (72) (101) (58) End of period balance $ 300 219 321 207

Credit Losses on Financial In_2

Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Credit Loss [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss	The following table presents the activity of our allowance for credit losses by accounts receivable portfolio: (Dollars in millions) Business Consumer Total Beginning balance at January 1, 2020 (1) $ 58 37 95 Provision for expected losses 54 36 90 Write-offs charged against the allowance (37) (44) (81) Recoveries collected 11 11 22 Foreign currency exchange rate changes adjustment (2) — (2) Ending balance at June 30, 2020 $ 84 40 124 ______________________________________________________________________ (1) The beginning balance includes the cumulative effect of the adoption of new credit loss standard.

Long-Term Debt and Credit Fac_2

Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Long-term Debt Including Unamortized Discounts and Premiums	The following chart reflects the consolidated long-term debt of CenturyLink, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including unamortized discounts and premiums and unamortized debt issuance costs, but excluding intercompany debt: Interest Rates (1) Maturities June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 (Dollars in millions) Senior Secured Debt: (2) CenturyLink, Inc. Revolving Credit Facility (3) 2.190% 2025 $ 1,075 250 Term Loan A (3)(4) LIBOR + 2.00% 2025 1,137 1,536 Term Loan A-1 (3)(4) LIBOR + 2.00% 2025 325 333 Term Loan B (3)(5) LIBOR + 2.25% 2027 4,975 5,880 Senior note 4.000% 2027 1,250 — Subsidiaries: Level 3 Financing, Inc. Tranche B 2027 Term Loan (6) LIBOR + 1.75% 2027 3,111 3,111 Senior notes 3.400% - 3.875% 2027 - 2029 1,500 1,500 Embarq Corporation subsidiaries First mortgage bonds 7.125% - 8.375% 2023 - 2025 138 138 Senior Notes and Other Debt: CenturyLink, Inc. Senior notes 5.125% - 7.650% 2021 - 2042 7,645 8,696 Subsidiaries: Level 3 Financing, Inc. Senior notes 4.250% - 5.625% 2022 - 2028 6,715 5,515 Qwest Corporation Senior notes 6.125% - 7.750% 2021 - 2057 4,656 5,956 Term Loan (7) LIBOR + 2.00% 2025 100 100 Qwest Capital Funding, Inc. Senior notes 6.875% - 7.750% 2021 - 2031 352 352 Embarq Corporation and subsidiary Senior note 7.995% 2036 1,437 1,450 Finance lease and other obligations Various Various 202 222 Unamortized discounts, net (48) (52) Unamortized debt issuance costs (271) (293) Total long-term debt 34,299 34,694 Less current maturities (8) (2,885) (2,300) Long-term debt, excluding current maturities $ 31,414 32,394 ______________________________________________________________________ (1) As of June 30, 2020. (2) See Note 7—Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities 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) CenturyLink's credit agreement was amended as noted below, extending the maturity date of its (a) Term Loan A, Term Loan A-1 and Revolving Credit Facilities from 2022 to 2025 and (b) Term Loan B from 2025 to 2027. (4) Term Loans A and A-1 had interest rates of 2.178% and 4.549% as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. (5) Term Loan B had interest rates of 2.428% and 4.549% as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. (6) The Tranche B 2027 Term Loan had an interest rate of 1.928% as of June 30, 2020 and 3.549% as of December 31, 2019, respectively. (7) Qwest Corporation Term Loan had an interest rate of 2.180% as of June 30, 2020 and 3.800% as of December 31, 2019, respectively.
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt	Set forth below is the aggregate principal amount of our long-term debt as of June 30, 2020 (excluding unamortized discounts, net and unamortized debt issuance costs) maturing during the following years: (Dollars in millions) 2020 (remaining six months) (1) $ 1,585 2021 2,419 2022 1,537 2023 1,800 2024 2,037 2025 and thereafter 25,240 Total long-term debt $ 34,618 ______________________________________________________________________

Severance (Tables)

Severance (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Schedule of Changes in Accrued Liabilities for Severance Expenses	Changes in our accrued liabilities for severance expenses were as follows: Severance (Dollars in millions) Balance at December 31, 2019 $ 89 Accrued to expense 44 Payments, net (54) Balance at June 30, 2020 $ 79

Employee Benefits (Tables)

Employee Benefits (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Schedule of Components of Net Periodic Pension Benefit (Income) Expense and Post-retirement Benefit Expense	Net periodic benefit (income) expense for our combined pension plan includes the following components: Combined Pension Plan Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 (Dollars in millions) Service cost $ 13 14 29 28 Interest cost 80 107 162 217 Expected return on plan assets (149) (153) (298) (309) Recognition of prior service credit (1) (2) (4) (4) Recognition of actuarial loss 52 56 102 113 Net periodic pension benefit (income) expense $ (5) 22 (9) 45 Net periodic benefit expense for our post-retirement benefit plans includes the following components: Post-Retirement Benefit Plans Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 (Dollars in millions) Service cost $ 3 4 7 8 Interest cost 20 28 40 55 Recognition of prior service cost 4 4 8 8 Net periodic post-retirement benefit expense $ 27 36 55 71

Earnings (Loss) Per Common Sh_2

Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Common Share	Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share were calculated as follows: Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 (Dollars in millions, except per share amounts, shares in thousands) Income (Loss) (Numerator): Net income (loss) $ 377 371 691 (5,794) Net income (loss) applicable to common stock for computing basic earnings per common share 377 371 691 (5,794) Net income (loss) as adjusted for purposes of computing diluted earnings per common share $ 377 371 691 (5,794) Shares (Denominator): Weighted-average number of shares: Outstanding during period 1,097,586 1,090,342 1,095,278 1,086,966 Non-vested restricted stock (18,111) (19,001) (17,523) (16,856) Weighted-average shares outstanding for computing basic earnings per common share 1,079,475 1,071,341 1,077,755 1,070,110 Incremental common shares attributable to dilutive securities: Shares issuable under convertible securities 10 10 10 — Shares issuable under incentive compensation plans 3,082 1,462 4,453 — Number of shares as adjusted for purposes of computing diluted earnings (loss) per common share 1,082,567 1,072,813 1,082,218 1,070,110 Basic earnings (loss) per common share $ 0.35 0.35 0.64 (5.41) Diluted earnings (loss) per common share (1) $ 0.35 0.35 0.64 (5.41) ______________________________________________________________________ (1) For the six months ended June 30, 2019, we excluded from the calculation of diluted loss per share 2.4 million shares, potentially issuable under incentive compensation plans or convertible securities, as their effect, if included, would have been anti-dilutive.

