Level 3 Parent (LVLT) 10-K 5 Mar 20 2019 FY Annual report Financial data

Cover

Cover - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019
Cover page.
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2019
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-35134
Entity Registrant Name	LEVEL 3 PARENT, LLC
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	47-0210602
Entity Address, Address Line One	1025 Eldorado Blvd.,
Entity Address, City or Town	Broomfield,
Entity Address, State or Province	CO
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	80021-8869
City Area Code	720
Local Phone Number	888-1000
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	0
Entity Public Float		$ 0
Documents Incorporated by Reference	None.
Entity Central Index Key	0000794323
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPER

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) $ in Millions	2 Months Ended	10 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
OPERATING REVENUE
Total operating revenue	$ 1,407	$ 6,870	$ 8,185	$ 8,220
OPERATING EXPENSES
Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	690	3,493	3,799	3,937
Selling, general and administrative	253	1,208	1,258	1,354
Operating expenses - affiliates	24	0	334	257
Depreciation and amortization	282	1,018	1,613	1,704
Goodwill impairment	0	0	3,708	0
Total operating expenses	1,249	5,719	10,712	7,252
OPERATING (LOSS) INCOME	158	1,151	(2,527)	968
OTHER (EXPENSE) INCOME
Interest income	1	13	9	4
Interest income - affiliate	11	0	61	63
Interest expense	(80)	(441)	(502)	(509)
Loss on modification and extinguishment of debt	0	(44)	5	0
Other income, net	3	14	8	11
Total other expense, net	(65)	(458)	(419)	(431)
(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	93	693	(2,946)	537
Income tax expense	(234)	(268)	(255)	(196)
NET (LOSS) INCOME	(141)	425	(3,201)	341
Non-Affiliate Services
OPERATING REVENUE
Total operating revenue	1,391	6,870	8,005	8,113
Affiliate revenue
OPERATING REVENUE
Total operating revenue	$ 16	$ 0	$ 180	$ 107

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME - USD ($) $ in Millions	2 Months Ended	10 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
NET (LOSS) INCOME	$ (141)	$ 425	$ (3,201)	$ 341
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME:
Defined benefit pension plan adjustment, net of $1, ($1), $— and ($3) tax	0	(1)	(3)	5
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of ($6), $50, ($17) and ($46) tax	18	81	(5)	(200)
Net other comprehensive (loss) income	18	80	(8)	(195)
COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME	$ (123)	$ 505	$ (3,209)	$ 146

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CO_2

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	2 Months Ended	10 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation adjustments, tax effect	$ 0	$ (3)	$ 1	$ (1)
Defined benefit pension plan adjustments, tax effect	$ (17)	$ (46)	$ (6)	$ 50

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 316	$ 243
Restricted cash and securities - current	3	4
Accounts receivable, less allowance of $13 and $11	667	712
Note receivable - affiliate	1,590	1,825
Other	266	234
Total current assets	2,842	3,018
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $1,825 and $1,021	9,936	9,453
GOODWILL AND OTHER ASSETS
Goodwill	7,415	11,119
Operating lease assets	1,060
Restricted cash	19	25
Customer relationships, net		7,567
Other intangible assets, net	469	410
Other, net	492	699
Total goodwill and other assets	16,320	19,820
TOTAL ASSETS	29,098	32,291
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Current maturities of long-term debt	11	6
Accounts payable	654	726
Accounts payable - affiliates	669	246
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
Salaries and benefits	240	233
Income and other taxes	152	130
Current operating lease liabilities	249
Interest	85	95
Other	77	78
Current portion of deferred revenue	309	310
Total current liabilities	2,446	1,824
LONG-TERM DEBT	10,356	10,838
DEFERRED REVENUE AND OTHER LIABILITIES
Deferred revenue	1,343	1,181
Deferred income taxes, net	241	202
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities	854
Other	313	369
Total deferred revenue and other liabilities	2,751	1,752
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 17)
MEMBER'S EQUITY
Member's equity	13,724	18,048
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(179)	(171)
Total member's equity	13,545	17,877
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND MEMBER'S EQUITY	29,098	32,291
Customer relationships
GOODWILL AND OTHER ASSETS
Customer relationships, net	$ 6,865	$ 7,567

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 13	$ 11
Accumulated depreciation	$ 1,825	$ 1,021

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Millions	2 Months Ended	10 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net (loss) income	$ (141)	$ 425	$ (3,201)	$ 341
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	282	1,018	1,613	1,704
Goodwill impairment	0	0	3,708	0
Deferred income taxes	270	217	219	175
Changes in current assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(1)	(16)	21	46
Accounts payable	35	(102)	(134)	(37)
Other current assets and liabilities	(100)	70	(6)	4
Other current assets and liabilities, affiliates	(17)	0	423	216
Changes in other noncurrent assets and liabilities, net	(53)	154	120	(22)
Other, net	33	148	(80)	(30)
Net cash provided by operating activities	308	1,914	2,683	2,397
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital expenditures	(207)	(1,119)	(1,341)	(1,038)
Purchase of marketable securities	0	(1,127)	0	0
Maturity of marketable securities	0	1,127	0	0
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and other assets	0	1	28	134
Note receivable - affiliate			235
Note receivable - affiliate	(1,825)	0		0
Net cash used in investing activities	(2,032)	(1,118)	(1,078)	(904)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	0	4,569	2,479	0
Payments of long-term debt	(1)	(4,917)	(2,906)	(7)
Distributions	(250)	0	(1,084)	(1,545)
Other	(2)	3	(28)	0
Net cash used in financing activities	(253)	(345)	(1,539)	(1,552)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and securities	(1,977)	451	66	(59)
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and securities at beginning of period	2,308	1,857	272	331
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and securities at end of period	331	2,308	338	272
Supplemental cash flow information:
Income taxes paid, net	(10)	(49)	(23)	(33)
Interest paid (net of capitalized interest of $15, $1, — and —)	56	468	531	542
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and securities:
Total	$ 331	$ 2,308	$ 272	$ 331

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CA_2

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	2 Months Ended	10 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Capitalized interest	$ 0	$ 0	$ 15	$ 1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF MEMB

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF MEMBER'S/STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Millions	Total	COMMON STOCK	ADDITIONAL PAID-IN CAPITAL	ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME	ACCUMULATED DEFICIT	MEMBER'S EQUITY
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2016				$ (387)
MEMBER'S EQUITY
Net (loss) income	$ 425				$ 425
Net other comprehensive (loss) income	80			80
Balance at end of period at Oct. 31, 2017				(307)		$ 19,617
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2016		$ 4	$ 19,800		(8,500)
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock issued under employee stock benefit plans and other			30
Share-based compensation			102
Balance at end of period at Oct. 31, 2017	11,554	$ 4	$ 19,932		(8,075)
MEMBER'S EQUITY
Net (loss) income	(141)					(141)
Net other comprehensive (loss) income	18			18
Contributions						28
Distributions						(250)
Balance at end of period at Dec. 31, 2017				18		19,254
Balance at end of period at Dec. 31, 2017	19,272
MEMBER'S EQUITY
Net (loss) income	341					341
Net other comprehensive (loss) income	(195)			(195)
Purchase price accounting adjustments						(5)
Distributions						(1,545)
Balance at end of period at Dec. 31, 2018				(171)		18,048
Balance at end of period at Dec. 31, 2018	17,877
MEMBER'S EQUITY
Net (loss) income	(3,201)					(3,201)
Net other comprehensive (loss) income	(8)			(8)
Distributions						(1,084)
Balance at end of period at Dec. 31, 2019				$ (179)		$ 13,724
Balance at end of period at Dec. 31, 2019	$ 13,545
MEMBER'S EQUITY
Cumulative effect of adoption of ASU | Accounting Standards Update 2016-02					(39)
Cumulative effect of adoption of ASU | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09					$ 9

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF ME_2

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF MEMBER'S/STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical) $ in Millions	Jan. 01, 2018USD ($)
MEMBER'S EQUITY | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
Cumulative net effect of adoption of ASU, tax	$ 3

Background and Summary of Signi

Background and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Background and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Background and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies General We are an international facilities-based communications provider (that is, a provider that owns or leases a substantial portion of the property, plant and equipment necessary to provide our services) of a broad range of integrated communications services. We created our communications network by constructing our own assets and through a combination of purchasing other companies and purchasing or leasing facilities from others. We designed our network to provide communications services that employ and take advantage of rapidly improving underlying optical, Internet Protocol, computing and storage technologies. Effective November 1, 2017, we were acquired by CenturyLink in a cash and stock transaction, including the assumption of our debt (the "CenturyLink Merger"). See Note 2—CenturyLink Merger . Basis of Presentation On November 1, 2017, we became a wholly owned subsidiary of CenturyLink. On the date of the acquisition, our assets and liabilities were recognized at fair value. This revaluation has been reflected in our financial statements and, therefore, has resulted in a new basis of accounting for the successor period beginning on November 1, 2017. This new basis of accounting means that our financial statements for the successor periods will not be comparable to our previously reported financial statements, including the predecessor period financial statements in this report. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include our accounts and the accounts of our subsidiaries in which we have a controlling interest. Intercompany amounts and transactions with our consolidated subsidiaries have been eliminated. Transactions with our non-consolidated affiliates (CenturyLink and its other subsidiaries, referred to herein as affiliates) have not been eliminated. Due to exchange restrictions and other conditions, effective at the end of the third quarter of 2015 we deconsolidated our Venezuelan subsidiary and began accounting for our investment in our Venezuelan subsidiary using the cost method of accounting. The factors that led to our conclusions at the end of the third quarter of 2015 continued to exist through the end of 2019 . We reclassified certain prior period amounts to conform to the current period presentation, including the categorization of our revenue for 2019, 2018 and 2017. Although we continued as a surviving corporation and legal entity after the acquisition of us by CenturyLink, the accompanying consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive (loss) income, cash flows and member's/stockholders' equity (deficit) are presented for two periods: predecessor and successor, which relates to the period preceding the acquisition and the period succeeding the acquisition. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Use of Estimates Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. These accounting principles require us to make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions. We believe that the estimates, judgments and assumptions we make when accounting for specific items and matters, including, but not limited to, revenue recognition, revenue reserves, network access costs, network access cost dispute reserves, investments, long-term contracts, customer retention patterns, allowance for doubtful accounts, depreciation, amortization, asset valuations, internal labor capitalization rates, recoverability of assets (including deferred tax assets), impairment assessments, taxes, certain liabilities and other provisions and contingencies, are reasonable, based on information available at the time they are made. These estimates, judgments and assumptions can materially affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and components of member's equity as of the dates of the consolidated balance sheets, as well as the reported amounts of revenue, expenses and components of cash flows during the periods presented in our other consolidated financial statements. We also make estimates in our assessments of potential losses in relation to threatened or pending tax and legal matters. See Note 13—Income Taxes and Note 17—Commitments, Contingencies and Other Items for additional information. For matters not related to income taxes, if a loss is considered probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated, we recognize an expense for the estimated loss. If we have the potential to recover a portion of the estimated loss from a third party, we make a separate assessment of recoverability and reduce the estimated loss if recovery is also deemed probable. For matters related to income taxes, if we determine that the impact of an uncertain tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant taxing authority, then we recognize a benefit for the largest amount that is more likely than not to be sustained. No portion of an uncertain tax position will be recognized if the position has less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained. Interest is recognized on the amount of unrecognized benefit from uncertain tax positions. For all of these and other matters, actual results could differ materially from our estimates. Revenue Recognition We earn most of our consolidated revenue from contracts with customers, primarily through the provision of telecommunications and other services. Revenue from contracts with customers is accounted for under Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 606. We also earn revenue from leasing arrangements (primarily fiber capacity agreements) which are not accounted for under ASC 606. Revenue is recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to our customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to receive in exchange for those goods or services. Revenue is recognized based on the following five-step model: • Identification of the contract with a customer; • Identification of the performance obligations in the contract; • Determination of the transaction price; • Allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and • Recognition of revenue when, or as, we satisfy a performance obligation. We provide an array of communications services, including local voice, VPN, Ethernet, data, private line (including special access), network access, transport, voice, information technology, video and other ancillary services. We provide these services to a wide range of businesses, including global/international, enterprise, wholesale, government, small and medium business customers. Certain contracts also include the sale of equipment, which is not significant to our business. We recognize revenue for services when we provide the applicable service or when control is transferred. Recognition of certain payments received in advance of services being provided is deferred. These advance payments include certain activation and certain installation charges. If the activation and installation charges are not separate performance obligations, we recognize them as revenue over the actual or expected contract term using historical experience, which ranges from one year to five years depending on the service. In most cases, termination fees or other fees on existing contracts that are negotiated in conjunction with new contracts are deferred and recognized over the new contract term. For access services, we generally bill fixed monthly charges one month in advance to customers and recognize revenue as service is provided over the contract term in alignment with the customer's receipt of service. For usage and other ancillary services, we generally bill in arrears and recognize revenue as usage or delivery occurs. In most cases, the amount invoiced for our service offerings constitutes the price that would be billed on a standalone basis. Customer contracts are evaluated to determine whether the performance obligations are separable. If the performance obligations are deemed separable and separate earnings processes exist, the total transaction price that we expect to receive with the customer is allocated to each performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price. The revenue associated with each performance obligation is then recognized as earned. We periodically sell optical capacity on our network. These transactions are structured as indefeasible rights of use, commonly referred to as IRUs, which are the exclusive right to use a specified amount of capacity or fiber for a specified term, typically 10 - 20 years. In most cases, we account for the cash consideration received on transfers of optical capacity as ASC 606 revenue which is adjusted for the time value of money and is recognized ratably over the term of the agreement. Cash consideration received on transfers of dark fiber is accounted for as non-ASC 606 lease revenue, which we also recognize ratably over the term of the agreement. We do not recognize revenue on any contemporaneous exchanges of our optical capacity assets for other non-owned optical capacity assets. In connection with offering products and services provided to the end user by third-party vendors, we review the relationship between us, the vendor and the end user to assess whether revenue should be reported on a gross or net basis. In assessing whether revenue should be reported on a gross or net basis, we consider whether we act as a principal in the transaction and control the goods and services used to fulfill the performance obligations associated with the transaction. We have service level commitments pursuant to contracts with certain of our customers. To the extent that such service levels are not achieved or are otherwise disputed due to performance or service issues or other service interruptions or conditions, we will estimate the amount of credits to be issued and record a corresponding reduction to revenue in the period that the service level commitment was not met. Customer payments are made based on billing schedules included in our customer contracts, which is typically on a monthly basis. We defer (or capitalize) incremental contract acquisition and fulfillment costs and recognize (or amortize) such costs over the average contract life. Our deferred contract costs for our customers have average amortization periods of approximately 30 months. These deferred costs are monitored every period to reflect any significant change in assumptions. See Note 4—Revenue Recognition for additional information. Affiliate Transactions We provide to our affiliates telecommunications services that we also provide to external customers. Services provided by us to our affiliates are recognized as operating revenue-affiliates in our consolidated statements of operations. Services provided to us from our affiliates are recognized as operating expenses-affiliates on our consolidated statements of operations. Because of the significance of the services we provide to our affiliates and our affiliates provide to us, the results of operations, financial position and cash flows presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations, financial position and cash flows we would have achieved had we operated as a stand-alone entity during the periods presented. We recognize intercompany charges at the amounts billed to us by our affiliates and we recognize intercompany revenue for services we bill to our affiliates. From time to time we make distributions to our parent. Distributions are reflected on our consolidated statements of member's/stockholders' equity and the consolidated statements of cash flows reflects distributions made as financing activities. USF Surcharges, Gross Receipts Taxes and Other Surcharges In determining whether to include in our revenue and expenses the taxes and surcharges collected from customers and remitted to government authorities, including USF surcharges, sales, use, value added and some excise taxes, we assess, among other things, whether we are the primary obligor or principal taxpayer for the taxes assessed in each jurisdiction where we do business. In jurisdictions where we determine that we are the principal taxpayer, we record the surcharges on a gross basis and include them in our revenue and costs of services and products. In jurisdictions where we determine that we are merely a collection agent for the government authority, we record the taxes on a net basis and do not include them in our revenue and costs of services and products. Legal Costs In the normal course of our business, we incur costs to hire and retain external legal counsel to advise us on regulatory, litigation and other matters. We expense these costs as the related services are received. Income Taxes Since CenturyLink's acquisition of us on November 1, 2017, we have been included in the consolidated federal income tax return of CenturyLink. Under CenturyLink's tax allocation policy, CenturyLink treats our consolidated results as if we were a separate taxpayer. Our reported deferred tax assets and liabilities, as discussed below and in Note 13—Income Taxes , are primarily determined as a result of the application of the separate return allocation method and therefore the settlement of these amounts is dependent upon our parent, CenturyLink, rather than tax authorities. The policy requires us to pay our tax liabilities in cash based upon our separate return taxable income. We are also included in the combined state tax returns filed by CenturyLink and the same payment and allocation policy applies. The provision for income taxes consists of an amount for taxes currently payable, an amount for tax consequences deferred to future periods and adjustments to our liabilities for uncertain tax positions. We record deferred income tax assets and liabilities reflecting future tax consequences attributable to tax net operating loss carryforwards ("NOLs"), tax credit carryforwards and differences between the financial statement carrying value of assets and liabilities and the tax basis of those assets and liabilities. Deferred taxes are computed using enacted tax rates expected to apply in the year in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. The effect on deferred income tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rate is recognized in earnings in the period that includes the enactment date. We establish valuation allowances when necessary to reduce deferred income tax assets to the amounts that we believe are more likely than not to be recovered. Each quarter we evaluate the need to retain all or a portion of the valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets. See Note 13—Income Taxes for additional information. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents include highly liquid investments that are readily convertible into cash and are not subject to significant risk from fluctuations in interest rates. As a result, the value at which cash and cash equivalents are reported in our consolidated financial statements approximates their fair value. In evaluating investments for classification as cash equivalents, we require that individual securities have original maturities of ninety days or less and that individual investment funds have dollar-weighted average maturities of ninety days or less. To preserve capital and maintain liquidity, we invest with financial institutions we deem to be of sound financial condition and in high quality and relatively risk-free investment products. Our cash investment policy limits the concentration of investments with specific financial institutions or among certain products and includes criteria related to credit worthiness of any particular financial institution. Book overdrafts occur when checks have been issued but have not been presented to our controlled disbursement bank accounts for payment. Disbursement bank accounts allow us to delay funding of issued checks until the checks are presented for payment. Until the issued checks are presented for payment, the book overdrafts are included in accounts payable on our consolidated balance sheet. This activity is included in the operating activities section in our consolidated statements of cash flows. Restricted Cash and Securities Restricted cash and securities consist primarily of cash and investments that serve to collateralize our outstanding letters of credit and certain performance and operating obligations. Restricted cash and securities are recorded as current or non-current assets in the consolidated balance sheets depending on the duration of the restriction and the purpose for which the restriction exists. Restricted securities are stated at cost which approximates fair value as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 . Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Accounts receivable are recognized based upon the amount due from customers for the services provided or at cost for other receivables less an allowance for doubtful accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts receivable reflects our best estimate of probable losses inherent in our receivable portfolio determined on the basis of historical experience, specific allowances for known troubled accounts and other currently available evidence. We generally consider our accounts past due if they are outstanding over 30 days. Our past due accounts are written off against our allowance for doubtful accounts when collection is considered to be not probable. Any recoveries of accounts previously written off are generally recognized as a reduction in bad debt expense in the period received. The carrying value of accounts receivable net of the allowance for doubtful accounts approximates fair value. Concentration of Credit Risk We provide communications services to a wide range of wholesale and enterprise customers, ranging from well capitalized national carriers to small early stage companies primarily in the United States, Europe and Latin America. Credit risk with respect to accounts receivable is generally diversified due to the large number of entities comprising our customer base and their dispersion across many different industries and geographical regions. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers' financial condition and generally require no collateral from our customers, although letters of credit and deposits are required in certain limited circumstances. We have, from time to time, entered into agreements with value added resellers and other channel partners to reach consumer and enterprise markets for voice services. We have policies and procedures in place to evaluate the financial condition of these resellers prior to initiating service to the final customer. We are not able to predict changes in the financial stability of our customers. Any material changes in the financial status of any one or a particular group of customers may cause us to adjust our estimate of the recoverability of receivables and could have a material effect on our results of operation. Property, Plant and Equipment As a result of CenturyLink's acquisition of us, the purchase price was allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition plus the estimated value of any associated legally or contractually required retirement obligations. Therefore, the allocated fair values of the assets represent their new basis of accounting in our consolidated financial statements. This resulted in adjustments to our property, plant and equipment accounts, including accumulated depreciation at the acquisition date. The adjustments related to CenturyLink's acquisition of us are described in Note 2—CenturyLink Merger and Note 8— Property, Plant and Equipment . We record purchased and constructed property, plant and equipment at cost, plus the estimated value of any associated legally or contractually required retirement obligations. Property, plant and equipment is depreciated using the straight-line method. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the useful lives of the assets or the expected lease term. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Interest is capitalized during the construction phase of network and other internal-use capital projects. Employee-related costs for construction of network and other internal use assets are also capitalized during the construction phase. Property, plant and equipment supplies used internally are carried at average cost, except for significant individual items for which cost is based on specific identification. We perform annual internal reviews to evaluate the reasonableness of the depreciable lives for our property, plant and equipment. Our reviews take into account actual usage, the physical condition of our property, plant, and equipment, industry data, and other relevant factors. Our remaining useful life assessments assess the possible loss in service value of assets that may precede the physical retirement. Assets shared among many customers may lose service value as those customers reduce their use of the asset. However, the asset is not retired until all customers no longer utilize the asset and we determine there is not alternative use for the asset. We have asset retirement obligations associated with the legally or contractually required removal of a limited group of property, plant and equipment assets from leased properties and the disposal of certain hazardous materials present in our owned properties. When an asset retirement obligation is identified, usually in association with the acquisition of the asset, we record the fair value of the obligation as a liability. The fair value of the obligation is also capitalized as property, plant and equipment and then amortized over the estimated remaining useful life of the associated asset. Where the removal obligation is not legally binding, the net cost to remove assets is expensed in the period in which the costs are actually incurred. We review long-lived tangible assets for impairment whenever facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of the assets may not be recoverable. For assessment purposes, long-lived assets are grouped with other assets and liabilities at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities, absent a material change in operations. An impairment loss is recognized only if the carrying amount of the asset group is not recoverable and exceeds its estimated fair value. Recoverability of the asset group to be held and used is assessed by comparing the carrying amount of the asset group to the estimated undiscounted future net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset group. If the asset group's carrying value is not recoverable, we recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds its estimated fair value. Goodwill, Customer Relationships and Other Intangible Assets Intangible assets arising from business combinations, such as goodwill, customer relationships, capitalized software, trademarks and trade names, are initially recorded at estimated fair value. We amortize customer relationships primarily over an estimated life of 7 to 14 years, using straight-line methods, depending on the type of customer. We amortize capitalized software using the straight-line method over estimated lives ranging up to seven years . We amortize our other intangible assets over an estimated life of five years . Other intangible assets not arising from business combinations are initially recorded at cost. Where there are no legal, regulatory, contractual or other factors that would reasonably limit the useful life of an intangible asset, we classify the intangible asset as indefinite-lived and such intangible assets are not amortized. Internally used software, whether purchased or developed by us, is capitalized and amortized using the straight-line method over its estimated useful life. We have capitalized certain costs associated with software such as costs of employees devoting time to the projects and external direct costs for materials and services. Costs associated with software to be used for internal purposes are expensed until the point at which the project has reached the development stage. Subsequent additions, modifications or upgrades to internal-use software are capitalized only to the extent that they allow the software to perform a task it previously did not perform. Software maintenance, data conversion and training costs are expensed in the period in which they are incurred. We review the remaining economic lives of our capitalized software annually. Capitalized software is included in other intangible assets, net, in our consolidated balance sheets. We are required to assess goodwill for impairment at least annually, or more frequently, if an event occurs or circumstances change that would indicate an impairment may have occurred. We are required to write-down the value of goodwill in periods in which the carrying amount of the reporting unit equity exceeds the estimated fair value of the equity of the reporting unit, limited to the goodwill balance. The impairment assessment is performed at the reporting unit level. We have determined that our operations consist of one reporting unit, consistent with our determination that our business consists of one operating segment. For more information, see Note 3—Goodwill, Customer Relationships and Other Intangible Assets . Foreign Currency Local currencies of foreign subsidiaries are the functional currencies for financial reporting purposes except for certain foreign subsidiaries, primarily in Latin America. For operations outside the United States that have functional currencies other than the U.S. dollar, assets and liabilities are translated to U.S. dollars at period-end exchange rates, and revenue, expenses and cash flows are translated using average monthly exchange rates. A significant portion of our non-United States subsidiaries have either the British pound, the euro or the Brazilian real as the functional currency, each of which experienced significant fluctuations against the U.S. dollar during the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , the successor period ended December 31, 2017 and the predecessor period ended October 31, 2017 . Foreign currency translation gains and losses are recognized as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in member's/stockholders' equity and in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) in accordance with accounting guidance for foreign currency translation. We consider the majority of our investments in our foreign subsidiaries to be long-term in nature. Our foreign currency transaction gains (losses), including where transactions with our non-United States subsidiaries are not considered to be long-term in nature, are included within other income (expense) in "Other, net" on the consolidated statements of operations. Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements Leases We adopted Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-02, "Leases (ASC 842)" , as of January 1, 2019, using the non-comparative transition option pursuant to ASU 2018-11. Therefore, we have not restated comparative period financial information for the effects of ASC 842, and we will not make the new required lease disclosures for comparative periods beginning before January 1, 2019. Instead, we have recognized ASC 842's cumulative effect transition adjustment (discussed below) as of January 1, 2019. In addition, we elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within the new standard, which among other things (i) allowed us to carry forward the historical lease classification; (ii) did not require us to reassess whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain leases under the new definition of a lease; and (iii) did not require us to reassess whether previously capitalized initial direct costs for any existing leases would qualify for capitalization under ASC 842. We also elected the practical expedient related to land easements, allowing us to carry forward our accounting treatment for land easements on existing agreements. We did not elect the hindsight practical expedient regarding the likelihood of exercising a lessee purchase option or assessing any impairment of right-of-use assets for existing leases. On March 5, 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU 2019-01, "Leases (ASC 842): Codification Improvements" , effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. The new ASU aligns the guidance in ASC 842 for determining fair value of the underlying asset by lessors that are not manufacturers or dealers, with that of existing guidance. As a result, the fair value of the underlying asset at lease commencement is its cost, reflecting any volume or trade discounts that may apply. However, if there has been a significant lapse of time between when the underlying asset is acquired and when the lease commences, the definition of fair value (in ASC 820, "Fair Value Measurement" ) should be applied. More importantly, the ASU also exempts both lessees and lessors from having to provide certain interim disclosures in the fiscal year in which a company adopts the new leases standard. Early adoption permits public companies to adopt concurrent with the transition to ASC 842 on leases. We adopted ASU 2019-01 as of January 1, 2019. Adoption of the new standards resulted in the recording of operating lease assets and operating lease liabilities of approximately $1.3 billion and $1.4 billion , respectively, as of January 1, 2019. The standards did not materially impact our consolidated net earnings and had no impact on cash flows. Our financial position for reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019 is presented under the new guidance, as discussed above, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with previous guidance. Revenue Recognition In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09 which replaces virtually all existing generally accepted accounting principles on revenue recognition with a principles-based approach for determining revenue recognition using a new five step model. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 also includes new accounting principles related to the deferral and amortization of contract acquisition and fulfillment costs. We adopted the new revenue recognition standard under the modified retrospective transition method. During the year ended December 31, 2018, we recorded a cumulative catch-up adjustment that increased our member's equity by $9 million , net of $3 million of income taxes. See Note 4—Revenue Recognition for additional information. Comprehensive Income (Loss) In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02 provides an option to reclassify stranded tax effects within accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings in each period in which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Act") (or portion thereof) is recorded. If an entity elects to reclassify the income tax effects of the Act, the amount of that reclassification shall include the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate on the gross deferred tax amounts and related valuation allowances, if any, at the date of enactment of the Act related to items remaining in accumulated other comprehensive income. The effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate on gross valuation allowances that were originally charged to income from continuing operations shall not be included. ASU 2018-02 is effective January 1, 2019, but early adoption is permitted and should be applied either in the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period (or periods) in which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate in the Act is recognized. We early adopted and applied ASU 2018-02 in the first quarter of 2018. The adoption of ASU 2018-02 resulted in a $6 million decrease to member's equity and increase to accumulated other comprehensive income. See Note 18—Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) for addition

