Cover Page - shares	9 Months Ended
Cover Page - shares	Sep. 30, 2019	Oct. 31, 2019
Cover page.
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2019
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-7784
Entity Registrant Name	CENTURYLINK, INC.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	LA
Entity Tax Identification Number	72-0651161
Entity Address, Address Line One	100 CenturyLink Drive,
Entity Address, City or Town	Monroe,
Entity Address, State or Province	LA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	71203
City Area Code	318
Local Phone Number	388-9000
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share
Trading Symbol	CTL
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		1,090,229,100
Entity Central Index Key	0000018926
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Income Statement [Abstract]
OPERATING REVENUE	$ 5,606	$ 5,818	$ 16,831	$ 17,665
OPERATING EXPENSES
Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	2,590	2,672	7,556	8,205
Selling, general and administrative	831	967	2,723	3,191
Depreciation and amortization	1,235	1,285	3,619	3,858
Goodwill impairment	0	0	6,506	0
Total operating expenses	4,656	4,924	20,404	15,254
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)	950	894	(3,573)	2,411
OTHER (EXPENSE) INCOME
Interest expense	(496)	(557)	(1,537)	(1,638)
Other (loss) income, net	(44)	(8)	(5)	29
Total other expense, net	(540)	(565)	(1,542)	(1,609)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	410	329	(5,115)	802
Income tax expense	108	57	377	123
NET INCOME (LOSS)	$ 302	$ 272	$ (5,492)	$ 679
BASIC AND DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE
BASIC (in dollars per share)	$ 0.28	$ 0.25	$ (5.13)	$ 0.64
DILUTED (in dollars per share)	$ 0.28	$ 0.25	$ (5.13)	$ 0.63
WEIGHTED-AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING
BASIC (in shares)	1,072,543	1,066,904	1,070,921	1,065,410
DILUTED (in shares)	1,074,790	1,072,351	1,070,921	1,069,726

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
NET INCOME (LOSS)	$ 302	$ 272	$ (5,492)	$ 679
Items related to employee benefit plans:
Change in net actuarial loss, net of ($13), ($11), ($41) and ($33) tax	41	34	126	101
Change in net prior service credit, net of ($1), $-, ($2) and ($2) tax	2	3	5	7
Unrealized holding loss on interest rate swaps, net of $3 and $17 tax	(11)		(54)
Foreign currency translation adjustment and other net of $22, ($1), $24 and $29 tax	(112)	(1)	(115)	(161)
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(80)	36	(38)	(53)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	$ 222	$ 308	$ (5,530)	$ 626

The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

+ References + Details

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Change in net actuarial loss, tax	$ (13)	$ (11)	$ (41)	$ (33)
Change in net prior service costs, tax	(1)	0	(2)	(2)
Unrealized holding loss on interest rate swaps, tax	3		17
Foreign currency translation adjustment and other, tax	$ 22	$ (1)	$ 24	$ 29

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,404	$ 488
Restricted cash	3	4
Accounts receivable, less allowance of $143 and $142	2,290	2,398
Assets held for sale	8	12
Other	884	918
Total current assets	4,589	3,820
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $28,760 and $26,859	25,874	26,408
GOODWILL AND OTHER ASSETS
Goodwill	21,507	28,031
Operating lease assets	1,721
Restricted cash	24	26
Customer relationships, net	7,902	8,911
Other intangibles, net	1,977	1,868
Other, net	1,134	1,192
Total goodwill and other assets	34,265	40,028
TOTAL ASSETS	64,728	70,256
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Current maturities of long-term debt	1,744	652
Accounts payable	1,712	1,933
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
Salaries and benefits	882	1,104
Income and other taxes	388	337
Current operating lease liabilities	419
Interest	328	316
Other	318	357
Current portion of deferred revenue	798	832
Total current liabilities	6,589	5,531
LONG-TERM DEBT	33,381	35,409
DEFERRED CREDITS AND OTHER LIABILITIES
Deferred income taxes, net	2,910	2,527
Benefit plan obligations, net	4,140	4,319
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities	1,351
Other	2,683	2,642
Total deferred credits and other liabilities	11,084	9,488
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 12)
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred stock—non-redeemable, $25.00 par value, authorized 2,000 and 2,000 shares, issued and outstanding 7 and 7 shares	0	0
Common stock, $1.00 par value, authorized 2,200,000 and 1,600,000 shares, issued and outstanding 1,090,326 and 1,080,167 shares	1,090	1,080
Additional paid-in capital	22,101	22,852
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(2,499)	(2,461)
Accumulated deficit	(7,018)	(1,643)
Total stockholders' equity	13,674	19,828
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	$ 64,728	$ 70,256

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, allowance	$ 143	$ 142
PP&E, accumulated depreciation	$ 28,760	$ 26,859
Preferred stock-non-redeemable, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 25.00	$ 25.00
Preferred stock-non-redeemable, shares authorized (in shares)	2,000,000	2,000,000
Preferred stock-non-redeemable, shares issued (in shares)	7,000	7,000
Preferred stock-non-redeemable, shares outstanding (in shares)	7,000	7,000
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 1.00	$ 1.00
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	2,200,000,000	1,600,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	1,090,326,000	1,080,167,000
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	1,090,326,000	1,080,167,000

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net (loss) income	$ (5,492)	$ 679
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	3,619	3,858
Impairment of goodwill and other assets	6,516	46
Deferred income taxes	350	486
Provision for uncollectible accounts	116	119
Net (gain) loss on early retirement of debt	(70)	30
Share-based compensation	114	144
Changes in current assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(7)	(8)
Accounts payable	(265)	(151)
Accrued income and other taxes	131	217
Other current assets and liabilities, net	(323)	(42)
Retirement benefits	(24)	(639)
Changes in other noncurrent assets and liabilities, net	72	324
Other, net	34	(27)
Net cash provided by operating activities	4,771	5,036
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital expenditures	(2,688)	(2,260)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and other assets	54	125
Other, net	(37)	(61)
Net cash used in investing activities	(2,671)	(2,196)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	988	130
Payments of long-term debt	(1,459)	(1,539)
Net proceeds on revolving line of credit	150	185
Dividends paid	(829)	(1,735)
Other, net	(37)	(48)
Net cash used in financing activities	(1,187)	(3,007)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	913	(167)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	518	587
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	1,431	420
Supplemental cash flow information:
Income taxes refunded, net	54	674
Interest paid (net of capitalized interest of $50 and $42)	(1,506)	(1,571)
Total	$ 518	$ 587

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Capitalized interest	$ 50	$ 42

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Millions	Total	COMMON STOCK	ADDITIONAL PAID-IN CAPITAL	ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS	RETAINED EARNINGS (ACCUMULATED DEFICIT)
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2017		$ 1,069	$ 23,314	$ (1,995)	$ 1,103
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Issuance of common stock through dividend reinvestment, incentive and benefit plans		12	(2)
Shares withheld to satisfy tax withholdings			(50)
Share-based compensation and other, net			137
Dividends declared					(1,758)
Other comprehensive (loss) income	$ (53)			(53)
Net (loss) income	679				679
Balance at end of period at Sep. 30, 2018	$ 22,802	1,081	23,399	(2,455)	777
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE (in dollars per share)	$ 1.62
Balance at beginning of period at Jun. 30, 2018		1,079	23,360	(2,491)	1,040
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Issuance of common stock through dividend reinvestment, incentive and benefit plans		2	7
Shares withheld to satisfy tax withholdings			(15)
Share-based compensation and other, net			47
Dividends declared					(584)
Other comprehensive (loss) income	$ 36			36
Net (loss) income	272				272
Balance at end of period at Sep. 30, 2018	$ 22,802	1,081	23,399	(2,455)	777
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE (in dollars per share)	$ 0.54
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 19,828	1,080	22,852	(2,461)	(1,643)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Issuance of common stock through dividend reinvestment, incentive and benefit plans		10	(15)
Shares withheld to satisfy tax withholdings			(35)
Share-based compensation and other, net			115
Dividends declared			(816)		2
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(38)			(38)
Net (loss) income	(5,492)				(5,492)
Balance at end of period at Sep. 30, 2019	$ 13,674	1,090	22,101	(2,499)	(7,018)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE (in dollars per share)	$ 0.75
Balance at beginning of period at Jun. 30, 2019		1,090	22,342	(2,419)	(7,321)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Issuance of common stock through dividend reinvestment, incentive and benefit plans			(1)
Shares withheld to satisfy tax withholdings			(6)
Share-based compensation and other, net			38
Dividends declared			(272)		1
Other comprehensive (loss) income	$ (80)			(80)
Net (loss) income	302				302
Balance at end of period at Sep. 30, 2019	$ 13,674	$ 1,090	$ 22,101	$ (2,499)	$ (7,018)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE (in dollars per share)	$ 0.25

- Definition

The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

+ References + Details

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical) - RETAINED EARNINGS (ACCUMULATED DEFICIT) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019	Jul. 01, 2018	Jan. 01, 2018
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02
Cumulative net effect of adoption, tax	$ 37
Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
Cumulative net effect of adoption, tax		$ (17)	$ (117)