Fair Value of Financial Instr_2

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of Carrying Amounts and Estimated Fair Values of Long-term Debt, Excluding Capital Lease Obligations, and Input Level to Determine Fair Values	The following table presents the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of our financial liabilities as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019: June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Input Carrying Fair Carrying Fair (Dollars in millions) Long-term debt, excluding finance lease and other obligations 2 $ 34,097 34,289 34,472 35,737 Interest rate swap contracts (see Note 10) 2 $ 148 148 51 51

Derivative Financial Instrume_2

Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position, Fair Value	The table below presents the fair value of our derivative financial instruments as well as their classification on the consolidated balance sheet at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 as follows (in millions): June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Derivatives designated as Balance Sheet Location Fair Value Cash flow hedging contracts Other current and noncurrent liabilities $ 148 51
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss)	The amount of unrealized losses recognized in AOCI consists of the following (in millions): Derivatives designated as hedging instruments 2020 2019 Cash flow hedging contracts Three Months Ended June 30, $ 10 34 Six Months Ended June 30, $ 116 57
Schedule of Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component	The amount of realized losses reclassified from AOCI to the statement of operations consists of the following (in millions): Derivatives designated as hedging instruments 2020 2019 Cash flow hedging contracts Three Months Ended June 30, $ 16 — Six Months Ended June 30, $ 21 — The tables below present further information about our reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss by component for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020: Three Months Ended June 30, 2020 Decrease (Increase) Affected Line Item in Consolidated Statement of Operations (Dollars in millions) Interest rate swaps $ 16 Interest expense Income tax expense (5) Income tax expense Net of tax $ 11 Amortization of pension & post-retirement plans (1) Net actuarial loss $ 52 Other income, net Prior service cost 3 Other income, net Total before tax 55 Income tax expense (14) Income tax expense Net of tax $ 41 Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 Decrease (Increase) in Net Income Affected Line Item in Consolidated Statement of Operations (Dollars in millions) Interest rate swaps $ 21 Interest expense Income tax expense (5) Income tax expense Net of tax $ 16 Amortization of pension & post-retirement plans (1) Net actuarial loss $ 102 Other income, net Prior service cost 4 Other income, net Total before tax 106 Income tax expense (26) Income tax expense Net of tax $ 80 (1) See Note 7—Employee Benefits for additional information on our net periodic benefit (income) expense related to our pension and post-retirement plans. Three Months Ended June 30, 2019 Decrease (Increase) Affected Line Item in Consolidated Statement of Operations (Dollars in millions) Amortization of pension & post-retirement plans (1) Net actuarial loss $ 56 Other income, net Prior service cost 2 Other income, net Total before tax 58 Income tax benefit (14) Income tax expense Net of tax $ 44 Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 Decrease (Increase) in Net Income Affected Line Item in Consolidated Statement of Operations (Dollars in millions) Amortization of pension & post-retirement plans (1) Net actuarial loss $ 113 Other income, net Prior service cost 4 Other income, net Total before tax 117 Income tax benefit (29) Income tax expense Net of tax $ 88 (1) See Note 7—Employee Benefits for additional information on our net periodic benefit (income) expense related to our pension and post-retirement plans.

Segment Information (Tables)

Segment Information (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Segment Results	The following tables summarize our segment results for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 based on the segment categorization we were operating under at June 30, 2020. Three Months Ended June 30, 2020 International and Global Accounts Enterprise Small and Medium Business Wholesale Consumer Total Segments Operations and Other Total (Dollars in millions) Revenue: IP and Data Services $ 386 623 263 320 — 1,592 — 1,592 Transport and Infrastructure 311 381 91 433 — 1,216 — 1,216 Voice and Collaboration 97 371 282 195 — 945 — 945 IT and Managed Services 55 58 10 — — 123 — 123 Broadband — — — — 726 726 — 726 Voice — — — — 409 409 — 409 Regulatory — — — — 154 154 — 154 Other — — — — 27 27 — 27 Total revenue 849 1,433 646 948 1,316 5,192 — 5,192 Expenses: Cost of services and products 232 463 99 132 42 968 1,264 2,232 Selling, general and administrative 61 135 109 16 119 440 455 895 Less: share-based compensation — — — — — — (20) (20) Total expense 293 598 208 148 161 1,408 1,699 3,107 Total adjusted EBITDA $ 556 835 438 800 1,155 3,784 (1,699) 2,085 Three Months Ended June 30, 2019 International and Global Accounts Enterprise Small and Medium Business Wholesale Consumer Total Segments Operations and Other Total (Dollars in millions) Revenue: IP and Data Services $ 409 632 271 337 — 1,649 — 1,649 Transport and Infrastructure 323 354 94 482 — 1,253 — 1,253 Voice and Collaboration 89 358 312 191 — 950 — 950 IT and Managed Services 56 65 11 2 — 134 — 134 Broadband — — — — 718 718 — 718 Voice — — — — 467 467 — 467 Regulatory — — — — 157 157 — 157 Other — — — — 47 47 — 47 Total revenue 877 1,409 688 1,012 1,389 5,375 — 5,375 Expenses: Cost of services and products 232 434 102 140 51 959 1,284 2,243 Selling, general and administrative 67 141 115 15 137 475 485 960 Less: share-based compensation — — — — — — (43) (43) Total expense 299 575 217 155 188 1,434 1,726 3,160 Total adjusted EBITDA $ 578 834 471 857 1,201 3,941 (1,726) 2,215 The following tables summarize our segment results for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 based on the segment categorization we were operating under at June 30, 2020. Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 International and Global Accounts Enterprise Small and Medium Business Wholesale Consumer Total Segments Operations and Other Total (Dollars in millions) Revenue: IP and Data Services $ 786 1,251 532 647 — 3,216 — 3,216 Transport and Infrastructure 627 761 180 880 — 2,448 — 2,448 Voice and Collaboration 188 727 572 378 — 1,865 — 1,865 IT and Managed Services 113 114 20 1 — 248 — 248 Broadband — — — — 1,448 1,448 — 1,448 Voice — — — — 830 830 — 830 Regulatory — — — — 310 310 — 310 Other — — — — 55 55 — 55 Total revenue 1,714 2,853 1,304 1,906 2,643 10,420 — 10,420 Expenses: Cost of services and products 465 910 203 263 84 1,925 2,542 4,467 Selling, general and administrative 126 271 219 33 234 883 865 1,748 Less: share-based compensation — — — — — — (89) (89) Total expense 591 1,181 422 296 318 2,808 3,318 6,126 Total adjusted EBITDA $ 1,123 1,672 882 1,610 2,325 7,612 (3,318) 4,294 Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 International and Global Accounts Enterprise Small and Medium Business Wholesale Consumer Total Segments Operations and Other Total (Dollars in millions) Revenue: IP and Data Services $ 817 1,270 547 675 — 3,309 — 3,309 Transport and Infrastructure 632 701 189 977 — 2,499 — 2,499 Voice and Collaboration 178 724 629 386 — 1,917 — 1,917 IT and Managed Services 113 139 23 4 — 279 — 279 Broadband — — — — 1,440 1,440 — 1,440 Voice — — — — 944 944 — 944 Regulatory — — — — 314 314 — 314 Other — — — — 100 100 — 100 Total revenue 1,740 2,834 1,388 2,042 2,798 10,802 — 10,802 Expenses: Cost of services and products 463 862 207 274 109 1,915 2,628 4,543 Selling, general and administrative 134 289 239 29 281 972 920 1,892 Less: share-based compensation — — — — — — (76) (76) Total expense 597 1,151 446 303 390 2,887 3,472 6,359 Total adjusted EBITDA $ 1,143 1,683 942 1,739 2,408 7,915 (3,472) 4,443
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) From Segments to Consolidated Net Income	The following table reconciles total segment adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss): Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 (Dollars in millions) Total segment adjusted EBITDA $ 3,784 3,941 7,612 7,915 Depreciation and amortization (1,162) (1,196) (2,322) (2,384) Impairment of goodwill — — — (6,506) Other operating expenses (1,699) (1,726) (3,318) (3,472) Stock-based compensation (20) (43) (89) (76) Operating income (loss) 903 976 1,883 (4,523) Total other expense, net (390) (474) (937) (1,002) Income (loss) before income taxes 513 502 946 (5,525) Income tax expense 136 131 255 269 Net income (loss) $ 377 371 691 (5,794)