CenturyLink Merger

CenturyLink Merger	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Business Combinations [Abstract]
CenturyLink Merger	CenturyLink Merger On November 1, 2017, CenturyLink acquired Level 3 through successive merger transactions, including a merger of Level 3 with and into a merger subsidiary, which survived such merger as CenturyLink's indirect wholly-owned subsidiary under the name of Level 3 Parent, LLC. CenturyLink entered into this acquisition to, among other things, realize certain strategic benefits, including enhanced financial and operational scale, market diversification and an enhanced combined network. As a result of the acquisition, Level 3 shareholders received $26.50 per share in cash and 1.4286 shares of CenturyLink common stock, with cash paid in lieu of fractional shares, for each outstanding share of Level 3 common stock they owned at closing, subject to certain limited exceptions. CenturyLink issued this consideration with respect to all of the outstanding common stock of Level 3, with the exception of shares held by the dissenting common shareholders. CenturyLink shareholders owned approximately 51% and former Level 3 shareholders owned approximately 49% of the combined company. In addition, each outstanding Level 3 restricted stock unit award granted prior to April 1, 2014 or granted to an outside director of Level 3 was converted into $26.50 in cash and 1.4286 shares of CenturyLink common stock (and cash in lieu of fractional shares) with respect to each Level 3 share covered by such award (the "Converted RSU Awards"). Each outstanding Level 3 restricted stock unit award granted on or after April 1, 2014 (other than those granted to outside directors of Level 3) was converted into a CenturyLink restricted stock unit award using a conversion ratio of 2.8386 to 1 as determined in accordance with a formula set forth in the merger agreement (“the Continuing RSU Awards”). In connection with the closing of the Merger Agreement, we loaned $1.825 billion to CenturyLink in exchange for an unsecured demand note that bears interest at 3.5% per annum. The principal amount of such note is payable upon demand by Level 3 Parent but no later than November 1, 2020 and may be prepaid by CenturyLink at any time. In connection with receiving approval from the U.S. Department of Justice to complete the Level 3 acquisition CenturyLink agreed to divest certain Level 3 network assets. All of those assets were sold by December 31, 2018. The proceeds from the sale of the metro network assets were included in the proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment in our consolidated statements of cash flows. No gain or loss was recognized with these transactions. CenturyLink recognized the assets and liabilities of Level 3 based on the fair value of the acquired tangible and intangible assets and assumed liabilities of Level 3 as of November 1, 2017, the consummation date of the acquisition, with the excess aggregate consideration recorded as goodwill. The estimation of such fair values and the estimation of lives of depreciable tangible assets and amortizable intangible assets required significant judgment. CenturyLink completed their final fair value determination during the fourth quarter of 2018. The final fair value determinations were different than those reflected in our consolidated financial statements at December 31, 2017. As of October 31, 2018, the aggregate consideration exceeded the aggregate estimated fair value of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities by $11.2 billion , which we have recognized as goodwill. The goodwill is attributable to strategic benefits, including enhanced financial and operational scale, market diversification and leveraged combined networks that we expect to realize. None of the goodwill associated with this acquisition is deductible for income tax purposes. The following is our assignment of the aggregate consideration: Adjusted November 1, 2017 Balance as of December 31, 2017 Purchase Price Adjustments Adjusted November 1, 2017 Balance as of October 31, 2018 (Dollars in millions) Cash, accounts receivable and other current assets (1) $ 3,317 (26 ) 3,291 Property, plant and equipment 9,311 157 9,468 Identifiable intangible assets (2) Customer relationships 8,964 (533 ) 8,431 Other 391 (13 ) 378 Other noncurrent assets 782 216 998 Current liabilities, excluding current maturities of long-term debt (1,461 ) (32 ) (1,493 ) Current maturities of long-term debt (7 ) — (7 ) Long-term debt (10,888 ) — (10,888 ) Deferred revenue and other liabilities (1,613 ) (114 ) (1,727 ) Goodwill 10,837 340 11,177 Total estimated aggregate consideration $ 19,633 (5 ) 19,628 _______________________________________________________________________________ (1) Includes accounts receivable, which had a gross contractual value of $884 million on November 1, 2017. (2) The weighted-average amortization period for the acquired intangible assets is approximately 12.0 years. Acquisition-Related Expenses We have incurred acquisition-related expenses related to our activities surrounding the CenturyLink Merger. The table below summarizes our acquisition-related expenses, which consist of integration and transformation-related expenses, including severance and retention compensation expenses, and transaction-related expenses: Successor Predecessor Year Ended December 31, 2019 Year Ended December 31, 2018 Period Ended December 31, 2017 Period Ended October 31, 2017 (Dollars in millions) Transaction-related expenses — 1 — 18 Integration and transformation-related expenses 82 120 28 67 Total acquisition-related expenses $ 82 121 28 85 As part of the acquisition accounting on November 1, 2017, we also included in our goodwill approximately $1 million for certain restricted stock awards and $47 million

Goodwill, Customer Relationship

Goodwill, Customer Relationships and Other Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
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: December 31, 2019 2018 (Dollars in millions) Goodwill 7,415 11,119 Customer relationships, less accumulated amortization of $1,538 and $833 6,865 7,567 Other intangible assets subject to amortization: Trade names, less accumulated amortization of $57 and $30 74 100 Capitalized software, less accumulated amortization of $146 and $67 395 310 Total other intangible assets, net 469 410 Our goodwill was derived from CenturyLink's acquisition of us where the purchase price exceeded the fair value of the net assets acquired. We assess our goodwill for impairment annually, or, under certain circumstances, more frequently, such as when events or changes in circumstances indicate there may be impairment. We are required to write-down the value of goodwill in periods in which the carrying value of equity exceeds the estimated fair value of equity, limited to the amount of goodwill. Our annual impairment assessment date for goodwill is October 31, at which date we assessed goodwill at our reporting unit. In reviewing the criteria for reporting units, we have determined that we are one reporting unit. At October 31, 2019, we estimated the fair value by considering both a market approach and a discounted cash flow method. The market approach method includes the use of comparable multiples of publicly traded companies whose services are comparable to ours. The discounted cash flow method is based on the present value of projected cash flows and a terminal value equal to the present value of all normalized cash flows after the projection period. As of October 31, 2019, based on our assessment performed, the estimated fair value of our equity exceeded our carrying value of equity by approximately 26% . We concluded that the goodwill was not impaired as of October 31, 2019. Because CenturyLink's low stock price was a trigger for impairment testing, we estimated the fair value of our operations using only the market approach in the quarter ended March 31, 2019. Applying this approach, we utilized company comparisons and analyst reports within the telecommunications industry, which have historically supported a range of fair values of annualized revenue and EBITDA multiples between 2.1x and 4.9x and 4.9x and 9.8x, respectively. We selected a revenue and EBITDA multiple within this range. As of March 31, 2019, based on our assessments performed as described above, we concluded that the estimated fair value of equity was less than our carrying value of equity as of the date of our triggering event during the first quarter. As a result, we recorded a non-cash, non-tax-deductible goodwill impairment charge of $3.7 billion in the quarter ended March 31, 2019. The market multiples approach that we used in the quarter ended March 31, 2019 incorporated significant estimates and assumptions related to the forecasted results for the remainder of the year, including revenues, expenses, and the achievement of certain cost synergies. In developing the market multiple, we also considered observed trends of our industry participants. Our assessment included many qualitative factors that required significant judgment. Alternative interpretations of these factors could have resulted in different conclusions regarding the size of our impairments. At October 31, 2018, we estimated the fair value of equity by considering both a market approach and a discounted cash flow method. As of October 31, 2018, based on our assessment performed, the estimated fair value of our equity exceeded our carrying value of equity by approximately 16% . We concluded that the goodwill was not impaired as of October 31, 2018. The following table shows the rollforward of goodwill from December 31, 2017 through December 31, 2019 : (Dollars in millions) As of December 31, 2017 $ 10,837 Purchase accounting and other adjustments 340 Effect of foreign currency rate change (58 ) As of December 31, 2018 $ 11,119 Impairment (3,708 ) Effect of foreign currency rate change and other 4 As of December 31, 2019 $ 7,415 Our goodwill balance includes $16 million of goodwill that was allocated to us from CenturyLink associated with differences in the deferred state income taxes that CenturyLink expects to realize due to its consolidation of our results of operations into its state tax returns. Total amortization expense for intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , the successor period ended December 31, 2017 and the predecessor period ended October 31, 2017 was $809 million , $798 million , $139 million and $168 million , respectively. As of December 31, 2019 , the gross carrying amount of goodwill, customer relationships, indefinite-life and other intangible assets was $ 16 billion . As of December 31, 2019 , the weighted average remaining useful lives of our finite-lived intangible assets was approximately 9 years in total; 10 years for customer relationships, 3 years for trade names, and 4 years for developed technology. We estimate that total amortization expense for intangible assets for the successor years ending 2020 through 2024 will be as follows: (Dollars in millions) 2020 $ 833 2021 833 2022 773 2023 744 2024 732

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition The following tables present our reported results under ASC 606 and a reconciliation to results using the historical accounting method: Successor Reported Balances as of December 31, 2018 Impact of ASC 606 ASC 605 Historical Adjusted Balances (Dollars in millions) Operating revenue $ 8,220 (5 ) 8,215 Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) 3,937 — 3,937 Selling, general and administrative 1,354 52 1,406 Interest expense 509 (9 ) 500 Income tax expense 196 (12 ) 184 Net income 341 (36 ) 305 Disaggregated Revenue by Service Offering The following tabled provide disaggregation of revenue from contracts with customers based on service offering for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. It also shows the amount of revenue that is not subject to ASC 606, but is instead governed by other accounting standards. Year Ended December 31, 2019 Total Revenue Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue (6) Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Dollars in millions) IP and Data Services (1) $ 3,888 — 3,888 Transport and Infrastructure (2) 2,662 (704 ) 1,958 Voice and Collaboration (3) 1,443 — 1,443 Other Revenue (4) 12 (9 ) 3 Affiliate Revenue (5) 180 (180 ) — Total Revenue $ 8,185 (893 ) 7,292 Timing of revenue Goods transferred at a point in time $ — Services performed over time 7,292 Total revenue from contracts with customers $ 7,292 Year Ended December 31, 2018 (Dollars in millions) Total Revenue Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue (6) Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers IP and Data Services (1) $ 3,945 — 3,945 Transport and Infrastructure (2) 2,701 (189 ) 2,512 Voice and Collaboration (3) 1,464 — 1,464 Other Revenue (4) 3 (3 ) — Affiliate Revenue (5) 107 (107 ) — Total Revenue $ 8,220 (299 ) 7,921 Timing of revenue Goods transferred at a point in time $ — Services performed over time 7,921 Total revenue from contracts with customers $ 7,921 _______________________________________________________________________________ (1) Includes primarily VPN data network, IP, Ethernet, video and ancillary revenue. (2) Includes primarily wavelength, colocation and data center services, dark fiber, private line and professional services revenue. (3) Includes voice, Voice Over IP ("VoIP"), Collaboration. (4) Includes sublease rental income and IT services and managed services revenue. (5) Includes telecommunications and data services we bill to our affiliates. (6) Includes sublease rental income and revenue from fiber capacity lease arrangements which are not 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 December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018: December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 (Dollars in millions) Customer receivables (1) $ 678 712 Contract assets 32 19 Contract liabilities 423 393 _______________________________________________________________________________ (1) Gross customer receivables of $691 million and $723 million, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $13 million and $11 million, at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. Contract liabilities are consideration we have received from our customers in advance of providing the goods or services promised in the future. We defer recognizing this consideration until we have satisfied the related performance obligation to the customer. Contract liabilities include recurring services billed one month in advance and installation and maintenance charges that are deferred and recognized over the actual or expected contract term, which ranges from one to five years depending on the service. Contract liabilities are included within deferred revenue in our consolidated balance sheets. During the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, we recognized $175 million and $158 million , respectively, of revenue that was included in contract liabilities as of January 1, 2019 and January 1, 2018, respectively. Performance Obligations As of December 31, 2019 , our estimated revenue expected to be recognized in the future related to performance obligations associated with customer contracts that are unsatisfied (or partially satisfied) is approximately $3.9 billion . We expect to recognize approximately 91% of this revenue through 2022, with the balance recognized thereafter. We do not disclose 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), or contracts that are classified as leasing arrangements that are not subject to ASC 606. Contract Costs The following tables provide changes in our contract acquisition costs and fulfillment costs for the years ended: Year Ended December 31, 2019 Acquisition Costs Fulfillment Costs (Dollars in millions) Beginning of period balance $ 64 84 Costs incurred 60 103 Amortization (45 ) (66 ) End of period balance $ 79 121 Year Ended December 31, 2018 Acquisition Costs Fulfillment Costs (Dollars in millions) Beginning of period balance $ 13 14 Costs incurred 68 99 Amortization (17 ) (29 ) End of period balance $ 64 84 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 expected contract term of 12 to 60 months for our business customers and 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 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. We categorize our products, services and revenue among the following five categories: • IP and Data Services , which include primarily VPN data networks, Ethernet, IP, video (including our facilities-based video services, CDN services and Vyvx broadcast services) and other ancillary services; • Transport and Infrastructure , which includes private line (including business data services), wavelength, colocation and data center services, including cloud, hosting and application management solutions, professional services, network security services, dark fiber services and other ancillary services; • Voice and Collaboration , which includes primarily TDM voice services, VoIP and other ancillary services; • Other , which includes sublease rental income and information technology services and managed services, which may be purchased in conjunction with our other network services; and • Affiliate services, which includes telecommunication services that we also provide to our external customers. From time to time, we may change the categorization of our products and services. Our operating revenue for our products and services consisted of the following categories: Successor Predecessor Year Ended December 31, 2019 Year Ended December 31, 2018 Period Ended December 31, 2017 Period Ended October 31, 2017 (Dollars in millions) IP and Data Services $ 3,888 3,945 668 3,284 Transport and Infrastructure 2,662 2,701 464 2,272 Voice and Collaboration 1,443 1,464 258 1,308 Other revenue 12 3 1 6 Affiliate revenue 180 107 16 — Total revenue $ 8,185 8,220 1,407 6,870 We recognize revenue in our consolidated statements of operations for certain USF surcharges and transaction taxes that we bill to our customers. Our consolidated statements of operations also reflect the offsetting expense for the amounts we remit to the government agencies. The USF surcharges are assigned to the products and services categories based on the underlying revenue. We also act as a collection agent for certain other USF and transaction taxes that we are required by government agencies to bill our customers, for which we do not record any revenue or expense because we only act as a pass-through agent. Successor Predecessor Year Ended December 31, 2019 Year Ended December 31, 2018 Period Ended December 31, 2017 Period Ended October 31, 2017 (Dollars in millions) USF surcharges and transaction taxes $ 428 415 71 331 The following tables present total assets as of the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 as well as operating revenue for the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the successor period ended December 31, 2017 and the predecessor period ended October 31, 2017 by geographic region: Total Assets December 31, 2019 2018 (Dollars in millions) North America $ 24,144 27,520 Europe, Middle East and Africa 2,842 2,765 Latin America 2,112 2,006 Total $ 29,098 32,291 Revenue Successor Predecessor Year Ended December 31, 2019 Year Ended December 31, 2018 Period Ended December 31, 2017 Period Ended October 31, 2017 (Dollars in millions) North America $ 6,719 6,739 1,155 5,651 Europe, Middle East and Africa 719 744 128 607 Latin America 747 737 124 612 Total $ 8,185 8,220 1,407 6,870 Our operations are integrated into and reported as part of the consolidated segment data of CenturyLink. CenturyLink's chief operating decision maker ("CODM") is our CODM, but reviews our financial information on an aggregate basis only in connection with our quarterly and annual reports that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Consequently, we do not provide our discrete financial information to the CODM on a regular basis. As such, we believe we have one reportable segment. A relatively small number of customers account for a significant percentage of our revenue. Our top ten customers accounted for approximately 16% and 20% of our revenue for the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , respectively, 19% for the successor period ended December 31, 2017 and 18% for the predecessor period ended October 31, 2017 , respectively.

Leases

Leases	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Leases [Abstract]
Leases	Leases Financial position for reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019 are presented under the new guidance, while prior periods amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with previous guidance, as discussed in Note 1—Background and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies . We primarily lease various office facilities, switching and colocation facilities, equipment and dark fiber. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet; we recognize lease expense for these leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term. We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception and whether that lease meets the classification criteria of a finance or operating lease. Lease-related assets, or right-of-use assets, are recognized at the lease commencement date at amounts equal to the respective lease liabilities. Lease-related liabilities are recognized at the present value of the remaining contractual fixed lease payments, discounted using our incremental borrowing rates. As part of the present value calculation for the lease liabilities, we use an incremental borrowing rate as the rates implicit in the leases are not readily determinable. The incremental borrowing rates used for lease accounting are based on our unsecured rates, adjusted to approximate the rates at which we could borrow on a collateralized basis over a term similar to the recognized lease term. We apply the incremental borrowing rates to lease components using a portfolio approach based upon the length of the lease term and the reporting entity in which the lease resides. Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term, while variable lease payments are expensed as incurred. Some of our lease arrangements contain lease components (including fixed payments, such as rent, real estate taxes and insurance costs) and non-lease components (including common-area maintenance costs). We generally account for each component separately based on the estimated standalone price of each component. For colocation leases, we account for the lease and non-lease components as a single lease component. Many of our lease agreements contain renewal options; however, we do not recognize right-of-use assets or lease liabilities for renewal periods unless it is determined that we are reasonably certain of renewing the lease at inception or when a triggering event occurs. Certain leases also include options to purchase the leased property. The depreciable life of assets and leasehold improvements are limited by the expected lease term, unless there is a transfer of title or purchase option reasonably certain to be exercised. Our lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants. Lease expense consisted of the following: Year Ended December 31, 2019 (Dollars in millions) Operating and short-term lease cost 388 Finance lease cost: Amortization of right-of-use assets 14 Interest on lease liability 10 Total finance lease cost 24 Total lease cost 412 We lease various equipment, office facilities, retail outlets, switching facilities and other network sites. These leases, with few exceptions, provide for renewal options and escalations that are either fixed or based on the consumer price index. Any rent abatements, along with rent escalations, are included in the computation of rent expense calculated on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The lease term for most leases includes the initial non-cancelable term plus any term under renewal options that are reasonably assured. For the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the successor period ended December 31, 2017 and the predecessor period ended October 31, 2017, our gross rental expense was $412 million , $524 million , $95 million and $447 million , respectively. We also received sublease rental income for the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the successor period ended December 31, 2017 and the predecessor period ended October 31, 2017 of $9 million , $9 million , $2 million and $7 million , respectively. Supplemental consolidated balance sheet information and other information related to leases: December 31 Leases (millions) Classification on the Balance Sheet 2019 Assets Operating lease assets Operating lease assets $ 1,060 Finance lease assets Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation 154 Total leased assets $ 1,214 Liabilities Current Operating Current operating lease liabilities $ 249 Finance Current portion of long-term debt 11 Noncurrent Operating Noncurrent operating lease liabilities 854 Finance Long-term debt 160 Total lease liabilities $ 1,274 Weighted-average remaining lease term (years) Operating leases 7.5 Finance leases 13.1 Weighted-average discount rate Operating leases 6.19 % Finance leases 5.60 % Supplemental unaudited consolidated cash flow statement information related to leases: Year Ended December 31, 2019 (Dollars in millions) Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: Operating cash flows from operating leases 387 Operating cash flows from finance leases 11 Financing cash flows from finance leases 5 Supplemental lease cash flow disclosures Operating lease right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities 206 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities 12 As of December 31, 2019, maturities of lease liabilities were as follows: Operating Leases Finance Leases (Dollars in millions) 2020 $ 276 21 2021 231 17 2022 199 18 2023 166 18 2024 113 18 Thereafter 437 154 Total lease payments 1,422 246 Less: interest (319 ) (75 ) Total 1,103 $ 171 Less: current portion (249 ) (11 ) Long-term portion $ 854 $ 160 As of December 31, 2019, we had no material operating or finance leases that had not yet commenced. Operating Lease Income We lease various IRUs, 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 years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the successor period ended December 31, 2017 and the predecessor period ended October 31, 2017, our gross rental income was $798 million or 10% , $192 million or 2% , $28 million or 2% , and $138 million or 2% respectively, of our operating revenue. Disclosures under ASC 840 We adopted ASU 2016-02 on January 1, 2019 as noted above, and as required, the following disclosure is provided for periods prior to adoption. The future annual minimum payments under capital lease agreements as of December 31, 2018 were as follows: Future Minimum Payments (Dollars in millions) Capital lease obligations: 2019 $ 16 2020 15 2021 16 2022 16 2023 17 2024 and thereafter 164 Total minimum payments 244 Less: amount representing interest and executory costs (81 ) Present value of minimum payments 163 Less: current portion (6 ) Long-term portion $ 157 At December 31, 2018, our future rental commitments for operating leases were as follows: Operating Leases (Dollars in millions) 2019 $ 396 2020 259 2021 219 2022 164 2023 137 2024 and thereafter 613 Total future minimum payments (1) $ 1,788 _______________________________________________________________________________ (1) Minimum payments have not been reduced by minimum sublease rentals of $29 million due in the future under non-cancelable subleases.
Leases	Leases Financial position for reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019 are presented under the new guidance, while prior periods amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with previous guidance, as discussed in Note 1—Background and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies . We primarily lease various office facilities, switching and colocation facilities, equipment and dark fiber. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet; we recognize lease expense for these leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term. We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception and whether that lease meets the classification criteria of a finance or operating lease. Lease-related assets, or right-of-use assets, are recognized at the lease commencement date at amounts equal to the respective lease liabilities. Lease-related liabilities are recognized at the present value of the remaining contractual fixed lease payments, discounted using our incremental borrowing rates. As part of the present value calculation for the lease liabilities, we use an incremental borrowing rate as the rates implicit in the leases are not readily determinable. The incremental borrowing rates used for lease accounting are based on our unsecured rates, adjusted to approximate the rates at which we could borrow on a collateralized basis over a term similar to the recognized lease term. We apply the incremental borrowing rates to lease components using a portfolio approach based upon the length of the lease term and the reporting entity in which the lease resides. Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term, while variable lease payments are expensed as incurred. Some of our lease arrangements contain lease components (including fixed payments, such as rent, real estate taxes and insurance costs) and non-lease components (including common-area maintenance costs). We generally account for each component separately based on the estimated standalone price of each component. For colocation leases, we account for the lease and non-lease components as a single lease component. Many of our lease agreements contain renewal options; however, we do not recognize right-of-use assets or lease liabilities for renewal periods unless it is determined that we are reasonably certain of renewing the lease at inception or when a triggering event occurs. Certain leases also include options to purchase the leased property. The depreciable life of assets and leasehold improvements are limited by the expected lease term, unless there is a transfer of title or purchase option reasonably certain to be exercised. Our lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants. Lease expense consisted of the following: Year Ended December 31, 2019 (Dollars in millions) Operating and short-term lease cost 388 Finance lease cost: Amortization of right-of-use assets 14 Interest on lease liability 10 Total finance lease cost 24 Total lease cost 412 We lease various equipment, office facilities, retail outlets, switching facilities and other network sites. These leases, with few exceptions, provide for renewal options and escalations that are either fixed or based on the consumer price index. Any rent abatements, along with rent escalations, are included in the computation of rent expense calculated on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The lease term for most leases includes the initial non-cancelable term plus any term under renewal options that are reasonably assured. For the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the successor period ended December 31, 2017 and the predecessor period ended October 31, 2017, our gross rental expense was $412 million , $524 million , $95 million and $447 million , respectively. We also received sublease rental income for the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the successor period ended December 31, 2017 and the predecessor period ended October 31, 2017 of $9 million , $9 million , $2 million and $7 million , respectively. Supplemental consolidated balance sheet information and other information related to leases: December 31 Leases (millions) Classification on the Balance Sheet 2019 Assets Operating lease assets Operating lease assets $ 1,060 Finance lease assets Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation 154 Total leased assets $ 1,214 Liabilities Current Operating Current operating lease liabilities $ 249 Finance Current portion of long-term debt 11 Noncurrent Operating Noncurrent operating lease liabilities 854 Finance Long-term debt 160 Total lease liabilities $ 1,274 Weighted-average remaining lease term (years) Operating leases 7.5 Finance leases 13.1 Weighted-average discount rate Operating leases 6.19 % Finance leases 5.60 % Supplemental unaudited consolidated cash flow statement information related to leases: Year Ended December 31, 2019 (Dollars in millions) Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: Operating cash flows from operating leases 387 Operating cash flows from finance leases 11 Financing cash flows from finance leases 5 Supplemental lease cash flow disclosures Operating lease right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities 206 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities 12 As of December 31, 2019, maturities of lease liabilities were as follows: Operating Leases Finance Leases (Dollars in millions) 2020 $ 276 21 2021 231 17 2022 199 18 2023 166 18 2024 113 18 Thereafter 437 154 Total lease payments 1,422 246 Less: interest (319 ) (75 ) Total 1,103 $ 171 Less: current portion (249 ) (11 ) Long-term portion $ 854 $ 160 As of December 31, 2019, we had no material operating or finance leases that had not yet commenced. Operating Lease Income We lease various IRUs, 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 years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the successor period ended December 31, 2017 and the predecessor period ended October 31, 2017, our gross rental income was $798 million or 10% , $192 million or 2% , $28 million or 2% , and $138 million or 2% respectively, of our operating revenue. Disclosures under ASC 840 We adopted ASU 2016-02 on January 1, 2019 as noted above, and as required, the following disclosure is provided for periods prior to adoption. The future annual minimum payments under capital lease agreements as of December 31, 2018 were as follows: Future Minimum Payments (Dollars in millions) Capital lease obligations: 2019 $ 16 2020 15 2021 16 2022 16 2023 17 2024 and thereafter 164 Total minimum payments 244 Less: amount representing interest and executory costs (81 ) Present value of minimum payments 163 Less: current portion (6 ) Long-term portion $ 157 At December 31, 2018, our future rental commitments for operating leases were as follows: Operating Leases (Dollars in millions) 2019 $ 396 2020 259 2021 219 2022 164 2023 137 2024 and thereafter 613 Total future minimum payments (1) $ 1,788 _______________________________________________________________________________ (1) Minimum payments have not been reduced by minimum sublease rentals of $29 million due in the future under non-cancelable subleases.