Background	9 Months Ended
Background	Sep. 30, 2019
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Background	Background General We are an international facilities-based communications company engaged primarily in providing a broad array of integrated services to our residential and business customers. Our specific products and services are detailed in Note 11—Segment Information Basis of Presentation Our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2018, which was derived from our audited consolidated financial statements, and our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements provided herein have been prepared in accordance with the instructions for Form 10-Q. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") have been condensed or omitted pursuant to rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). However, in our opinion, the disclosures made therein are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. We believe that these consolidated financial statements include all normal recurring adjustments necessary to fairly present the results for the interim periods. The consolidated results of operations and cash flows for the first nine months of the year are not necessarily indicative of the consolidated results of operations and cash flows that might be expected for the entire year. These consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include our accounts and the accounts of our subsidiaries in which we have a controlling interest. Intercompany amounts and transactions with our consolidated subsidiaries have been eliminated. To simplify the overall presentation of our consolidated financial statements, we report immaterial amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests in certain of our subsidiaries as follows: (i) income attributable to noncontrolling interests in other income, net, (ii) equity attributable to noncontrolling interests in additional paid-in capital and (iii) cash flows attributable to noncontrolling interests in other, net, under financing activities. We reclassified certain prior period amounts to conform to the current period presentation, including the categorization of our revenue and expenses in our segment reporting. See Note 11—Segment Information for additional information. These changes had no impact on total operating revenue, total operating expenses or net income (loss) for any period. Included in accounts payable at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, were $2 million and $86 million, respectively, representing book overdrafts. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies The significant accounting policy below is in addition to the significant accounting policies described in Note 1 — Background and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes in Part II Item 8 of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. Derivatives and Hedging We may use derivative instruments to hedge exposure to interest rate risks arising from fluctuation in interest rates. We account for derivative instruments in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 815, Derivatives and Hedging, which establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments. We do not use derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes. Derivatives are recognized in the consolidated balance sheets at their fair values. When we become a party to a derivative instrument and intend to apply hedge accounting, we formally document the hedge relationship and the risk management objective for undertaking the hedge which includes designating the instrument for financial reporting purposes as a fair value hedge, a cash flow hedge, or a net investment hedge. We entered into five variable-to-fixed interest rate swap agreements during the first quarter 2019 and six variable-to-fixed interest rate swap agreements during the second quarter 2019, which we designated as cash-flow hedges. We evaluate the effectiveness of these hedges qualitatively on a quarterly basis. The change in the fair value of the interest rate swaps is reflected in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (“AOCI”) and is subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period the hedged transaction affects earnings, due to the fact that the interest rate swaps qualify as effective cash flow hedges. For more information see Note 10—Derivative Financial Instruments. Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements 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 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 $2.1 billion and $2.2 billion, respectively, as of January 1, 2019. The difference is driven principally by the netting of our existing real estate restructure reserve against the corresponding operating lease right of use asset. In addition, we recorded a $115 million cumulative adjustment (net of tax) to accumulated deficit as of January 1, 2019, for the impact of the new accounting standards. The adjustment to accumulated deficit was driven by the derecognition of our prior failed sale leaseback transaction discussed in our prior periodic reports. 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. The standards did not materially impact our consolidated net earnings or our cash flows in the nine months ended September 30, 2019. Effective January 1, 2019, we adopted ASU 2017-12, "Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities". ASU 2017-12 amends current guidance on accounting for hedges mainly to align more closely an entity’s risk management activities and financial reporting relationships through changes to both the designation and measurement guidance for qualifying hedging relationships and the presentation of hedge results. In addition, amendments in ASU 2017-12 simplify the application of hedge accounting by allowing more time to prepare hedge documentation and perform effectiveness assessments on a qualitative basis after hedges are implemented. The adoption of this standard will be applied prospectively and did not have an impact on us. See Note 10—Derivative Financial Instruments to our consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of Part I of this report for additional disclosure regarding our hedging arrangements. 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 evaluating the potential impact ASU 2016-13 will have on our financial assets measured at amortized cost including, but not limited to, customer receivables and contract asset balances. Over the fourth quarter we will complete our evaluation of the impact to our accounting and internal controls over financial reporting as a result of ASU 2016-13. We expect to adopt ASU 2016-13 on January 1, 2020 and recognize the impacts through a cumulative adjustment to accumulated deficit as of the date of adoption.

Goodwill, Customer Relationships and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill, Customer Relationships and Other Intangible Assets

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill, Customer Relationships and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill, customer relationships and other intangible assets consisted of the following:



	September 30, 2019		December 31, 2018
	(Dollars in millions)
Goodwill	$	21,507	28,031
Customer relationships, less accumulated amortization of $9,481 and $8,492	$	7,902	8,911
Indefinite-life intangible assets	$	269	269
Other intangible assets subject to amortization:
Capitalized software, less accumulated amortization of $2,858 and $2,616	$	1,599	1,468
Trade names and patents, less accumulated amortization of $83 and $61	109		131
Total other intangible assets, net	$	1,977	1,868

Our goodwill was derived from numerous acquisitions where the purchase price exceeded the fair value of the net assets acquired.

We are required to perform impairment tests related to our goodwill annually, which we perform as of October 31, or sooner if an indicator of impairment occurs. Both our January 2019 internal reorganization and the decline in our stock price triggered impairment testing in the first quarter of 2019. Consequently, we evaluated our goodwill for the internal reorganization in January 2019 and again as of March 31, 2019, which led to the first quarter 2019 impairment charges described below. In our judgment, there were no additional triggering events during the second or third quarter of 2019.

Our reporting units are not discrete legal entities with discrete full financial statements. Our assets and liabilities are employed in and relate to the operations of multiple reporting units. For each reporting unit, we compare its estimated fair value of equity to its carrying value of equity that we assign to the reporting unit. If the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is greater than the carrying value, we conclude that no impairment exists. If the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying value, we record an impairment equal to the difference.

When we performed our October 31, 2018 annual impairment test, we estimated the fair value of our reporting units by considering both a market approach and a discounted cash flow method. The market approach method includes the use of 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. Because our low stock price was a key trigger for impairment testing in early 2019, 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 derived from annualized revenue and EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) multiples between 2.1x and 4.9x and 4.9x and 9.8x, respectively. We selected a revenue and EBITDA multiple for each of our reporting units within this range. We reconciled the estimated fair values of the reporting units to our market capitalization as of the date of each of our triggering events during the first quarter of 2019 and concluded that the indicated control premium of approximately 4.5% and 4.1% was reasonable based on recent transactions in the market place. In the quarter ended March 31, 2019, based on our assessments performed with respect to the reporting units as described above, we concluded that the estimated fair value of certain of our reporting units was less than our carrying value of equity as of the date of each of our triggering events during the first quarter. As a result, we recorded non-cash, non-tax-deductible goodwill impairment charges aggregating to $6.5 billion in the quarter ended March 31, 2019.

The market multiples approach that we used in the quarter ended March 31, 2019 incorporated significant estimates and assumptions related to the forecasted results for the remainder of the year, including revenues, expenses, and the achievement of other cost synergies. In developing the market multiple, we also considered observed trends of our industry participants. Our failure to attain these forecasted results or changes in trends could result in future impairments. 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. Continued declines in our profitability or cash flows or continued sustained low trading prices of our common stock may result in further impairment.

Amortization expense for intangible assets for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 totaled $438 million and $446 million, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 totaled $1.3 billion and $1.3 billion, respectively. As of September 30, 2019, the gross carrying amount of goodwill, customer relationships, indefinite-life and other intangible assets was $43.8 billion.

We estimate that total amortization expense for intangible assets for the years ending December 31, 2019 through 2023 will be as follows:



	(Dollars in millions)
2019 (remaining three months)	$	427
2020	1,647
2021	1,212
2022	983
2023	898

In January 2019, Jeff Storey, our Chief Operating Decision Maker ("CODM"), announced a new organization structure and began managing our operations in the following five segments: international and global accounts management, enterprise, small and medium business, wholesale and consumer. As a result of this decision, we reclassified certain prior period amounts to conform to the current period presentation.

The following table shows the rollforward of goodwill assigned to our reportable segments from December 31, 2018 through September 30, 2019:



	International and Global Accounts			Enterprise		Small and Medium Business		Wholesale		Consumer		Total
	(Dollars in millions)
As of December 31, 2018	$	3,595		5,222		5,193		6,437		7,584		28,031
January 2019 reorganization	—			987		(1,038	)	395		(344	)	—
Effect of foreign currency rate change and other	(18		)	—		—		—		—		(18	)
Impairments	(934		)	(1,471	)	(896	)	(3,019	)	(186	)	(6,506	)
As of September 30, 2019	$	2,643		4,738		3,259		3,813		7,054		21,507

Revenue Recognition

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

Revenue Recognition

Refer to the Revenue Recognition section of Note 1—Background and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Note 5—Revenue Recognition in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 for further information regarding our application of ASC 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”, including practical expedients and judgments applied in determining the amounts and timing of revenue from contracts with customers.

Reconciliation of Total Revenue to Revenue from Contracts with Customers

The following table provides the amount of revenue that is not subject to ASC 606, but is instead governed by other accounting standards:



	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2019			2018		2019		2018
	(Dollars in millions)
Total revenue	$	5,606		5,818		16,831		17,665
Adjustments for non-ASC 606 revenue ⁽¹⁾	(355		)	(312	)	(1,069	)	(947	)
Total revenue from contracts with customers	$	5,251		5,506		15,762		16,718

______________________________________________________________________

(1) Includes regulatory revenue, lease revenue, sublease rental income, revenue from fiber capacity lease arrangements and failed sale leaseback income, none of which are within the scope of ASC 606.

Customer Receivables and Contract Balances

The following table provides balances of customer receivables, contract assets and contract liabilities as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018:



	September 30, 2019		December 31, 2018
	(Dollars in millions)
Customer receivables⁽¹⁾	$	2,224	2,346
Contract assets	145		140
Contract liabilities	987		860

⁽¹⁾Gross customer receivables of $2.4 billion and $2.5 billion, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $133 million and $132 million, at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

Contract liabilities consist of consideration we have received from our customers or billed in advance of providing goods or services promised in the future. We defer recognizing this consideration as revenue until we have satisfied the related performance obligation to the customer. Contract liabilities include recurring services billed one month in advance and installation and maintenance charges that are deferred and recognized over the actual or expected contract term, which ranges from one to seven years depending on the service. Contract liabilities are included within deferred revenue in our consolidated balance sheets.

The following table provides information about revenue recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018:



	Three Months Ended September 30,			Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2019		2018	2019	2018
	(Dollars in millions)
Revenue recognized in the period from:
Amounts included in contract liability at the beginning of the period (January 1, 2019 and 2018, respectively)	$	47	56	581	629
Performance obligations satisfied in previous periods	—		—	—	—

Performance Obligations

As of September 30, 2019, our estimated revenue expected to be recognized in the future related to performance obligations associated with customer contracts that are partially or wholly unsatisfied is approximately $7.3 billion. We expect to recognize approximately 75% of this revenue through 2021, 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 table provides changes in our contract acquisition costs and fulfillment costs:



	Three Months Ended September 30, 2019					Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
	Acquisition Costs			Fulfillment Costs		Acquisition Costs		Fulfillment Costs
	(Dollars in millions)
Beginning of period balance	$	321		207		287		161
Costs incurred	48			41		53		46
Amortization	(50		)	(32	)	(44	)	(34	)
End of period balance	$	319		216		296		173



	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019					Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
	Acquisition Costs			Fulfillment Costs		Acquisition Costs		Fulfillment Costs
	(Dollars in millions)
Beginning of period balance	$	322		187		268		133
Costs incurred	148			119		152		104
Amortization	(151		)	(90	)	(124	)	(64	)
End of period balance	$	319		216		296		173

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 communications services to customers, including labor and materials consumed for these activities.

Deferred acquisition and fulfillment costs are amortized based on the transfer of services on a straight-line basis over the average customer life of 30 months for consumer customers and an expected contract term between 12 and 60 months for business customers. Amortized fulfillment costs are included in cost of services and products and amortized acquisition costs are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of operations. The amount of these deferred costs that are anticipated to be amortized in the next twelve months are included in other current assets on our consolidated balance sheets. The amount of deferred costs expected to be amortized beyond the next twelve months is included in other non-current assets on our consolidated balance sheets. Deferred acquisition and fulfillment costs are assessed for impairment on an annual basis.

Leases

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Leases [Abstract]

Leases

Our financial position for reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019 is presented under the new accounting guidance, while prior periods amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with previous guidance, as discussed in Note 1— Background.