Other Financial Information (Ta

Other Financial Information (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Components of Other Current Assets	The following table presents details of other current assets reflected in our consolidated balance sheets: June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 (Dollars in millions) Prepaid expenses $ 340 274 Income tax receivable 69 35 Materials, supplies and inventory 122 105 Contract assets 33 42 Contract acquisition costs 175 178 Contract fulfillment costs 111 115 Other 63 70 Total other current assets $ 913 819

Accumulated Other Comprehensi_2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Summary of the Entity's Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component	The table below summarizes changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss recorded on our consolidated balance sheet by component for the six months ended June 30, 2020: Pension Plans Post-Retirement Foreign Currency Interest Rate Swap Total (Dollars in millions) Balance at December 31, 2019 $ (2,229) (184) (228) (39) (2,680) Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications — — (230) (88) (318) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss 74 6 — 16 96 Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) 74 6 (230) (72) (222) Balance at June 30, 2020 $ (2,155) (178) (458) (111) (2,902) Pension Plans Post-Retirement Foreign Currency Interest Rate Swap Total (Dollars in millions) Balance at December 31, 2018 $ (2,173) (58) (230) — (2,461) Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications — — (3) (43) (46) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss 82 6 — — 88 Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) 82 6 (3) (43) 42 Balance at June 30, 2019 $ (2,091) (52) (233) (43) (2,419)
Schedule of Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component	The amount of realized losses reclassified from AOCI to the statement of operations consists of the following (in millions): Derivatives designated as hedging instruments 2020 2019 Cash flow hedging contracts Three Months Ended June 30, $ 16 — Six Months Ended June 30, $ 21 — The tables below present further information about our reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss by component for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020: Three Months Ended June 30, 2020 Decrease (Increase) Affected Line Item in Consolidated Statement of Operations (Dollars in millions) Interest rate swaps $ 16 Interest expense Income tax expense (5) Income tax expense Net of tax $ 11 Amortization of pension & post-retirement plans (1) Net actuarial loss $ 52 Other income, net Prior service cost 3 Other income, net Total before tax 55 Income tax expense (14) Income tax expense Net of tax $ 41 Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 Decrease (Increase) in Net Income Affected Line Item in Consolidated Statement of Operations (Dollars in millions) Interest rate swaps $ 21 Interest expense Income tax expense (5) Income tax expense Net of tax $ 16 Amortization of pension & post-retirement plans (1) Net actuarial loss $ 102 Other income, net Prior service cost 4 Other income, net Total before tax 106 Income tax expense (26) Income tax expense Net of tax $ 80 (1) See Note 7—Employee Benefits for additional information on our net periodic benefit (income) expense related to our pension and post-retirement plans. Three Months Ended June 30, 2019 Decrease (Increase) Affected Line Item in Consolidated Statement of Operations (Dollars in millions) Amortization of pension & post-retirement plans (1) Net actuarial loss $ 56 Other income, net Prior service cost 2 Other income, net Total before tax 58 Income tax benefit (14) Income tax expense Net of tax $ 44 Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 Decrease (Increase) in Net Income Affected Line Item in Consolidated Statement of Operations (Dollars in millions) Amortization of pension & post-retirement plans (1) Net actuarial loss $ 113 Other income, net Prior service cost 4 Other income, net Total before tax 117 Income tax benefit (29) Income tax expense Net of tax $ 88 (1) See Note 7—Employee Benefits for additional information on our net periodic benefit (income) expense related to our pension and post-retirement plans.