Long-Term Debt

Long-Term Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt	Long-Term Debt The following chart reflects our consolidated long-term debt, including unamortized premiums, net and debt issuance costs, but excluding intercompany debt: Interest Rates Maturities December 31, December 31, (Dollars in millions) Level 3 Parent, LLC Senior Notes 5.750% 2022 $ — 600 Subsidiaries Level 3 Financing, Inc. Senior Secured Debt: (1) Senior Notes (2) 3.400% - 3.875% 2027 - 2029 1,500 — Tranche B 2024 Term Loan (3) LIBOR + 2.25% 2024 — 4,611 Tranche B 2027 Term Loan (4) LIBOR + 1.75% 2027 3,111 — Senior Notes and other debt: Senior Notes (2) 4.625% - 6.125% 2021 - 2027 5,515 5,315 Finance Leases Various Various 171 163 Unamortized premiums, net 104 155 Unamortized debt issuance costs (34 ) — Total long-term debt 10,367 10,844 Less current maturities (11 ) (6 ) Long-term debt, excluding current maturities $ 10,356 10,838 _______________________________________________________________________________ (1) See the remainder of this Note for a description of certain parent and subsidiary guarantees and liens securing this debt. (2) As described further below, the notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by certain affiliates of Level 3 Financing, Inc., including Level 3 Parent, LLC and Level 3 Communications, LLC. (subject in certain cases to pending regulatory approvals). (3) The Tranche B 2024 Term Loan had an interest rate of 4.754% as of December 31, 2018. (4) The Tranche B 2027 Term Loan had an interest rate of 3.549% as of December 31, 2019. New Issuances and Repayments On November 29, 2019, Level 3 Financing, Inc. issued $750 million of 3.4% Senior Secured Notes due 2027 and $750 million of 3.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2029. The proceeds from the offering together with cash on hand were used to redeem $1.5 billion of the $4.611 billion Tranche B 2024 Term Loan that was repaid on November 29, 2019. On November 29, 2019 Level 3 Financing, Inc. entered into an amendment to its credit agreement to incur $3.111 billion in aggregate borrowing under the agreement through a new Tranche B 2027 Term Loan. The net proceeds of the Tranche B 2027 Term Loan, together with the proceeds of the Senior Secured Notes and cash on hand, were used to pre-pay in full the Tranche B 2024 Term Loan. On September 25, 2019, Level 3 Financing, Inc. issued $1.0 billion of 4.625% Senior Notes due 2027. The proceeds from the offering together with cash on hand were used to redeem, during the fourth quarter of 2019, all of Level 3 Financing, Inc.'s $240 million outstanding principal amount of 6.125% Senior Notes due 2021, all of Level 3 Parent, LLC's $600 million outstanding principal amount of 5.75% Senior Notes due 2022 and $160 million of Level 3 Financing, Inc.'s $1 billion in outstanding principal amount of 5.375% Senior Notes due 2022. On August 25, 2019, Level 3 Financing, Inc. redeemed $400 million of its 6.125% Senior Notes due 2021. Senior Secured Term Loan At December 31, 2019, Level 3 Financing, Inc. owed $3.111 billion , under the Tranche B 2027 Term Loan, which matures on March 1, 2027. The Tranche B 2027 Term Loan carries an interest rate, in the case of base rate borrowings, equal to (i) the greater of the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate plus 50 basis points, or LIBOR plus 100 basis points (with all such terms and calculations as defined or further specified in the credit agreement) plus (ii) 0.75% per annum. Any Eurodollar borrowings under the Tranche B 2027 Term Loan bear interest at LIBOR plus 1.75% per annum. The Tranche B 2027 Term Loan requires certain specified mandatory prepayments in connection with certain asset sales and other transactions, subject to certain significant exceptions. The obligations of Level 3 Financing, Inc. under the Tranche B 2027 Term Loan were, subject to certain exceptions, secured by certain assets of Level 3 Parent, LLC and certain of its material domestic telecommunication subsidiaries. Also, Level 3 Parent, LLC and certain of its subsidiaries have guaranteed the obligations of Level 3 Financing, Inc. under the Tranche B 2027 Term Loan. Senior Notes All of the notes reflected in the table above pay interest semiannually and allow for the redemption of the notes at the option of the issuer, in whole or in part, (i) pursuant to a fixed schedule of pre-established redemption prices, (ii) pursuant to a “make whole” redemption price or (iii) under certain other specified limited circumstances in connection with certain sales of equity securities. For purposes of early redemption, all of the notes reflected in the table above allow for the redemption of the notes at the option of the issuer upon not less than 10 or more than 60 days’ prior notice. For specific details of these features and requirements, including the applicable premiums and timing, refer to the indentures for the respective senior notes in connection with the original issuances. Debt Issuance Costs In connection with debt issuances, we deferred costs of $34 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 . For the year ended December 31, 2018 we deferred no costs in connection with debt issuances. Aggregate Maturities of Long-Term Debt Set forth below is the aggregate principal amount of our long-term debt and finance leases (excluding unamortized premiums, net and unamortized debt issuance costs) maturing during the following years: (Dollars in millions) (1) 2020 $ 11 2021 8 2022 850 2023 1,210 2024 911 2024 and thereafter 7,307 Total long-term debt $ 10,297 _______________________________________________________________________________ (1) Actual principal paid in any year may differ due to the possible future refinancing of outstanding debt or the issuance of new debt. Letters of Credit It is customary for us to use various financial instruments in the normal course of business. These instruments include letters of credit. Letters of credit are conditional commitments issued on our behalf in accordance with specified terms and conditions. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018 , we had outstanding letters of credit or other similar obligations of approximately $23 million and $30 million , respectively, of which $18 million and $24 million are collateralized by cash that is reflected on the consolidated balance sheets as restricted cash and securities. We do not believe exposure to loss related to our letters of credit is material. Covenants The term loan and senior notes of Level 3 Financing, Inc. contain extensive affirmative and negative covenants. Such covenants include, among other things and subject to certain significant exceptions, restrictions on their ability to declare or pay dividends, repay certain other indebtedness, create liens, incur additional indebtedness, make investments, engage in transactions with their affiliates including CenturyLink and its other subsidiaries, dispose of assets and merge or consolidate with any other person. Also, in connection with a "change of control" of Level 3 Parent, LLC, or Level 3 Financing, Inc., Level 3 Financing will be required to offer to repurchase or repay certain of its long-term debt at a price of 101% of the principal amount of debt repurchased or repaid, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The debt covenants applicable to us and our subsidiaries could materially adversely affect their ability to operate or expand their respective businesses, to pursue strategic transactions, to transfer cash to or engage in transactions with their unconsolidated affiliates, or to otherwise pursue their plans and strategies. Certain of CenturyLink's and our debt instruments contain cross acceleration provisions. When present, these provisions could have a wider impact on liquidity than might otherwise arise from a default or acceleration of a single debt instrument. Our ability to comply with the financial covenants in our debt instruments could be adversely impacted by a wide variety of events, including unforeseen contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. Compliance At December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, we believe we were in compliance with the financial covenants contained in our debt agreements in all material respects.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts Receivable	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Receivables [Abstract]
Accounts Receivable	Accounts Receivable The following table presents details of our accounts receivable balances: December 31, 2019 2018 (Dollars in millions) Trade receivables 529 533 Earned and unbilled receivables 151 177 Other — 13 Total accounts receivable 680 723 Less: allowance for doubtful accounts (1) (13 ) (11 ) Accounts receivable, less allowance 667 712 _______________________________________________________________________________ (1) CenturyLink's acquisition of us caused our assets and liabilities to be recognized at fair value and resulted in the allowance for doubtful accounts being reset as of the date of acquisition. We are exposed to concentrations of credit risk from our customers and other telecommunications service providers. We generally do not require collateral to secure our receivable balances. The following table presents details of our allowance for doubtful accounts: Beginning Balance Additions Deductions Ending Balance (Dollars in millions) 2019 11 24 (22 ) 13 2018 3 18 (10 ) 11 December 31, 2017 (Successor) — 3 — 3 October 31, 2017 (Predecessor) 29 16 (12 ) 33

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, Plant and Equipment Net property, plant and equipment is composed of the following: Depreciable Lives As of December 31, 2019 2018 (Dollars in millions) Land N/A 336 339 Fiber conduit and other outside plant (1) 15-45 years 5,226 5,262 Central office and other network electronics (2) 7-10 years 2,687 1,986 Support assets (3) 3-30 years 2,419 2,327 Construction-in-progress (4) N/A 1,093 560 Gross property, plant and equipment 11,761 10,474 Accumulated depreciation (5) (1,825 ) (1,021 ) Net property, plant and equipment 9,936 9,453 _______________________________________________________________________________ (1) Fiber, conduit and other outside plant consists of fiber and metallic cable, conduit, poles and other supporting structures. (2) Central office and other network electronics consists of circuit and packet switches, routers, transmission electronics and electronics providing service to customers. (3) Support assets consist of buildings, data centers, computers and other administrative and support equipment. (4) Construction in progress includes construction and property of the aforementioned categories that has not been placed in service as it is still under construction. (5) CenturyLink's acquisition of us caused our assets and liabilities to be recognized at fair value and resulted in accumulated depreciation being reset as of the date of acquisition. Depreciation expense was $804 million and $906 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , respectively, $143 million for the successor period ended December 31, 2017 and $850 million for the predecessor period ended October 31, 2017. Asset Retirement Obligations At December 31, 2019 and 2018 , our asset retirement obligations consisted primarily of restoration requirements for leased facilities. We recognize our estimate of the fair value of our asset retirement obligations in the period incurred in other long-term liabilities. The fair value of the asset retirement obligation is also capitalized as property, plant and equipment and then depreciated over the estimated remaining useful life of the associated asset. The following table provides asset retirement obligation activity: Successor Predecessor Year Ended December 31, 2019 Year Ended December 31, 2018 Period Ended December 31, 2017 Period Ended October 31, 2017 (Dollars in millions) Balance at beginning of period $ 105 45 45 89 Accretion expense 5 5 1 12 Purchase price adjustments (1) — 58 — — Liabilities settled (12 ) (13 ) (1 ) (7 ) Revision in estimated cash flows 15 10 — — Balance at end of period $ 113 105 45 94 _______________________________________________________________________________ (1) These liabilities relate to purchase price adjustments that occurred during 2018 from CenturyLink's acquisition of us.

Severance and Leased Real Estat

Severance and Leased Real Estate	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Severance and Leased Real Estate	Severance and Leased Real Estate Periodically, 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. We report severance liabilities within accrued expenses and other liabilities - salaries and benefits in our consolidated balance sheets and report severance expenses in selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of operations. Changes in our accrued liabilities for severance expenses were as follows: Severance (Dollars in millions) Balance at December 31, 2017 (Successor) $ 5 Accrued to expense 33 Payments, net (19 ) Balance at December 31, 2018 $ 19 Accrued to expense 6 Payments, net (16 ) Balance at December 31, 2019 $ 9 We recognized liabilities to reflect our estimates of the fair values of the existing lease obligations for real estate which we have ceased using, net of estimated sublease rentals. In accordance with transitional guidance under the new lease standard (ASC 842), the existing lease obligation of $47 million as of January 1, 2019 has been netted against the operating lease right of use assets at adoption. For additional information, see Note 5—Leases to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of this report.

Employee Benefits

Employee Benefits	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Employee Benefits	Employee Benefits Defined Contribution Plans We offer eligible employees the opportunity to participate in a defined contribution retirement plan subject to the provisions of Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended ("401(k) Plan"). Each employee is eligible to contribute, on a tax deferred basis, a portion of annual earnings generally not to exceed $19,000 in 2019 , $18,500 in 2018 and $18,000 in 2017 . We match 100% of a participant’s pre-tax and/or Roth contributions of the first 1% of the participant’s eligible compensation plus 60% of the same contributions that exceed 1% up to a maximum of 6% of the participant’s eligible compensation. Effective December 31, 2017, the Level 3 Communications, Inc. 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan and Trust assets merged with the CenturyLink, Inc. Dollars & Sense 401(k) Plan. Those employees eligible to contribute to the Level 3 Plan at December 31, 2017 were automatically enrolled in the CenturyLink Plan at January 1, 2018. Provisions of the Level 3 Plan document regarding eligibility, participant and employer contributions, vesting, and benefit payments did not materially change and protected provisions applicable to Level 3 and its predecessor Plans remained grandfathered as required by law. Prior to the CenturyLink acquisition on November 1, 2017, our matching contributions were made with Level 3 common stock based on the closing stock price on each pay date. After our acquisition, matching contributions were made in cash. We made 401(k) Plan matching contributions of $7 million for the successor period ended December 31, 2017 and $30 million for the predecessor period ended October 31, 2017. Matching contributions recorded as compensation expense in cost of services totaled $1 million for the successor period ended December 31, 2017 and $4 million for the predecessor period ended October 31, 2017. Matching contributions included in selling, general and administrative expenses totaled $5 million for the successor period ended December 31, 2017 and $26 million for the predecessor period ended October 31, 2017. Matching contributions for the year ended December 31, 2019 were $29 million , of which $11 million was recognized in cost of sales and $18 million in selling, general and administrative costs. Matching contributions for the year ended December 31, 2018 were $26 million , of which $10 million was recognized in cost of sales and $16 million in selling, general and administrative costs. Other defined contribution plans we sponsored are individually not significant. On an aggregate basis, the expense we recorded relating to these plans was approximately $6 million and $5 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, $1 million for the successor period ended December 31, 2017 and $5 million for the predecessor period ended October 31, 2017. Defined Benefit Plans We have certain contributory and non-contributory employee pension plans, which are not significant to our financial position or operating results. We recognize in our balance sheet the funded status of our defined benefit post-retirement plans, which is measured as the difference between the fair value of the plan assets and the plan benefit obligations. We are also required to recognize changes in the funded status within accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, to the extent such changes are not recognized in earnings as components of periodic net benefit cost. The fair value of the plan assets was $122 million and $133 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. The total plan benefit obligations were $140 million and $144 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. Therefore, the net unfunded status was $18 million and $11 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively.

Share-based Compensation

Share-based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]
Share-based Compensation	Share-Based Compensation Prior to our acquisition by CenturyLink on November 1, 2017, we recorded share-based compensation expense for our performance restricted stock units, restricted stock units, 401(k) matching contributions. Due to CenturyLink's acquisition of us, we now record share-based compensation expense that is allocated to us from CenturyLink. Based on many factors that affect the allocation, the amount of share-based compensation expense recorded at CenturyLink and ultimately allocated to us may fluctuate. Share-based compensation expenses were included in cost of services and products, and selling, general, and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of operations. During our predecessor period and years, we recognized compensation expense relating to awards granted to our employees under the Level 3 Communications, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan, as amended (the "Stock Plan"). The Stock Plan provided for accelerated vesting of stock awards upon retirement if an employee met certain age and years of service requirements and certain other requirements. Under the Stock Compensation guidance, if an employee meets the age and years of service requirements under the accelerated vesting provision, the award would be expensed at grant or expensed over the period from the grant date to the date the employee meets the requirements, even if the employee has not actually retired. Our total share-based compensation expense was approximately $85 million and $105 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, $26 million for the successor period ended December 31, 2017 and $132 million for the predecessor period ended October 31, 2017 .

Fair Value Disclosure

Fair Value Disclosure	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Disclosure	Fair Value Disclosure Our financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, note receivable-affiliate and long-term debt, excluding finance lease and other obligations. Due to their short-term nature, the carrying amounts of our cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate their fair values. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between independent and knowledgeable parties who are willing and able to transact for an asset or liability at the measurement date. We use valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when determining fair value and then we rank the estimated values based on the reliability of the inputs used following the fair value hierarchy set forth by the FASB. We determined the fair values of our long-term debt, including the current portion, based primarily on inputs other than quoted market prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable such as discounted future cash flows using current market interest rates. The three input levels in the hierarchy of fair value measurements are defined by the FASB 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 long-term debt, excluding finance leases, as well as the input level used to determine the fair values indicated below: As of December 31, 2019 2018 Input Level Carrying Amount Fair Value Carrying Amount Fair Value (Dollars in million) Liabilities-Long-term debt, excluding finance leases 2 10,196 10,244 10,681 10,089

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act") was signed into law. The Tax Act reduces the U.S. corporate income tax rate from a maximum of 35% to 21% for all corporations, effective January 1, 2018, and makes certain changes to U.S. taxation of income earned by foreign subsidiaries, capital expenditures, interest expense and various other items. As a result of the reduction in the U.S. corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%, we revalued our net deferred tax assets at December 31, 2017 and recognized a provisional $195 million tax expense in our consolidated statement of operations for the successor period ended December 31, 2017. As a result of finalizing our provisional amount recorded in 2017, we recorded an increase to this amount of $92 million in 2018. Successor Predecessor Year Ended December 31, 2019 Year Ended December 31, 2018 Period Ended December 31, 2017 Period Ended October 31, 2017 (Dollars in millions) Income tax expense was as follows: Federal Current $ 12 — — — Deferred 186 199 231 193 State Current 4 (9 ) 2 7 Deferred 41 28 6 16 Foreign Current 17 30 4 39 Deferred (5 ) (52 ) (9 ) 13 Total income tax expense $ 255 196 234 268 Successor Predecessor Year Ended December 31, 2019 Year Ended December 31, 2018 Period Ended December 31, 2017 Period Ended October 31, 2017 (Dollars in millions) Income tax expense was allocated as follows: Income tax expense in the consolidated statements of operations: Attributable to income 255 196 234 268 Member's/Stockholders' equity: Tax effect of the change in accumulated other comprehensive loss 5 (49 ) 17 49 The following is a reconciliation from the statutory federal income tax rate to our effective income tax rate: Successor Predecessor Year Ended December 31, 2019 Year Ended December 31, 2018 Period Ended December 31, 2017 Period Ended October 31, 2017 (Percentage of pre-tax income) Statutory federal income tax rate 21.0 % 21.0 % 35.0 % 35.0 % State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit (1.2 )% 2.8 % 3.6 % 2.9 % Goodwill impairment (26.4 )% — % — % — % Tax Reform (0.2 )% 17.2 % 210.6 % — % Global intangible low-taxed income (0.4 )% 1.8 % — % — % CenturyLink acquisition transaction costs — % — % 11.3 % — % Uncertain tax positions — % 0.5 % 1.2 % 0.1 % Base erosion and anti-abuse tax (0.4 )% — % — % — % Net foreign income tax (0.8 )% (4.8 )% (19.3 )% 0.9 % Executive compensation limitation (0.2 )% 1.2 % 5.4 % 0.9 % Research and development credits 0.1 % (1.3 )% (0.9 )% (1.2 )% Other, net (0.1 )% (1.9 )% 4.7 % 0.1 % Effective income tax rate (8.6 )% 36.5 % 251.6 % 38.7 % For the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , the effective tax rate is (8.6)% and 36.5% compared to 251.6% for the successor period ended December 31, 2017 and 38.7% for the predecessor period ended October 31, 2017, respectively. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2019 includes a $779 million unfavorable impact of a non-deductible goodwill impairment. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2018 reflects $92 million of an estimated one-time income tax expense related to income tax law changes under the Tax Act enacted in 2017. The effective tax rate for the successor period ended December 31, 2017 reflects $195 million of an estimated one-time income tax expense related to income tax law changes under the Tax Act enacted in 2017. The tax effects of temporary differences that gave rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities were as follows: December 31, 2019 2018 (Dollars in millions) Deferred tax assets Deferred revenue $ 306 298 Net operating loss carry forwards 3,233 3,494 Property, plant and equipment 58 57 Other 326 309 Gross deferred tax assets 3,923 4,158 Less valuation allowance (892 ) (931 ) Net deferred tax assets 3,031 3,227 Deferred tax liabilities Deferred revenue (41 ) (45 ) Property, plant and equipment (974 ) (853 ) Intangible assets (1,898 ) (1,998 ) Other (29 ) (25 ) Gross deferred tax liabilities (2,942 ) (2,921 ) Net deferred tax assets 89 306 Of the $89 million and $306 million net deferred tax assets at December 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively, $241 million and $202 million is reflected as a long-term liability and $330 million and $508 million is reflected as a net noncurrent deferred tax asset at December 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, we completed an extensive analysis of our Internal Revenue Code ("IRC") Section 382 limitation that resulted in an increase of the amount of net operating loss carry forwards as of December 31, 2017 by approximately $1.0 billion on a pre-tax basis that was recorded in purchase accounting. At December 31, 2019 , we had federal NOLs of $12.9 billion before uncertain tax positions of $4.3 billion and state NOLs of $9.2 billion . If unused, the NOLs will expire between 2022 and 2037. At December 31, 2019 , we had foreign NOLs of $6.0 billion . We establish valuation allowances when necessary to reduce the deferred tax assets to amounts we expect to realize. As of December 31, 2019 , a valuation allowance of $892 million was recorded as it is more likely than not that this amount of net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards will not be utilized prior to expiration. Our valuation allowance at December 31, 2019 and 2018 is primarily related to foreign and state NOL carryforwards. A reconciliation of the change in our gross unrecognized tax benefits (excluding both interest and any related federal benefit) from January 1 to December 31 for 2019 and 2018 is as follows: 2019 2018 (Dollars in millions) Unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of period $ 970 21 Tax positions of prior periods netted against deferred tax assets (24 ) 950 (Decrease) increase in tax positions taken in the prior period 1 (1 ) Increase in tax positions taken in the current period 5 3 Decrease due to settlement/payments — (1 ) Decrease from the lapse of statute of limitations — (2 ) Unrecognized tax benefits at end of period 952 970 The total amount (including interest and any related federal benefit) of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact the effective income tax rate was $30 million and $23 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , respectively. Our policy is to reflect interest expense associated with unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. We had accrued interest (presented before related tax benefits) of approximately $8 million and $6 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. We, or at least one of our affiliates, file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various states and foreign jurisdictions. With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local, or non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2002. The Internal Revenue Service and state and local taxing authorities reserve the right to audit any period where net operating loss carry forwards are available. Based on our current assessment of various factors, including (i) the potential outcomes of these ongoing examinations, (ii) the expiration of statute of limitations for specific jurisdictions, (iii) the negotiated settlement of certain disputed issues, and (iv) the administrative practices of applicable taxing jurisdictions, it is reasonably possible that the related unrecognized tax benefits for uncertain tax positions previously taken may decrease by up to $3 million within the next 12 months. The actual amount of such decrease, if any, will depend on several future developments and events, many of which are outside our control.

Products and Services Revenues

Products and Services Revenues	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition The following tables present our reported results under ASC 606 and a reconciliation to results using the historical accounting method: Successor Reported Balances as of December 31, 2018 Impact of ASC 606 ASC 605 Historical Adjusted Balances (Dollars in millions) Operating revenue $ 8,220 (5 ) 8,215 Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) 3,937 — 3,937 Selling, general and administrative 1,354 52 1,406 Interest expense 509 (9 ) 500 Income tax expense 196 (12 ) 184 Net income 341 (36 ) 305 Disaggregated Revenue by Service Offering The following tabled provide disaggregation of revenue from contracts with customers based on service offering for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. It also shows the amount of revenue that is not subject to ASC 606, but is instead governed by other accounting standards. Year Ended December 31, 2019 Total Revenue Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue (6) Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Dollars in millions) IP and Data Services (1) $ 3,888 — 3,888 Transport and Infrastructure (2) 2,662 (704 ) 1,958 Voice and Collaboration (3) 1,443 — 1,443 Other Revenue (4) 12 (9 ) 3 Affiliate Revenue (5) 180 (180 ) — Total Revenue $ 8,185 (893 ) 7,292 Timing of revenue Goods transferred at a point in time $ — Services performed over time 7,292 Total revenue from contracts with customers $ 7,292 Year Ended December 31, 2018 (Dollars in millions) Total Revenue Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue (6) Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers IP and Data Services (1) $ 3,945 — 3,945 Transport and Infrastructure (2) 2,701 (189 ) 2,512 Voice and Collaboration (3) 1,464 — 1,464 Other Revenue (4) 3 (3 ) — Affiliate Revenue (5) 107 (107 ) — Total Revenue $ 8,220 (299 ) 7,921 Timing of revenue Goods transferred at a point in time $ — Services performed over time 7,921 Total revenue from contracts with customers $ 7,921 _______________________________________________________________________________ (1) Includes primarily VPN data network, IP, Ethernet, video and ancillary revenue. (2) Includes primarily wavelength, colocation and data center services, dark fiber, private line and professional services revenue. (3) Includes voice, Voice Over IP ("VoIP"), Collaboration. (4) Includes sublease rental income and IT services and managed services revenue. (5) Includes telecommunications and data services we bill to our affiliates. (6) Includes sublease rental income and revenue from fiber capacity lease arrangements which are not 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 December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018: December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 (Dollars in millions) Customer receivables (1) $ 678 712 Contract assets 32 19 Contract liabilities 423 393 _______________________________________________________________________________ (1) Gross customer receivables of $691 million and $723 million, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $13 million and $11 million, at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. Contract liabilities are consideration we have received from our customers in advance of providing the goods or services promised in the future. We defer recognizing this consideration until we have satisfied the related performance obligation to the customer. Contract liabilities include recurring services billed one month in advance and installation and maintenance charges that are deferred and recognized over the actual or expected contract term, which ranges from one to five years depending on the service. Contract liabilities are included within deferred revenue in our consolidated balance sheets. During the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, we recognized $175 million and $158 million , respectively, of revenue that was included in contract liabilities as of January 1, 2019 and January 1, 2018, respectively. Performance Obligations As of December 31, 2019 , our estimated revenue expected to be recognized in the future related to performance obligations associated with customer contracts that are unsatisfied (or partially satisfied) is approximately $3.9 billion . We expect to recognize approximately 91% of this revenue through 2022, with the balance recognized thereafter. We do not disclose 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), or contracts that are classified as leasing arrangements that are not subject to ASC 606. Contract Costs The following tables provide changes in our contract acquisition costs and fulfillment costs for the years ended: Year Ended December 31, 2019 Acquisition Costs Fulfillment Costs (Dollars in millions) Beginning of period balance $ 64 84 Costs incurred 60 103 Amortization (45 ) (66 ) End of period balance $ 79 121 Year Ended December 31, 2018 Acquisition Costs Fulfillment Costs (Dollars in millions) Beginning of period balance $ 13 14 Costs incurred 68 99 Amortization (17 ) (29 ) End of period balance $ 64 84 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 expected contract term of 12 to 60 months for our business customers and 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 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. We categorize our products, services and revenue among the following five categories: • IP and Data Services , which include primarily VPN data networks, Ethernet, IP, video (including our facilities-based video services, CDN services and Vyvx broadcast services) and other ancillary services; • Transport and Infrastructure , which includes private line (including business data services), wavelength, colocation and data center services, including cloud, hosting and application management solutions, professional services, network security services, dark fiber services and other ancillary services; • Voice and Collaboration , which includes primarily TDM voice services, VoIP and other ancillary services; • Other , which includes sublease rental income and information technology services and managed services, which may be purchased in conjunction with our other network services; and • Affiliate services, which includes telecommunication services that we also provide to our external customers. From time to time, we may change the categorization of our products and services. Our operating revenue for our products and services consisted of the following categories: Successor Predecessor Year Ended December 31, 2019 Year Ended December 31, 2018 Period Ended December 31, 2017 Period Ended October 31, 2017 (Dollars in millions) IP and Data Services $ 3,888 3,945 668 3,284 Transport and Infrastructure 2,662 2,701 464 2,272 Voice and Collaboration 1,443 1,464 258 1,308 Other revenue 12 3 1 6 Affiliate revenue 180 107 16 — Total revenue $ 8,185 8,220 1,407 6,870 We recognize revenue in our consolidated statements of operations for certain USF surcharges and transaction taxes that we bill to our customers. Our consolidated statements of operations also reflect the offsetting expense for the amounts we remit to the government agencies. The USF surcharges are assigned to the products and services categories based on the underlying revenue. We also act as a collection agent for certain other USF and transaction taxes that we are required by government agencies to bill our customers, for which we do not record any revenue or expense because we only act as a pass-through agent. Successor Predecessor Year Ended December 31, 2019 Year Ended December 31, 2018 Period Ended December 31, 2017 Period Ended October 31, 2017 (Dollars in millions) USF surcharges and transaction taxes $ 428 415 71 331 The following tables present total assets as of the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 as well as operating revenue for the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the successor period ended December 31, 2017 and the predecessor period ended October 31, 2017 by geographic region: Total Assets December 31, 2019 2018 (Dollars in millions) North America $ 24,144 27,520 Europe, Middle East and Africa 2,842 2,765 Latin America 2,112 2,006 Total $ 29,098 32,291 Revenue Successor Predecessor Year Ended December 31, 2019 Year Ended December 31, 2018 Period Ended December 31, 2017 Period Ended October 31, 2017 (Dollars in millions) North America $ 6,719 6,739 1,155 5,651 Europe, Middle East and Africa 719 744 128 607 Latin America 747 737 124 612 Total $ 8,185 8,220 1,407 6,870 Our operations are integrated into and reported as part of the consolidated segment data of CenturyLink. CenturyLink's chief operating decision maker ("CODM") is our CODM, but reviews our financial information on an aggregate basis only in connection with our quarterly and annual reports that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Consequently, we do not provide our discrete financial information to the CODM on a regular basis. As such, we believe we have one reportable segment. A relatively small number of customers account for a significant percentage of our revenue. Our top ten customers accounted for approximately 16% and 20% of our revenue for the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , respectively, 19% for the successor period ended December 31, 2017 and 18% for the predecessor period ended October 31, 2017 , respectively.