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:



	Three Months Ended September 30, 2019		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
	(Dollars in millions)
Operating and short-term lease cost	$	157	492
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of right-of-use assets	11		34
Interest on lease liability	2		9
Total finance lease cost	13		43
Total lease cost	$	170	535

Supplemental unaudited consolidated balance sheet information and other information related to leases:



		September 30,
Leases (Dollars in millions)	Classification on the Balance Sheet	2019
Assets
Operating lease assets	Operating lease assets	$	1,721
Finance lease assets	Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	253
Total leased assets		$	1,974

Liabilities
Current
Operating	Current operating lease liabilities	$	419
Finance	Current portion of long-term debt	30
Noncurrent
Operating	Noncurrent operating lease liabilities	1,351
Finance	Long-term debt	182
Total lease liabilities		$	1,982

Weighted-average remaining lease term (years)
Operating leases		9.5
Finance leases		11.2
Weighted-average discount rate
Operating leases		6.78		%
Finance leases		5.49		%

Supplemental unaudited consolidated cash flow statement information related to leases:



	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
	(Dollars in millions)
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$	508
Operating cash flows from finance leases	11
Financing cash flows from finance leases	24

As of September 30, 2019, maturities of lease liabilities were as follows:



	Operating Leases			Finance Leases
	(Dollars in millions)
2019 (remaining three months)	$	136		11
2020	453			36
2021	355			25
2022	305			23
2023	262			20
Thereafter	1,004			179
Total lease payments	2,515			294
Less: interest	(745		)	(82	)
Total	$	1,770		212
Less: current portion	(419		)	(30	)
Long-term portion	$	1,351		182

As of September 30, 2019, we had no material operating or finance leases that had not yet commenced.

Operating Lease Income

CenturyLink leases 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 three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, our gross rental income was $202 million and $606 million, respectively, which represents 4% and 4%, respectively, of our operating revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, our gross rental income was $221 million and $693 million, respectively, which represents 4% and 4%, respectively, of our operating revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018.

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:



	Capital Lease Obligations
	(Dollars in millions)
2019	$	51
2020	36
2021	23
2022	21
2023	20
2024 and thereafter	183
Total minimum payments	334
Less: amount representing interest and executory costs	(100		)
Present value of minimum payments	234
Less: current portion	(38		)
Long-term portion	$	196

At December 31, 2018, our future rental commitments for operating leases were as follows:



	Operating Leases
	(Dollars in millions)
2019	$	675
2020	443
2021	355
2022	279
2023	241
2024 and thereafter	969
Total future minimum payments ⁽¹⁾	$	2,962

_______________________________________________________________________________

(1)

Minimum payments have not been reduced by minimum sublease rentals of $101 million due in the future under non-cancelable subleases.

Leases

Our financial position for reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019 is presented under the new accounting guidance, while prior periods amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with previous guidance, as discussed in Note 1— Background.

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:



	Three Months Ended September 30, 2019		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
	(Dollars in millions)
Operating and short-term lease cost	$	157	492
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of right-of-use assets	11		34
Interest on lease liability	2		9
Total finance lease cost	13		43
Total lease cost	$	170	535

Supplemental unaudited consolidated balance sheet information and other information related to leases:



		September 30,
Leases (Dollars in millions)	Classification on the Balance Sheet	2019
Assets
Operating lease assets	Operating lease assets	$	1,721
Finance lease assets	Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	253
Total leased assets		$	1,974

Liabilities
Current
Operating	Current operating lease liabilities	$	419
Finance	Current portion of long-term debt	30
Noncurrent
Operating	Noncurrent operating lease liabilities	1,351
Finance	Long-term debt	182
Total lease liabilities		$	1,982

Weighted-average remaining lease term (years)
Operating leases		9.5
Finance leases		11.2
Weighted-average discount rate
Operating leases		6.78		%
Finance leases		5.49		%

Supplemental unaudited consolidated cash flow statement information related to leases:



	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
	(Dollars in millions)
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$	508
Operating cash flows from finance leases	11
Financing cash flows from finance leases	24

As of September 30, 2019, maturities of lease liabilities were as follows:



	Operating Leases			Finance Leases
	(Dollars in millions)
2019 (remaining three months)	$	136		11
2020	453			36
2021	355			25
2022	305			23
2023	262			20
Thereafter	1,004			179
Total lease payments	2,515			294
Less: interest	(745		)	(82	)
Total	$	1,770		212
Less: current portion	(419		)	(30	)
Long-term portion	$	1,351		182

As of September 30, 2019, we had no material operating or finance leases that had not yet commenced.

Operating Lease Income

CenturyLink leases 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 three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, our gross rental income was $202 million and $606 million, respectively, which represents 4% and 4%, respectively, of our operating revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, our gross rental income was $221 million and $693 million, respectively, which represents 4% and 4%, respectively, of our operating revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018.

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:



	Capital Lease Obligations
	(Dollars in millions)
2019	$	51
2020	36
2021	23
2022	21
2023	20
2024 and thereafter	183
Total minimum payments	334
Less: amount representing interest and executory costs	(100		)
Present value of minimum payments	234
Less: current portion	(38		)
Long-term portion	$	196

At December 31, 2018, our future rental commitments for operating leases were as follows:



	Operating Leases
	(Dollars in millions)
2019	$	675
2020	443
2021	355
2022	279
2023	241
2024 and thereafter	969
Total future minimum payments ⁽¹⁾	$	2,962

_______________________________________________________________________________

(1)

Minimum payments have not been reduced by minimum sublease rentals of $101 million due in the future under non-cancelable subleases.

Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities

The following chart reflects the consolidated long-term debt of CenturyLink, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including unamortized discounts and premiums and unamortized debt issuance costs, but excluding intercompany debt:



	Interest Rates⁽¹⁾	Maturities	September 30, 2019			December 31, 2018
			(Dollars in millions)
Senior Secured Debt: ⁽²⁾
CenturyLink, Inc.
2017 Revolving Credit Facility	4.786%	2022	$	700		550
Term Loan A ⁽³⁾	LIBOR + 2.75%	2022	1,558			1,622
Term Loan A-1 ⁽³⁾	LIBOR + 2.75%	2022	338			351
Term Loan B ⁽³⁾	LIBOR + 2.75%	2025	5,895			5,940
Subsidiaries:
Level 3 Financing, Inc.
Tranche B 2024 Term Loan ⁽⁴⁾	LIBOR + 2.25%	2024	4,611			4,611
Embarq Corporation subsidiaries
First mortgage bonds	7.125% - 8.375%	2023 - 2025	138			138
Senior Notes and Other Debt:
CenturyLink, Inc.
Senior notes	5.625% - 7.650%	2019 - 2042	7,446			8,036
Subsidiaries:
Level 3 Financing, Inc.
Senior notes	4.625% - 6.125%	2021 - 2027	5,915			5,315
Level 3 Parent, LLC
Senior notes	5.750%	2022	600			600
Qwest Corporation
Senior notes	6.125% - 7.750%	2021 - 2057	5,956			5,956
Term loan	4.050%	2025	100			100
Qwest Capital Funding, Inc.
Senior notes	6.875% - 7.750%	2021 - 2031	352			697
Embarq Corporation and subsidiary
Senior note	7.995%	2036	1,450			1,485
Other	9.000%	2019	148			150
Finance lease and other obligations	Various	Various	214			801
Unamortized discounts and other, net			(30		)	(8	)
Unamortized debt issuance costs			(266		)	(283	)
Total long-term debt			35,125			36,061
Less current maturities			(1,744		)	(652	)
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities			$	33,381		35,409

______________________________________________________________________


(1)	As ofSeptember 30, 2019.


(2)	For information on certain parent or subsidiary guarantees and liens securing this debt, see "Other" below.


(3)	Term Loans A, A-1 and B had interest rates of 4.794% and 5.272% as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.


(4)	The Tranche B 2024 Term Loan had an interest rate of 4.294% as of September 30, 2019 and 4.754% as of December 31, 2018, respectively.

Long-Term Debt Maturities

Set forth below is the aggregate principal amount of our long-term debt (excluding unamortized discounts, net and unamortized debt issuance costs) maturing during the following years as of September 30, 2019:



	(Dollars in millions)
2019 (remaining three months)	$	640
2020	1,190
2021	2,478
2022	5,250
2023	2,095
2024 and thereafter	23,768
Total long-term debt	$	35,421

Repayments

During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, CenturyLink and its affiliates repurchased approximately $1.1 billion of their respective debt securities, which primarily included approximately $400 million of Level 3 Financing, Inc. senior notes, $345 million of Qwest Capital Funding senior notes, $340 million of CenturyLink, Inc. senior notes, which resulted in a gain of $70 million. Additionally, during the period CenturyLink paid $249 million of its maturing senior notes and $122 million of amortization payments under its term loans.

New Issuance

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 will be used for general corporate purposes, including, without limitation, to redeem all $240 million outstanding principal amount of Level 3 Financing, Inc.'s 6.125% Senior Notes due 2021, all $600 million outstanding principal amount of Level 3 Parent, LLC's 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 during the fourth quarter of 2019. See "Subsequent Event" below.

Covenants

Certain of our debt instruments contain affirmative and negative covenants. Debt at CenturyLink, Inc., Level 3 Parent, LLC, and Level 3 Financing, Inc. contain more extensive covenants including, among other things and subject to certain exceptions, restrictions on their ability to declare or pay dividends, repay certain other indebtedness, create liens, incur additional indebtedness, make investments, engage in transactions with their affiliates, dispose of assets and merge or consolidate with any other person. Also, CenturyLink, Inc. and certain of its affiliates will be required to offer to purchase certain of their respective outstanding debt under certain circumstances in connection with certain specified "change of control" transactions.

Certain of our debt instruments contain cross acceleration provisions.

Compliance

As of September 30, 2019, CenturyLink, Inc. believes it and its subsidiaries were in compliance with the provisions and financial covenants in their respective material debt agreements in all material respects.

Other

In February 2019, we entered into five variable-to-fixed interest rate swap agreements to hedge the interest payments on $2.5 billion notional amount of floating rate debt. See Note 10—Derivative Financial Instruments.

In June 2019, we entered into six variable-to-fixed interest rate swap agreements to hedge the interest payments on $1.5 billion notional amount of floating rate debt. See Note 10—Derivative Financial Instruments.

For additional information on our long-term debt and credit facilities, see Note 6—Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Subsequent Event

On October 15, 2019, we repaid the $148 million outstanding principal amount of Centel Capital Corporation 9.000% notes at maturity. On October 25, 2019 we redeemed all $240 million outstanding principal amount of Level 3 Financing, Inc.'s remaining 6.125% Senior Notes due 2021 and $160 million of Level 3 Financings, Inc.'s $1 billion in outstanding principal amount of 5.375% Senior Notes due 2022. On October 17, 2019 we issued a notice of redemption on all $600 million outstanding principal amount of Level 3 Parent, LLC's 5.75% Senior Notes due 2022 on December 1, 2019.

Severance and Leased Real Estate

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]

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.

Under prior GAAP, we had previously 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 $110 million as of January 1, 2019 has been netted against the operating lease right of use assets at adoption. For additional information, see Note 4—Leases to our consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of Part I of this report.