Background (Details)

Background (Details) - USD ($)	Jan. 01, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Book overdraft balance		$ 0		$ 0		$ 106,000,000
Lease income		$ 333,000,000	$ 205,000,000	$ 666,000,000	$ 404,000,000
Percent of operating revenue		6.00%	4.00%	6.00%	4.00%
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Revenues		$ (5,192,000,000)	$ (5,375,000,000)	$ (10,420,000,000)	$ (10,802,000,000)
Reduction to cost of services and products		(2,232,000,000)	(2,243,000,000)	(4,467,000,000)	(4,543,000,000)
Stockholders' equity		13,462,000,000	13,673,000,000	13,462,000,000	13,673,000,000	$ 13,470,000,000
Accounting Standards Update [Extensible List]	us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201613Member					us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201613Member	us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201602Member
Accumulated Deficit
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Stockholders' equity		(6,109,000,000)	(7,340,000,000)	(6,109,000,000)	(7,340,000,000)	$ (6,814,000,000)	$ (1,643,000,000)	$ (6,486,000,000)	$ (7,712,000,000)
Accumulated Deficit | Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Stockholders' equity						$ 9,000,000	$ 96,000,000
Change in Accounting Principle, Universal Service Fund
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Revenues		204,000,000	203,000,000	419,000,000	423,000,000
Reduction to cost of services and products		$ 204,000,000	$ 203,000,000	$ 419,000,000	$ 423,000,000

Goodwill, Customer Relationsh_3

Goodwill, Customer Relationships and Other Intangible Assets - Schedule of Goodwill, Customer Relationships, and Other Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 21,469	$ 21,534
Indefinite-life intangible assets	269	269
Total other intangible assets, net	8,903	9,567
Customer relationships
Goodwill [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	6,934	7,596
Accumulated amortization	10,430	9,809
Capitalized software
Goodwill [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	1,612	1,599
Accumulated amortization	3,138	2,957
Trade names and patents
Goodwill [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	88	103
Accumulated amortization	$ 105	$ 91

Goodwill, Customer Relationsh_4

Goodwill, Customer Relationships and Other Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jan. 31, 2019	Jan. 01, 2019
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Control premium, percent						4.10%	4.50%
Goodwill impairment	$ 0	$ 0	$ 6,500	$ 0	$ 6,506
Amortization of intangible assets	440			871	$ 869
Intangible assets, gross (including goodwill)	$ 44,000			$ 44,000

Goodwill, Customer Relationsh_5

Goodwill, Customer Relationships and Other Intangible Assets - Rollforward of Goodwill (Details) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020USD ($)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
As of December 31, 2019	$ 21,534
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate change and other	(65)
As of June 30, 2020	21,469
International and Global Accounts
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
As of December 31, 2019	2,670
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate change and other	(65)
As of June 30, 2020	2,605
Enterprise
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
As of December 31, 2019	4,738
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate change and other	0
As of June 30, 2020	4,738
Small and Medium Business
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
As of December 31, 2019	3,259
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate change and other	0
As of June 30, 2020	3,259
Wholesale
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
As of December 31, 2019	3,813
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate change and other	0
As of June 30, 2020	3,813
Consumer
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
As of December 31, 2019	7,054
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate change and other	0
As of June 30, 2020	$ 7,054

Goodwill, Customer Relationsh_6

Goodwill, Customer Relationships and Other Intangible Assets - Schedule of Amortization Expense (Details) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2020USD ($)
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
2020 (remaining six months)	$ 859
2021	1,233
2022	1,004
2023	923
2024	$ 858

Revenue Recognition - Revenue n

Revenue Recognition - Revenue not Under ASC 606 (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Total revenue	$ 5,192	$ 5,375	$ 10,420	$ 10,802
Adjustments for non-ASC 606 revenue	(481)	(356)	(962)	(714)
Total revenue from contracts with customers	$ 4,711	$ 5,019	$ 9,458	$ 10,088

Revenue Recognition - Contract

Revenue Recognition - Contract with Customer, Asset and Liability (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Customer receivables	$ 2,112	$ 2,194
Contract assets	109	130
Contract liabilities	927	1,028
Accounts receivable, gross	2,200	2,300
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable	$ 110	$ 94

Revenue Recognition - Additiona

Revenue Recognition - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Revenue recognized	$ 59	$ 44	$ 554	$ 534
Minimum
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Contract term			1 year
Minimum | Business Customer
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Length of customer life			12 months
Maximum
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Contract term			5 years
Maximum | Business Customer
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Length of customer life			60 months
Weighted Average | Consumer Customers
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Length of customer life			30 months

Revenue Recognition - Remaining

Revenue Recognition - Remaining Performance Obligation (Details) $ in Billions	Jun. 30, 2020USD ($)
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Remaining performance obligation	$ 5.5
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2020-07-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Remaining performance obligation, percentage	88.00%
Remaining performance obligation, satisfaction period	2 years 6 months

Revenue Recognition - Capitaliz

Revenue Recognition - Capitalized Contract Costs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Acquisition Costs
Capitalized Contract Cost [Roll Forward]
Beginning of period balance	$ 320	$ 329	$ 326	$ 322
Costs incurred	36	43	85	100
Amortization	(56)	(51)	(111)	(101)
End of period balance	300	321	300	321
Fulfillment Costs
Capitalized Contract Cost [Roll Forward]
Beginning of period balance	220	198	221	187
Costs incurred	34	44	70	78
Amortization	(35)	(35)	(72)	(58)
End of period balance	$ 219	$ 207	$ 219	$ 207

Credit Losses on Financial In_3

Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (Details) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020USD ($)
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance at January 1, 2020	$ 95
Provision for expected losses	90
Write-offs charged against the allowance	(81)
Recoveries collected	22
Foreign currency exchange rate changes adjustment	(2)
Ending balance at June 30, 2020	124
Business
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance at January 1, 2020	58
Provision for expected losses	54
Write-offs charged against the allowance	(37)
Recoveries collected	11
Foreign currency exchange rate changes adjustment	(2)
Ending balance at June 30, 2020	84
Consumer
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance at January 1, 2020	37
Provision for expected losses	36
Write-offs charged against the allowance	(44)
Recoveries collected	11
Foreign currency exchange rate changes adjustment	0
Ending balance at June 30, 2020	$ 40