Affiliate Transactions

Affiliate Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Affiliate Transactions	Affiliate Transactions We provide to our affiliates telecommunications services that we also provide to external customers. Whenever possible, costs are directly assigned to our affiliates for the services they use. If costs cannot be directly assigned, they are allocated among all affiliates based upon cost causative measures; or if no cost causative measure is available, these costs are allocated based on a general allocator. These cost allocation methodologies are reasonable. From time to time, we adjust the basis for allocating the costs of a shared service among affiliates. Such changes in allocation methodologies are generally billed prospectively. We also purchase services from our affiliates including telecommunication services, insurance, flight services and other support services such as legal, regulatory, finance and accounting, tax, human resources and executive support. Subsequent Event As of the date of this report, $225 million

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaud

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Total (Dollars in millions) 2019 Operating revenue $ 2,046 2,014 2,064 2,061 8,185 Operating (loss) income (3,393 ) 272 309 285 (2,527 ) Net (loss) income (3,585 ) 110 114 160 (3,201 ) First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Total (Dollars in millions) 2018 Operating revenue $ 2,087 2,052 2,010 2,071 8,220 Operating income 261 196 227 284 968 Net income 62 40 88 151 341 During the first quarter of 2019, we recorded a non-cash, non-tax-deductible goodwill impairment charge of $3.7 billion for goodwill. See Note 3—Goodwill, Customer Relationships and Other Intangible Assets for further details. In the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, we recognized a $92 million income tax expense related to the Tax Act.

Commitments, Contingencies and

Commitments, Contingencies and Other Items	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments, Contingencies and Other Items	Commitments, 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 December 31, 2019 aggregated to approximately $69 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. 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 exposure is $7 million at December 31, 2019 . 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 up to $37 million at December 31, 2019 in excess of the accruals established for these matters. Qui Tam Action We were 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 was filed under seal on November 26, 2013, and an amended complaint was filed under seal on June 16, 2014. The court unsealed the complaints on October 26, 2017. The amended complaint alleges that we, principally through 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. We are evaluating our defenses to the claims. At this time, we do not believe it is probable we will incur a material loss. If, contrary to our expectations, the plaintiff prevails in this matter and proves damages at or near $50 million , and is successful in having those damages trebled, the outcome could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations in the period in which a liability is recognized and on our cash flows for the period in which any damages are paid. Several people, including 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. We are 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 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. Environmental Contingencies In connection with largely historical operations, we have responded to or been notified of potential environmental liability at 175 properties. We are engaged in addressing or have litigated environmental liabilities at many of those properties. We could potentially be held liable, jointly, or severally, and without regard to fault, for the costs of investigation and remediation of these sites. The discovery of additional environmental liabilities or changes in existing environmental requirements could have a material adverse effect on our business. Right-of-Way At December 31, 2019, our future rental commitments for right-of-way agreements were as follows: Right-of-Way Agreements (Dollars in millions) 2020 $ 83 2021 58 2022 55 2023 53 2024 44 2025 and thereafter 276 Total future minimum payments (1) $ 569 Purchase Commitments We have several commitments primarily for marketing activities and support services from a variety of vendors to be used in the ordinary course of business totaling $333 million at December 31, 2019. Of this amount, we expect to purchase $119 million in 2020, $131 million in 2021 through 2022, $42 million in 2023 through 2024 and $41 million in 2025 and thereafter. These amounts do not represent our entire anticipated purchases in the future, but represent only those items for which we were contractually committed as of December 31, 2019.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive

Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Equity [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income The table below summarizes changes in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income recorded on our consolidated balance sheet by component for the years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2019: Pension Plans Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments and Other Total (Dollars in millions) Balance at December 31, 2017 (successor) $ — 18 18 Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications — (200 ) (200 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income 5 — 5 Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) 5 (200 ) (195 ) Cumulative effect of adoption of ASU 2018-02, Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income: Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated other Comprehensive Income — 6 6 Balance at December 31, 2018 $ 5 (176 ) (171 ) Balance at December 31, 2018 $ 5 (176 ) (171 ) Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications — (5 ) (5 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss (3 ) — (3 ) Net current-period other comprehensive loss (3 ) (5 ) (8 ) Balance at December 31, 2019 $ 2 (181 ) (179 )

Condensed Consolidating Financi

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information	Condensed Consolidating Financial Information Level 3 Financing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary, has issued Senior Notes that are unsecured obligations of Level 3 Financing, Inc.; however, they are also fully and unconditionally and jointly and severally guaranteed on an unsecured senior basis by Level 3 Parent, LLC and Level 3 Communications, LLC. In conjunction with the registration of certain of Level 3 Financing, Inc.'s Senior Notes, the accompanying condensed consolidating financial information has been prepared and presented pursuant to SEC Regulation S-X Rule 3-10 "Financial statements of guarantors and affiliates whose securities collateralize an issue registered or being registered." The operating activities of the separate legal entities included in our consolidated financial statements are interdependent. The accompanying condensed consolidating financial information presents the statements of comprehensive income (loss), balance sheets and statements of cash flows of each legal entity and, on an aggregate basis, the other non-guarantor subsidiaries based on amounts incurred by such entities, and is not intended to present the operating results of those legal entities on a stand-alone basis. Level 3 Communications, LLC leases equipment and certain facilities from other wholly owned subsidiaries of Level 3 Parent, LLC. These transactions are eliminated in our consolidated results. Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) For the year ended December 31, 2019 Level 3 Parent, LLC Level 3 Financing, Inc. Level 3 Communications, LLC Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Total (Dollars in millions) OPERATING REVENUE Operating revenue $ — — 3,912 4,093 — 8,005 Operating revenue - affiliates — — 226 801 (847 ) 180 Total operating revenue — — 4,138 4,894 (847 ) 8,185 OPERATING EXPENSES Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) — — 1,987 1,812 — 3,799 Selling, general and administrative (50 ) 5 1,438 710 (845 ) 1,258 Operating expenses - affiliates — — 241 93 — 334 Depreciation and amortization — — 652 961 — 1,613 Goodwill impairment — — 1,369 2,339 — 3,708 Total operating expenses (50 ) 5 5,687 5,915 (845 ) 10,712 OPERATING (LOSS) INCOME 50 (5 ) (1,549 ) (1,021 ) (2 ) (2,527 ) OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE) Interest income — — 7 2 — 9 Interest income (expense) - affiliates, net 3,888 658 (5,829 ) 1,343 1 61 Interest expense (29 ) (468 ) 13 (18 ) — (502 ) Equity in net (losses) earnings of subsidiaries (7,109 ) (7,352 ) 570 — 13,891 — Gain (loss) on modification and extinguishment of debt 10 (5 ) — — — 5 Other (expense) income, net (8 ) — 8 8 — 8 Total other income (expense), net (3,248 ) (7,167 ) (5,231 ) 1,335 13,892 (419 ) INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAX BENEFIT (EXPENSE) (3,198 ) (7,172 ) (6,780 ) 314 13,890 (2,946 ) Income tax benefit (expense) (3 ) 63 30 (345 ) — (255 ) NET INCOME (LOSS) (3,201 ) (7,109 ) (6,750 ) (31 ) 13,890 (3,201 ) Other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes (8 ) — — (8 ) 8 (8 ) COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) $ (3,209 ) (7,109 ) (6,750 ) (39 ) 13,898 (3,209 ) Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) For the year ended December 31, 2018 Level 3 Parent, LLC Level 3 Financing, Inc. Level 3 Communications, LLC Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Total (Dollars in millions) OPERATING REVENUE Operating revenue $ — — 3,884 4,229 — 8,113 Operating revenue - affiliates — — 130 285 (308 ) 107 Total operating revenue — — 4,014 4,514 (308 ) 8,220 OPERATING EXPENSES Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) — — 2,209 1,728 — 3,937 Selling, general and administrative 12 3 392 1,255 (308 ) 1,354 Operating expenses - affiliates — — 176 81 — 257 Depreciation and amortization — — 688 1,016 — 1,704 Total operating expenses 12 3 3,465 4,080 (308 ) 7,252 OPERATING (LOSS) INCOME (12 ) (3 ) 549 434 — 968 OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE) Interest income — — 3 1 — 4 Interest income (expense) - affiliates, net 2,430 1,562 (3,803 ) (126 ) — 63 Interest expense (33 ) (457 ) (3 ) (16 ) — (509 ) Equity in net (losses) earnings of subsidiaries (2,044 ) (3,257 ) 254 — 5,047 — Other (expense) income, net (9 ) — 1 19 — 11 Total other income (expense), net 344 (2,152 ) (3,548 ) (122 ) 5,047 (431 ) INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAX BENEFIT (EXPENSE) 332 (2,155 ) (2,999 ) 312 5,047 537 Income tax benefit (expense) 10 111 (232 ) (85 ) — (196 ) NET INCOME (LOSS) 342 (2,044 ) (3,231 ) 227 5,047 341 Other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes (195 ) — — (195 ) 195 (195 ) COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) $ 147 (2,044 ) (3,231 ) 32 5,242 146 Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) For the period ended December 31, 2017 (Successor) Level 3 Parent, LLC Level 3 Financing, Inc. Level 3 Communications, LLC Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Total (Dollars in millions) OPERATING REVENUE Operating revenue $ — — 748 671 (28 ) 1,391 Operating revenue - affiliates — — 16 — — 16 Total operating revenue — — 764 671 (28 ) 1,407 OPERATING EXPENSES Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) — — 418 300 (28 ) 690 Selling, general and administrative 1 3 179 70 — 253 Operating expenses - affiliates — — 24 — — 24 Depreciation and amortization — — 117 165 — 282 Total operating expenses 1 3 738 535 (28 ) 1,249 OPERATING (LOSS) INCOME (1 ) (3 ) 26 136 — 158 OTHER (EXPENSE) INCOME Interest income — — 1 — — 1 Interest income (expense) affiliates, net 262 368 (578 ) (41 ) — 11 Interest expense (5 ) (72 ) — (3 ) — (80 ) Equity in net (losses) earnings of subsidiaries (827 ) (15 ) 71 — 771 — Other income 1 — 2 — — 3 Total other (expense) income, net (569 ) 281 (504 ) (44 ) 771 (65 ) (LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX (EXPENSE) BENEFIT (570 ) 278 (478 ) 92 771 93 Income tax benefit (expense) 429 (1,105 ) 433 9 — (234 ) NET (LOSS) INCOME (141 ) (827 ) (45 ) 101 771 (141 ) Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes 18 — — 18 (18 ) 18 COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME $ (123 ) (827 ) (45 ) 119 753 (123 ) Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) For the period ended October 31, 2017 (Predecessor) Level 3 Parent, LLC Level 3 Financing, Inc. Level 3 Communications, LLC Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Total (Dollars in millions) OPERATING REVENUE Operating revenue $ — — 3,108 3,891 (129 ) 6,870 Total operating revenue — — 3,108 3,891 (129 ) 6,870 OPERATING EXPENSES Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) — — 1,942 1,680 (129 ) 3,493 Selling, general and administrative 4 3 942 259 — 1,208 Depreciation and amortization — — 356 662 — 1,018 Total operating expenses 4 3 3,240 2,601 (129 ) 5,719 OPERATING (LOSS) INCOME (4 ) (3 ) (132 ) 1,290 — 1,151 OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE) Interest income — — 12 1 — 13 Interest income (expense) - affiliates, net 1,260 1,890 (2,896 ) (254 ) — — Interest expense (30 ) (397 ) (2 ) (12 ) — (441 ) Loss on modification and extinguishment of debt — (44 ) — — — (44 ) Equity in net (losses) earnings of subsidiaries (815 ) (2,138 ) 692 — 2,261 — Other (expense) income, net 3 — 15 (4 ) — 14 Total other income (expense), net 418 (689 ) (2,179 ) (269 ) 2,261 (458 ) INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAX BENEFIT (EXPENSE) 414 (692 ) (2,311 ) 1,021 2,261 693 Income tax benefit (expense) 11 (123 ) (2 ) (154 ) — (268 ) NET INCOME (LOSS) 425 (815 ) (2,313 ) 867 2,261 425 Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes 80 — — — — 80 COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) $ 505 (815 ) (2,313 ) 867 2,261 505 Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets December 31, 2019 Level 3 Parent, LLC Level 3 Financing, Inc. Level 3 Communications, LLC Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Total (Dollars in millions) ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 3 — 231 82 — 316 Restricted cash - current — — — 3 — 3 Accounts receivable — — 44 623 — 667 Advances to affiliates 19,302 24,293 7,634 2,830 (54,059 ) — Note receivable - affiliate 1,590 — — — — 1,590 Other 1 — 105 160 — 266 Total current assets 20,896 24,293 8,014 3,698 (54,059 ) 2,842 NET PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT — — 3,688 6,248 — 9,936 GOODWILL AND OTHER ASSETS Goodwill — — 252 7,163 — 7,415 Operating lease assets — — 1,210 324 (474 ) 1,060 Restricted cash 12 — 5 2 — 19 Customer relationships, net — — 3,383 3,482 — 6,865 Other intangible assets, net — — 447 22 — 469 Investment in subsidiaries 8,432 10,564 4,431 — (23,427 ) — Other, net 272 1,485 88 201 (1,554 ) 492 Total goodwill and other assets 8,716 12,049 9,816 11,194 (25,455 ) 16,320 TOTAL ASSETS $ 29,612 36,342 21,518 21,140 (79,514 ) 29,098 LIABILITIES AND MEMBER'S EQUITY (DEFICIT) CURRENT LIABILITIES Current maturities of long-term debt — — 3 8 — 11 Accounts payable — 15 350 289 — 654 Accounts payable - affiliates 80 17 569 3 — 669 Accrued expenses and other liabilities Salaries and benefits — — 192 48 — 240 Income and other taxes — 7 95 50 — 152 Current operating lease liabilities — — 254 89 (94 ) 249 Interest — 81 1 3 — 85 Other 1 1 22 53 — 77 Advance billings and customer deposits — — 169 140 — 309 Due to affiliates — — 50,865 3,194 (54,059 ) — Total current liabilities 81 121 52,520 3,877 (54,153 ) 2,446 LONG-TERM DEBT — 10,196 15 145 — 10,356 DEFERRED REVENUE AND OTHER LIABILITES Deferred revenue — — 1,137 206 — 1,343 Deferred tax liability 56 — 739 1,000 (1,554 ) 241 Noncurrent operating lease liabilities — — 986 248 (380 ) 854 Other 1 — 154 158 — 313 Total deferred revenue and other liabilities 57 — 3,016 1,612 (1,934 ) 2,751 COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES MEMBER'S EQUITY (DEFICIT) 29,474 26,025 (34,033 ) 15,506 (23,427 ) 13,545 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND MEMBER'S EQUITY (DEFICIT) $ 29,612 36,342 21,518 21,140 (79,514 ) 29,098 Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets December 31, 2018 Level 3 Parent, LLC Level 3 Financing, Inc. Level 3 Communications, LLC Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Total (Dollars in millions) ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 2 — 164 77 — 243 Restricted cash - current — — — 4 — 4 Accounts receivable — — 70 642 — 712 Advances to affiliates 16,852 23,957 7,744 2,707 (51,260 ) — Note receivable - affiliate 1,825 — — — — 1,825 Other 1 3 97 133 — 234 Total current assets 18,680 23,960 8,075 3,563 (51,260 ) 3,018 NET PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT — — 3,136 6,317 — 9,453 GOODWILL AND OTHER ASSETS Goodwill — — 1,665 9,454 — 11,119 Restricted cash 15 — 9 1 — 25 Customer relationships, net — — 3,823 3,744 — 7,567 Other intangible assets, net — — 409 1 — 410 Investment in subsidiaries 15,541 17,915 3,861 — (37,317 ) — Other, net 275 1,421 110 225 (1,332 ) 699 Total goodwill and other assets 15,831 19,336 9,877 13,425 (38,649 ) 19,820 TOTAL ASSETS $ 34,511 43,296 21,088 23,305 (89,909 ) 32,291 LIABILITIES AND MEMBER'S EQUITY (DEFICIT) CURRENT LIABILITIES Current maturities of long-term debt $ — — 1 5 — 6 Accounts payable — — 380 346 — 726 Accounts payable - affiliates 62 11 162 11 — 246 Accrued expenses and other liabilities Salaries and benefits — — 189 44 — 233 Income and other taxes — 4 72 54 — 130 Interest 11 78 1 5 — 95 Other 3 1 8 66 — 78 Current portion of deferred revenue — — 168 142 — 310 Due to affiliates — — 45,347 5,913 (51,260 ) — Total current liabilities 76 94 46,328 6,586 (51,260 ) 1,824 LONG-TERM DEBT 613 10,068 7 150 — 10,838 DEFERRED REVENUE AND OTHER LIABILITES Deferred revenue — — 971 210 — 1,181 Deferred tax liability 56 — 841 637 (1,332 ) 202 Other — — 197 172 — 369 Total deferred revenue and other liabilities 56 — 2,009 1,019 (1,332 ) 1,752 COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES MEMBER'S EQUITY (DEFICIT) 33,766 33,134 (27,256 ) 15,550 (37,317 ) 17,877 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND MEMBER'S EQUITY (DEFICIT) $ 34,511 43,296 21,088 23,305 (89,909 ) 32,291 Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows For the year ended December 31, 2019 Level 3 Parent, LLC Level 3 Financing, Inc. Level 3 Communications, LLC Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Total (Dollars in millions) OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities $ 313 (151 ) 1,952 569 — 2,683 INVESTING ACTIVITIES Capital expenditures — — (782 ) (559 ) — (1,341 ) Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment and other assets 50 — (23 ) 1 — 28 Note receivable - affiliate 235 — — — — 235 Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 285 — (805 ) (558 ) — (1,078 ) FINANCING ACTIVITIES Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt — 2,479 — — — 2,479 Payments of long-term debt (600 ) (2,300 ) — (6 ) — (2,906 ) Distributions (1,084 ) — — — — (1,084 ) Increase (decrease) due to from affiliates, net 1,084 — (1,084 ) — — — Other — (28 ) — — — (28 ) Net cash used in financing activities (600 ) 151 (1,084 ) (6 ) — (1,539 ) Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and securities (2 ) — 63 5 — 66 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and securities at beginning of period 17 — 173 82 — 272 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and securities at end of period $ 15 $ — 236 87 $ — 338 Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows For the year ended December 31, 2018 Level 3 Parent, LLC Level 3 Financing, Inc. Level 3 Communications, LLC Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Total (Dollars in millions) OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities $ (98 ) — 2,059 436 — 2,397 INVESTING ACTIVITIES Capital expenditures — — (527 ) (511 ) — (1,038 ) Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment and other assets 83 — — 51 — 134 Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 83 — (527 ) (460 ) — (904 ) FINANCING ACTIVITIES Payments of long-term debt — — — (7 ) — (7 ) Distributions (1,545 ) — — — — (1,545 ) Increase (decrease) due to from affiliates, net 1,545 — (1,545 ) — — — Net cash used in financing activities — — (1,545 ) (7 ) — (1,552 ) Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and securities (15 ) — (13 ) (31 ) — (59 ) Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and securities at beginning of period 32 — 186 113 — 331 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and securities at end of period $ 17 — 173 82 — 272 Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows For the period ended December 31, 2017 (Successor) Level 3 Parent, LLC Level 3 Financing, Inc. Level 3 Communications, LLC Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Total (Dollars in millions) OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities $ (1 ) — 172 137 — 308 INVESTING ACTIVITIES Capital expenditures — — (110 ) (97 ) — (207 ) Note receivable - affiliate — — (1,825 ) — — (1,825 ) Net cash used in investing activities — — (1,935 ) (97 ) — (2,032 ) FINANCING ACTIVITIES Payments of long-term debt — — — (1 ) — (1 ) Distributions (250 ) — — — — (250 ) Increase (decrease) due from/to affiliates, net 250 — (250 ) — — — Other — — — (2 ) — (2 ) Net cash used in financing activities — — (250 ) (3 ) — (253 ) Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash and securities (1 ) — (2,013 ) 37 — (1,977 ) Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and securities at beginning of period 33 — 2,199 76 — 2,308 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and securities at end of period $ 32 — 186 113 — 331 Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows For the period ended October 31, 2017 (Predecessor) Level 3 Parent, LLC Level 3 Financing, Inc. Level 3 Communications, LLC Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Total (Dollars in millions) OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities $ (61 ) (401 ) 1,615 761 — 1,914 INVESTING ACTIVITIES Capital expenditures — — (667 ) (452 ) — (1,119 ) Purchase of marketable securities — — (1,127 ) — — (1,127 ) Maturity of marketable securities — — 1,127 — — 1,127 Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and other assets — — 1 — — 1 Net cash used in investing activities — — (666 ) (452 ) — (1,118 ) FINANCING ACTIVITIES Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt — 4,569 — — — 4,569 Payments of long-term debt — (4,911 ) 1 (7 ) — (4,917 ) Increase (decrease) due from/to affiliates, net 57 743 (460 ) (340 ) — — Other — — — 3 — 3 Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 57 401 (459 ) (344 ) — (345 ) Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash and securities (4 ) — 490 (35 ) — 451 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and securities at beginning of period 37 — 1,710 110 — 1,857 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and securities at end of period $ 33 — 2,200 75 — 2,308