Changes in our accrued liabilities for severance expenses were as follows:



	Severance
	(Dollars in millions)
Balance at December 31, 2018	$	87
Accrued to expense	10
Payments, net	(71		)
Balance at September 30, 2019	$	26

Employee Benefits

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Retirement Benefits [Abstract]

Employee Benefits

Net periodic benefit expense (income) for our combined pension plan includes the following components:



	Combined Pension Plan
	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2019			2018		2019		2018
	(Dollars in millions)
Service cost	$	14		17		42		50
Interest cost	109			99		326		295
Expected return on plan assets	(155		)	(171	)	(464	)	(513	)
Recognition of prior service credit	(2		)	(2	)	(6	)	(6	)
Recognition of actuarial loss	54			45		167		134
Net periodic pension benefit expense (income)	$	20		(12	)	65		(40	)

Net periodic benefit expense for our post-retirement benefit plans includes the following components:



	Post-Retirement Benefit Plans
	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2019		2018		2019	2018
	(Dollars in millions)
Service cost	$	3	4		11	13
Interest cost	27		24		82	73
Expected return on assets	—		(1	)	—	(1	)
Recognition of prior service cost	5		5		13	15
Net periodic post-retirement benefit expense	$	35	32		106	100

Service costs are included in the cost of services and products and selling, general and administrative line items on the statement of operations and all other costs listed above are included in the other income, net line item on the statement of operations. Benefits paid by our qualified pension plan are paid through a trust that holds all of the plan's assets. Based on current laws and circumstances, we do not expect any contributions to be required for our qualified pension plan during 2019. The amount of required contributions to our qualified pension plan in 2020 and beyond will depend on a variety of factors, most of which are beyond our control, including earnings on plan investments, prevailing interest rates, demographic experience, changes in plan benefits and changes in funding laws and regulations. We occasionally make voluntary contributions in addition to required contributions. Based on current circumstances, we do not anticipate making a voluntary contribution to the trust for our qualified pension plan in 2019.

Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share were calculated as follows:



	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2019			2018		2019		2018
	(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts, shares in thousands)
Income (Loss) (Numerator):
Net income (loss)	$	302		272		(5,492	)	679
Net income (loss) applicable to common stock for computing basic earnings per common share	302			272		(5,492	)	679
Net income (loss) as adjusted for purposes of computing diluted earnings per common share	$	302		272		(5,492	)	679
Shares (Denominator):
Weighted-average number of shares:
Outstanding during period	1,090,755			1,080,589		1,088,229		1,077,712
Non-vested restricted stock	(18,212		)	(13,685	)	(17,308	)	(12,302	)
Weighted-average shares outstanding for computing basic earnings per common share	1,072,543			1,066,904		1,070,921		1,065,410
Incremental common shares attributable to dilutive securities:
Shares issuable under convertible securities	10			10		—		10
Shares issuable under incentive compensation plans	2,237			5,437		—		4,306
Number of shares as adjusted for purposes of computing diluted earnings (loss) per common share	1,074,790			1,072,351		1,070,921		1,069,726
Basic earnings (loss) per common share	$	0.28		0.25		(5.13	)	0.64
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share ⁽¹⁾	$	0.28		0.25		(5.13	)	0.63

______________________________________________________________________


(1)	For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, we excluded from the calculation of diluted loss per share 2.3 million shares, potentially issuable under incentive compensation plans or convertible securities, as their effect, if included, would have been anti-dilutive.

Our calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per common share excludes shares of common stock that are issuable upon exercise of stock options when the exercise price is greater than the average market price of our common stock. We also exclude unvested restricted stock awards that are antidilutive as a result of unrecognized compensation cost. Such shares averaged 5.2 million and 8.3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively, and 1.5 million and 3.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure framework provides a three-tiered fair value hierarchy based on the reliability of the inputs used to determine fair value. Input Level 1 refers to fair values determined based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets. Input Level 2 refers to fair values estimated using significant other observable inputs and Input Level 3 includes fair values estimated using significant unobservable inputs.

Due to their short-term nature, the carrying amounts of our cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate their fair values.

The following table presents the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of CenturyLink, Inc.'s financial liabilities as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018:



		September 30, 2019			December 31, 2018
	Input Level	Carrying Amount		Fair Value	Carrying Amount	Fair Value
		(Dollars in millions)
Long-term debt, excluding finance lease and other obligations	2	$	34,911	35,739	35,260	32,915
Interest rate swap contracts (see Note 10)	2	71		71	—	—

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

+ References + Details

Derivative Financial Instruments

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Derivative Financial Instruments

From time to time, CenturyLink, Inc. uses derivative financial instruments, primarily interest rate swaps, to manage our exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. Our primary objective in managing interest rate risk is to decrease the volatility of our earnings and cash flows affected by changes in the underlying rates. We have floating rate long-term debt (see Note 5—Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities to our consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of Part I of this report). These obligations expose us to variability in interest payments due to changes in interest rates. If interest rates increase, interest expense increases. Conversely, if interest rates decrease, interest expense also decreases. We have designated our currently outstanding interest rate swap agreements as cash flow hedges. As described further below, under these hedges, we receive variable-rate amounts from a counterparty in exchange for us making fixed-rate payments over the lives of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount. The change in the fair value of the interest rate swap agreements is reflected in AOCI and, as described below, is subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged transaction affects earnings. We do not use derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes.

In February 2019, we entered into five variable-to-fixed interest rate swap agreements to hedge the interest payments on $2.5 billion notional amount of floating rate debt. The five interest rate swap agreements are with different counterparties; one for $700 million and the other four for $450 million each. The transactions were effective beginning March 31, 2019 and mature March 31, 2022. Under the terms of these interest rate swap transactions, we receive interest payments based on one month floating LIBOR terms and pay interest at the fixed rate of 2.48%.

In June 2019, we entered into six variable-to-fixed interest rate swap agreements to hedge the interest payments on $1.5 billion notional amount of floating rate debt. The six interest rate swap agreements are with different counterparties for $250 million each. The transactions were effective beginning June 30, 2019 and mature June 30, 2022. Under the terms of these interest rate swap transactions, we receive interest payments based on one month floating LIBOR terms and pay interest at the fixed rate of 1.58%.

We evaluate the effectiveness of both our February 2019 and June 2019 hedges qualitatively on a quarterly basis and both currently qualify as effective hedge relationships.

CenturyLink, Inc. is exposed to credit related losses in the event of non-performance by counterparties. The counterparties to any of the financial derivatives we enter into are major institutions with investment grade credit ratings. We evaluate counterparty credit risk before entering into any hedge transaction and continue to closely monitor the financial market and the risk that our counterparties will default on their obligations as part of our quarterly qualitative effectiveness evaluation.

Amounts accumulated in AOCI related to derivatives are indirectly recognized in earnings as periodic settlement payments are made throughout the term of the swaps.

The table below presents the fair value of our derivative financial instruments as well as their classification on the consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2019 as follows (in millions):



	Liability Derivatives
	September 30, 2019
Derivatives designated as	Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value
Cash flow hedging contracts	Other current and noncurrent liabilities	$	71

The amount of losses recognized in AOCI consists of the following (in millions):



Derivatives designated as hedging instruments	2019
Cash flow hedging contracts
Three months ended September 30,	$	14
Nine months ended September 30,	71

Amounts currently included in AOCI will be reflected as earnings prior to the settlement of these cash flow hedging contracts in 2022. We estimate that $20.1 million of net losses on the interest rate swaps (based on the estimated LIBOR curve as of September 30, 2019) will be reflected as earnings within the next twelve months.

Segment Information

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Information

In January 2019, Jeff Storey, our CODM, announced a new organization structure and began managing our operations in the following five segments: International and Global Accounts Management, Enterprise, Small and Medium Business, Wholesale and Consumer. In addition, as described in more detail below, our segments are managed based on the direct costs of providing services to their customers and the associated selling, general and administrative costs (primarily salaries and commissions). Shared costs that were previously reported in segments are managed separately and included in "Operations and Other", in the tables below. We reclassified certain prior period amounts to conform to the current period presentation.

At September 30, 2019, we had the following five reportable segments:

•

International and Global Accounts Management ("IGAM") Segment. Under our IGAM segment, we provide our products and services to approximately 200 global enterprise customers and to enterprises and carriers in three operating regions: Asia Pacific, Latin America, Europe Middle East and Africa. IGAM is responsible for working with large multinational organizations in support of their business and IT transformation strategies. We provide a portfolio of services inclusive of dark fiber; content delivery; private and public networking; hybrid IT solutions including private and public cloud services as well as consulting and professional services; and security services; all of which are described further under "Products and Services Categories"; and

•

Enterprise Segment. Under our enterprise segment, we provide our products and services to large and medium domestic and global enterprises, including federal, state and local governments. Our products and services offered to these customers include our IP and Data Services suite of products, which includes VPN and hybrid networking, Ethernet and IP services; Transport and Infrastructure, which includes wavelengths and private line, dark fiber, colocation, data center, and professional services; Voice Services, which includes local, long-distance, toll-free and unified communications services; and IT and Managed services, all of which are described further under "Products and Services Categories"; and

•

Small and Medium Business ("SMB") Segment. Under our SMB segment, we provide our products and services to small and medium businesses directly and through our indirect channel partners. We designate businesses as small or medium based on company employee count. Our products and services offered to these customers include our IP and Data Services suite of products, primarily VPN, IP and Ethernet services; Transport and Infrastructure, which includes broadband, wavelengths and private line services; Voice Services, which includes local, long-distance, national public access, VoIP and toll-free services; and IT and Managed services, all of which are described further under "Products and Services Categories"; and

•

Wholesale Segment. Under our wholesale segment, we provide our products and services to a wide range of other communication providers across the wireline, wireless, cable, voice and data center sectors. Our wholesale customers range from large global telecom providers to small regional providers. Our products and services offered to these customers include our IP and Data Services suite of products, primarily Ethernet, VPN and IP services; Transport and Infrastructure, which includes private line, wavelengths, UNE, dark fiber, colocation, data center, and wholesale broadband services; and Voice Services, which includes long-distance, local, toll-free and contact center, and intercarrier tandem services, all of which are described further under "Products and Services Categories"; and

•

Consumer Segment. Under our consumer segment, we provide our products and services to residential customers. Our products and services offered to these customers include our broadband, local and long-distance voice, and other ancillary services. Additionally, Universal Service Fund ("USF") federal and state support payments, Connect America Fund ("CAF") federal support revenue, and other revenue from leasing and subleasing including prior year rental income associated with the 2017 failed-sale-leaseback are reported in our consumer segment as regulatory revenue.

Product and Service Categories

We categorize our products and services revenue among the following four categories for the International and Global Accounts Management, Enterprise, Small and Medium Business and Wholesale segments:


•	IP and Data Services, which includes 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 broadband, private line (including business data services), data center facilities and services, including cloud, hosting and application management solutions, wavelength, equipment sales and professional services, network security services, dark fiber services and other ancillary services;


•	Voice and Collaboration, which includes primarily local and long-distance voice, including wholesale voice, and other ancillary services;


•	IT and Managed Services, which includes information technology services and managed services, which may be purchased in conjunction with our other network services; and

We categorize our products and services revenue among the following four categories for the Consumer segment:


•	Broadband, which includes broadband revenue; and


•	Voice, which includes local and long-distance revenue; and


•	Regulatory Revenue, which consists of (i) Universal Service Fund, Connect America Fund and other support payments designed to reimburse us for various costs related to certain telecommunications services and (ii) other operating revenue from the leasing and subleasing of space; and


•	Other, which includes retail video revenue (including our facilities-based video revenue), professional services and other ancillary services.

The following table summarizes our segment results and operating revenue detail for our product and services for the three months ended September 30, 2019.