Long-Term Debt and Credit Fac_3

Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities - Schedule of Long Term Debt (Details) - USD ($)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jul. 15, 2020	Jan. 24, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Finance lease and other obligations	$ 202,000,000			$ 222,000,000
Unamortized discounts, net	(48,000,000)			(52,000,000)
Unamortized debt issuance costs	(271,000,000)			(293,000,000)
Total long-term debt	34,299,000,000			34,694,000,000
Less current maturities	(2,885,000,000)			(2,300,000,000)
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities	$ 31,414,000,000			32,394,000,000
Subsequent Event | Senior notes
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Repurchased face amount		$ 1,200,000,000
CenturyLink, Inc. | Credit facility | 2017 Revolving Credit Facility
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Stated interest rate	2.19%
Long-term debt, gross	$ 1,075,000,000			$ 250,000,000
CenturyLink, Inc. | Term loan
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Long-term debt, weighted average interest rate	2.178%			4.549%
CenturyLink, Inc. | Term loan | Term Loan A
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Long-term debt, gross	$ 1,137,000,000			$ 1,536,000,000
CenturyLink, Inc. | Term loan | Term Loan A | LIBOR
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Basis spread (as a percent)	2.00%
CenturyLink, Inc. | Term loan | Term Loan A-1
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Long-term debt, gross	$ 325,000,000			333,000,000
CenturyLink, Inc. | Term loan | Term Loan A-1 | LIBOR
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Basis spread (as a percent)	2.00%
CenturyLink, Inc. | Term loan | Term Loan B
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Long-term debt, gross	$ 4,975,000,000			$ 5,880,000,000
Long-term debt, weighted average interest rate	2.428%			4.549%
CenturyLink, Inc. | Term loan | Term Loan B | LIBOR
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Basis spread (as a percent)	2.25%
CenturyLink, Inc. | Senior notes
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Long-term debt, gross	$ 7,645,000,000			$ 8,696,000,000
CenturyLink, Inc. | Senior notes | Minimum
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Stated interest rate	5.125%
CenturyLink, Inc. | Senior notes | Maximum
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Stated interest rate	7.65%
CenturyLink, Inc. | Senior notes | 4.000% Senior Secured Notes Due 2027
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Stated interest rate	4.00%		4.00%
Long-term debt, gross	$ 1,250,000,000			0
Level 3 Financing, Inc. | Term loan | Tranche B 2027 Term Loan
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Long-term debt, gross	$ 3,111,000,000			$ 3,111,000,000
Long-term debt, weighted average interest rate	1.928%			3.549%
Level 3 Financing, Inc. | Term loan | Tranche B 2027 Term Loan | LIBOR
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Basis spread (as a percent)	1.75%
Level 3 Financing, Inc. | Senior notes
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Long-term debt, gross	$ 6,715,000,000			$ 5,515,000,000
Level 3 Financing, Inc. | Senior notes | Minimum
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Stated interest rate	4.25%
Level 3 Financing, Inc. | Senior notes | Maximum
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Stated interest rate	5.625%
Level 3 Financing, Inc. | Senior notes | Senior Notes, Maturing 2027-2029
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Long-term debt, gross	$ 1,500,000,000			1,500,000,000
Level 3 Financing, Inc. | Senior notes | Senior Notes, Maturing 2027-2029 | Minimum
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Stated interest rate	3.40%
Level 3 Financing, Inc. | Senior notes | Senior Notes, Maturing 2027-2029 | Maximum
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Stated interest rate	3.875%
Embarq Corporation and subsidiary | Senior notes
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Stated interest rate	7.995%
Long-term debt, gross	$ 1,437,000,000			1,450,000,000
Embarq Corporation and subsidiary | First mortgage bonds
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Long-term debt, gross	$ 138,000,000			138,000,000
Embarq Corporation and subsidiary | First mortgage bonds | Minimum
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Stated interest rate	7.125%
Embarq Corporation and subsidiary | First mortgage bonds | Maximum
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Stated interest rate	8.375%
Qwest Corporation | Term loan
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Long-term debt, gross	$ 100,000,000			$ 100,000,000
Long-term debt, weighted average interest rate	218.00%			3.80%
Qwest Corporation | Term loan | LIBOR
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Basis spread (as a percent)	2.00%
Qwest Corporation | Senior notes
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Long-term debt, gross	$ 4,656,000,000			$ 5,956,000,000
Qwest Corporation | Senior notes | Minimum
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Stated interest rate	6.125%
Qwest Corporation | Senior notes | Maximum
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Stated interest rate	7.75%
Qwest Capital Funding, Inc. | Senior notes
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Long-term debt, gross	$ 352,000,000			$ 352,000,000
Qwest Capital Funding, Inc. | Senior notes | Minimum
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Stated interest rate	6.875%
Qwest Capital Funding, Inc. | Senior notes | Maximum
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Stated interest rate	7.75%

Long-Term Debt and Credit Fac_4

Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities - Schedule of Maturities of Long Term Debt (Details) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2020USD ($)
Long-term Debt, Fiscal Year Maturity
2020 (remaining six months)	$ 1,585
2021	2,419
2022	1,537
2023	1,800
2024	2,037
2025 and thereafter	25,240
Total long-term debt	$ 34,618

Long-Term Debt and Credit Fac_5

Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2020	Jan. 24, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Aug. 07, 2020	Jul. 15, 2020	Jun. 15, 2020
Derivative [Line Items]
Repayments of debt			$ 2,600,000,000
Loss on extinguishment of debt	$ (67,000,000)
Senior notes | Subsequent Event
Derivative [Line Items]
Repurchased face amount					$ 1,200,000,000
CenturyLink, Inc.
Derivative [Line Items]
Repayments of debt			1,250,000,000
Amended Credit Agreement
Derivative [Line Items]
Face amount	$ 8,699,000,000
Amended Credit Agreement | Base Rate | Minimum
Derivative [Line Items]
Basis spread (as a percent)	1.50%
Amended Credit Agreement | Base Rate | Maximum
Derivative [Line Items]
Basis spread (as a percent)	2.25%
Amended Credit Agreement | Eurodollar | Minimum
Derivative [Line Items]
Basis spread (as a percent)	0.50%
Amended Credit Agreement | Eurodollar | Maximum
Derivative [Line Items]
Basis spread (as a percent)	1.25%
6.875% Senior Notes Due 2054 | Qwest Corporation | Senior notes | Subsequent Event
Derivative [Line Items]
Stated interest rate				6.875%
Repurchased face amount				$ 300,000,000
5.625% Senior Notes Due 2023 | Level 3 Financing, Inc. | Senior notes | Subsequent Event
Derivative [Line Items]
Stated interest rate					5.625%
Repurchased face amount					$ 360,000,000
5.375% Senior Notes Due 2022 | Level 3 Financing, Inc. | Senior notes | Subsequent Event
Derivative [Line Items]
Stated interest rate					5.375%
Repurchased face amount					$ 840,000,000
Term loan | CenturyLink, Inc.
Derivative [Line Items]
Repayments of debt			62,000,000
Term loan | Term Loan B | CenturyLink, Inc.
Derivative [Line Items]
Repayments of debt		$ 1,250,000,000
Senior notes
Derivative [Line Items]
Loss on extinguishment of debt			(86,000,000)
Senior notes | CenturyLink, Inc.
Derivative [Line Items]
Repayments of debt			78,000,000
Payment of aggregate principal amount at maturity			$ 973,000,000
Senior notes | CenturyLink, Inc. | Minimum
Derivative [Line Items]
Stated interest rate			5.125%
Senior notes | CenturyLink, Inc. | Maximum
Derivative [Line Items]
Stated interest rate			7.65%
Senior notes | Qwest Corporation
Derivative [Line Items]
Repayments of debt			$ 1,300,000,000
Senior notes | Qwest Corporation | Minimum
Derivative [Line Items]
Stated interest rate			6.125%
Senior notes | Qwest Corporation | Maximum
Derivative [Line Items]
Stated interest rate			7.75%
Senior notes | Level 3 Financing, Inc. | Minimum
Derivative [Line Items]
Stated interest rate			4.25%
Senior notes | Level 3 Financing, Inc. | Maximum
Derivative [Line Items]
Stated interest rate			5.625%
Senior notes | Amended Credit Agreement, Term Loan A
Derivative [Line Items]
Face amount	$ 1,166,000,000
Senior notes | Amended Credit Agreement, Term Loan A-1
Derivative [Line Items]
Face amount	333,000,000
Senior notes | Amended Credit Agreement, Term Loan B
Derivative [Line Items]
Face amount	$ 5,000,000,000
Senior notes | Amended Credit Agreement, Term Loan B | Base Rate
Derivative [Line Items]
Basis spread (as a percent)	1.25%
Senior notes | Amended Credit Agreement, Term Loan B | Eurodollar
Derivative [Line Items]
Basis spread (as a percent)	2.25%
Senior notes | 4.250% Senior Secured Notes Due 2028 | Level 3 Financing, Inc.
Derivative [Line Items]
Face amount						$ 1,200,000,000
Stated interest rate						4.25%
Senior notes | 4.000% Senior Secured Notes Due 2027 | CenturyLink, Inc.
Derivative [Line Items]
Face amount		$ 1,250,000,000
Stated interest rate		4.00%	4.00%
Credit facility | Amended Credit Agreement | Revolving Credit Facility
Derivative [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 2,200,000,000