Background and Summary of Sig_2

Background and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation On November 1, 2017, we became a wholly owned subsidiary of CenturyLink. On the date of the acquisition, our assets and liabilities were recognized at fair value. This revaluation has been reflected in our financial statements and, therefore, has resulted in a new basis of accounting for the successor period beginning on November 1, 2017. This new basis of accounting means that our financial statements for the successor periods will not be comparable to our previously reported financial statements, including the predecessor period financial statements in this report. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include our accounts and the accounts of our subsidiaries in which we have a controlling interest. Intercompany amounts and transactions with our consolidated subsidiaries have been eliminated. Transactions with our non-consolidated affiliates (CenturyLink and its other subsidiaries, referred to herein as affiliates) have not been eliminated. Due to exchange restrictions and other conditions, effective at the end of the third quarter of 2015 we deconsolidated our Venezuelan subsidiary and began accounting for our investment in our Venezuelan subsidiary using the cost method of accounting. The factors that led to our conclusions at the end of the third quarter of 2015 continued to exist through the end of 2019 .
Reclassifications	Although we continued as a surviving corporation and legal entity after the acquisition of us by CenturyLink, the accompanying consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive (loss) income, cash flows and member's/stockholders' equity (deficit) are presented for two periods: predecessor and successor, which relates to the period preceding the acquisition and the period succeeding the acquisition.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. These accounting principles require us to make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions. We believe that the estimates, judgments and assumptions we make when accounting for specific items and matters, including, but not limited to, revenue recognition, revenue reserves, network access costs, network access cost dispute reserves, investments, long-term contracts, customer retention patterns, allowance for doubtful accounts, depreciation, amortization, asset valuations, internal labor capitalization rates, recoverability of assets (including deferred tax assets), impairment assessments, taxes, certain liabilities and other provisions and contingencies, are reasonable, based on information available at the time they are made. These estimates, judgments and assumptions can materially affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and components of member's equity as of the dates of the consolidated balance sheets, as well as the reported amounts of revenue, expenses and components of cash flows during the periods presented in our other consolidated financial statements. We also make estimates in our assessments of potential losses in relation to threatened or pending tax and legal matters. See Note 13—Income Taxes and Note 17—Commitments, Contingencies and Other Items for additional information. For matters not related to income taxes, if a loss is considered probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated, we recognize an expense for the estimated loss. If we have the potential to recover a portion of the estimated loss from a third party, we make a separate assessment of recoverability and reduce the estimated loss if recovery is also deemed probable. For matters related to income taxes, if we determine that the impact of an uncertain tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant taxing authority, then we recognize a benefit for the largest amount that is more likely than not to be sustained. No portion of an uncertain tax position will be recognized if the position has less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained. Interest is recognized on the amount of unrecognized benefit from uncertain tax positions. For all of these and other matters, actual results could differ materially from our estimates.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition We earn most of our consolidated revenue from contracts with customers, primarily through the provision of telecommunications and other services. Revenue from contracts with customers is accounted for under Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 606. We also earn revenue from leasing arrangements (primarily fiber capacity agreements) which are not accounted for under ASC 606. Revenue is recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to our customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to receive in exchange for those goods or services. Revenue is recognized based on the following five-step model: • Identification of the contract with a customer; • Identification of the performance obligations in the contract; • Determination of the transaction price; • Allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and • Recognition of revenue when, or as, we satisfy a performance obligation. We provide an array of communications services, including local voice, VPN, Ethernet, data, private line (including special access), network access, transport, voice, information technology, video and other ancillary services. We provide these services to a wide range of businesses, including global/international, enterprise, wholesale, government, small and medium business customers. Certain contracts also include the sale of equipment, which is not significant to our business. We recognize revenue for services when we provide the applicable service or when control is transferred. Recognition of certain payments received in advance of services being provided is deferred. These advance payments include certain activation and certain installation charges. If the activation and installation charges are not separate performance obligations, we recognize them as revenue over the actual or expected contract term using historical experience, which ranges from one year to five years depending on the service. In most cases, termination fees or other fees on existing contracts that are negotiated in conjunction with new contracts are deferred and recognized over the new contract term. For access services, we generally bill fixed monthly charges one month in advance to customers and recognize revenue as service is provided over the contract term in alignment with the customer's receipt of service. For usage and other ancillary services, we generally bill in arrears and recognize revenue as usage or delivery occurs. In most cases, the amount invoiced for our service offerings constitutes the price that would be billed on a standalone basis. Customer contracts are evaluated to determine whether the performance obligations are separable. If the performance obligations are deemed separable and separate earnings processes exist, the total transaction price that we expect to receive with the customer is allocated to each performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price. The revenue associated with each performance obligation is then recognized as earned. We periodically sell optical capacity on our network. These transactions are structured as indefeasible rights of use, commonly referred to as IRUs, which are the exclusive right to use a specified amount of capacity or fiber for a specified term, typically 10 - 20 years. In most cases, we account for the cash consideration received on transfers of optical capacity as ASC 606 revenue which is adjusted for the time value of money and is recognized ratably over the term of the agreement. Cash consideration received on transfers of dark fiber is accounted for as non-ASC 606 lease revenue, which we also recognize ratably over the term of the agreement. We do not recognize revenue on any contemporaneous exchanges of our optical capacity assets for other non-owned optical capacity assets. In connection with offering products and services provided to the end user by third-party vendors, we review the relationship between us, the vendor and the end user to assess whether revenue should be reported on a gross or net basis. In assessing whether revenue should be reported on a gross or net basis, we consider whether we act as a principal in the transaction and control the goods and services used to fulfill the performance obligations associated with the transaction. We have service level commitments pursuant to contracts with certain of our customers. To the extent that such service levels are not achieved or are otherwise disputed due to performance or service issues or other service interruptions or conditions, we will estimate the amount of credits to be issued and record a corresponding reduction to revenue in the period that the service level commitment was not met. Customer payments are made based on billing schedules included in our customer contracts, which is typically on a monthly basis. We defer (or capitalize) incremental contract acquisition and fulfillment costs and recognize (or amortize) such costs over the average contract life. Our deferred contract costs for our customers have average amortization periods of approximately 30 months. These deferred costs are monitored every period to reflect any significant change in assumptions. See Note 4—Revenue Recognition for additional information.
Affiliate Transactions	Affiliate Transactions We provide to our affiliates telecommunications services that we also provide to external customers. Services provided by us to our affiliates are recognized as operating revenue-affiliates in our consolidated statements of operations. Services provided to us from our affiliates are recognized as operating expenses-affiliates on our consolidated statements of operations. Because of the significance of the services we provide to our affiliates and our affiliates provide to us, the results of operations, financial position and cash flows presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations, financial position and cash flows we would have achieved had we operated as a stand-alone entity during the periods presented. We recognize intercompany charges at the amounts billed to us by our affiliates and we recognize intercompany revenue for services we bill to our affiliates. From time to time we make distributions to our parent. Distributions are reflected on our consolidated statements of member's/stockholders' equity and the consolidated statements of cash flows reflects distributions made as financing activities.
USF Surcharges, Gross Receipts Taxes and Other Surcharges	USF Surcharges, Gross Receipts Taxes and Other Surcharges
Legal Costs	Legal Costs In the normal course of our business, we incur costs to hire and retain external legal counsel to advise us on regulatory, litigation and other matters. We expense these costs as the related services are received.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes Since CenturyLink's acquisition of us on November 1, 2017, we have been included in the consolidated federal income tax return of CenturyLink. Under CenturyLink's tax allocation policy, CenturyLink treats our consolidated results as if we were a separate taxpayer. Our reported deferred tax assets and liabilities, as discussed below and in Note 13—Income Taxes , are primarily determined as a result of the application of the separate return allocation method and therefore the settlement of these amounts is dependent upon our parent, CenturyLink, rather than tax authorities. The policy requires us to pay our tax liabilities in cash based upon our separate return taxable income. We are also included in the combined state tax returns filed by CenturyLink and the same payment and allocation policy applies. The provision for income taxes consists of an amount for taxes currently payable, an amount for tax consequences deferred to future periods and adjustments to our liabilities for uncertain tax positions. We record deferred income tax assets and liabilities reflecting future tax consequences attributable to tax net operating loss carryforwards ("NOLs"), tax credit carryforwards and differences between the financial statement carrying value of assets and liabilities and the tax basis of those assets and liabilities. Deferred taxes are computed using enacted tax rates expected to apply in the year in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. The effect on deferred income tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rate is recognized in earnings in the period that includes the enactment date. We establish valuation allowances when necessary to reduce deferred income tax assets to the amounts that we believe are more likely than not to be recovered. Each quarter we evaluate the need to retain all or a portion of the valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets. See Note 13—Income Taxes for additional information.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents include highly liquid investments that are readily convertible into cash and are not subject to significant risk from fluctuations in interest rates. As a result, the value at which cash and cash equivalents are reported in our consolidated financial statements approximates their fair value. In evaluating investments for classification as cash equivalents, we require that individual securities have original maturities of ninety days or less and that individual investment funds have dollar-weighted average maturities of ninety days or less. To preserve capital and maintain liquidity, we invest with financial institutions we deem to be of sound financial condition and in high quality and relatively risk-free investment products. Our cash investment policy limits the concentration of investments with specific financial institutions or among certain products and includes criteria related to credit worthiness of any particular financial institution. Book overdrafts occur when checks have been issued but have not been presented to our controlled disbursement bank accounts for payment. Disbursement bank accounts allow us to delay funding of issued checks until the checks are presented for payment. Until the issued checks are presented for payment, the book overdrafts are included in accounts payable on our consolidated balance sheet. This activity is included in the operating activities section in our consolidated statements of cash flows.
Restricted Cash and Securities	Restricted Cash and Securities Restricted cash and securities consist primarily of cash and investments that serve to collateralize our outstanding letters of credit and certain performance and operating obligations. Restricted cash and securities are recorded as current or non-current assets in the consolidated balance sheets depending on the duration of the restriction and the purpose for which the restriction exists. Restricted securities are stated at cost which approximates fair value as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 .
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Accounts receivable are recognized based upon the amount due from customers for the services provided or at cost for other receivables less an allowance for doubtful accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts receivable reflects our best estimate of probable losses inherent in our receivable portfolio determined on the basis of historical experience, specific allowances for known troubled accounts and other currently available evidence. We generally consider our accounts past due if they are outstanding over 30 days. Our past due accounts are written off against our allowance for doubtful accounts when collection is considered to be not probable. Any recoveries of accounts previously written off are generally recognized as a reduction in bad debt expense in the period received. The carrying value of accounts receivable net of the allowance for doubtful accounts approximates fair value.
Concentration of Credit Risk	Concentration of Credit Risk We provide communications services to a wide range of wholesale and enterprise customers, ranging from well capitalized national carriers to small early stage companies primarily in the United States, Europe and Latin America. Credit risk with respect to accounts receivable is generally diversified due to the large number of entities comprising our customer base and their dispersion across many different industries and geographical regions. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers' financial condition and generally require no collateral from our customers, although letters of credit and deposits are required in certain limited circumstances. We have, from time to time, entered into agreements with value added resellers and other channel partners to reach consumer and enterprise markets for voice services. We have policies and procedures in place to evaluate the financial condition of these resellers prior to initiating service to the final customer. We are not able to predict changes in the financial stability of our customers. Any material changes in the financial status of any one or a particular group of customers may cause us to adjust our estimate of the recoverability of receivables and could have a material effect on our results of operation.
Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, Plant and Equipment As a result of CenturyLink's acquisition of us, the purchase price was allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition plus the estimated value of any associated legally or contractually required retirement obligations. Therefore, the allocated fair values of the assets represent their new basis of accounting in our consolidated financial statements. This resulted in adjustments to our property, plant and equipment accounts, including accumulated depreciation at the acquisition date. The adjustments related to CenturyLink's acquisition of us are described in Note 2—CenturyLink Merger and Note 8— Property, Plant and Equipment . We record purchased and constructed property, plant and equipment at cost, plus the estimated value of any associated legally or contractually required retirement obligations. Property, plant and equipment is depreciated using the straight-line method. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the useful lives of the assets or the expected lease term. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Interest is capitalized during the construction phase of network and other internal-use capital projects. Employee-related costs for construction of network and other internal use assets are also capitalized during the construction phase. Property, plant and equipment supplies used internally are carried at average cost, except for significant individual items for which cost is based on specific identification. We perform annual internal reviews to evaluate the reasonableness of the depreciable lives for our property, plant and equipment. Our reviews take into account actual usage, the physical condition of our property, plant, and equipment, industry data, and other relevant factors. Our remaining useful life assessments assess the possible loss in service value of assets that may precede the physical retirement. Assets shared among many customers may lose service value as those customers reduce their use of the asset. However, the asset is not retired until all customers no longer utilize the asset and we determine there is not alternative use for the asset. We have asset retirement obligations associated with the legally or contractually required removal of a limited group of property, plant and equipment assets from leased properties and the disposal of certain hazardous materials present in our owned properties. When an asset retirement obligation is identified, usually in association with the acquisition of the asset, we record the fair value of the obligation as a liability. The fair value of the obligation is also capitalized as property, plant and equipment and then amortized over the estimated remaining useful life of the associated asset. Where the removal obligation is not legally binding, the net cost to remove assets is expensed in the period in which the costs are actually incurred. We review long-lived tangible assets for impairment whenever facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of the assets may not be recoverable. For assessment purposes, long-lived assets are grouped with other assets and liabilities at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities, absent a material change in operations. An impairment loss is recognized only if the carrying amount of the asset group is not recoverable and exceeds its estimated fair value. Recoverability of the asset group to be held and used is assessed by comparing the carrying amount of the asset group to the estimated undiscounted future net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset group. If the asset group's carrying value is not recoverable, we recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds its estimated fair value.
Goodwill, Customer Relationships and Other Intangible Assets	Goodwill, Customer Relationships and Other Intangible Assets Intangible assets arising from business combinations, such as goodwill, customer relationships, capitalized software, trademarks and trade names, are initially recorded at estimated fair value. We amortize customer relationships primarily over an estimated life of 7 to 14 years, using straight-line methods, depending on the type of customer. We amortize capitalized software using the straight-line method over estimated lives ranging up to seven years . We amortize our other intangible assets over an estimated life of five years . Other intangible assets not arising from business combinations are initially recorded at cost. Where there are no legal, regulatory, contractual or other factors that would reasonably limit the useful life of an intangible asset, we classify the intangible asset as indefinite-lived and such intangible assets are not amortized. Internally used software, whether purchased or developed by us, is capitalized and amortized using the straight-line method over its estimated useful life. We have capitalized certain costs associated with software such as costs of employees devoting time to the projects and external direct costs for materials and services. Costs associated with software to be used for internal purposes are expensed until the point at which the project has reached the development stage. Subsequent additions, modifications or upgrades to internal-use software are capitalized only to the extent that they allow the software to perform a task it previously did not perform. Software maintenance, data conversion and training costs are expensed in the period in which they are incurred. We review the remaining economic lives of our capitalized software annually. Capitalized software is included in other intangible assets, net, in our consolidated balance sheets. We are required to assess goodwill for impairment at least annually, or more frequently, if an event occurs or circumstances change that would indicate an impairment may have occurred. We are required to write-down the value of goodwill in periods in which the carrying amount of the reporting unit equity exceeds the estimated fair value of the equity of the reporting unit, limited to the goodwill balance. The impairment assessment is performed at the reporting unit level. We have determined that our operations consist of one reporting unit, consistent with our determination that our business consists of one operating segment. For more information, see Note 3—Goodwill, Customer Relationships and Other Intangible Assets .
Foreign Currency	Foreign Currency Local currencies of foreign subsidiaries are the functional currencies for financial reporting purposes except for certain foreign subsidiaries, primarily in Latin America. For operations outside the United States that have functional currencies other than the U.S. dollar, assets and liabilities are translated to U.S. dollars at period-end exchange rates, and revenue, expenses and cash flows are translated using average monthly exchange rates. A significant portion of our non-United States subsidiaries have either the British pound, the euro or the Brazilian real as the functional currency, each of which experienced significant fluctuations against the U.S. dollar during the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , the successor period ended December 31, 2017 and the predecessor period ended October 31, 2017 . Foreign currency translation gains and losses are recognized as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in member's/stockholders' equity and in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) in accordance with accounting guidance for foreign currency translation. We consider the majority of our investments in our foreign subsidiaries to be long-term in nature. Our foreign currency transaction gains (losses), including where transactions with our non-United States subsidiaries are not considered to be long-term in nature, are included within other income (expense) in "Other, net" on the consolidated statements of operations.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements	Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements Leases We adopted Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-02, "Leases (ASC 842)" , as of January 1, 2019, using the non-comparative transition option pursuant to ASU 2018-11. Therefore, we have not restated comparative period financial information for the effects of ASC 842, and we will not make the new required lease disclosures for comparative periods beginning before January 1, 2019. Instead, we have recognized ASC 842's cumulative effect transition adjustment (discussed below) as of January 1, 2019. In addition, we elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within the new standard, which among other things (i) allowed us to carry forward the historical lease classification; (ii) did not require us to reassess whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain leases under the new definition of a lease; and (iii) did not require us to reassess whether previously capitalized initial direct costs for any existing leases would qualify for capitalization under ASC 842. We also elected the practical expedient related to land easements, allowing us to carry forward our accounting treatment for land easements on existing agreements. We did not elect the hindsight practical expedient regarding the likelihood of exercising a lessee purchase option or assessing any impairment of right-of-use assets for existing leases. On March 5, 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU 2019-01, "Leases (ASC 842): Codification Improvements" , effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. The new ASU aligns the guidance in ASC 842 for determining fair value of the underlying asset by lessors that are not manufacturers or dealers, with that of existing guidance. As a result, the fair value of the underlying asset at lease commencement is its cost, reflecting any volume or trade discounts that may apply. However, if there has been a significant lapse of time between when the underlying asset is acquired and when the lease commences, the definition of fair value (in ASC 820, "Fair Value Measurement" ) should be applied. More importantly, the ASU also exempts both lessees and lessors from having to provide certain interim disclosures in the fiscal year in which a company adopts the new leases standard. Early adoption permits public companies to adopt concurrent with the transition to ASC 842 on leases. We adopted ASU 2019-01 as of January 1, 2019. Adoption of the new standards resulted in the recording of operating lease assets and operating lease liabilities of approximately $1.3 billion and $1.4 billion , respectively, as of January 1, 2019. The standards did not materially impact our consolidated net earnings and had no impact on cash flows. Our financial position for reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019 is presented under the new guidance, as discussed above, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with previous guidance. Revenue Recognition In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09 which replaces virtually all existing generally accepted accounting principles on revenue recognition with a principles-based approach for determining revenue recognition using a new five step model. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 also includes new accounting principles related to the deferral and amortization of contract acquisition and fulfillment costs. We adopted the new revenue recognition standard under the modified retrospective transition method. During the year ended December 31, 2018, we recorded a cumulative catch-up adjustment that increased our member's equity by $9 million , net of $3 million of income taxes. See Note 4—Revenue Recognition for additional information. Comprehensive Income (Loss) In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02 provides an option to reclassify stranded tax effects within accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings in each period in which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Act") (or portion thereof) is recorded. If an entity elects to reclassify the income tax effects of the Act, the amount of that reclassification shall include the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate on the gross deferred tax amounts and related valuation allowances, if any, at the date of enactment of the Act related to items remaining in accumulated other comprehensive income. The effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate on gross valuation allowances that were originally charged to income from continuing operations shall not be included. ASU 2018-02 is effective January 1, 2019, but early adoption is permitted and should be applied either in the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period (or periods) in which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate in the Act is recognized. We early adopted and applied ASU 2018-02 in the first quarter of 2018. The adoption of ASU 2018-02 resulted in a $6 million decrease to member's equity and increase to accumulated other comprehensive income. See Note 18—Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) for additional information. Income Taxes In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, “ Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory” ("ASU 2016-16") . ASU 2016-16 eliminates the current prohibition on the recognition of the income tax effects on the transfer of assets among our subsidiaries. After adoption of ASU 2016-16, the income tax effects associated with these asset transfers, except for the transfer of inventory, will be recognized in the period the asset is transferred versus the current deferral and recognition upon either the sale of the asset to a third party or over the remaining useful life of the asset. We adopted ASU 2016-16 on January 1, 2018. The adoption of ASU 2016-16 did not have a material impact to our consolidated financial statements. Goodwill Impairment In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, “ Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment ” (“ASU 2017-04”). ASU 2017-04 simplifies the impairment testing for goodwill by changing the measurement for goodwill impairment. Under prior rules, we were required to compute the fair value of goodwill to measure the impairment amount if the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value. Under ASU 2017-04, the goodwill impairment charge equals the excess of the reporting unit carrying value above its fair value, limited to the amount of goodwill assigned to the reporting unit. We elected to early adopt the provisions of ASU 2017-04 as of October 1, 2018. We applied ASU 2017-04 to determine the impairment of $3.7 billion recorded during the first quarter of 2019. See Note 3 - Goodwill, Customer Relationships and Other Intangible Assets for additional information. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Financial Instruments In June 2016, the 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 our management team to estimate the total credit losses expected on the portfolio of financial instruments. We are in the process of implementing the model for the recognition of credit losses related to our financial instruments, new processes and internal controls to assist us in the application of the new standard. The cumulative effect of initially applying the new standard on January 1, 2020 will not be material.

CenturyLink Merger (Tables)

CenturyLink Merger (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Schedule of business acquisitions, by acquisition	The following is our assignment of the aggregate consideration: Adjusted November 1, 2017 Balance as of December 31, 2017 Purchase Price Adjustments Adjusted November 1, 2017 Balance as of October 31, 2018 (Dollars in millions) Cash, accounts receivable and other current assets (1) $ 3,317 (26 ) 3,291 Property, plant and equipment 9,311 157 9,468 Identifiable intangible assets (2) Customer relationships 8,964 (533 ) 8,431 Other 391 (13 ) 378 Other noncurrent assets 782 216 998 Current liabilities, excluding current maturities of long-term debt (1,461 ) (32 ) (1,493 ) Current maturities of long-term debt (7 ) — (7 ) Long-term debt (10,888 ) — (10,888 ) Deferred revenue and other liabilities (1,613 ) (114 ) (1,727 ) Goodwill 10,837 340 11,177 Total estimated aggregate consideration $ 19,633 (5 ) 19,628 _______________________________________________________________________________ (1) Includes accounts receivable, which had a gross contractual value of $884 million on November 1, 2017. (2) The weighted-average amortization period for the acquired intangible assets is approximately 12.0 years.
Summary of acquisition related expenses	The table below summarizes our acquisition-related expenses, which consist of integration and transformation-related expenses, including severance and retention compensation expenses, and transaction-related expenses: Successor Predecessor Year Ended December 31, 2019 Year Ended December 31, 2018 Period Ended December 31, 2017 Period Ended October 31, 2017 (Dollars in millions) Transaction-related expenses — 1 — 18 Integration and transformation-related expenses 82 120 28 67 Total acquisition-related expenses $ 82 121 28 85

Goodwill, Customer Relationsh_2

Goodwill, Customer Relationships and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of goodwill, customer relationships and other intangible assets	Goodwill, customer relationships and other intangible assets consisted of the following: December 31, 2019 2018 (Dollars in millions) Goodwill 7,415 11,119 Customer relationships, less accumulated amortization of $1,538 and $833 6,865 7,567 Other intangible assets subject to amortization: Trade names, less accumulated amortization of $57 and $30 74 100 Capitalized software, less accumulated amortization of $146 and $67 395 310 Total other intangible assets, net 469 410
Schedule of goodwill	The following table shows the rollforward of goodwill from December 31, 2017 through December 31, 2019 : (Dollars in millions) As of December 31, 2017 $ 10,837 Purchase accounting and other adjustments 340 Effect of foreign currency rate change (58 ) As of December 31, 2018 $ 11,119 Impairment (3,708 ) Effect of foreign currency rate change and other 4 As of December 31, 2019 $ 7,415
Schedule of estimated amortization expense of intangible asset	We estimate that total amortization expense for intangible assets for the successor years ending 2020 through 2024 will be as follows: (Dollars in millions) 2020 $ 833 2021 833 2022 773 2023 744 2024 732

Revenue Recognition (Tables)

Revenue Recognition (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Schedule of new accounting pronouncements and changes in accounting principles	The following tables present our reported results under ASC 606 and a reconciliation to results using the historical accounting method: Successor Reported Balances as of December 31, 2018 Impact of ASC 606 ASC 605 Historical Adjusted Balances (Dollars in millions) Operating revenue $ 8,220 (5 ) 8,215 Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) 3,937 — 3,937 Selling, general and administrative 1,354 52 1,406 Interest expense 509 (9 ) 500 Income tax expense 196 (12 ) 184 Net income 341 (36 ) 305
Disaggregation of revenue	The following tabled provide disaggregation of revenue from contracts with customers based on service offering for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. It also shows the amount of revenue that is not subject to ASC 606, but is instead governed by other accounting standards. Year Ended December 31, 2019 Total Revenue Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue (6) Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Dollars in millions) IP and Data Services (1) $ 3,888 — 3,888 Transport and Infrastructure (2) 2,662 (704 ) 1,958 Voice and Collaboration (3) 1,443 — 1,443 Other Revenue (4) 12 (9 ) 3 Affiliate Revenue (5) 180 (180 ) — Total Revenue $ 8,185 (893 ) 7,292 Timing of revenue Goods transferred at a point in time $ — Services performed over time 7,292 Total revenue from contracts with customers $ 7,292 Year Ended December 31, 2018 (Dollars in millions) Total Revenue Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue (6) Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers IP and Data Services (1) $ 3,945 — 3,945 Transport and Infrastructure (2) 2,701 (189 ) 2,512 Voice and Collaboration (3) 1,464 — 1,464 Other Revenue (4) 3 (3 ) — Affiliate Revenue (5) 107 (107 ) — Total Revenue $ 8,220 (299 ) 7,921 Timing of revenue Goods transferred at a point in time $ — Services performed over time 7,921 Total revenue from contracts with customers $ 7,921 _______________________________________________________________________________ (1) Includes primarily VPN data network, IP, Ethernet, video and ancillary revenue. (2) Includes primarily wavelength, colocation and data center services, dark fiber, private line and professional services revenue. (3) Includes voice, Voice Over IP ("VoIP"), Collaboration. (4) Includes sublease rental income and IT services and managed services revenue. (5) Includes telecommunications and data services we bill to our affiliates. (6) Includes sublease rental income and revenue from fiber capacity lease arrangements which are not 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 December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018: December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 (Dollars in millions) Customer receivables (1) $ 678 712 Contract assets 32 19 Contract liabilities 423 393 _______________________________________________________________________________ (1) Gross customer receivables of $691 million and $723 million, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $13 million and $11 million, at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.
Capitalized contract cost	The following tables provide changes in our contract acquisition costs and fulfillment costs for the years ended: Year Ended December 31, 2019 Acquisition Costs Fulfillment Costs (Dollars in millions) Beginning of period balance $ 64 84 Costs incurred 60 103 Amortization (45 ) (66 ) End of period balance $ 79 121 Year Ended December 31, 2018 Acquisition Costs Fulfillment Costs (Dollars in millions) Beginning of period balance $ 13 14 Costs incurred 68 99 Amortization (17 ) (29 ) End of period balance $ 64 84

Leases (Tables)

Leases (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Leases [Abstract]
Lease, cost	Supplemental unaudited consolidated cash flow statement information related to leases: Year Ended December 31, 2019 (Dollars in millions) Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: Operating cash flows from operating leases 387 Operating cash flows from finance leases 11 Financing cash flows from finance leases 5 Supplemental lease cash flow disclosures Operating lease right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities 206 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities 12 Lease expense consisted of the following: Year Ended December 31, 2019 (Dollars in millions) Operating and short-term lease cost 388 Finance lease cost: Amortization of right-of-use assets 14 Interest on lease liability 10 Total finance lease cost 24 Total lease cost 412
Assets And liabilities	Supplemental consolidated balance sheet information and other information related to leases: December 31 Leases (millions) Classification on the Balance Sheet 2019 Assets Operating lease assets Operating lease assets $ 1,060 Finance lease assets Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation 154 Total leased assets $ 1,214 Liabilities Current Operating Current operating lease liabilities $ 249 Finance Current portion of long-term debt 11 Noncurrent Operating Noncurrent operating lease liabilities 854 Finance Long-term debt 160 Total lease liabilities $ 1,274 Weighted-average remaining lease term (years) Operating leases 7.5 Finance leases 13.1 Weighted-average discount rate Operating leases 6.19 % Finance leases 5.60 %
Lessee, operating lease, liability, maturity	As of December 31, 2019, maturities of lease liabilities were as follows: Operating Leases Finance Leases (Dollars in millions) 2020 $ 276 21 2021 231 17 2022 199 18 2023 166 18 2024 113 18 Thereafter 437 154 Total lease payments 1,422 246 Less: interest (319 ) (75 ) Total 1,103 $ 171 Less: current portion (249 ) (11 ) Long-term portion $ 854 $ 160
Schedule of future minimum lease payments for capital leases	The future annual minimum payments under capital lease agreements as of December 31, 2018 were as follows: Future Minimum Payments (Dollars in millions) Capital lease obligations: 2019 $ 16 2020 15 2021 16 2022 16 2023 17 2024 and thereafter 164 Total minimum payments 244 Less: amount representing interest and executory costs (81 ) Present value of minimum payments 163 Less: current portion (6 ) Long-term portion $ 157
Schedule of future minimum rental payments for operating leases	At December 31, 2018, our future rental commitments for operating leases were as follows: Operating Leases (Dollars in millions) 2019 $ 396 2020 259 2021 219 2022 164 2023 137 2024 and thereafter 613 Total future minimum payments (1) $ 1,788 _______________________________________________________________________________ (1) Minimum payments have not been reduced by minimum sublease rentals of $29 million due in the future under non-cancelable subleases.

Long-Term Debt (Tables)

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of long-term debt	The following chart reflects our consolidated long-term debt, including unamortized premiums, net and debt issuance costs, but excluding intercompany debt: Interest Rates Maturities December 31, December 31, (Dollars in millions) Level 3 Parent, LLC Senior Notes 5.750% 2022 $ — 600 Subsidiaries Level 3 Financing, Inc. Senior Secured Debt: (1) Senior Notes (2) 3.400% - 3.875% 2027 - 2029 1,500 — Tranche B 2024 Term Loan (3) LIBOR + 2.25% 2024 — 4,611 Tranche B 2027 Term Loan (4) LIBOR + 1.75% 2027 3,111 — Senior Notes and other debt: Senior Notes (2) 4.625% - 6.125% 2021 - 2027 5,515 5,315 Finance Leases Various Various 171 163 Unamortized premiums, net 104 155 Unamortized debt issuance costs (34 ) — Total long-term debt 10,367 10,844 Less current maturities (11 ) (6 ) Long-term debt, excluding current maturities $ 10,356 10,838 _______________________________________________________________________________ (1) See the remainder of this Note for a description of certain parent and subsidiary guarantees and liens securing this debt. (2) As described further below, the notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by certain affiliates of Level 3 Financing, Inc., including Level 3 Parent, LLC and Level 3 Communications, LLC. (subject in certain cases to pending regulatory approvals). (3) The Tranche B 2024 Term Loan had an interest rate of 4.754% as of December 31, 2018. (4) The Tranche B 2027 Term Loan had an interest rate of 3.549% as of December 31, 2019.
Schedule of aggregate future contractual maturities of long-term debt and capital leases (excluding unamortized premiums)	Set forth below is the aggregate principal amount of our long-term debt and finance leases (excluding unamortized premiums, net and unamortized debt issuance costs) maturing during the following years: (Dollars in millions) (1) 2020 $ 11 2021 8 2022 850 2023 1,210 2024 911 2024 and thereafter 7,307 Total long-term debt $ 10,297 _______________________________________________________________________________ (1) Actual principal paid in any year may differ due to the possible future refinancing of outstanding debt or the issuance of new debt.