	Three Months Ended September 30, 2019
	International and Global Accounts		Enterprise	Small and Medium Business	Wholesale	Consumer	Total Segments	Operations and Other		Total
	(Dollars in millions)
Revenue:
IP and Data Services	$	417	691	295	357	—	1,760	—		1,760
Transport and Infrastructure	331		405	106	467	—	1,309	—		1,309
Voice and Collaboration	96		395	322	200	—	1,013	—		1,013
IT and Managed Services	55		59	11	1	—	126	—		126
Broadband	—		—	—	—	718	718	—		718
Voice	—		—	—	—	462	462	—		462
Regulatory	—		—	—	—	157	157	—		157
Other	—		—	—	—	61	61	—		61
Total Revenue	899		1,550	734	1,025	1,398	5,606	—		5,606
Expenses:
Cost of services and products	269		544	155	144	80	1,192	1,398		2,590
Selling, general and administrative	65		134	112	21	102	434	397		831
Less: share-based compensation	—		—	—	—	—	—	(38	)	(38	)
Total expense	334		678	267	165	182	1,626	1,757		3,383
Total adjusted EBITDA	$	565	872	467	860	1,216	3,980	(1,757	)	2,223

The following table summarizes our segment results and operating revenue detail for our product and services for the three months ended September 30, 2018.



	Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
	International and Global Accounts		Enterprise	Small and Medium Business	Wholesale	Consumer	Total Segments	Operations and Other		Total
	(Dollars in millions)
Revenue:
IP and Data Services	$	423	659	294	348	—	1,724	—		1,724
Transport and Infrastructure	317		374	117	537	—	1,345	—		1,345
Voice and Collaboration	90		395	361	210	—	1,056	—		1,056
IT and Managed Services	62		77	13	2	—	154	—		154
Broadband	—		—	—	—	702	702	—		702
Voice	—		—	—	—	565	565	—		565
Regulatory	—		—	—	—	181	181	—		181
Other	—		—	—	—	91	91	—		91
Total Revenue	892		1,505	785	1,097	1,539	5,818	—		5,818
Expenses:
Cost of services and products	254		491	154	158	115	1,172	1,500		2,672
Selling, general and administrative	62		141	129	18	124	474	493		967
Less: share-based compensation	—		—	—	—	—	—	(49	)	(49	)
Total expense	316		632	283	176	239	1,646	1,944		3,590
Total adjusted EBITDA	$	576	873	502	921	1,300	4,172	(1,944	)	2,228

The following table summarizes our segment results and operating revenue detail for our product and services for the nine months ended September 30, 2019.



	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
	International and Global Accounts		Enterprise	Small and Medium Business	Wholesale	Consumer	Total Segments	Operations and Other		Total
	(Dollars in millions)
Revenue:
IP and Data Services	$	1,257	2,060	885	1,037	—	5,239	—		5,239
Transport and Infrastructure	984		1,137	319	1,450	—	3,890	—		3,890
Voice and Collaboration	284		1,182	986	589	—	3,041	—		3,041
IT and Managed Services	167		199	35	4	—	405	—		405
Broadband	—		—	—	—	2,158	2,158	—		2,158
Voice	—		—	—	—	1,428	1,428	—		1,428
Regulatory	—		—	—	—	474	474	—		474
Other	—		—	—	—	196	196	—		196
Total Revenue	2,692		4,578	2,225	3,080	4,256	16,831	—		16,831
Expenses:
Cost of services and products	786		1,537	455	430	244	3,452	4,104		7,556
Selling, general and administrative	201		426	364	62	321	1,374	1,349		2,723
Less: share-based compensation	—		—	—	—	—	—	(114	)	(114	)
Total expense	987		1,963	819	492	565	4,826	5,339		10,165
Total adjusted EBITDA	$	1,705	2,615	1,406	2,588	3,691	12,005	(5,339	)	6,666

The following table summarizes our segment results and operating revenue detail for our product and services for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.



	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
	International and Global Accounts		Enterprise	Small and Medium Business	Wholesale	Consumer	Total Segments	Operations and Other		Total
	(Dollars in millions)
Revenue:
IP and Data Services	$	1,294	1,991	884	1,036	—	5,205	—		5,205
Transport and Infrastructure	947		1,154	362	1,614	—	4,077	—		4,077
Voice and Collaboration	285		1,203	1,101	667	—	3,256	—		3,256
IT and Managed Services	204		227	41	6	—	478	—		478
Broadband	—		—	—	—	2,119	2,119	—		2,119
Voice	—		—	—	—	1,668	1,668	—		1,668
Regulatory	—		—	—	—	549	549	—		549
Other	—		—	—	—	313	313	—		313
Total Revenue	2,730		4,575	2,388	3,323	4,649	17,665	—		17,665
Expenses:
Cost of services and products	789		1,505	454	501	397	3,646	4,559		8,205
Selling, general and administrative	194		438	392	65	395	1,484	1,707		3,191
Less: share-based compensation	—		—	—	—	—	—	(144	)	(144	)
Total expense	983		1,943	846	566	792	5,130	6,122		11,252
Total adjusted EBITDA	$	1,747	2,632	1,542	2,757	3,857	12,535	(6,122	)	6,413

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, where we record revenue and transaction taxes, are assigned to the product and service categories of each segment 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.

The following table provides the amount of USF surcharges and transaction taxes:



	Three Months Ended September 30,			Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2019		2018	2019	2018
	(Dollars in millions)
USF surcharges and transaction taxes	$	270	221	750	698

Revenue and Expenses

Our segment revenue includes all revenue from our five segments as described in more detail above. Our segment revenue is based upon each customer's classification. We report our segment revenue based upon all services provided to that segment's customers. Our segment expenses include specific cost of service expenses incurred as a direct result of providing services and products to segment customers, along with selling, general and administrative expenses that are directly associated with specific segment customers or activities. Network expenses not incurred as a direct result of providing services and products to segment customers and centrally managed expenses such as Operations, Finance, Human Resources, Legal, Marketing, Product Management and IT are not assigned to segments as they are managed separately; they are reported as "Operations and Other". We do not assign depreciation and amortization expense or impairments to our segments, as the related assets and capital expenditures are centrally managed and are not monitored by or reported to the CODM by segment. Interest expense is also excluded from segment results because we manage our financing on a consolidated basis and have not allocated assets or debt to specific segments. Stock-based compensation and other income and expense items are not monitored as a part of our segment operations and are therefore excluded from our segment results.

The following table reconciles total segment adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss):



	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2019			2018		2019		2018
	(Dollars in millions)
Total segment adjusted EBITDA	$	3,980		4,172		12,005		12,535
Depreciation and amortization	(1,235		)	(1,285	)	(3,619	)	(3,858	)
Impairment of goodwill	—			—		(6,506	)	—
Other operating expenses	(1,757		)	(1,944	)	(5,339	)	(6,122	)
Stock-based compensation	(38		)	(49	)	(114	)	(144	)
Operating income (loss)	950			894		(3,573	)	2,411
Total other expense, net	(540		)	(565	)	(1,542	)	(1,609	)
Income (loss) before income taxes	410			329		(5,115	)	802
Income tax expense	108			57		377		123
Net income (loss)	$	302		272		(5,492	)	679