Severance (Details)

Severance (Details) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020USD ($)
Restructuring reserve
Accrued to expense	$ 44
Payments, net	(54)
Severance
Restructuring reserve
Balance at the beginning of the period	89
Balance at the end of the period	$ 79

Employee Benefits (Details)

Employee Benefits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Combined Pension Plan
Components of net periodic (benefit) expense
Service cost	$ 13	$ 14	$ 29	$ 28
Interest cost	80	107	162	217
Expected return on plan assets	(149)	(153)	(298)	(309)
Recognition of prior service credit	(1)	(2)	(4)	(4)
Recognition of actuarial loss	52	56	102	113
Net periodic pension benefit (income) expense	(5)	22	(9)	45
Post-Retirement Benefit Plans
Components of net periodic (benefit) expense
Service cost	3	4	7	8
Interest cost	20	28	40	55
Recognition of prior service credit	4	4	8	8
Net periodic pension benefit (income) expense	$ 27	$ 36	$ 55	$ 71

Earnings (Loss) Per Common Sh_3

Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
(Loss) Income (Numerator):
Net income (loss)	$ 377	$ 371	$ 691	$ (5,794)
Weighted-average number of shares:
Weighted average shares outstanding for computing basic earnings per common share (in shares)	1,079,475	1,071,341	1,077,755	1,070,110
Incremental common shares attributable to dilutive securities:
Number of shares as adjusted for purposes of computing diluted earnings (loss) per common share (in shares)	1,082,567	1,072,813	1,082,218	1,070,110
Basic earnings (loss) per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.35	$ 0.35	$ 0.64	$ (5.41)
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.35	$ 0.35	$ 0.64	$ (5.41)
Convertible Debt Securities
Incremental common shares attributable to dilutive securities:
Number of shares of common stock excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share (in shares)				2,400
Common Class A
(Loss) Income (Numerator):
Net income (loss) applicable to common stock for computing basic earnings per common share	$ 377	$ 371	$ 691	$ (5,794)
Net income (loss) as adjusted for purposes of computing diluted earnings per common share	$ 377	$ 371	$ 691	$ (5,794)
Weighted-average number of shares:
Outstanding during period (in shares)	1,097,586	1,090,342	1,095,278	1,086,966
Non-vested restricted stock (in shares)	(18,111)	(19,001)	(17,523)	(16,856)
Weighted average shares outstanding for computing basic earnings per common share (in shares)	1,079,475	1,071,341	1,077,755	1,070,110
Incremental common shares attributable to dilutive securities:
Shares issuable under convertible securities (in shares)	10	10	10	0
Shares issuable under incentive compensation plans (in shares)	3,082	1,462	4,453	0
Number of shares as adjusted for purposes of computing diluted earnings (loss) per common share (in shares)	1,082,567	1,072,813	1,082,218	1,070,110
Basic earnings (loss) per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.35	$ 0.35	$ 0.64	$ (5.41)
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.35	$ 0.35	$ 0.64	$ (5.41)
Number of shares of common stock excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share (in shares)	8,700	14,300	5,700	9,900

Fair Value of Financial Instr_3

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) - Fair Value Measurements Determined on a Nonrecurring Basis - Fair Value Inputs, Level 2 - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Carrying Amount
Fair value disclosure
Long-term debt, excluding finance lease and other obligations	$ 34,097	$ 34,472
Interest rate swap contracts (see Note 10)	148	51
Fair Value
Fair value disclosure
Long-term debt, excluding finance lease and other obligations	34,289	35,737
Interest rate swap contracts (see Note 10)	$ 148	$ 51

Derivative Financial Instrume_3

Derivative Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Details) - Interest Rate Swap $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2019USD ($)derivative_agreement	Feb. 28, 2019USD ($)derivative_agreement
Derivative [Line Items]
Reclassification in next twelve months	$ 81
Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivative [Line Items]
Number of instruments | derivative_agreement		6	5
Designated as Hedging Instrument | Cash Flow Hedging
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount		$ 1,500	$ 2,500
Fixed interest rate		1.58%	2.48%
Designated as Hedging Instrument | Cash Flow Hedging | One Counterparty
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount			$ 700
Designated as Hedging Instrument | Cash Flow Hedging | Four Counterparties
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount			$ 450
Designated as Hedging Instrument | Cash Flow Hedging | Six Counterparties
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount		$ 250

Derivative Financial Instrume_4

Derivative Financial Instruments - Fair Value of Derivatives (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Cash Flow Hedging | Interest Rate Swap | Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair Value	$ 148	$ 51