Accounts Receivable (Tables)

Accounts Receivable (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Receivables [Abstract]
Schedule of accounts receivable	The following table presents details of our accounts receivable balances: December 31, 2019 2018 (Dollars in millions) Trade receivables 529 533 Earned and unbilled receivables 151 177 Other — 13 Total accounts receivable 680 723 Less: allowance for doubtful accounts (1) (13 ) (11 ) Accounts receivable, less allowance 667 712 _______________________________________________________________________________ (1) CenturyLink's acquisition of us caused our assets and liabilities to be recognized at fair value and resulted in the allowance for doubtful accounts being reset as of the date of acquisition.
Allowance for credit losses on financing receivables	The following table presents details of our allowance for doubtful accounts: Beginning Balance Additions Deductions Ending Balance (Dollars in millions) 2019 11 24 (22 ) 13 2018 3 18 (10 ) 11 December 31, 2017 (Successor) — 3 — 3 October 31, 2017 (Predecessor) 29 16 (12 ) 33

Property, Plant and Equipment (

Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment	Net property, plant and equipment is composed of the following: Depreciable Lives As of December 31, 2019 2018 (Dollars in millions) Land N/A 336 339 Fiber conduit and other outside plant (1) 15-45 years 5,226 5,262 Central office and other network electronics (2) 7-10 years 2,687 1,986 Support assets (3) 3-30 years 2,419 2,327 Construction-in-progress (4) N/A 1,093 560 Gross property, plant and equipment 11,761 10,474 Accumulated depreciation (5) (1,825 ) (1,021 ) Net property, plant and equipment 9,936 9,453 _______________________________________________________________________________ (1) Fiber, conduit and other outside plant consists of fiber and metallic cable, conduit, poles and other supporting structures. (2) Central office and other network electronics consists of circuit and packet switches, routers, transmission electronics and electronics providing service to customers. (3) Support assets consist of buildings, data centers, computers and other administrative and support equipment. (4) Construction in progress includes construction and property of the aforementioned categories that has not been placed in service as it is still under construction. (5) CenturyLink's acquisition of us caused our assets and liabilities to be recognized at fair value and resulted in accumulated depreciation being reset as of the date of acquisition.
Schedule of change in asset retirement obligation	The following table provides asset retirement obligation activity: Successor Predecessor Year Ended December 31, 2019 Year Ended December 31, 2018 Period Ended December 31, 2017 Period Ended October 31, 2017 (Dollars in millions) Balance at beginning of period $ 105 45 45 89 Accretion expense 5 5 1 12 Purchase price adjustments (1) — 58 — — Liabilities settled (12 ) (13 ) (1 ) (7 ) Revision in estimated cash flows 15 10 — — Balance at end of period $ 113 105 45 94 _______________________________________________________________________________ (1) These liabilities relate to purchase price adjustments that occurred during 2018 from CenturyLink's acquisition of us.

Severance and Leased Real Est_2

Severance and Leased Real Estate (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Schedule of restructuring reserve by type of cost	Changes in our accrued liabilities for severance expenses were as follows: Severance (Dollars in millions) Balance at December 31, 2017 (Successor) $ 5 Accrued to expense 33 Payments, net (19 ) Balance at December 31, 2018 $ 19 Accrued to expense 6 Payments, net (16 ) Balance at December 31, 2019 $ 9

Fair Value Disclosure (Tables)

Fair Value Disclosure (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair value measurement inputs and valuation techniques	The three input levels in the hierarchy of fair value measurements are defined by the FASB 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.
Schedule of fair value of liabilities measured on a recurring basis	The following table presents the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of our long-term debt, excluding finance leases, as well as the input level used to determine the fair values indicated below: As of December 31, 2019 2018 Input Level Carrying Amount Fair Value Carrying Amount Fair Value (Dollars in million) Liabilities-Long-term debt, excluding finance leases 2 10,196 10,244 10,681 10,089

Income Taxes (Tables)

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Components of income tax expense (benefit)	Successor Predecessor Year Ended December 31, 2019 Year Ended December 31, 2018 Period Ended December 31, 2017 Period Ended October 31, 2017 (Dollars in millions) Income tax expense was as follows: Federal Current $ 12 — — — Deferred 186 199 231 193 State Current 4 (9 ) 2 7 Deferred 41 28 6 16 Foreign Current 17 30 4 39 Deferred (5 ) (52 ) (9 ) 13 Total income tax expense $ 255 196 234 268
Schedule of income before income tax, domestic and foreign	Successor Predecessor Year Ended December 31, 2019 Year Ended December 31, 2018 Period Ended December 31, 2017 Period Ended October 31, 2017 (Dollars in millions) Income tax expense was allocated as follows: Income tax expense in the consolidated statements of operations: Attributable to income 255 196 234 268 Member's/Stockholders' equity: Tax effect of the change in accumulated other comprehensive loss 5 (49 ) 17 49
Schedule of effective income tax rate reconciliation	The following is a reconciliation from the statutory federal income tax rate to our effective income tax rate: Successor Predecessor Year Ended December 31, 2019 Year Ended December 31, 2018 Period Ended December 31, 2017 Period Ended October 31, 2017 (Percentage of pre-tax income) Statutory federal income tax rate 21.0 % 21.0 % 35.0 % 35.0 % State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit (1.2 )% 2.8 % 3.6 % 2.9 % Goodwill impairment (26.4 )% — % — % — % Tax Reform (0.2 )% 17.2 % 210.6 % — % Global intangible low-taxed income (0.4 )% 1.8 % — % — % CenturyLink acquisition transaction costs — % — % 11.3 % — % Uncertain tax positions — % 0.5 % 1.2 % 0.1 % Base erosion and anti-abuse tax (0.4 )% — % — % — % Net foreign income tax (0.8 )% (4.8 )% (19.3 )% 0.9 % Executive compensation limitation (0.2 )% 1.2 % 5.4 % 0.9 % Research and development credits 0.1 % (1.3 )% (0.9 )% (1.2 )% Other, net (0.1 )% (1.9 )% 4.7 % 0.1 % Effective income tax rate (8.6 )% 36.5 % 251.6 % 38.7 %
Deferred tax assets and liabilities	The tax effects of temporary differences that gave rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities were as follows: December 31, 2019 2018 (Dollars in millions) Deferred tax assets Deferred revenue $ 306 298 Net operating loss carry forwards 3,233 3,494 Property, plant and equipment 58 57 Other 326 309 Gross deferred tax assets 3,923 4,158 Less valuation allowance (892 ) (931 ) Net deferred tax assets 3,031 3,227 Deferred tax liabilities Deferred revenue (41 ) (45 ) Property, plant and equipment (974 ) (853 ) Intangible assets (1,898 ) (1,998 ) Other (29 ) (25 ) Gross deferred tax liabilities (2,942 ) (2,921 ) Net deferred tax assets 89 306
Schedule of unrecognized tax benefits	A reconciliation of the change in our gross unrecognized tax benefits (excluding both interest and any related federal benefit) from January 1 to December 31 for 2019 and 2018 is as follows: 2019 2018 (Dollars in millions) Unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of period $ 970 21 Tax positions of prior periods netted against deferred tax assets (24 ) 950 (Decrease) increase in tax positions taken in the prior period 1 (1 ) Increase in tax positions taken in the current period 5 3 Decrease due to settlement/payments — (1 ) Decrease from the lapse of statute of limitations — (2 ) Unrecognized tax benefits at end of period 952 970

Products and Services Revenues

Products and Services Revenues (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Schedule of operating revenues by product and services	Our operating revenue for our products and services consisted of the following categories: Successor Predecessor Year Ended December 31, 2019 Year Ended December 31, 2018 Period Ended December 31, 2017 Period Ended October 31, 2017 (Dollars in millions) IP and Data Services $ 3,888 3,945 668 3,284 Transport and Infrastructure 2,662 2,701 464 2,272 Voice and Collaboration 1,443 1,464 258 1,308 Other revenue 12 3 1 6 Affiliate revenue 180 107 16 — Total revenue $ 8,185 8,220 1,407 6,870
Summary of USF surcharges and transaction taxes	Successor Predecessor Year Ended December 31, 2019 Year Ended December 31, 2018 Period Ended December 31, 2017 Period Ended October 31, 2017 (Dollars in millions) USF surcharges and transaction taxes $ 428 415 71 331
Schedule of operating revenues by geographic region	The following tables present total assets as of the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 as well as operating revenue for the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the successor period ended December 31, 2017 and the predecessor period ended October 31, 2017 by geographic region: Total Assets December 31, 2019 2018 (Dollars in millions) North America $ 24,144 27,520 Europe, Middle East and Africa 2,842 2,765 Latin America 2,112 2,006 Total $ 29,098 32,291 Revenue Successor Predecessor Year Ended December 31, 2019 Year Ended December 31, 2018 Period Ended December 31, 2017 Period Ended October 31, 2017 (Dollars in millions) North America $ 6,719 6,739 1,155 5,651 Europe, Middle East and Africa 719 744 128 607 Latin America 747 737 124 612 Total $ 8,185 8,220 1,407 6,870 Our operations are integrated into and reported as part of the consolidated segment data of CenturyLink. CenturyLink's chief operating decision maker ("CODM") is our CODM, but reviews our financial information on an aggregate basis only in connection with our quarterly and annual reports that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Consequently, we do not provide our discrete financial information to the CODM on a regular basis. As such, we believe we have one reportable segment. A relatively small number of customers account for a significant percentage of our revenue. Our top ten customers accounted for approximately 16% and 20% of our revenue for the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , respectively, 19% for the successor period ended December 31, 2017 and 18% for the predecessor period ended October 31, 2017 , respectively.

Quarterly Financial Data (Una_2

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of quarterly financial data (unaudited)	First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Total (Dollars in millions) 2019 Operating revenue $ 2,046 2,014 2,064 2,061 8,185 Operating (loss) income (3,393 ) 272 309 285 (2,527 ) Net (loss) income (3,585 ) 110 114 160 (3,201 ) First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Total (Dollars in millions) 2018 Operating revenue $ 2,087 2,052 2,010 2,071 8,220 Operating income 261 196 227 284 968 Net income 62 40 88 151 341

Commitments, Contingencies an_2

Commitments, Contingencies and Other Items (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of operating leases, future minimum payments due and unrecorded unconditional purchase obligation	At December 31, 2019, our future rental commitments for right-of-way agreements were as follows: Right-of-Way Agreements (Dollars in millions) 2020 $ 83 2021 58 2022 55 2023 53 2024 44 2025 and thereafter 276 Total future minimum payments (1) $ 569

Accumulated Other Comprehensi_2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	The table below summarizes changes in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income recorded on our consolidated balance sheet by component for the years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2019: Pension Plans Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments and Other Total (Dollars in millions) Balance at December 31, 2017 (successor) $ — 18 18 Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications — (200 ) (200 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income 5 — 5 Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) 5 (200 ) (195 ) Cumulative effect of adoption of ASU 2018-02, Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income: Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated other Comprehensive Income — 6 6 Balance at December 31, 2018 $ 5 (176 ) (171 ) Balance at December 31, 2018 $ 5 (176 ) (171 ) Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications — (5 ) (5 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss (3 ) — (3 ) Net current-period other comprehensive loss (3 ) (5 ) (8 ) Balance at December 31, 2019 $ 2 (181 ) (179 )

Condensed Consolidating Finan_2

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Schedule of condensed consolidating statements of operations	Level 3 Parent, LLC Level 3 Financing, Inc. Level 3 Communications, LLC Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Total (Dollars in millions) OPERATING REVENUE Operating revenue $ — — 3,912 4,093 — 8,005 Operating revenue - affiliates — — 226 801 (847 ) 180 Total operating revenue — — 4,138 4,894 (847 ) 8,185 OPERATING EXPENSES Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) — — 1,987 1,812 — 3,799 Selling, general and administrative (50 ) 5 1,438 710 (845 ) 1,258 Operating expenses - affiliates — — 241 93 — 334 Depreciation and amortization — — 652 961 — 1,613 Goodwill impairment — — 1,369 2,339 — 3,708 Total operating expenses (50 ) 5 5,687 5,915 (845 ) 10,712 OPERATING (LOSS) INCOME 50 (5 ) (1,549 ) (1,021 ) (2 ) (2,527 ) OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE) Interest income — — 7 2 — 9 Interest income (expense) - affiliates, net 3,888 658 (5,829 ) 1,343 1 61 Interest expense (29 ) (468 ) 13 (18 ) — (502 ) Equity in net (losses) earnings of subsidiaries (7,109 ) (7,352 ) 570 — 13,891 — Gain (loss) on modification and extinguishment of debt 10 (5 ) — — — 5 Other (expense) income, net (8 ) — 8 8 — 8 Total other income (expense), net (3,248 ) (7,167 ) (5,231 ) 1,335 13,892 (419 ) INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAX BENEFIT (EXPENSE) (3,198 ) (7,172 ) (6,780 ) 314 13,890 (2,946 ) Income tax benefit (expense) (3 ) 63 30 (345 ) — (255 ) NET INCOME (LOSS) (3,201 ) (7,109 ) (6,750 ) (31 ) 13,890 (3,201 ) Other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes (8 ) — — (8 ) 8 (8 ) COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) $ (3,209 ) (7,109 ) (6,750 ) (39 ) 13,898 (3,209 ) Level 3 Parent, LLC Level 3 Financing, Inc. Level 3 Communications, LLC Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Total (Dollars in millions) OPERATING REVENUE Operating revenue $ — — 3,884 4,229 — 8,113 Operating revenue - affiliates — — 130 285 (308 ) 107 Total operating revenue — — 4,014 4,514 (308 ) 8,220 OPERATING EXPENSES Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) — — 2,209 1,728 — 3,937 Selling, general and administrative 12 3 392 1,255 (308 ) 1,354 Operating expenses - affiliates — — 176 81 — 257 Depreciation and amortization — — 688 1,016 — 1,704 Total operating expenses 12 3 3,465 4,080 (308 ) 7,252 OPERATING (LOSS) INCOME (12 ) (3 ) 549 434 — 968 OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE) Interest income — — 3 1 — 4 Interest income (expense) - affiliates, net 2,430 1,562 (3,803 ) (126 ) — 63 Interest expense (33 ) (457 ) (3 ) (16 ) — (509 ) Equity in net (losses) earnings of subsidiaries (2,044 ) (3,257 ) 254 — 5,047 — Other (expense) income, net (9 ) — 1 19 — 11 Total other income (expense), net 344 (2,152 ) (3,548 ) (122 ) 5,047 (431 ) INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAX BENEFIT (EXPENSE) 332 (2,155 ) (2,999 ) 312 5,047 537 Income tax benefit (expense) 10 111 (232 ) (85 ) — (196 ) NET INCOME (LOSS) 342 (2,044 ) (3,231 ) 227 5,047 341 Other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes (195 ) — — (195 ) 195 (195 ) COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) $ 147 (2,044 ) (3,231 ) 32 5,242 146 Level 3 Parent, LLC Level 3 Financing, Inc. Level 3 Communications, LLC Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Total (Dollars in millions) OPERATING REVENUE Operating revenue $ — — 748 671 (28 ) 1,391 Operating revenue - affiliates — — 16 — — 16 Total operating revenue — — 764 671 (28 ) 1,407 OPERATING EXPENSES Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) — — 418 300 (28 ) 690 Selling, general and administrative 1 3 179 70 — 253 Operating expenses - affiliates — — 24 — — 24 Depreciation and amortization — — 117 165 — 282 Total operating expenses 1 3 738 535 (28 ) 1,249 OPERATING (LOSS) INCOME (1 ) (3 ) 26 136 — 158 OTHER (EXPENSE) INCOME Interest income — — 1 — — 1 Interest income (expense) affiliates, net 262 368 (578 ) (41 ) — 11 Interest expense (5 ) (72 ) — (3 ) — (80 ) Equity in net (losses) earnings of subsidiaries (827 ) (15 ) 71 — 771 — Other income 1 — 2 — — 3 Total other (expense) income, net (569 ) 281 (504 ) (44 ) 771 (65 ) (LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX (EXPENSE) BENEFIT (570 ) 278 (478 ) 92 771 93 Income tax benefit (expense) 429 (1,105 ) 433 9 — (234 ) NET (LOSS) INCOME (141 ) (827 ) (45 ) 101 771 (141 ) Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes 18 — — 18 (18 ) 18 COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME $ (123 ) (827 ) (45 ) 119 753 (123 ) Level 3 Parent, LLC Level 3 Financing, Inc. Level 3 Communications, LLC Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Total (Dollars in millions) OPERATING REVENUE Operating revenue $ — — 3,108 3,891 (129 ) 6,870 Total operating revenue — — 3,108 3,891 (129 ) 6,870 OPERATING EXPENSES Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) — — 1,942 1,680 (129 ) 3,493 Selling, general and administrative 4 3 942 259 — 1,208 Depreciation and amortization — — 356 662 — 1,018 Total operating expenses 4 3 3,240 2,601 (129 ) 5,719 OPERATING (LOSS) INCOME (4 ) (3 ) (132 ) 1,290 — 1,151 OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE) Interest income — — 12 1 — 13 Interest income (expense) - affiliates, net 1,260 1,890 (2,896 ) (254 ) — — Interest expense (30 ) (397 ) (2 ) (12 ) — (441 ) Loss on modification and extinguishment of debt — (44 ) — — — (44 ) Equity in net (losses) earnings of subsidiaries (815 ) (2,138 ) 692 — 2,261 — Other (expense) income, net 3 — 15 (4 ) — 14 Total other income (expense), net 418 (689 ) (2,179 ) (269 ) 2,261 (458 ) INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAX BENEFIT (EXPENSE) 414 (692 ) (2,311 ) 1,021 2,261 693 Income tax benefit (expense) 11 (123 ) (2 ) (154 ) — (268 ) NET INCOME (LOSS) 425 (815 ) (2,313 ) 867 2,261 425 Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes 80 — — — — 80 COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) $ 505 (815 ) (2,313 ) 867 2,261 505
Schedule of condensed consolidating balance sheets	Level 3 Parent, LLC Level 3 Financing, Inc. Level 3 Communications, LLC Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Total (Dollars in millions) ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 3 — 231 82 — 316 Restricted cash - current — — — 3 — 3 Accounts receivable — — 44 623 — 667 Advances to affiliates 19,302 24,293 7,634 2,830 (54,059 ) — Note receivable - affiliate 1,590 — — — — 1,590 Other 1 — 105 160 — 266 Total current assets 20,896 24,293 8,014 3,698 (54,059 ) 2,842 NET PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT — — 3,688 6,248 — 9,936 GOODWILL AND OTHER ASSETS Goodwill — — 252 7,163 — 7,415 Operating lease assets — — 1,210 324 (474 ) 1,060 Restricted cash 12 — 5 2 — 19 Customer relationships, net — — 3,383 3,482 — 6,865 Other intangible assets, net — — 447 22 — 469 Investment in subsidiaries 8,432 10,564 4,431 — (23,427 ) — Other, net 272 1,485 88 201 (1,554 ) 492 Total goodwill and other assets 8,716 12,049 9,816 11,194 (25,455 ) 16,320 TOTAL ASSETS $ 29,612 36,342 21,518 21,140 (79,514 ) 29,098 LIABILITIES AND MEMBER'S EQUITY (DEFICIT) CURRENT LIABILITIES Current maturities of long-term debt — — 3 8 — 11 Accounts payable — 15 350 289 — 654 Accounts payable - affiliates 80 17 569 3 — 669 Accrued expenses and other liabilities Salaries and benefits — — 192 48 — 240 Income and other taxes — 7 95 50 — 152 Current operating lease liabilities — — 254 89 (94 ) 249 Interest — 81 1 3 — 85 Other 1 1 22 53 — 77 Advance billings and customer deposits — — 169 140 — 309 Due to affiliates — — 50,865 3,194 (54,059 ) — Total current liabilities 81 121 52,520 3,877 (54,153 ) 2,446 LONG-TERM DEBT — 10,196 15 145 — 10,356 DEFERRED REVENUE AND OTHER LIABILITES Deferred revenue — — 1,137 206 — 1,343 Deferred tax liability 56 — 739 1,000 (1,554 ) 241 Noncurrent operating lease liabilities — — 986 248 (380 ) 854 Other 1 — 154 158 — 313 Total deferred revenue and other liabilities 57 — 3,016 1,612 (1,934 ) 2,751 COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES MEMBER'S EQUITY (DEFICIT) 29,474 26,025 (34,033 ) 15,506 (23,427 ) 13,545 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND MEMBER'S EQUITY (DEFICIT) $ 29,612 36,342 21,518 21,140 (79,514 ) 29,098 Level 3 Parent, LLC Level 3 Financing, Inc. Level 3 Communications, LLC Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Total (Dollars in millions) ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 2 — 164 77 — 243 Restricted cash - current — — — 4 — 4 Accounts receivable — — 70 642 — 712 Advances to affiliates 16,852 23,957 7,744 2,707 (51,260 ) — Note receivable - affiliate 1,825 — — — — 1,825 Other 1 3 97 133 — 234 Total current assets 18,680 23,960 8,075 3,563 (51,260 ) 3,018 NET PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT — — 3,136 6,317 — 9,453 GOODWILL AND OTHER ASSETS Goodwill — — 1,665 9,454 — 11,119 Restricted cash 15 — 9 1 — 25 Customer relationships, net — — 3,823 3,744 — 7,567 Other intangible assets, net — — 409 1 — 410 Investment in subsidiaries 15,541 17,915 3,861 — (37,317 ) — Other, net 275 1,421 110 225 (1,332 ) 699 Total goodwill and other assets 15,831 19,336 9,877 13,425 (38,649 ) 19,820 TOTAL ASSETS $ 34,511 43,296 21,088 23,305 (89,909 ) 32,291 LIABILITIES AND MEMBER'S EQUITY (DEFICIT) CURRENT LIABILITIES Current maturities of long-term debt $ — — 1 5 — 6 Accounts payable — — 380 346 — 726 Accounts payable - affiliates 62 11 162 11 — 246 Accrued expenses and other liabilities Salaries and benefits — — 189 44 — 233 Income and other taxes — 4 72 54 — 130 Interest 11 78 1 5 — 95 Other 3 1 8 66 — 78 Current portion of deferred revenue — — 168 142 — 310 Due to affiliates — — 45,347 5,913 (51,260 ) — Total current liabilities 76 94 46,328 6,586 (51,260 ) 1,824 LONG-TERM DEBT 613 10,068 7 150 — 10,838 DEFERRED REVENUE AND OTHER LIABILITES Deferred revenue — — 971 210 — 1,181 Deferred tax liability 56 — 841 637 (1,332 ) 202 Other — — 197 172 — 369 Total deferred revenue and other liabilities 56 — 2,009 1,019 (1,332 ) 1,752 COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES MEMBER'S EQUITY (DEFICIT) 33,766 33,134 (27,256 ) 15,550 (37,317 ) 17,877 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND MEMBER'S EQUITY (DEFICIT) $ 34,511 43,296 21,088 23,305 (89,909 ) 32,291
Schedule of condensed consolidating statements of cash flows	Level 3 Parent, LLC Level 3 Financing, Inc. Level 3 Communications, LLC Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Total (Dollars in millions) OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities $ 313 (151 ) 1,952 569 — 2,683 INVESTING ACTIVITIES Capital expenditures — — (782 ) (559 ) — (1,341 ) Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment and other assets 50 — (23 ) 1 — 28 Note receivable - affiliate 235 — — — — 235 Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 285 — (805 ) (558 ) — (1,078 ) FINANCING ACTIVITIES Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt — 2,479 — — — 2,479 Payments of long-term debt (600 ) (2,300 ) — (6 ) — (2,906 ) Distributions (1,084 ) — — — — (1,084 ) Increase (decrease) due to from affiliates, net 1,084 — (1,084 ) — — — Other — (28 ) — — — (28 ) Net cash used in financing activities (600 ) 151 (1,084 ) (6 ) — (1,539 ) Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and securities (2 ) — 63 5 — 66 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and securities at beginning of period 17 — 173 82 — 272 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and securities at end of period $ 15 $ — 236 87 $ — 338 Level 3 Parent, LLC Level 3 Financing, Inc. Level 3 Communications, LLC Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Total (Dollars in millions) OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities $ (98 ) — 2,059 436 — 2,397 INVESTING ACTIVITIES Capital expenditures — — (527 ) (511 ) — (1,038 ) Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment and other assets 83 — — 51 — 134 Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 83 — (527 ) (460 ) — (904 ) FINANCING ACTIVITIES Payments of long-term debt — — — (7 ) — (7 ) Distributions (1,545 ) — — — — (1,545 ) Increase (decrease) due to from affiliates, net 1,545 — (1,545 ) — — — Net cash used in financing activities — — (1,545 ) (7 ) — (1,552 ) Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and securities (15 ) — (13 ) (31 ) — (59 ) Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and securities at beginning of period 32 — 186 113 — 331 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and securities at end of period $ 17 — 173 82 — 272 Level 3 Parent, LLC Level 3 Financing, Inc. Level 3 Communications, LLC Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Total (Dollars in millions) OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities $ (1 ) — 172 137 — 308 INVESTING ACTIVITIES Capital expenditures — — (110 ) (97 ) — (207 ) Note receivable - affiliate — — (1,825 ) — — (1,825 ) Net cash used in investing activities — — (1,935 ) (97 ) — (2,032 ) FINANCING ACTIVITIES Payments of long-term debt — — — (1 ) — (1 ) Distributions (250 ) — — — — (250 ) Increase (decrease) due from/to affiliates, net 250 — (250 ) — — — Other — — — (2 ) — (2 ) Net cash used in financing activities — — (250 ) (3 ) — (253 ) Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash and securities (1 ) — (2,013 ) 37 — (1,977 ) Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and securities at beginning of period 33 — 2,199 76 — 2,308 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and securities at end of period $ 32 — 186 113 — 331 Level 3 Parent, LLC Level 3 Financing, Inc. Level 3 Communications, LLC Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Total (Dollars in millions) OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities $ (61 ) (401 ) 1,615 761 — 1,914 INVESTING ACTIVITIES Capital expenditures — — (667 ) (452 ) — (1,119 ) Purchase of marketable securities — — (1,127 ) — — (1,127 ) Maturity of marketable securities — — 1,127 — — 1,127 Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and other assets — — 1 — — 1 Net cash used in investing activities — — (666 ) (452 ) — (1,118 ) FINANCING ACTIVITIES Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt — 4,569 — — — 4,569 Payments of long-term debt — (4,911 ) 1 (7 ) — (4,917 ) Increase (decrease) due from/to affiliates, net 57 743 (460 ) (340 ) — — Other — — — 3 — 3 Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 57 401 (459 ) (344 ) — (345 ) Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash and securities (4 ) — 490 (35 ) — 451 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and securities at beginning of period 37 — 1,710 110 — 1,857 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and securities at end of period $ 33 — 2,200 75 — 2,308