Commitments and Contingencies and Other Items	9 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies and Other Items	Sep. 30, 2019
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies and Other Items	Commitments and Contingencies and Other Items We are subject to various claims, legal proceedings and other contingent liabilities, including the matters described below, which individually or in the aggregate could materially affect our financial condition, future results of operations or cash flows. As a matter of course, we are prepared to both litigate these matters to judgment as needed, as well as to evaluate and consider reasonable settlement opportunities. Irrespective of its merits, litigation may be both lengthy and disruptive to our operations and could cause significant expenditure and diversion of management attention. We review our litigation accrual liabilities on a quarterly basis, but in accordance with applicable accounting guidelines only establish accrual liabilities when losses are deemed probable and reasonably estimable and only revise previously-established accrual liabilities when warranted by changes in circumstances, in each case based on then-available information. As such, as of any given date we could have exposure to losses under proceedings as to which no liability has been accrued or as to which the accrued liability is inadequate. Amounts accrued for our litigation and non-income tax contingencies at September 30, 2019 aggregated to approximately $133 million and are included in other current liabilities and other liabilities in our consolidated balance sheet as of such date. The establishment of an accrual does not mean that actual funds have been set aside to satisfy a given contingency. Thus, the resolution of a particular contingency for the amount accrued could have no effect on our results of operations but nonetheless could have an adverse effect on our cash flows. In this Note, when we refer to a class action as "putative" it is because a class has been alleged, but not certified in that matter. Principal Proceedings Shareholder Class Action Suits CenturyLink and certain CenturyLink board members and officers were named as defendants in a putative shareholder class action lawsuit filed on June 12, 2018 in the Boulder County District Court of the state of Colorado, captioned Houser et al. v. CenturyLink, et al. The complaint asserts claims on behalf of a putative class of former Level 3 shareholders who became CenturyLink shareholders as a result of the transaction. It alleges that the proxy statement provided to the Level 3 shareholders failed to disclose material information of several kinds, including information about strategic revenue, customer loss rates, and customer account issues, among other items. The complaint seeks damages, costs and fees, rescission, rescissory damages, and other equitable relief. Switched Access Disputes Subsidiaries of CenturyLink, Inc. are among hundreds of companies involved in an industry-wide dispute, raised in nearly 100 federal lawsuits (filed between 2014 and 2016) that have been consolidated in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas for pretrial procedures. The disputes relate to switched access charges that local exchange carriers ("LECs") collect from interexchange carriers ("IXCs") for IXCs' use of LEC's access services. In the lawsuits, IXCs, including Sprint Communications Company L.P. ("Sprint") and various affiliates of Verizon Communications Inc. ("Verizon"), assert that federal and state laws bar LECs from collecting access charges when IXCs exchange certain types of calls between mobile and wireline devices that are routed through an IXC. Some of these IXCs have asserted claims seeking refunds of payments for access charges previously paid and relief from future access charges. In November 2015, the federal court agreed with the LECs and rejected the IXCs' contention that federal law prohibits these particular access charges, and also allowed the IXCs to refile state-law claims. Since then, many of the LECs and IXCs have filed revised pleadings and additional motions, which remain pending. Separately, some of the defendants, including CenturyLink, Inc.'s LECs, have petitioned the FCC to address these issues on an industry-wide basis. Our subsidiaries include both IXCs and LECs which respectively pay and assess significant amounts of the charges in question. The outcomes of these disputes and lawsuits, as well as any related regulatory proceedings that could ensue, are currently not predictable. State Tax Suits Several Missouri municipalities have, beginning in May 2012, asserted claims alleging underpayment of taxes against CenturyLink, Inc. and several of its subsidiaries in a number of proceedings filed in the Circuit Court of St. Louis County, Missouri. These municipalities are seeking, among other things, declaratory relief regarding the application of business license and gross receipts taxes and back taxes from 2007 to the present, plus penalties and interest. In a February 2017 ruling in connection with one of these pending cases, the court entered an order awarding plaintiffs $4 million and broadening the tax base on a going-forward basis. We have appealed that ruling. In a June 2017 ruling in connection with another one of these pending cases, the court made findings which, if not overturned, will result in a tax liability to us well in excess of the contingent liability we have established. In due course, we plan to appeal that decision. We continue to vigorously defend against these claims. Billing Practices Suits In June 2017, a former employee filed an employment lawsuit against us claiming that she was wrongfully terminated for alleging that we charged some of our retail customers for products and services they did not authorize. Starting shortly thereafter and continuing since then, and based in part on the allegations made by the former employee, several legal proceedings have been filed. In June 2017, McLeod v. CenturyLink, a putative consumer class action, was filed against us in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California alleging that we charged some of our retail customers for products and services they did not authorize. A number of other complaints asserting similar claims have been filed in other federal and state courts, as well. The lawsuits assert claims including fraud, unfair competition, and unjust enrichment. Also in June 2017, Craig. v. CenturyLink, Inc., et al., a putative securities investor class action, was filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, alleging that we failed to disclose material information regarding improper sales practices, and asserting federal securities law claims. A number of other cases asserting similar claims have also been filed. Beginning June 2017, we also received several shareholder derivative demands addressing related topics. In August 2017, the Board of Directors formed a special litigation committee of outside directors to address the allegations of impropriety contained in the shareholder derivative demands. In April 2018, the special litigation committee concluded its review of the derivative demands and declined to take further action. Since then, derivative cases were filed. Two of these cases, Castagna v. Post and Pinsly v. Post, were filed in Louisiana state court in the Fourth Judicial District Court for the Parish of Ouachita. The remaining derivative cases were filed in federal court in Louisiana and Minnesota. These cases have been brought on behalf of CenturyLink against certain current and former officers and directors of the Company and seek damages for alleged breaches of fiduciary duties. The consumer putative class actions, the securities investor putative class actions, and the federal derivative actions have been transferred to the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota for coordinated and consolidated pretrial proceedings as In Re: CenturyLink Sales Practices and Securities Litigation. Subject to confirmatory discovery and court approval, we have agreed to settle the consumer putative class actions for payments of $15.5 million to compensate class members and of up to $3.5 million for administrative costs. We have accrued for those amounts. In July 2017, the Minnesota state attorney general filed State of Minnesota v. CenturyTel Broadband Services LLC, et al. in the Anoka County Minnesota District Court, alleging claims of fraud and deceptive trade practices relating to improper consumer sales practices. The suit seeks an order of restitution on behalf of all CenturyLink customers, civil penalties, injunctive relief, and costs and fees. Additionally, we have received and responded to information requests and inquiries from other states. Locate Service Investigations In June 2019, Minnesota and Arizona initiated investigations related to the timeliness of responses by certain of our vendors to requests for marking the location of underground telecommunications facilities. We and our subsidiaries are cooperating with the investigations. Peruvian Tax Litigation In 2005, the Peruvian tax authorities ("SUNAT") issued tax assessments against one of our Peruvian subsidiaries asserting $26 million, of additional income tax withholding and value-added taxes ("VAT"), penalties and interest for calendar years 2001 and 2002 on the basis that the Peruvian subsidiary incorrectly documented its importations. After taking into account the developments described below, as well as the accrued interest and foreign exchange effects, we believe the total amount of our exposure was $8 million at September 30, 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. We estimate that these assessments, if upheld, could result in a loss of up to $37 million at September 30, 2019 in excess of the accruals established for these matters. Qui Tam Action Level 3 was notified in late 2017 of a qui tam action pending against Level 3 Communications, Inc. and others in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, captioned United States of America ex rel., Stephen Bishop v. Level 3 Communications, Inc. et al. The original qui tam complaint 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 Level 3, principally through two former employees, submitted false claims and made false statements to the government in connection with two government contracts. The relator seeks damages in this lawsuit of approximately $50 million, subject to trebling, plus statutory penalties, pre-and-post judgment interest, and attorney’s fees. The case is currently stayed. Level 3 is evaluating its defenses to the claims. At this time, Level 3 does not believe it is probable Level 3 will incur a material loss. If, contrary to its expectations, the plaintiff prevails in this matter and proves damages at or near $50 million, and is successful in having those damages trebled, the outcome could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations in the period in which a liability is recognized and on our cash flows for the period in which any damages are paid. Several people, including two former Level 3 employees were indicted in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia on October 3, 2017, and charged with, among other things, accepting kickbacks from a subcontractor, who was also indicted, for work to be performed under a prime government contract. Of the two former employees, one entered into a plea agreement, and the other is deceased. Level 3 is fully cooperating in the government’s investigations in this matter. Other Proceedings, Disputes and Contingencies From time to time, we are involved in other proceedings incidental to our business, including patent infringement allegations, administrative hearings of state public utility commissions relating primarily to our rates or services, actions relating to employee claims, various tax issues, environmental law issues, grievance hearings before labor regulatory agencies and miscellaneous third party tort actions. We are currently defending several patent infringement lawsuits asserted against us by non-practicing entities, many of which are seeking substantial recoveries. These cases have progressed to various stages and one or more may go to trial in the coming 24 months if they are not otherwise resolved. Where applicable, we are seeking full or partial indemnification from our vendors and suppliers. As with all litigation, we are vigorously defending these actions and, as a matter of course, are prepared to litigate these matters to judgment, as well as to evaluate and consider all reasonable settlement opportunities. We are subject to various foreign, federal, state and local environmental protection and health and safety laws. From time to time, we are subject to judicial and administrative proceedings brought by various governmental authorities under these laws. Several such proceedings are currently pending, but none individually is reasonably expected to exceed $100,000 in fines and penalties. The outcome of these other proceedings described under this heading is not predictable. However, based on current circumstances, we do not believe that the ultimate resolution of these other proceedings, after considering available defenses and any insurance coverage or indemnification rights, will have a material adverse effect on us. The matters listed above in this Note do not reflect all of our contingencies. For additional information on our contingencies, see Note 17 - Commitments, Contingencies and Other Items - to the financial statements included in Item 8 of part II of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. 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 our largely historical operations, we have responded to or been notified of potential environmental liability at approximately 200 properties. We are engaged in addressing or have liquidated 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.

Other Financial Information

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Other Financial Information

Other Current Assets

The following table presents details of other current assets reflected in our consolidated balance sheets:



	September 30, 2019		December 31, 2018
	(Dollars in millions)
Prepaid expenses	$	352	307
Income tax receivable	5		82
Materials, supplies and inventory	137		120
Contract assets	51		52
Contract acquisition costs	175		167
Contract fulfillment costs	111		82
Other	53		108
Total other current assets	$	884	918

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Information Relating to 2019

The table below summarizes changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss recorded on our consolidated balance sheet by component for the nine months ended September 30, 2019:



	Pension Plans			Post-Retirement Benefit Plans		Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment and Other		Interest Rate Swap		Total
	(Dollars in millions)
Balance at December 31, 2018	$	(2,173	)	(58	)	(230	)	—		(2,461	)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	—			—		(115	)	(54	)	(169	)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	122			9		—		—		131
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	122			9		(115	)	(54	)	(38	)
Balance at September 30, 2019	$	(2,051	)	(49	)	(345	)	(54	)	(2,499	)

The tables below present further information about our reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss by component for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019:



Three Months Ended September 30, 2019	Decrease (Increase) in Net Income			Affected Line Item in Consolidated Statement of Operations
	(Dollars in millions)
Amortization of pension & post-retirement plans⁽¹⁾
Net actuarial loss	$	54		Other income, net
Prior service cost	3			Other income, net
Total before tax	57
Income tax benefit	(14		)	Income tax expense
Net of tax	$	43



Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019	Increase (Decrease) in Net Loss			Affected Line Item in Consolidated Statement of Operations
	(Dollars in millions)
Amortization of pension & post-retirement plans⁽¹⁾
Net actuarial loss	$	167		Other income, net
Prior service cost	7			Other income, net
Total before tax	174
Income tax benefit	(43		)	Income tax expense
Net of tax	$	131

________________________________________________________________________


(1)	See Note 7—Employee Benefits for additional information on our net periodic benefit expense (income) related to our pension and post-retirement plans.

Information Relating to 2018

The table below summarizes changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss recorded on our consolidated balance sheets by component for the nine months ended September 30, 2018:



	Pension Plans			Post-Retirement Benefit Plans		Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment and Other		Total
	(Dollars in millions)
Balance at December 31, 2017	$	(1,731	)	(235	)	(29	)	(1,995	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	—			—		(161	)	(161	)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	97			11		—		108
Net current-period other comprehensive income	97			11		(161	)	(53	)
Cumulative effect of adoption of ASU 2018-02, Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	(375		)	(32	)	—		(407	)
Balance at September 30, 2018	$	(2,009	)	(256	)	(190	)	(2,455	)

The tables below present further information about our reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss by component for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018



Three Months Ended September 30, 2018	Decrease (Increase) in Net Income			Affected Line Item in Consolidated Statement of Operations
	(Dollars in millions)
Amortization of pension & post-retirement plans⁽¹⁾
Net actuarial loss	$	45		Other income, net
Prior service cost	3			Other income, net
Total before tax	48
Income tax benefit	(11		)	Income tax expense
Net of tax	$	37



Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018	Decrease (Increase) in Net Income			Affected Line Item in Consolidated Statement of Operations
	(Dollars in millions)
Amortization of pension & post-retirement plans⁽¹⁾
Net actuarial loss	$	134		Other income, net
Prior service cost	9			Other income, net
Total before tax	143
Income tax benefit	(35		)	Income tax expense
Net of tax	$	108

________________________________________________________________________

(1)

See Note 7—Employee Benefits for additional information on our net periodic benefit expense (income) related to our pension and post-retirement plans.

Labor Union Contracts	9 Months Ended
Labor Union Contracts	Sep. 30, 2019
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Labor Union Contracts	Labor Union Contracts As of September 30, 2019, CenturyLink, Inc. had approximately 43,000 employees. Approximately, 26% of our employees are represented by the Communication Workers of America ("CWA") or the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers ("IBEW"). Approximately 2% of our union-represented employees were subject to collective bargaining agreements that expired as of September 30, 2019 and are currently being renegotiated. Additionally, approximately 10% of our union-represented employees are subject to collective bargaining agreements that are scheduled to expire over the next 12 months. During third quarter 2019, we reached new agreements with the CWA and IBEW, which represented approximately 73%, of our represented employees. We believe relations with our employees continue to be generally good.