Derivative Financial Instrume_5

Derivative Financial Instruments - Losses Recognized in OCI (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Interest Rate Swap
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Loss recognized in other comprehensive income	$ 10	$ 34	$ 116	$ 57

Derivative Financial Instrume_6

Derivative Financial Instruments - Reclassification from AOCI (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Realized losses reclassified from AOCI	$ 11	$ 0	$ 16	$ 0
Interest Rate Swap | Designated as Hedging Instrument
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Realized losses reclassified from AOCI	$ 16	$ 0	$ 21	$ 0

Segment Information - Additiona

Segment Information - Additional Information (Details)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020segmentcategoryregional_operating_unitcustomer
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments | segment	5
Number of global enterprise customers | customer	200
Number of operating regions | regional_operating_unit	3
International and Global Accounts
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of categories of products and services	4
Consumer
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of categories of products and services	4

Segment Information - Segment R

Segment Information - Segment Results and Operating Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	$ 5,192	$ 5,375	$ 10,420	$ 10,802
Cost of services and products	2,232	2,243	4,467	4,543
Selling, general and administrative	895	960	1,748	1,892
Less: share-based compensation	(20)	(43)	(89)	(76)
Total expense	3,107	3,160	6,126	6,359
Total adjusted EBITDA	2,085	2,215	4,294	4,443
IP and Data Services
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	1,592	1,649	3,216	3,309
Transport and Infrastructure
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	1,216	1,253	2,448	2,499
Voice and Collaboration
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	945	950	1,865	1,917
IT and Managed Services
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	123	134	248	279
Broadband
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	726	718	1,448	1,440
Voice
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	409	467	830	944
Regulatory
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	154	157	310	314
Other
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	27	47	55	100
Operating segments
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	5,192	5,375	10,420	10,802
Cost of services and products	968	959	1,925	1,915
Selling, general and administrative	440	475	883	972
Less: share-based compensation	0	0	0	0
Total expense	1,408	1,434	2,808	2,887
Total adjusted EBITDA	3,784	3,941	7,612	7,915
Operating segments | IP and Data Services
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	1,592	1,649	3,216	3,309
Operating segments | Transport and Infrastructure
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	1,216	1,253	2,448	2,499
Operating segments | Voice and Collaboration
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	945	950	1,865	1,917
Operating segments | IT and Managed Services
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	123	134	248	279
Operating segments | Broadband
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	726	718	1,448	1,440
Operating segments | Voice
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	409	467	830	944
Operating segments | Regulatory
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	154	157	310	314
Operating segments | Other
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	27	47	55	100
Operating segments | International and Global Accounts
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	849	877	1,714	1,740
Cost of services and products	232	232	465	463
Selling, general and administrative	61	67	126	134
Less: share-based compensation	0	0	0	0
Total expense	293	299	591	597
Total adjusted EBITDA	556	578	1,123	1,143
Operating segments | International and Global Accounts | IP and Data Services
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	386	409	786	817
Operating segments | International and Global Accounts | Transport and Infrastructure
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	311	323	627	632
Operating segments | International and Global Accounts | Voice and Collaboration
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	97	89	188	178
Operating segments | International and Global Accounts | IT and Managed Services
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	55	56	113	113
Operating segments | International and Global Accounts | Broadband
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating segments | International and Global Accounts | Voice
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating segments | International and Global Accounts | Regulatory
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating segments | International and Global Accounts | Other
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating segments | Enterprise
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	1,433	1,409	2,853	2,834
Cost of services and products	463	434	910	862
Selling, general and administrative	135	141	271	289
Less: share-based compensation	0	0	0	0
Total expense	598	575	1,181	1,151
Total adjusted EBITDA	835	834	1,672	1,683
Operating segments | Enterprise | IP and Data Services
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	623	632	1,251	1,270
Operating segments | Enterprise | Transport and Infrastructure
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	381	354	761	701
Operating segments | Enterprise | Voice and Collaboration
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	371	358	727	724
Operating segments | Enterprise | IT and Managed Services
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	58	65	114	139
Operating segments | Enterprise | Broadband
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating segments | Enterprise | Voice
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating segments | Enterprise | Regulatory
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating segments | Enterprise | Other
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating segments | Small and Medium Business
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	646	688	1,304	1,388
Cost of services and products	99	102	203	207
Selling, general and administrative	109	115	219	239
Less: share-based compensation	0	0	0	0
Total expense	208	217	422	446
Total adjusted EBITDA	438	471	882	942
Operating segments | Small and Medium Business | IP and Data Services
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	263	271	532	547
Operating segments | Small and Medium Business | Transport and Infrastructure
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	91	94	180	189
Operating segments | Small and Medium Business | Voice and Collaboration
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	282	312	572	629
Operating segments | Small and Medium Business | IT and Managed Services
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	10	11	20	23
Operating segments | Small and Medium Business | Broadband
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating segments | Small and Medium Business | Voice
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating segments | Small and Medium Business | Regulatory
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating segments | Small and Medium Business | Other
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating segments | Wholesale
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	948	1,012	1,906	2,042
Cost of services and products	132	140	263	274
Selling, general and administrative	16	15	33	29
Less: share-based compensation	0	0	0	0
Total expense	148	155	296	303
Total adjusted EBITDA	800	857	1,610	1,739
Operating segments | Wholesale | IP and Data Services
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	320	337	647	675
Operating segments | Wholesale | Transport and Infrastructure
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	433	482	880	977
Operating segments | Wholesale | Voice and Collaboration
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	195	191	378	386
Operating segments | Wholesale | IT and Managed Services
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	2	1	4
Operating segments | Wholesale | Broadband
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating segments | Wholesale | Voice
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating segments | Wholesale | Regulatory
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating segments | Wholesale | Other
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating segments | Consumer
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	1,316	1,389	2,643	2,798
Cost of services and products	42	51	84	109
Selling, general and administrative	119	137	234	281
Less: share-based compensation	0	0	0	0
Total expense	161	188	318	390
Total adjusted EBITDA	1,155	1,201	2,325	2,408
Operating segments | Consumer | IP and Data Services
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating segments | Consumer | Transport and Infrastructure
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating segments | Consumer | Voice and Collaboration
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating segments | Consumer | IT and Managed Services
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating segments | Consumer | Broadband
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	726	718	1,448	1,440
Operating segments | Consumer | Voice
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	409	467	830	944
Operating segments | Consumer | Regulatory
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	154	157	310	314
Operating segments | Consumer | Other
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	27	47	55	100
Operations and Other
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Cost of services and products	1,264	1,284	2,542	2,628
Selling, general and administrative	455	485	865	920
Less: share-based compensation	(20)	(43)	(89)	(76)
Total expense	1,699	1,726	3,318	3,472
Total adjusted EBITDA	(1,699)	(1,726)	(3,318)	(3,472)
Operations and Other | IP and Data Services
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operations and Other | Transport and Infrastructure
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operations and Other | Voice and Collaboration
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operations and Other | IT and Managed Services
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operations and Other | Broadband
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operations and Other | Voice
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operations and Other | Regulatory
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operations and Other | Other
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