Background and Summary of Sig_3

Background and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) $ in Millions	Oct. 31, 2017reporting_unit	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)reporting_unitsegment	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)	Jan. 01, 2019USD ($)
Description of Business
USF contributions		$ 71			$ 331	$ 428	$ 415
Past due threshold, days outstanding						30 days
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life						9 years
Goodwill impairment		$ 0	$ 3,708		$ 0	$ 3,708	$ 0
Number of reporting units | reporting_unit	1					1
Number of operating segments | segment						1
Reclassification from AOCI to retained earnings, tax effect				$ 6
Operating lease assets						$ 1,060
Operating lease liabilities						1,103
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02
Description of Business
Operating lease assets								$ 1,300
Operating lease liabilities								$ 1,400
Accumulated deficit | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
Description of Business
Cumulative effect of adoption of ASU						9
Cumulative net effect of adoption of ASU, tax						3
Accumulated deficit | Accounting Standards Update 2016-02
Description of Business
Cumulative effect of adoption of ASU						$ (39)
Customer relationships
Description of Business
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life						10 years
Capitalized software
Description of Business
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life						7 years
Other
Description of Business
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life						5 years
Minimum
Description of Business
Contract term						1 year
Period company may receive up front payments for services to be provided in the future (in years)						10 years
Minimum | Customer relationships
Description of Business
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life						7 years
Maximum
Description of Business
Contract term						5 years
Period company may receive up front payments for services to be provided in the future (in years)						20 years
Maximum | Customer relationships
Description of Business
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life						14 years
Consumer Customers | Minimum
Description of Business
Length of customer life						12 months
Consumer Customers | Maximum
Description of Business
Length of customer life						60 months
Consumer Customers | Weighted Average
Description of Business
Length of customer life						30 months

CenturyLink Merger - Narrative

CenturyLink Merger - Narrative (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Nov. 01, 2017USD ($)$ / shares
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 7,415	$ 11,119		$ 10,837
Level 3 Parent, LLC | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Stock conversion ratio					2.8386
Level 3 Parent, LLC | Level 3 Communications, Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash consideration per share (in dollars per share) | $ / shares					$ 26.50
Level 3 Parent, LLC | CenturyLink
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Stock conversion ratio					1.4286
Goodwill			$ 11,177	$ 10,837
Transaction costs					$ 47
Level 3 Parent, LLC | CenturyLink | Restricted stock awards
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill					1
Level 3 Parent, LLC | CenturyLink | Unsecured Debt
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Long-term debt					$ 1,825
Debt instrument, stated interest rate					3.50%
Level 3 Communications, Inc. | Level 3 Parent, LLC
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Ownership percentage by parent					51.00%
Level 3 Communications, Inc. | Level 3 Parent, LLC | Level 3 Shareholders
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Ownership percentage by noncontrolling owners					49.00%

CenturyLink Merger - Considerat

CenturyLink Merger - Consideration (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Nov. 01, 2017	Oct. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2017
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill			$ 11,119	$ 7,415	$ 10,837
Purchase accounting and other adjustments			$ 340
CenturyLink | Level 3 Parent, LLC
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash, accounts receivable and other current assets		$ 3,291			3,317
Cash, accounts receivable and other current assets, purchase price adjustments		(26)
Property, plant and equipment		9,468			9,311
Property, plant and equipment, purchase price adjustments		157
Other non-current assets		998			782
Other noncurrent assets, purchase price adjustments		216
Current liabilities, excluding the current portion of long-term debt		(1,493)			(1,461)
Current liabilities, excluding current maturities of long-term debt, purchase price adjustments		(32)
Current maturities of long-term debt		(7)			(7)
Current maturities of long-term debt, purchase price adjustments		0
Long-term debt		(10,888)			(10,888)
Long-term debt, purchase price adjustments		0
Deferred revenue and other liabilities		(1,727)			(1,613)
Deferred revenue and other liabilities, purchase price adjustments		(114)
Goodwill		11,177			10,837
Purchase accounting and other adjustments		340
Total estimated aggregate consideration		19,628			19,633
Total estimated aggregate consideration, purchase price adjustments		(5)
Accounts receivable contractual value	$ 884
Acquired finite-lived intangible assets, weighted average useful life	12 years
CenturyLink | Level 3 Parent, LLC | Customer relationships
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Identifiable intangible assets		8,431			8,964
Identifiable intangible assets, purchase price adjustments		(533)
CenturyLink | Level 3 Parent, LLC | Other
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Identifiable intangible assets		378			$ 391
Identifiable intangible assets, purchase price adjustments		$ (13)

CenturyLink Merger - Acquisitio

CenturyLink Merger - Acquisition Related Costs (Details) - Level 3 Parent, LLC - USD ($)	2 Months Ended	10 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Transaction-related expenses	$ 0	$ 18,000,000	$ 0	$ 1,000,000
Integration and transformation-related expenses	28,000,000	67,000,000	82,000,000	120,000,000
Total acquisition-related expenses	$ 28,000,000	$ 85,000,000	$ 82,000,000	$ 121,000,000

Goodwill, Customer Relationsh_3

Goodwill, Customer Relationships and Other Intangible Assets - Schedule of Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
Goodwill	$ 7,415	$ 11,119	$ 10,837
Finite lived intangible assets, net		7,567
Customer relationships
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
Finite lived intangible assets, net	6,865	7,567
Accumulated amortization	1,538	833
Other intangible assets
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
Finite lived intangible assets, net	469	410
Trade names
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
Finite lived intangible assets, net	74	100
Accumulated amortization	57	30
Capitalized software
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
Finite lived intangible assets, net	395	310
Accumulated amortization	$ 146	$ 67

Goodwill, Customer Relationsh_4

Goodwill, Customer Relationships and Other Intangible Assets - Goodwill Activity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	10 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2019	Oct. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance		$ 11,119	$ 10,837		$ 11,119	$ 10,837
Purchase accounting and other adjustments						340
Impairment	$ 0	$ (3,708)		$ 0	(3,708)	0
Effect of foreign currency rate change					4	(58)
Goodwill, ending balance	10,837				$ 7,415	11,119
CenturyLink | Level 3 Parent, LLC
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance			10,837			$ 10,837
Purchase accounting and other adjustments			340
Goodwill, ending balance	$ 10,837		$ 11,177

Goodwill, Customer Relationsh_5

Goodwill, Customer Relationships and Other Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Details) $ in Millions	Oct. 31, 2017reporting_unit	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)reporting_unit	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2019	Oct. 31, 2018
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Number of reporting units | reporting_unit	1				1
Impact to goodwill from business combination deferred state income tax differences					$ 16
Acquired finite-lived intangible asset amortization expense		$ 139		$ 168	809	$ 798
Intangible assets and goodwill					$ 16,000
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life					9 years
Goodwill, Impairment Percent							26.00%	16.00%
Goodwill impairment		$ 0	$ 3,708	$ 0	$ 3,708	$ 0
Customer relationships
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life					10 years
Trade names
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life					3 years
Developed technology
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life					4 years

Goodwill, Customer Relationsh_6

Goodwill, Customer Relationships and Other Intangible Assets - Future Amortization Expense (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Estimated amortization expense of acquired finite-lived intangible asset
2020	$ 833
2021	833
2022	773
2023	744
2024	$ 732

Revenue Recognition - Reported

Revenue Recognition - Reported Results Under ASC 606 (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended								10 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Operating Revenue	$ 1,407	$ 2,061	$ 2,064	$ 2,014	$ 2,046	$ 2,071	$ 2,010	$ 2,052	$ 2,087	$ 6,870	$ 8,185	$ 8,220
Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	690									3,493	3,799	3,937
Selling, general and administrative	253									1,208	1,258	1,354
Interest expense	80									441	502	509
Income tax expense	234									268	255	196
Net (loss) income	$ (141)	$ 160	$ 114	$ 110	$ (3,585)	$ 151	$ 88	$ 40	$ 62	$ 425	$ (3,201)	341
Impact of ASC 606 | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Operating Revenue												(5)
Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)												0
Selling, general and administrative												52
Interest expense												(9)
Income tax expense												(12)
Net (loss) income												(36)
ASC 605 Historical Adjusted Balances
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Operating Revenue												8,215
Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)												3,937
Selling, general and administrative												1,406
Interest expense												500
Income tax expense												184
Net (loss) income												$ 305

Revenue Recognition - Disaggreg

Revenue Recognition - Disaggregation of Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended								10 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Total Revenue	$ 1,407	$ 2,061	$ 2,064	$ 2,014	$ 2,046	$ 2,071	$ 2,010	$ 2,052	$ 2,087	$ 6,870	$ 8,185	$ 8,220
Adjustments											(893)	(299)
Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers											7,292	7,921
Transferred at Point in Time
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers											0	0
Transferred over Time
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers											7,292	7,921
IP and Data Services
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Total Revenue	668									3,284	3,888	3,945
Adjustments											0	0
Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers											3,888	3,945
Transport and Infrastructure
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Total Revenue	464									2,272	2,662	2,701
Adjustments											(704)	(189)
Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers											1,958	2,512
Voice and Collaboration
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Total Revenue	258									1,308	1,443	1,464
Adjustments											0	0
Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers											1,443	1,464
Other revenue
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Total Revenue	1									6	12	3
Adjustments											(9)	(3)
Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers											3	0
Affiliate revenue
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Total Revenue	$ 16									$ 0	180	107
Adjustments											(180)	(107)
Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers											$ 0	$ 0

Revenue Recognition - Contract

Revenue Recognition - Contract with Customer, Asset and Liability (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Nov. 01, 2017	Oct. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Customer receivables	$ 678	$ 712
Contract assets	32	19
Contract liabilities	423	393
Accounts receivable, gross	691	723
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable	$ 13	$ 11	$ 3	$ 0	$ 33	$ 29

Revenue Recognition - Remaining

Revenue Recognition - Remaining Performance Obligation (Details) $ in Billions	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Remaining performance obligation	$ 3.9
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2020-01-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Remaining performance obligation, percentage	91.00%
Remaining performance obligation, satisfaction period	3 years

Revenue Recognition - Capitaliz

Revenue Recognition - Capitalized Contract Costs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Contract Acquisition Costs
Capitalized Contract Cost [Roll Forward]
Beginning of period balance	$ 64	$ 13
Costs incurred	60	68
Amortization	(45)	(17)
End of period balance	79	64
Contract Fulfillment Costs
Capitalized Contract Cost [Roll Forward]
Beginning of period balance	84	14
Costs incurred	103	99
Amortization	(66)	(29)
End of period balance	$ 121	$ 84

Revenue Recognition - Additiona

Revenue Recognition - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Amounts included in contract liability	$ 175	$ 158
Minimum
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Contract term	1 year
Maximum
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Contract term	5 years
Consumer Customers | Minimum
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Length of customer life	12 months
Consumer Customers | Maximum
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Length of customer life	60 months

Leases - Lease expense (Details

Leases - Lease expense (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Leases [Abstract]
Operating and short-term lease cost	$ 388
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of right-of-use assets	14
Interest on lease liability	10
Total finance lease cost	24
Total lease cost	$ 412

Leases - Additional Information

Leases - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	2 Months Ended	10 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Leases [Abstract]
Operating leases, rent expense	$ 95	$ 447	$ 412	$ 524
Sublease rental income	2	7	9	9
Gross rental expense	$ 28	$ 138	$ 798	$ 192
Sublease rental income (as a percent)	2.00%	2.00%	10.00%	2.00%

Leases - Supplemental Balance S

Leases - Supplemental Balance Sheet Information (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Assets
Operating lease assets	$ 1,060
Finance lease assets	154
Total leased assets	1,214
Current
Operating	249
Finance	11
Noncurrent
Operating	854
Finance	160
Total lease liabilities	$ 1,274
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years)
Operating leases	7 years 6 months
Finance leases	13 years 1 month 6 days
Weighted-average discount rate
Operating leases	6.19%
Finance leases	5.60%

Leases - Supplemental Cash Flow

Leases - Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Leases [Abstract]
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$ 387
Operating cash flows from finance leases	11
Financing cash flows from finance leases	5
Operating lease right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities	206
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities	$ 12

Leases - Maturities of Lease Li

Leases - Maturities of Lease Liabilities (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Operating Leases
2020	$ 276
2021	231
2022	199
2023	166
2024	113
Thereafter	437
Total lease payments	1,422
Less: interest	(319)
Total	1,103
Less: current portion	(249)
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities	854
Finance Leases
2020	21
2021	17
2022	18
2023	18
2024	18
Thereafter	154
Total lease payments	246
Less: interest	(75)
Total	171
Less: current portion	(11)
Long-term portion	$ 160

Leases - Future Capital Lease P

Leases - Future Capital Lease Payments (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)
Leases [Abstract]
2019	$ 16
2020	15
2021	16
2022	16
2023	17
2024 and thereafter	164
Total minimum payments	244
Less: amount representing interest and executory costs	(81)
Present value of minimum payments	163
Less: current portion	(6)
Long-term portion	$ 157

Leases - Future Rental Commitme

Leases - Future Rental Commitments for Operating Leases (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)
Leases [Abstract]
2019	$ 396
2020	259
2021	219
2022	164
2023	137
2024 and thereafter	613
Total future minimum payments	1,788
Future minimum sublease rentals	$ 29

Long-Term Debt - Schedule of Lo

Long-Term Debt - Schedule of Long Term Debt (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 25, 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized premiums, net	$ 104,000,000	$ 155,000,000
Debt Issuance Costs, Net	(34,000,000)	0
Total long-term debt	10,367,000,000	10,844,000,000
Less current maturities	(11,000,000)	(6,000,000)
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities	$ 10,356,000,000	10,838,000,000
5.750% Senior Notes due 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, stated interest rate	5.75%
Debt Obligations	$ 0	600,000,000
6.125% Senior Notes due 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Obligations	$ 1,500,000,000	0
6.125% Senior Notes due 2021 | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, stated interest rate	3.40%
6.125% Senior Notes due 2021 | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, stated interest rate	3.875%
Tranche B 2024 Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Obligations	$ 0	$ 4,611,000,000
Interest rate during period	4.754%
Tranche B 2024 Term Loan | LIBOR
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate spread on debt		2.25%
Tranche B 2027 Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate during period	3.549%
Finance Leases
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Obligations	$ 171,000,000	$ 163,000,000
Term Loan | Tranche B 2027 Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Obligations	$ 3,111,000,000	0
Term Loan | Tranche B 2027 Term Loan | LIBOR
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate spread on debt	100.00%
Term Loan | Tranche B 2027 Term Loan | Eurodollar
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate spread on debt	1.75%
Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Obligations	$ 5,515,000,000	$ 5,315,000,000
Senior Notes | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, stated interest rate	4.625%
Senior Notes | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, stated interest rate	6.125%
Senior Notes | 5.750% Senior Notes due 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, stated interest rate			5.75%

Long-Term Debt - Maturities of

Long-Term Debt - Maturities of Debt (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Future contractual maturities of long-term debt and capital leases (excluding issue discounts, premiums and fair value adjustments)
2019	$ 11
2020	8
2021	850
2022	1,210
2023	911
2024 and thereafter	7,307
Total long-term debt	$ 10,297

Long-Term Debt - Additional Inf

Long-Term Debt - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	Sep. 25, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Nov. 29, 2019	Nov. 28, 2019	Aug. 25, 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt issuance costs, net		$ 34,000,000	$ 0
Tranche B 2024 Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, gross		$ 0	$ 4,611,000,000
Tranche B 2024 Term Loan | LIBOR
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate spread on debt			2.25%
5.750% Senior Notes due 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, stated interest rate		5.75%
Long-term debt, gross		$ 0	$ 600,000,000
Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, gross		$ 5,515,000,000	5,315,000,000
Senior Notes | CenturyLink, Inc.
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price, percentage		101.00%
Senior Notes | 3.400% Senior Notes Due 2027
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount				$ 750,000,000
Debt instrument, stated interest rate				3.40%
Senior Notes | 3.875% Senior Secured Notes Due 2029
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount				$ 750,000,000
Debt instrument, stated interest rate				3.875%
Senior Notes | Tranche B 2024 Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount					$ 4,611,000,000
Repurchased face amount				$ 1,500,000,000
Senior Notes | 4.625% Senior Notes Due 2027
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount	$ 1,000,000,000			$ 3,111,000,000
Debt instrument, stated interest rate	4.625%
Senior Notes | 6.125% Senior Notes due 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, stated interest rate	6.125%					6.125%
Repurchased face amount	$ 240,000,000					$ 400,000,000
Senior Notes | 5.750% Senior Notes due 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, stated interest rate	5.75%
Repurchased face amount	$ 600,000,000
Senior Notes | 5.375% Senior Notes Due 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount	$ 1,000,000,000
Debt instrument, stated interest rate	5.375%
Repayments of debt	$ 160,000,000
Term Loan | Tranche B 2027 Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, gross		$ 3,111,000,000	0
Term Loan | Tranche B 2027 Term Loan | Fed Funds Effective Rate Overnight Index Swap Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate spread on debt		50.00%
Term Loan | Tranche B 2027 Term Loan | LIBOR
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate spread on debt		100.00%
Term Loan | Tranche B 2027 Term Loan | Base Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, stated interest rate		0.75%
Term Loan | Tranche B 2027 Term Loan | Eurodollar
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate spread on debt		1.75%
Letter of Credit | Letter of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Letters of credit outstanding, amount		$ 23,000,000	30,000,000
Letter of Credit | Collateralized Debt Obligations | Letter of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Collateralized financings		$ 18,000,000	$ 24,000,000

Accounts Receivable - Schedule

Accounts Receivable - Schedule of Accounts Receivable (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total accounts receivable	$ 680	$ 723
Less: allowance for doubtful accounts	(13)	(11)
Accounts receivable, less allowance	667	712
Trade receivables
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total accounts receivable	529	533
Earned and unbilled receivables
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total accounts receivable	151	177
Other
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total accounts receivable	$ 0	$ 13

Accounts Receivable - Allowance

Accounts Receivable - Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	2 Months Ended	10 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$ 0	$ 29	$ 11	$ 3
Additions	3	16	24	18
Deductions	0	(12)	(22)	(10)
Ending Balance	$ 3	$ 33	$ 13	$ 11

Property, Plant and Equipment -

Property, Plant and Equipment - Net Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	2 Months Ended	10 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment			$ 11,761	$ 10,474
Accumulated depreciation			(1,825)	(1,021)
Net property, plant and equipment			9,936	9,453
Depreciation expense	$ 143	$ 850	804	906
Land
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment			336	339
Fiber conduit and other outside plant
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment			$ 5,226	5,262
Fiber conduit and other outside plant | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives			15 years
Fiber conduit and other outside plant | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives			45 years
Central office and other network electronics
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment			$ 2,687	1,986
Central office and other network electronics | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives			7 years
Central office and other network electronics | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives			10 years
Support assets
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment			$ 2,419	2,327
Support assets | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives			3 years
Support assets | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives			30 years
Construction-in-progress
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment			$ 1,093	$ 560

Property, Plant and Equipment_2

Property, Plant and Equipment - Asset Retirement Obligations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	2 Months Ended	10 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Asset Retirement Obligation, Roll Forward Analysis [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 45	$ 89	$ 105	$ 45
Accretion expense	1	12	5	5
Purchase price adjustments	0	0	0	58
Liabilities settled	(1)	(7)	(12)	(13)
Revision in estimated cash flows	0	0	15	10
Balance at end of period	$ 45	$ 94	$ 113	$ 105

Severance and Leased Real Est_3

Severance and Leased Real Estate (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Jan. 01, 2019
Employee Severance
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring reserve, beginning balance	$ 19	$ 5
Accrued to expense	6	33
Payments, net	(16)	(19)
Restructuring reserve, ending balance	$ 9	$ 19
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Capital lease obligations			$ 47

Employee Benefits - Defined Con

Employee Benefits - Defined Contribution (Details) - USD ($)	2 Months Ended	10 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined contribution plan, maximum annual contribution per employee	$ 18,000		$ 19,000	$ 18,500
Defined contribution plan, cost	7,000,000	$ 30,000,000	$ 29,000,000	26,000,000
Defined Contribution Plan, Contribution Level 1
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percent of match			100.00%
Defined contribution plan, employer matching contribution, percentage			1.00%
Defined Contribution Plan, Contribution Level 2
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percent of match			60.00%
All Other Defined Contribution
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined contribution plan, cost	1,000,000	5,000,000	$ 6,000,000	5,000,000
Cost of services and products
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined contribution plan, cost	1,000,000	4,000,000	11,000,000	10,000,000
Selling, general and administrative expense
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined contribution plan, cost	$ 5,000,000	$ 26,000,000	$ 18,000,000	$ 16,000,000
Minimum | Defined Contribution Plan, Contribution Level 2
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined contribution plan, employer matching contribution, percentage			1.00%
Maximum | Defined Contribution Plan, Contribution Level 2
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined contribution plan, employer matching contribution, percentage			6.00%

Employee Benefits - Defined Ben

Employee Benefits - Defined Benefits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Plan assets	$ 122	$ 133
Benefit obligation	140	144
Unfunded status	$ (18)	$ (11)

Share-based Compensation (Detai

Share-based Compensation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	2 Months Ended	10 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]
Share-based compensation expense	$ 26	$ 132	$ 85	$ 105

Fair Value Disclosure (Details)

Fair Value Disclosure (Details) - Input Level 2 - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Carrying Amount
Liabilities measured on a recurring basis
Liabilities-Long-term debt, excluding finance leases	$ 10,196	$ 10,681
Fair Value
Liabilities measured on a recurring basis
Liabilities-Long-term debt, excluding finance leases	$ 10,244	$ 10,089

Income Taxes - Narrative (Detai

Income Taxes - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	2 Months Ended	10 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Line Items]
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, provisional tax expense				$ 92,000,000	$ 195,000,000
Purchase accounting adjustment				$ (92,000,000)
Effective income tax rate	251.60%	38.70%	(8.60%)	36.50%
Unfavorable impact of non-deductible goodwill impairment			$ 779,000,000
Net deferred tax assets			89,000,000	$ 306,000,000
Deferred tax liabilities, noncurrent			241,000,000	202,000,000
Deferred tax assets, noncurrent			330,000,000	508,000,000
Increase in operating loss carryforwards					1,000,000,000
Uncertain tax benefits	$ 21,000,000		952,000,000	970,000,000	$ 21,000,000
Deferred tax assets, valuation allowance			892,000,000	931,000,000
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate			30,000,000	23,000,000
Unrecognized tax benefits, accrued interest			8,000,000	$ 6,000,000
Reasonably possible decrease in unrecognized tax benefits for uncertain tax positions previously taken			3,000,000
Domestic Tax Authority
Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Line Items]
Operating loss carryforwards			12,900,000,000
Uncertain tax benefits			4,300,000,000
State jurisdiction
Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Line Items]
Operating loss carryforwards			9,200,000,000
Foreign jurisdiction
Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Line Items]
Operating loss carryforwards			$ 6,000,000,000

Income Taxes - Income Tax Expen

Income Taxes - Income Tax Expense (Benefit) by Current and Deferred (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	2 Months Ended	10 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Federal
Current	$ 0	$ 0	$ 12	$ 0
Deferred	231	193	186	199
State
Current	2	7	4	(9)
Deferred	6	16	41	28
Foreign
Current	4	39	17	30
Deferred	(9)	13	(5)	(52)
Total income tax expense	$ 234	$ 268	$ 255	$ 196

Income Taxes - Allocation of In

Income Taxes - Allocation of Income Tax Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	2 Months Ended	10 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Income tax expense in the consolidated statements of operations:
Attributable to income	$ 234	$ 268	$ 255	$ 196
Member's/Stockholders' equity:
Tax effect of the change in accumulated other comprehensive loss	$ 17	$ 49	$ 5	$ (49)

Income Taxes - Reconciliation o

Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) (Details)	2 Months Ended	10 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Statutory federal income tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	21.00%	21.00%
State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit	3.60%	2.90%	(1.20%)	2.80%
Goodwill impairment	0.00%	0.00%	(26.40%)	0.00%
Tax Reform	210.60%	0.00%	(0.20%)	17.20%
Global intangible low-taxed income	0.00%	0.00%	(0.40%)	1.80%
CenturyLink acquisition transaction costs	11.30%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Uncertain tax positions	1.20%	0.10%	0.00%	0.50%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Base Erosion and Anti-abuse Tax, Percent	0.00%	0.00%	(0.40%)	0.00%
Net foreign income tax	(19.30%)	0.90%	(0.80%)	(4.80%)
Executive compensation limitation	5.40%	0.90%	(0.20%)	1.20%
Research and development credits	(0.90%)	(1.20%)	0.10%	(1.30%)
Other, net	4.70%	0.10%	(0.10%)	(1.90%)
Effective income tax rate	251.60%	38.70%	(8.60%)	36.50%

Income Taxes - Deferred Tax Ass

Income Taxes - Deferred Tax Assets (Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Deferred tax assets
Deferred revenue	$ 306,000,000	$ 298,000,000
Net operating loss carry forwards	3,233,000,000	3,494,000,000
Property, plant and equipment	58,000,000	57,000,000
Other	326,000,000	309,000,000
Gross deferred tax assets	3,923,000,000	4,158,000,000
Less valuation allowance	(892,000,000)	(931,000,000)
Net deferred tax assets	3,031,000,000	3,227,000,000
Deferred tax liabilities
Deferred revenue	(41,000,000)	(45,000,000)
Property, plant and equipment	(974,000,000)	(853,000,000)
Intangible assets	(1,898,000,000)	(1,998,000,000)
Other	(29,000,000)	(25,000,000)
Gross deferred tax liabilities	(2,942,000,000)	(2,921,000,000)
Net deferred tax assets	$ 89,000,000	$ 306,000,000

Income Taxes - Unrecognized Tax

Income Taxes - Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of period	$ 970	$ 21
Tax positions of prior periods netted against deferred tax assets	(24)
Tax positions of prior periods netted against deferred tax assets		950
(Decrease) increase in tax positions taken in the prior period	1
(Decrease) increase in tax positions taken in the prior period		(1)
Increase in tax positions taken in the current period	5	3
Decrease due to settlement/payments	0	(1)
Decrease from the lapse of statute of limitations	0	(2)
Unrecognized tax benefits at end of period	$ 952	$ 970

Products and Services Revenue_2

Products and Services Revenues - Revenue From Products and Services (Details) $ in Millions	2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended								10 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2019USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2018USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)segment	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total operating revenue	$ 1,407	$ 2,061	$ 2,064	$ 2,014	$ 2,046	$ 2,071	$ 2,010	$ 2,052	$ 2,087	$ 6,870	$ 8,185	$ 8,220
USF contributions	$ 71									$ 331	$ 428	$ 415
Number of reportable segments | segment											1
Customer Concentration Risk | Sales Revenue
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	19.00%									18.00%	16.00%	20.00%
IP and Data Services
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total operating revenue	$ 668									$ 3,284	$ 3,888	$ 3,945
Transport and Infrastructure
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total operating revenue	464									2,272	2,662	2,701
Voice and Collaboration
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total operating revenue	258									1,308	1,443	1,464
Other revenue
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total operating revenue	1									6	12	3
Affiliate revenue
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total operating revenue	$ 16									$ 0	$ 180	$ 107

Products and Services Revenue_3

Products and Services Revenues - Assets from Geographic Region (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Assets	$ 29,098	$ 32,291
North America
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Assets	24,144	27,520
Europe, Middle East and Africa
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Assets	2,842	2,765
Latin America
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Assets	$ 2,112	$ 2,006

Products and Services Revenue_4

Products and Services Revenues - Revenue from Geographical Region (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	2 Months Ended	10 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 1,407	$ 6,870	$ 8,185	$ 8,220
North America
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	1,155	5,651	6,719	6,739
Europe, Middle East and Africa
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	128	607	719	744
Latin America
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 124	$ 612	$ 747	$ 737