Background (Policies)	9 Months Ended
Background (Policies)	Sep. 30, 2019
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Consolidation policy	Basis of Presentation Our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2018, which was derived from our audited consolidated financial statements, and our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements provided herein have been prepared in accordance with the instructions for Form 10-Q. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") have been condensed or omitted pursuant to rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). However, in our opinion, the disclosures made therein are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. We believe that these consolidated financial statements include all normal recurring adjustments necessary to fairly present the results for the interim periods. The consolidated results of operations and cash flows for the first nine months of the year are not necessarily indicative of the consolidated results of operations and cash flows that might be expected for the entire year. These consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include our accounts and the accounts of our subsidiaries in which we have a controlling interest. Intercompany amounts and transactions with our consolidated subsidiaries have been eliminated. To simplify the overall presentation of our consolidated financial statements, we report immaterial amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests in certain of our subsidiaries as follows: (i) income attributable to noncontrolling interests in other income, net, (ii) equity attributable to noncontrolling interests in additional paid-in capital and (iii) cash flows attributable to noncontrolling interests in other, net, under financing activities.
Reclassification policy	We reclassified certain prior period amounts to conform to the current period presentation, including the categorization of our revenue and expenses in our segment reporting. See Note 11—Segment Information for additional information. These changes had no impact on total operating revenue, total operating expenses or net income (loss) for any period.
Derivatives policy	Derivatives and Hedging We may use derivative instruments to hedge exposure to interest rate risks arising from fluctuation in interest rates. We account for derivative instruments in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 815, Derivatives and Hedging, which establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments. We do not use derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes. Derivatives are recognized in the consolidated balance sheets at their fair values. When we become a party to a derivative instrument and intend to apply hedge accounting, we formally document the hedge relationship and the risk management objective for undertaking the hedge which includes designating the instrument for financial reporting purposes as a fair value hedge, a cash flow hedge, or a net investment hedge. We entered into five variable-to-fixed interest rate swap agreements during the first quarter 2019 and six variable-to-fixed interest rate swap agreements during the second quarter 2019, which we designated as cash-flow hedges. We evaluate the effectiveness of these hedges qualitatively on a quarterly basis. The change in the fair value of the interest rate swaps is reflected in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (“AOCI”) and is subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period the hedged transaction affects earnings, due to the fact that the interest rate swaps qualify as effective cash flow hedges. For more information see Note 10—Derivative Financial Instruments.
Recently adopted accounting pronouncements and recent accounting pronouncements	Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements 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 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 $2.1 billion and $2.2 billion, respectively, as of January 1, 2019. The difference is driven principally by the netting of our existing real estate restructure reserve against the corresponding operating lease right of use asset. In addition, we recorded a $115 million cumulative adjustment (net of tax) to accumulated deficit as of January 1, 2019, for the impact of the new accounting standards. The adjustment to accumulated deficit was driven by the derecognition of our prior failed sale leaseback transaction discussed in our prior periodic reports. 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. The standards did not materially impact our consolidated net earnings or our cash flows in the nine months ended September 30, 2019. Effective January 1, 2019, we adopted ASU 2017-12, "Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities". ASU 2017-12 amends current guidance on accounting for hedges mainly to align more closely an entity’s risk management activities and financial reporting relationships through changes to both the designation and measurement guidance for qualifying hedging relationships and the presentation of hedge results. In addition, amendments in ASU 2017-12 simplify the application of hedge accounting by allowing more time to prepare hedge documentation and perform effectiveness assessments on a qualitative basis after hedges are implemented. The adoption of this standard will be applied prospectively and did not have an impact on us. See Note 10—Derivative Financial Instruments to our consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of Part I of this report for additional disclosure regarding our hedging arrangements. 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 evaluating the potential impact ASU 2016-13 will have on our financial assets measured at amortized cost including, but not limited to, customer receivables and contract asset balances. Over the fourth quarter we will complete our evaluation of the impact to our accounting and internal controls over financial reporting as a result of ASU 2016-13. We expect to adopt ASU 2016-13 on January 1, 2020 and recognize the impacts through a cumulative adjustment to accumulated deficit as of the date of adoption.

Goodwill, Customer Relationships and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Intangible Assets and Goodwill

Goodwill, customer relationships and other intangible assets consisted of the following:



	September 30, 2019		December 31, 2018
	(Dollars in millions)
Goodwill	$	21,507	28,031
Customer relationships, less accumulated amortization of $9,481 and $8,492	$	7,902	8,911
Indefinite-life intangible assets	$	269	269
Other intangible assets subject to amortization:
Capitalized software, less accumulated amortization of $2,858 and $2,616	$	1,599	1,468
Trade names and patents, less accumulated amortization of $83 and $61	109		131
Total other intangible assets, net	$	1,977	1,868

Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense

We estimate that total amortization expense for intangible assets for the years ending December 31, 2019 through 2023 will be as follows:



	(Dollars in millions)
2019 (remaining three months)	$	427
2020	1,647
2021	1,212
2022	983
2023	898

Schedule of Goodwill

The following table shows the rollforward of goodwill assigned to our reportable segments from December 31, 2018 through September 30, 2019:



	International and Global Accounts			Enterprise		Small and Medium Business		Wholesale		Consumer		Total
	(Dollars in millions)
As of December 31, 2018	$	3,595		5,222		5,193		6,437		7,584		28,031
January 2019 reorganization	—			987		(1,038	)	395		(344	)	—
Effect of foreign currency rate change and other	(18		)	—		—		—		—		(18	)
Impairments	(934		)	(1,471	)	(896	)	(3,019	)	(186	)	(6,506	)
As of September 30, 2019	$	2,643		4,738		3,259		3,813		7,054		21,507

Revenue Recognition (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

Schedule of Revenue

The following table provides the amount of revenue that is not subject to ASC 606, but is instead governed by other accounting standards:



	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2019			2018		2019		2018
	(Dollars in millions)
Total revenue	$	5,606		5,818		16,831		17,665
Adjustments for non-ASC 606 revenue ⁽¹⁾	(355		)	(312	)	(1,069	)	(947	)
Total revenue from contracts with customers	$	5,251		5,506		15,762		16,718

______________________________________________________________________

(1) Includes regulatory revenue, lease revenue, sublease rental income, revenue from fiber capacity lease arrangements and failed sale leaseback income, none of which are within the scope of ASC 606.

Contract with Customer, Asset and Liability

The following table provides balances of customer receivables, contract assets and contract liabilities as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018:



	September 30, 2019		December 31, 2018
	(Dollars in millions)
Customer receivables⁽¹⁾	$	2,224	2,346
Contract assets	145		140
Contract liabilities	987		860

⁽¹⁾Gross customer receivables of $2.4 billion and $2.5 billion, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $133 million and $132 million, at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

The following table provides information about revenue recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018:



	Three Months Ended September 30,			Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2019		2018	2019	2018
	(Dollars in millions)
Revenue recognized in the period from:
Amounts included in contract liability at the beginning of the period (January 1, 2019 and 2018, respectively)	$	47	56	581	629
Performance obligations satisfied in previous periods	—		—	—	—

Capitalized Contract Cost

The following table provides changes in our contract acquisition costs and fulfillment costs:



	Three Months Ended September 30, 2019					Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
	Acquisition Costs			Fulfillment Costs		Acquisition Costs		Fulfillment Costs
	(Dollars in millions)
Beginning of period balance	$	321		207		287		161
Costs incurred	48			41		53		46
Amortization	(50		)	(32	)	(44	)	(34	)
End of period balance	$	319		216		296		173



	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019					Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
	Acquisition Costs			Fulfillment Costs		Acquisition Costs		Fulfillment Costs
	(Dollars in millions)
Beginning of period balance	$	322		187		268		133
Costs incurred	148			119		152		104
Amortization	(151		)	(90	)	(124	)	(64	)
End of period balance	$	319		216		296		173

Leases (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Leases [Abstract]

Lease, Cost

Lease expense consisted of the following:



	Three Months Ended September 30, 2019		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
	(Dollars in millions)
Operating and short-term lease cost	$	157	492
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of right-of-use assets	11		34
Interest on lease liability	2		9
Total finance lease cost	13		43
Total lease cost	$	170	535

Supplemental unaudited consolidated cash flow statement information related to leases:



	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
	(Dollars in millions)
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$	508
Operating cash flows from finance leases	11
Financing cash flows from finance leases	24

Assets And Liabilities, Lessee

Supplemental unaudited consolidated balance sheet information and other information related to leases:



		September 30,
Leases (Dollars in millions)	Classification on the Balance Sheet	2019
Assets
Operating lease assets	Operating lease assets	$	1,721
Finance lease assets	Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	253
Total leased assets		$	1,974

Liabilities
Current
Operating	Current operating lease liabilities	$	419
Finance	Current portion of long-term debt	30
Noncurrent
Operating	Noncurrent operating lease liabilities	1,351
Finance	Long-term debt	182
Total lease liabilities		$	1,982

Weighted-average remaining lease term (years)
Operating leases		9.5
Finance leases		11.2
Weighted-average discount rate
Operating leases		6.78		%
Finance leases		5.49		%

Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Maturity

As of September 30, 2019, maturities of lease liabilities were as follows:



	Operating Leases			Finance Leases
	(Dollars in millions)
2019 (remaining three months)	$	136		11
2020	453			36
2021	355			25
2022	305			23
2023	262			20
Thereafter	1,004			179
Total lease payments	2,515			294
Less: interest	(745		)	(82	)
Total	$	1,770		212
Less: current portion	(419		)	(30	)
Long-term portion	$	1,351		182

Finance Lease, Liability, Maturity

As of September 30, 2019, maturities of lease liabilities were as follows:



	Operating Leases			Finance Leases
	(Dollars in millions)
2019 (remaining three months)	$	136		11
2020	453			36
2021	355			25
2022	305			23
2023	262			20
Thereafter	1,004			179
Total lease payments	2,515			294
Less: interest	(745		)	(82	)
Total	$	1,770		212
Less: current portion	(419		)	(30	)
Long-term portion	$	1,351		182

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:



	Capital Lease Obligations
	(Dollars in millions)
2019	$	51
2020	36
2021	23
2022	21
2023	20
2024 and thereafter	183
Total minimum payments	334
Less: amount representing interest and executory costs	(100		)
Present value of minimum payments	234
Less: current portion	(38		)
Long-term portion	$	196

Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases

Leases

Our financial position for reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019 is presented under the new accounting guidance, while prior periods amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with previous guidance, as discussed in Note 1— Background.

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:



	Three Months Ended September 30, 2019		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
	(Dollars in millions)
Operating and short-term lease cost	$	157	492
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of right-of-use assets	11		34
Interest on lease liability	2		9
Total finance lease cost	13		43
Total lease cost	$	170	535

Supplemental unaudited consolidated balance sheet information and other information related to leases:



		September 30,
Leases (Dollars in millions)	Classification on the Balance Sheet	2019
Assets
Operating lease assets	Operating lease assets	$	1,721
Finance lease assets	Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	253
Total leased assets		$	1,974

Liabilities
Current
Operating	Current operating lease liabilities	$	419
Finance	Current portion of long-term debt	30
Noncurrent
Operating	Noncurrent operating lease liabilities	1,351
Finance	Long-term debt	182
Total lease liabilities		$	1,982

Weighted-average remaining lease term (years)
Operating leases		9.5
Finance leases		11.2
Weighted-average discount rate
Operating leases		6.78		%
Finance leases		5.49		%

Supplemental unaudited consolidated cash flow statement information related to leases:



	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
	(Dollars in millions)
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$	508
Operating cash flows from finance leases	11
Financing cash flows from finance leases	24

As of September 30, 2019, maturities of lease liabilities were as follows:



	Operating Leases			Finance Leases
	(Dollars in millions)
2019 (remaining three months)	$	136		11
2020	453			36
2021	355			25
2022	305			23
2023	262			20
Thereafter	1,004			179
Total lease payments	2,515			294
Less: interest	(745		)	(82	)
Total	$	1,770		212
Less: current portion	(419		)	(30	)
Long-term portion	$	1,351		182

As of September 30, 2019, we had no material operating or finance leases that had not yet commenced.