Segment Information - Reconcili

Segment Information - Reconciliation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment adjusted EBITDA	$ 2,085	$ 2,215		$ 4,294	$ 4,443
Depreciation and amortization	(1,162)	(1,196)		(2,322)	(2,384)
Impairment of goodwill	0	0	$ (6,500)	0	(6,506)
Stock-based compensation	(20)	(43)		(89)	(76)
Total other expense, net	(390)	(474)		(937)	(1,002)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	513	502		946	(5,525)
Income tax expense	136	131		255	269
NET INCOME (LOSS)	377	371		691	(5,794)
Operating segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment adjusted EBITDA	3,784	3,941		7,612	7,915
Operations and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment adjusted EBITDA	(1,699)	(1,726)		(3,318)	(3,472)
Depreciation and amortization	(1,162)	(1,196)		(2,322)	(2,384)
Impairment of goodwill	0	0		0	(6,506)
Other operating expenses	(1,699)	(1,726)		(3,318)	(3,472)
Operating income (loss)	903	976		1,883	(4,523)
Total other expense, net	$ (390)	$ (474)		$ (937)	$ (1,002)

Commitments and Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies and Other Items (Details) plaintiff in Thousands, $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2017USD ($)lawsuit	Jun. 30, 2020USD ($)plaintiff	Dec. 31, 2005USD ($)
Loss Contingencies
Estimate of possible loss		$ 135,000
Patents allegedly infringed | lawsuit	1
Unfavorable Regulatory Action
Loss Contingencies
Estimate of possible loss		100
Level 3 Parent, LLC
Loss Contingencies
Damages sought, value		50,000
U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
Loss Contingencies
Litigation settlement amount		15,500
Litigation settlement, expense		$ 3,500
Number of members (more than) | plaintiff		22
Pending litigation | Peruvian Tax Litigation
Loss Contingencies
Estimate of possible loss		$ 5,000
Loss contingency, asserted claim			$ 26,000
Pending litigation | Brazilian Tax Claims
Loss Contingencies
Loss contingency, range of possible loss, portion not accrued		37,000
Pending litigation | Brazilian Tax Claims | Maximum
Loss Contingencies
Loss contingency, range of possible loss, portion not accrued		$ 52,000
Missouri municipalities | Judicial ruling
Loss Contingencies
Litigation settlement amount	$ 4,000

Other Financial Information (De

Other Financial Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Abstract]
Prepaid expenses	$ 340	$ 274
Income tax receivable	69	35
Materials, supplies and inventory	122	105
Contract assets	33	42
Other	63	70
Total other current assets	913	819
Acquisition Costs
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Abstract]
Contract costs	175	178
Fulfillment Costs
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Abstract]
Contract costs	$ 111	$ 115

Accumulated Other Comprehensi_3

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - AOCI Activity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period			$ 13,470
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications			(318)	$ (46)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			96	88
Other comprehensive income (loss)	$ 53	$ 10	(222)	42
Balance at end of period	13,462	13,673	13,462	13,673
Defined benefit plan | Pension Plans
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period			(2,229)	(2,173)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications			0	0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			74	82
Other comprehensive income (loss)			74	82
Balance at end of period	(2,155)	(2,091)	(2,155)	(2,091)
Defined benefit plan | Post-Retirement Benefit Plans
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period			(184)	(58)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications			0	0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			6	6
Other comprehensive income (loss)			6	6
Balance at end of period	(178)	(52)	(178)	(52)
Foreign currency translation adjustment and other
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period			(228)	(230)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications			(230)	(3)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)			(230)	(3)
Balance at end of period	(458)	(233)	(458)	(233)
Interest rate swaps
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period			(39)	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications			(88)	(43)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			16	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)			(72)	(43)
Balance at end of period	(111)	(43)	(111)	(43)
Accumulated other comprehensive income
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	(2,955)	(2,429)	(2,680)	(2,461)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	53	10	(222)	42
Balance at end of period	$ (2,902)	$ (2,419)	$ (2,902)	$ (2,419)

Accumulated Other Comprehensi_4

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Reclassifications (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income loss by component
Interest expense	$ 414	$ 518	$ 863	$ 1,041
Other income, net	24	44	(74)	39
Total before tax	513	502	946	(5,525)
Income tax expense	(136)	(131)	(255)	(269)
Net of tax	377	371	691	(5,794)
Decrease (Increase) in Net Income | Interest rate swaps
Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income loss by component
Interest expense	16		21
Income tax expense	(5)		(5)
Net of tax	11		16
Decrease (Increase) in Net Income | Net actuarial loss
Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income loss by component
Other income, net	52	56	102	113
Decrease (Increase) in Net Income | Prior service cost
Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income loss by component
Other income, net	3	2	4	4
Decrease (Increase) in Net Income | Defined benefit plan
Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income loss by component
Total before tax	55	58	106	117
Income tax expense	(14)	(14)	(26)	(29)
Net of tax	$ 41	$ 44	$ 80	$ 88

Labor Union Contracts (Details)

Labor Union Contracts (Details) - Unionized employees concentration risk	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Total number of employees
Concentration risk
Concentration risk, percent	24.00%
Workforce subject to collective bargaining arrangements, expired
Concentration risk
Concentration risk, percent	1.00%
Workforce subject to collective bargaining arrangements expiring within one year
Concentration risk
Concentration risk, percent	13.00%

Uncategorized Items - ctl-20200

Label	Element	Value
Restricted Cash, Noncurrent	us-gaap_RestrictedCashNoncurrent	$ 18,000,000
Restricted Cash, Noncurrent	us-gaap_RestrictedCashNoncurrent	27,000,000
Restricted Cash, Current	us-gaap_RestrictedCashCurrent	3,000,000
Restricted Cash, Current	us-gaap_RestrictedCashCurrent	$ 3,000,000