Affiliate Transactions (Details

Affiliate Transactions (Details) $ in Millions	2 Months Ended
	Mar. 04, 2020USD ($)
Subsequent event
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Distributions	$ 225

Quarterly Financial Data (Una_3

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended								10 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Selected Quarterly Financial Information [Abstract]
Operating Revenue	$ 1,407	$ 2,061	$ 2,064	$ 2,014	$ 2,046	$ 2,071	$ 2,010	$ 2,052	$ 2,087	$ 6,870	$ 8,185	$ 8,220
Operating Income	158	285	309	272	(3,393)	284	227	196	261	1,151	(2,527)	968
Net (loss) income	(141)	$ 160	$ 114	$ 110	(3,585)	$ 151	$ 88	$ 40	$ 62	425	(3,201)	341
Goodwill impairment	$ 0				$ 3,708					$ 0	$ 3,708	$ 0

Commitments, Contingencies an_3

Commitments, Contingencies and Other Items - Additional Information (Details) $ in Thousands	2 Months Ended	10 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)patentproperty	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Loss Contingencies
Estimated litigation liability			$ 69,000
Loss contingency, damages sought, value			$ 50,000
Patents allegedly infringed | patent			1
Number of properties with potential environmental liability | property			175
Rent expense, including common area maintenance, under non-cancelable lease agreements	$ 95,000	$ 447,000	$ 412,000	$ 524,000
Purchase commitment			333,000
Purchase obligation, due in next twelve months			119,000
Purchase obligation, due in second and third year			131,000
Purchase obligation, due in fourth and fifth year			42,000
Purchase obligation, due after fifth year			41,000
Unfavorable Regulatory Action
Loss Contingencies
Estimate of possible loss			100
Peruvian Tax Litigation, Before Interest | Pending Litigation
Loss Contingencies
Loss contingency, asserted claim					$ 26,000
Peruvian Tax Litigation | Pending Litigation
Loss Contingencies
Loss contingency, asserted claim			7,000
Brazilian Tax Claims | Maximum | Pending Litigation
Loss Contingencies
Range of possible loss, not accrued			$ 37,000

Commitments, Contingencies an_4

Commitments, Contingencies and Other Items - Right-of-Way Agreements (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Right-of-Way Agreements
Right-of-Way Agreements, 2020	$ 83
Right-of-Way Agreements, 2021	58
Right-of-Way Agreements, 2022	55
Right-of-Way Agreements, 2023	53
Right-of-Way Agreements, 2024	44
Right-of-Way Agreements, Thereafter	276
Right-of-Way Agreements, Total	$ 569

Accumulated Other Comprehensi_3

Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income - Changes in AOCI (Details) - USD ($)	2 Months Ended	10 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Beginning balance			$ (171,000,000)	$ 18,000,000
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications			(5,000,000)	(200,000,000)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income			(3,000,000)	5,000,000
Cumulative effect of adoption of ASU 2018-02, Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income: Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated other Comprehensive Income				6,000,000
Net other comprehensive (loss) income	$ 18,000,000	$ 80,000,000	(8,000,000)	(195,000,000)
Ending balance	18,000,000		(179,000,000)	(171,000,000)
Pension Plans
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Beginning balance			5,000,000	0
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications			0	0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income			(3,000,000)	5,000,000
Cumulative effect of adoption of ASU 2018-02, Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income: Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated other Comprehensive Income				0
Net other comprehensive (loss) income			(3,000,000)	5,000,000
Ending balance	0		2,000,000	5,000,000
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments and Other
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Beginning balance			(176,000,000)	18,000,000
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications			(5,000,000)	(200,000,000)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income			0	0
Cumulative effect of adoption of ASU 2018-02, Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income: Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated other Comprehensive Income				6,000,000
Net other comprehensive (loss) income			(5,000,000)	(200,000,000)
Ending balance	$ 18,000,000		$ (181,000,000)	$ (176,000,000)

Condensed Consolidating Finan_3

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Statements of Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended								10 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
OPERATING REVENUE
Total operating revenue	$ 1,407	$ 2,061	$ 2,064	$ 2,014	$ 2,046	$ 2,071	$ 2,010	$ 2,052	$ 2,087	$ 6,870	$ 8,185	$ 8,220
OPERATING EXPENSES
Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	690									3,493	3,799	3,937
Selling, general and administrative	253									1,208	1,258	1,354
Operating expenses - affiliates	24									0	334	257
Depreciation and amortization	282									1,018	1,613	1,704
Goodwill impairment	0				3,708					0	3,708	0
Total operating expenses	1,249									5,719	10,712	7,252
OPERATING (LOSS) INCOME	158	285	309	272	(3,393)	284	227	196	261	1,151	(2,527)	968
OTHER (EXPENSE) INCOME
Interest income	1									13	9	4
Interest income - affiliate	11									0	61	63
Interest expense	(80)									(441)	(502)	(509)
Loss on modification and extinguishment of debt	0									(44)	5	0
Equity in net (losses) earnings of subsidiaries	0									0	0	0
Other (expense) income, net	3									14	8	11
Total other expense, net	(65)									(458)	(419)	(431)
(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	93									693	(2,946)	537
Income tax expense	(234)									(268)	(255)	(196)
NET (LOSS) INCOME	(141)	$ 160	$ 114	$ 110	$ (3,585)	$ 151	$ 88	$ 40	$ 62	425	(3,201)	341
Other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes	18									80	(8)	(195)
COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME	(123)									505	(3,209)	146
Eliminations
OPERATING REVENUE
Total operating revenue	(28)									(129)	(847)	(308)
OPERATING EXPENSES
Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	(28)									(129)	0	0
Selling, general and administrative	0									0	(845)	(308)
Operating expenses - affiliates	0										0	0
Depreciation and amortization	0									0	0	0
Goodwill impairment											0
Total operating expenses	(28)									(129)	(845)	(308)
OPERATING (LOSS) INCOME	0									0	(2)	0
OTHER (EXPENSE) INCOME
Interest income	0									0	0	0
Interest income - affiliate	0									0	1	0
Interest expense	0									0	0	0
Loss on modification and extinguishment of debt										0	0
Equity in net (losses) earnings of subsidiaries	771									2,261	13,891	5,047
Other (expense) income, net	0									0	0	0
Total other expense, net	771									2,261	13,892	5,047
(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	771									2,261	13,890	5,047
Income tax expense	0									0	0	0
NET (LOSS) INCOME	771									2,261	13,890	5,047
Other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes	(18)									0	8	195
COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME	753									2,261	13,898	5,242
Level 3 Parent, LLC | Reportable Legal Entities
OPERATING REVENUE
Total operating revenue	0									0	0	0
OPERATING EXPENSES
Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	0									0	0	0
Selling, general and administrative	1									4	(50)	12
Operating expenses - affiliates	0										0	0
Depreciation and amortization	0									0	0	0
Goodwill impairment											0
Total operating expenses	1									4	(50)	12
OPERATING (LOSS) INCOME	(1)									(4)	50	(12)
OTHER (EXPENSE) INCOME
Interest income	0									0	0	0
Interest income - affiliate	262									1,260	3,888	2,430
Interest expense	(5)									(30)	(29)	(33)
Loss on modification and extinguishment of debt										0	10
Equity in net (losses) earnings of subsidiaries	(827)									(815)	(7,109)	(2,044)
Other (expense) income, net	1									3	(8)	(9)
Total other expense, net	(569)									418	(3,248)	344
(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(570)									414	(3,198)	332
Income tax expense	429									11	(3)	10
NET (LOSS) INCOME	(141)									425	(3,201)	342
Other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes	18									80	(8)	(195)
COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME	(123)									505	(3,209)	147
Level 3 Financing, Inc. | Reportable Legal Entities
OPERATING REVENUE
Total operating revenue	0									0	0	0
OPERATING EXPENSES
Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	0									0	0	0
Selling, general and administrative	3									3	5	3
Operating expenses - affiliates	0										0	0
Depreciation and amortization	0									0	0	0
Goodwill impairment											0
Total operating expenses	3									3	5	3
OPERATING (LOSS) INCOME	(3)									(3)	(5)	(3)
OTHER (EXPENSE) INCOME
Interest income	0									0	0	0
Interest income - affiliate	368									1,890	658	1,562
Interest expense	(72)									(397)	(468)	(457)
Loss on modification and extinguishment of debt										(44)	(5)
Equity in net (losses) earnings of subsidiaries	(15)									(2,138)	(7,352)	(3,257)
Other (expense) income, net	0									0	0	0
Total other expense, net	281									(689)	(7,167)	(2,152)
(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	278									(692)	(7,172)	(2,155)
Income tax expense	(1,105)									(123)	63	111
NET (LOSS) INCOME	(827)									(815)	(7,109)	(2,044)
Other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes	0									0	0	0
COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME	(827)									(815)	(7,109)	(2,044)
Level 3 Communications, LLC | Reportable Legal Entities
OPERATING REVENUE
Total operating revenue	764									3,108	4,138	4,014
OPERATING EXPENSES
Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	418									1,942	1,987	2,209
Selling, general and administrative	179									942	1,438	392
Operating expenses - affiliates	24										241	176
Depreciation and amortization	117									356	652	688
Goodwill impairment											1,369
Total operating expenses	738									3,240	5,687	3,465
OPERATING (LOSS) INCOME	26									(132)	(1,549)	549
OTHER (EXPENSE) INCOME
Interest income	1									12	7	3
Interest income - affiliate	(578)									(2,896)	(5,829)	(3,803)
Interest expense	0									(2)	13	(3)
Loss on modification and extinguishment of debt										0	0
Equity in net (losses) earnings of subsidiaries	71									692	570	254
Other (expense) income, net	2									15	8	1
Total other expense, net	(504)									(2,179)	(5,231)	(3,548)
(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(478)									(2,311)	(6,780)	(2,999)
Income tax expense	433									(2)	30	(232)
NET (LOSS) INCOME	(45)									(2,313)	(6,750)	(3,231)
Other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes	0									0	0	0
COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME	(45)									(2,313)	(6,750)	(3,231)
Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries | Reportable Legal Entities
OPERATING REVENUE
Total operating revenue	671									3,891	4,894	4,514
OPERATING EXPENSES
Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	300									1,680	1,812	1,728
Selling, general and administrative	70									259	710	1,255
Operating expenses - affiliates	0										93	81
Depreciation and amortization	165									662	961	1,016
Goodwill impairment											2,339
Total operating expenses	535									2,601	5,915	4,080
OPERATING (LOSS) INCOME	136									1,290	(1,021)	434
OTHER (EXPENSE) INCOME
Interest income	0									1	2	1
Interest income - affiliate	(41)									(254)	1,343	(126)
Interest expense	(3)									(12)	(18)	(16)
Loss on modification and extinguishment of debt										0	0
Equity in net (losses) earnings of subsidiaries	0									0	0	0
Other (expense) income, net	0									(4)	8	19
Total other expense, net	(44)									(269)	1,335	(122)
(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	92									1,021	314	312
Income tax expense	9									(154)	(345)	(85)
NET (LOSS) INCOME	101									867	(31)	227
Other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes	18									0	(8)	(195)
COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME	119									867	(39)	32
Non-Affiliate Services
OPERATING REVENUE
Total operating revenue	1,391									6,870	8,005	8,113
Non-Affiliate Services | Eliminations
OPERATING REVENUE
Total operating revenue	(28)									(129)	0	0
Non-Affiliate Services | Level 3 Parent, LLC | Reportable Legal Entities
OPERATING REVENUE
Total operating revenue	0									0	0	0
Non-Affiliate Services | Level 3 Financing, Inc. | Reportable Legal Entities
OPERATING REVENUE
Total operating revenue	0									0	0	0
Non-Affiliate Services | Level 3 Communications, LLC | Reportable Legal Entities
OPERATING REVENUE
Total operating revenue	748									3,108	3,912	3,884
Non-Affiliate Services | Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries | Reportable Legal Entities
OPERATING REVENUE
Total operating revenue	671									3,891	4,093	4,229
Affiliate revenue
OPERATING REVENUE
Total operating revenue	16									$ 0	180	107
Affiliate revenue | Eliminations
OPERATING REVENUE
Total operating revenue	0										(847)	(308)
Affiliate revenue | Level 3 Parent, LLC | Reportable Legal Entities
OPERATING REVENUE
Total operating revenue	0										0	0
Affiliate revenue | Level 3 Financing, Inc. | Reportable Legal Entities
OPERATING REVENUE
Total operating revenue	0										0	0
Affiliate revenue | Level 3 Communications, LLC | Reportable Legal Entities
OPERATING REVENUE
Total operating revenue	16										226	130
Affiliate revenue | Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries | Reportable Legal Entities
OPERATING REVENUE
Total operating revenue	$ 0										$ 801	$ 285

Condensed Consolidating Finan_4

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Balance Sheets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2017
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 316	$ 243	$ 297	$ 2,274
Restricted cash and securities - current	3	4	5	5
Accounts receivable	667	712
Advances to affiliates	0	0
Note receivable - affiliate	1,590	1,825
Other	266	234
Total current assets	2,842	3,018
Net property, plant and equipment	9,936	9,453
GOODWILL AND OTHER ASSETS
Goodwill	7,415	11,119	10,837
Operating lease assets	1,060
Restricted cash	19	25	29	29
Customer relationships, net		7,567
Other intangible assets, net	469	410
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0
Other, net	492	699
Total goodwill and other assets	16,320	19,820
TOTAL ASSETS	29,098	32,291
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Current maturities of long-term debt	11	6
Accounts payable	654	726
Accounts payable - affiliates	669	246
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
Salaries and benefits	240	233
Income and other taxes	152	130
Current operating lease liabilities	249
Interest	85	95
Other	77	78
Current portion of deferred revenue	309	310
Due to affiliates	0	0
Total current liabilities	2,446	1,824
LONG-TERM DEBT	10,356	10,838
DEFERRED REVENUE AND OTHER LIABILITES
Deferred revenue	1,343	1,181
Deferred tax liability	241	202
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities	854
Other	313	369
Total deferred revenue and other liabilities	2,751	1,752
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
MEMBER'S EQUITY (DEFICIT)	13,545	17,877	$ 19,272	$ 11,554
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND MEMBER'S EQUITY (DEFICIT)	29,098	32,291
Eliminations
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Restricted cash and securities - current	0	0
Accounts receivable	0	0
Advances to affiliates	(54,059)	(51,260)
Note receivable - affiliate	0	0
Other	0	0
Total current assets	(54,059)	(51,260)
Net property, plant and equipment	0	0
GOODWILL AND OTHER ASSETS
Goodwill	0	0
Operating lease assets	(474)
Restricted cash	0	0
Customer relationships, net		0
Other intangible assets, net	0	0
Investment in subsidiaries	(23,427)	(37,317)
Other, net	(1,554)	(1,332)
Total goodwill and other assets	(25,455)	(38,649)
TOTAL ASSETS	(79,514)	(89,909)
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Current maturities of long-term debt	0	0
Accounts payable	0	0
Accounts payable - affiliates	0	0
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
Salaries and benefits	0	0
Income and other taxes	0	0
Current operating lease liabilities	(94)
Interest	0	0
Other	0	0
Current portion of deferred revenue	0	0
Due to affiliates	(54,059)	(51,260)
Total current liabilities	(54,153)	(51,260)
LONG-TERM DEBT	0	0
DEFERRED REVENUE AND OTHER LIABILITES
Deferred revenue	0	0
Deferred tax liability	(1,554)	(1,332)
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities	(380)
Other	0	0
Total deferred revenue and other liabilities	(1,934)	(1,332)
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
MEMBER'S EQUITY (DEFICIT)	(23,427)	(37,317)
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND MEMBER'S EQUITY (DEFICIT)	(79,514)	(89,909)
Level 3 Parent, LLC | Reportable Legal Entities
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	3	2
Restricted cash and securities - current	0	0
Accounts receivable	0	0
Advances to affiliates	19,302	16,852
Note receivable - affiliate	1,590	1,825
Other	1	1
Total current assets	20,896	18,680
Net property, plant and equipment	0	0
GOODWILL AND OTHER ASSETS
Goodwill	0	0
Operating lease assets	0
Restricted cash	12	15
Customer relationships, net		0
Other intangible assets, net	0	0
Investment in subsidiaries	8,432	15,541
Other, net	272	275
Total goodwill and other assets	8,716	15,831
TOTAL ASSETS	29,612	34,511
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Current maturities of long-term debt	0	0
Accounts payable	0	0
Accounts payable - affiliates	80	62
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
Salaries and benefits	0	0
Income and other taxes	0	0
Current operating lease liabilities	0
Interest	0	11
Other	1	3
Current portion of deferred revenue	0	0
Due to affiliates	0	0
Total current liabilities	81	76
LONG-TERM DEBT	0	613
DEFERRED REVENUE AND OTHER LIABILITES
Deferred revenue	0	0
Deferred tax liability	56	56
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities	0
Other	1	0
Total deferred revenue and other liabilities	57	56
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
MEMBER'S EQUITY (DEFICIT)	29,474	33,766
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND MEMBER'S EQUITY (DEFICIT)	29,612	34,511
Level 3 Financing, Inc. | Reportable Legal Entities
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Restricted cash and securities - current	0	0
Accounts receivable	0	0
Advances to affiliates	24,293	23,957
Note receivable - affiliate	0	0
Other	0	3
Total current assets	24,293	23,960
Net property, plant and equipment	0	0
GOODWILL AND OTHER ASSETS
Goodwill	0	0
Operating lease assets	0
Restricted cash	0	0
Customer relationships, net		0
Other intangible assets, net	0	0
Investment in subsidiaries	10,564	17,915
Other, net	1,485	1,421
Total goodwill and other assets	12,049	19,336
TOTAL ASSETS	36,342	43,296
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Current maturities of long-term debt	0	0
Accounts payable	15	0
Accounts payable - affiliates	17	11
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
Salaries and benefits	0	0
Income and other taxes	7	4
Current operating lease liabilities	0
Interest	81	78
Other	1	1
Current portion of deferred revenue	0	0
Due to affiliates	0	0
Total current liabilities	121	94
LONG-TERM DEBT	10,196	10,068
DEFERRED REVENUE AND OTHER LIABILITES
Deferred revenue	0	0
Deferred tax liability	0	0
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities	0
Other	0	0
Total deferred revenue and other liabilities	0	0
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
MEMBER'S EQUITY (DEFICIT)	26,025	33,134
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND MEMBER'S EQUITY (DEFICIT)	36,342	43,296
Level 3 Communications, LLC | Reportable Legal Entities
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	231	164
Restricted cash and securities - current	0	0
Accounts receivable	44	70
Advances to affiliates	7,634	7,744
Note receivable - affiliate	0	0
Other	105	97
Total current assets	8,014	8,075
Net property, plant and equipment	3,688	3,136
GOODWILL AND OTHER ASSETS
Goodwill	252	1,665
Operating lease assets	1,210
Restricted cash	5	9
Customer relationships, net		3,823
Other intangible assets, net	447	409
Investment in subsidiaries	4,431	3,861
Other, net	88	110
Total goodwill and other assets	9,816	9,877
TOTAL ASSETS	21,518	21,088
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Current maturities of long-term debt	3	1
Accounts payable	350	380
Accounts payable - affiliates	569	162
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
Salaries and benefits	192	189
Income and other taxes	95	72
Current operating lease liabilities	254
Interest	1	1
Other	22	8
Current portion of deferred revenue	169	168
Due to affiliates	50,865	45,347
Total current liabilities	52,520	46,328
LONG-TERM DEBT	15	7
DEFERRED REVENUE AND OTHER LIABILITES
Deferred revenue	1,137	971
Deferred tax liability	739	841
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities	986
Other	154	197
Total deferred revenue and other liabilities	3,016	2,009
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
MEMBER'S EQUITY (DEFICIT)	(34,033)	(27,256)
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND MEMBER'S EQUITY (DEFICIT)	21,518	21,088
Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries | Reportable Legal Entities
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	82	77
Restricted cash and securities - current	3	4
Accounts receivable	623	642
Advances to affiliates	2,830	2,707
Note receivable - affiliate	0	0
Other	160	133
Total current assets	3,698	3,563
Net property, plant and equipment	6,248	6,317
GOODWILL AND OTHER ASSETS
Goodwill	7,163	9,454
Operating lease assets	324
Restricted cash	2	1
Customer relationships, net		3,744
Other intangible assets, net	22	1
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0
Other, net	201	225
Total goodwill and other assets	11,194	13,425
TOTAL ASSETS	21,140	23,305
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Current maturities of long-term debt	8	5
Accounts payable	289	346
Accounts payable - affiliates	3	11
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
Salaries and benefits	48	44
Income and other taxes	50	54
Current operating lease liabilities	89
Interest	3	5
Other	53	66
Current portion of deferred revenue	140	142
Due to affiliates	3,194	5,913
Total current liabilities	3,877	6,586
LONG-TERM DEBT	145	150
DEFERRED REVENUE AND OTHER LIABILITES
Deferred revenue	206	210
Deferred tax liability	1,000	637
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities	248
Other	158	172
Total deferred revenue and other liabilities	1,612	1,019
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
MEMBER'S EQUITY (DEFICIT)	15,506	15,550
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND MEMBER'S EQUITY (DEFICIT)	21,140	23,305
Customer relationships
GOODWILL AND OTHER ASSETS
Customer relationships, net	6,865	$ 7,567
Customer relationships | Eliminations
GOODWILL AND OTHER ASSETS
Customer relationships, net	0
Customer relationships | Level 3 Parent, LLC | Reportable Legal Entities
GOODWILL AND OTHER ASSETS
Customer relationships, net	0
Customer relationships | Level 3 Financing, Inc. | Reportable Legal Entities
GOODWILL AND OTHER ASSETS
Customer relationships, net	0
Customer relationships | Level 3 Communications, LLC | Reportable Legal Entities
GOODWILL AND OTHER ASSETS
Customer relationships, net	3,383
Customer relationships | Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries | Reportable Legal Entities
GOODWILL AND OTHER ASSETS
Customer relationships, net	$ 3,482

Condensed Consolidating Finan_5

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Statements of Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	2 Months Ended		10 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	$ 308	$ 308	$ 1,914	$ 2,683	$ 2,397
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital expenditures	(207)	(207)	(1,119)	(1,341)	(1,038)
Purchase of marketable securities	0		(1,127)	0	0
Maturity of marketable securities	0		1,127	0	0
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and other assets	0		1	28	134
Note receivable - affiliate	(1,825)	(1,825)	0		0
Note receivable - affiliate				235
Net cash used in investing activities	(2,032)	(2,032)	(1,118)	(1,078)	(904)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	0		4,569	2,479	0
Payments of long-term debt	(1)	(1)	(4,917)	(2,906)	(7)
Distributions	(250)	(250)	0	(1,084)	(1,545)
Increase (decrease) due from/to affiliates, net		0	0	0	0
Other	(2)	(2)	3	(28)	0
Net cash used in financing activities	(253)	(253)	(345)	(1,539)	(1,552)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and securities	(1,977)	(1,977)	451	66	(59)
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and securities at beginning of period	2,308	2,308	1,857	272	331
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and securities at end of period	331	331	2,308	338	272
Eliminations
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities		0	0	0	0
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital expenditures		0	0	0	0
Purchase of marketable securities			0
Maturity of marketable securities			0
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and other assets			0	0	0
Note receivable - affiliate		0
Note receivable - affiliate				0
Net cash used in investing activities		0	0	0	0
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt			0	0
Payments of long-term debt		0	0	0	0
Distributions		0		0	0
Increase (decrease) due from/to affiliates, net		0	0	0	0
Other		0	0	0
Net cash used in financing activities		0	0	0	0
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and securities		0	0	0	0
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and securities at beginning of period	0	0	0	0	0
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and securities at end of period	0	0	0	0	0
Level 3 Parent, LLC | Reportable Legal Entities
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities		(1)	(61)	313	(98)
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital expenditures		0	0	0	0
Purchase of marketable securities			0
Maturity of marketable securities			0
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and other assets			0	50	83
Note receivable - affiliate		0
Note receivable - affiliate				235
Net cash used in investing activities		0	0	285	83
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt			0	0
Payments of long-term debt		0	0	(600)	0
Distributions		(250)		(1,084)	(1,545)
Increase (decrease) due from/to affiliates, net		250	57	1,084	1,545
Other		0	0	0
Net cash used in financing activities		0	57	(600)	0
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and securities		(1)	(4)	(2)	(15)
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and securities at beginning of period	33	33	37	17	32
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and securities at end of period	32	32	33	15	17
Level 3 Financing, Inc. | Reportable Legal Entities
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities		0	(401)	(151)	0
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital expenditures		0	0	0	0
Purchase of marketable securities			0
Maturity of marketable securities			0
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and other assets			0	0	0
Note receivable - affiliate		0
Note receivable - affiliate				0
Net cash used in investing activities		0	0	0	0
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt			4,569	2,479
Payments of long-term debt		0	(4,911)	(2,300)	0
Distributions		0		0	0
Increase (decrease) due from/to affiliates, net		0	743	0	0
Other		0	0	(28)
Net cash used in financing activities		0	401	151	0
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and securities		0	0	0	0
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and securities at beginning of period	0	0	0	0	0
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and securities at end of period	0	0	0	0	0
Level 3 Communications, LLC | Reportable Legal Entities
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities		172	1,615	1,952	2,059
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital expenditures		(110)	(667)	(782)	(527)
Purchase of marketable securities			(1,127)
Maturity of marketable securities			1,127
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and other assets			1	(23)	0
Note receivable - affiliate		(1,825)
Note receivable - affiliate				0
Net cash used in investing activities		(1,935)	(666)	(805)	(527)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt			0	0
Payments of long-term debt		0	1	0	0
Distributions		0		0	0
Increase (decrease) due from/to affiliates, net		(250)	(460)	(1,084)	(1,545)
Other		0	0	0
Net cash used in financing activities		(250)	(459)	(1,084)	(1,545)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and securities		(2,013)	490	63	(13)
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and securities at beginning of period	2,200	2,199	1,710	173	186
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and securities at end of period	186	186	2,200	236	173
Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries | Reportable Legal Entities
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities		137	761	569	436
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital expenditures		(97)	(452)	(559)	(511)
Purchase of marketable securities			0
Maturity of marketable securities			0
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and other assets			0	1	51
Note receivable - affiliate		0
Note receivable - affiliate				0
Net cash used in investing activities		(97)	(452)	(558)	(460)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt			0	0
Payments of long-term debt		(1)	(7)	(6)	(7)
Distributions		0		0	0
Increase (decrease) due from/to affiliates, net		0	(340)	0	0
Other		(2)	3	0
Net cash used in financing activities		(3)	(344)	(6)	(7)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and securities		37	(35)	5	(31)
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and securities at beginning of period	75	76	110	82	113
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and securities at end of period	$ 113	$ 113	$ 75	$ 87	$ 82

Uncategorized Items - lvlt-1231

Label	Element	Value
Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 [Member] | Member Units [Member]
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption	us-gaap_CumulativeEffectOfNewAccountingPrincipleInPeriodOfAdoption	$ 9,000,000
Accounting Standards Update 2018-02 [Member] | Member Units [Member]
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption	us-gaap_CumulativeEffectOfNewAccountingPrincipleInPeriodOfAdoption	(6,000,000)
Accounting Standards Update 2018-02 [Member] | AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member]
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption	us-gaap_CumulativeEffectOfNewAccountingPrincipleInPeriodOfAdoption	$ 6,000,000