Operating Lease Income

CenturyLink leases 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 three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, our gross rental income was $202 million and $606 million, respectively, which represents 4% and 4%, respectively, of our operating revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, our gross rental income was $221 million and $693 million, respectively, which represents 4% and 4%, respectively, of our operating revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018.

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:



	Capital Lease Obligations
	(Dollars in millions)
2019	$	51
2020	36
2021	23
2022	21
2023	20
2024 and thereafter	183
Total minimum payments	334
Less: amount representing interest and executory costs	(100		)
Present value of minimum payments	234
Less: current portion	(38		)
Long-term portion	$	196

At December 31, 2018, our future rental commitments for operating leases were as follows:



	Operating Leases
	(Dollars in millions)
2019	$	675
2020	443
2021	355
2022	279
2023	241
2024 and thereafter	969
Total future minimum payments ⁽¹⁾	$	2,962

_______________________________________________________________________________

(1)

Minimum payments have not been reduced by minimum sublease rentals of $101 million due in the future under non-cancelable subleases.

Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of long-term debt including unamortized discounts and premiums

The following chart reflects the consolidated long-term debt of CenturyLink, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including unamortized discounts and premiums and unamortized debt issuance costs, but excluding intercompany debt:



	Interest Rates⁽¹⁾	Maturities	September 30, 2019			December 31, 2018
			(Dollars in millions)
Senior Secured Debt: ⁽²⁾
CenturyLink, Inc.
2017 Revolving Credit Facility	4.786%	2022	$	700		550
Term Loan A ⁽³⁾	LIBOR + 2.75%	2022	1,558			1,622
Term Loan A-1 ⁽³⁾	LIBOR + 2.75%	2022	338			351
Term Loan B ⁽³⁾	LIBOR + 2.75%	2025	5,895			5,940
Subsidiaries:
Level 3 Financing, Inc.
Tranche B 2024 Term Loan ⁽⁴⁾	LIBOR + 2.25%	2024	4,611			4,611
Embarq Corporation subsidiaries
First mortgage bonds	7.125% - 8.375%	2023 - 2025	138			138
Senior Notes and Other Debt:
CenturyLink, Inc.
Senior notes	5.625% - 7.650%	2019 - 2042	7,446			8,036
Subsidiaries:
Level 3 Financing, Inc.
Senior notes	4.625% - 6.125%	2021 - 2027	5,915			5,315
Level 3 Parent, LLC
Senior notes	5.750%	2022	600			600
Qwest Corporation
Senior notes	6.125% - 7.750%	2021 - 2057	5,956			5,956
Term loan	4.050%	2025	100			100
Qwest Capital Funding, Inc.
Senior notes	6.875% - 7.750%	2021 - 2031	352			697
Embarq Corporation and subsidiary
Senior note	7.995%	2036	1,450			1,485
Other	9.000%	2019	148			150
Finance lease and other obligations	Various	Various	214			801
Unamortized discounts and other, net			(30		)	(8	)
Unamortized debt issuance costs			(266		)	(283	)
Total long-term debt			35,125			36,061
Less current maturities			(1,744		)	(652	)
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities			$	33,381		35,409

______________________________________________________________________


(1)	As ofSeptember 30, 2019.


(2)	For information on certain parent or subsidiary guarantees and liens securing this debt, see "Other" below.


(3)	Term Loans A, A-1 and B had interest rates of 4.794% and 5.272% as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.


(4)	The Tranche B 2024 Term Loan had an interest rate of 4.294% as of September 30, 2019 and 4.754% as of December 31, 2018, respectively.

Schedule of maturities of long-term debt

Set forth below is the aggregate principal amount of our long-term debt (excluding unamortized discounts, net and unamortized debt issuance costs) maturing during the following years as of September 30, 2019:



	(Dollars in millions)
2019 (remaining three months)	$	640
2020	1,190
2021	2,478
2022	5,250
2023	2,095
2024 and thereafter	23,768
Total long-term debt	$	35,421

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of long-debt instruments or arrangements, including identification, terms, features, collateral requirements and other information necessary to a fair presentation. These are debt arrangements that originally required repayment more than twelve months after issuance or greater than the normal operating cycle of the entity, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114775744&loc=d3e28541-108399

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109259400&loc=d3e21506-112644

Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(e),(f))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 5: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114775744&loc=d3e28551-108399

Reference 6: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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-Topic 505
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109259400&loc=d3e21521-112644

Reference 7: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109259400&loc=d3e21538-112644

Reference 8: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 470
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=75038535&loc=d3e64711-112823

Reference 9: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114775985&loc=d3e28878-108400

Reference 10: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109259400&loc=d3e21475-112644

+ Details

Severance and Leased Real Estate (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]

Schedule of changes in accrued liabilities for severance expenses and leased real estate

Changes in our accrued liabilities for severance expenses were as follows:



	Severance
	(Dollars in millions)
Balance at December 31, 2018	$	87
Accrued to expense	10
Payments, net	(71		)
Balance at September 30, 2019	$	26

Employee Benefits (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Retirement Benefits [Abstract]

Schedule of components of net periodic pension benefit (income) expense and post-retirement benefit expense

Net periodic benefit expense (income) for our combined pension plan includes the following components:



	Combined Pension Plan
	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2019			2018		2019		2018
	(Dollars in millions)
Service cost	$	14		17		42		50
Interest cost	109			99		326		295
Expected return on plan assets	(155		)	(171	)	(464	)	(513	)
Recognition of prior service credit	(2		)	(2	)	(6	)	(6	)
Recognition of actuarial loss	54			45		167		134
Net periodic pension benefit expense (income)	$	20		(12	)	65		(40	)

Net periodic benefit expense for our post-retirement benefit plans includes the following components:



	Post-Retirement Benefit Plans
	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2019		2018		2019	2018
	(Dollars in millions)
Service cost	$	3	4		11	13
Interest cost	27		24		82	73
Expected return on assets	—		(1	)	—	(1	)
Recognition of prior service cost	5		5		13	15
Net periodic post-retirement benefit expense	$	35	32		106	100

Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Schedule of basic and diluted earnings per common share

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share were calculated as follows:



	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2019			2018		2019		2018
	(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts, shares in thousands)
Income (Loss) (Numerator):
Net income (loss)	$	302		272		(5,492	)	679
Net income (loss) applicable to common stock for computing basic earnings per common share	302			272		(5,492	)	679
Net income (loss) as adjusted for purposes of computing diluted earnings per common share	$	302		272		(5,492	)	679
Shares (Denominator):
Weighted-average number of shares:
Outstanding during period	1,090,755			1,080,589		1,088,229		1,077,712
Non-vested restricted stock	(18,212		)	(13,685	)	(17,308	)	(12,302	)
Weighted-average shares outstanding for computing basic earnings per common share	1,072,543			1,066,904		1,070,921		1,065,410
Incremental common shares attributable to dilutive securities:
Shares issuable under convertible securities	10			10		—		10
Shares issuable under incentive compensation plans	2,237			5,437		—		4,306
Number of shares as adjusted for purposes of computing diluted earnings (loss) per common share	1,074,790			1,072,351		1,070,921		1,069,726
Basic earnings (loss) per common share	$	0.28		0.25		(5.13	)	0.64
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share ⁽¹⁾	$	0.28		0.25		(5.13	)	0.63

______________________________________________________________________

(1)

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, we excluded from the calculation of diluted loss per share 2.3 million shares, potentially issuable under incentive compensation plans or convertible securities, as their effect, if included, would have been anti-dilutive.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Schedule of carrying amounts and estimated fair values of long-term debt, excluding capital lease obligations, and input level to determine fair values

The following table presents the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of CenturyLink, Inc.'s financial liabilities as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018:



		September 30, 2019			December 31, 2018
	Input Level	Carrying Amount		Fair Value	Carrying Amount	Fair Value
		(Dollars in millions)
Long-term debt, excluding finance lease and other obligations	2	$	34,911	35,739	35,260	32,915
Interest rate swap contracts (see Note 10)	2	71		71	—	—

Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position, Fair Value

The table below presents the fair value of our derivative financial instruments as well as their classification on the consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2019 as follows (in millions):



	Liability Derivatives
	September 30, 2019
Derivatives designated as	Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value
Cash flow hedging contracts	Other current and noncurrent liabilities	$	71

Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss)

The amount of losses recognized in AOCI consists of the following (in millions):



Derivatives designated as hedging instruments	2019
Cash flow hedging contracts
Three months ended September 30,	$	14
Nine months ended September 30,	71

Segment Information (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Schedule of segment results

The following table summarizes our segment results and operating revenue detail for our product and services for the three months ended September 30, 2019.



	Three Months Ended September 30, 2019
	International and Global Accounts		Enterprise	Small and Medium Business	Wholesale	Consumer	Total Segments	Operations and Other		Total
	(Dollars in millions)
Revenue:
IP and Data Services	$	417	691	295	357	—	1,760	—		1,760
Transport and Infrastructure	331		405	106	467	—	1,309	—		1,309
Voice and Collaboration	96		395	322	200	—	1,013	—		1,013
IT and Managed Services	55		59	11	1	—	126	—		126
Broadband	—		—	—	—	718	718	—		718
Voice	—		—	—	—	462	462	—		462
Regulatory	—		—	—	—	157	157	—		157
Other	—		—	—	—	61	61	—		61
Total Revenue	899		1,550	734	1,025	1,398	5,606	—		5,606
Expenses:
Cost of services and products	269		544	155	144	80	1,192	1,398		2,590
Selling, general and administrative	65		134	112	21	102	434	397		831
Less: share-based compensation	—		—	—	—	—	—	(38	)	(38	)
Total expense	334		678	267	165	182	1,626	1,757		3,383
Total adjusted EBITDA	$	565	872	467	860	1,216	3,980	(1,757	)	2,223

The following table summarizes our segment results and operating revenue detail for our product and services for the three months ended September 30, 2018.



	Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
	International and Global Accounts		Enterprise	Small and Medium Business	Wholesale	Consumer	Total Segments	Operations and Other		Total
	(Dollars in millions)
Revenue:
IP and Data Services	$	423	659	294	348	—	1,724	—		1,724
Transport and Infrastructure	317		374	117	537	—	1,345	—		1,345
Voice and Collaboration	90		395	361	210	—	1,056	—		1,056
IT and Managed Services	62		77	13	2	—	154	—		154
Broadband	—		—	—	—	702	702	—		702
Voice	—		—	—	—	565	565	—		565
Regulatory	—		—	—	—	181	181	—		181
Other	—		—	—	—	91	91	—		91
Total Revenue	892		1,505	785	1,097	1,539	5,818	—		5,818
Expenses:
Cost of services and products	254		491	154	158	115	1,172	1,500		2,672
Selling, general and administrative	62		141	129	18	124	474	493		967
Less: share-based compensation	—		—	—	—	—	—	(49	)	(49	)
Total expense	316		632	283	176	239	1,646	1,944		3,590
Total adjusted EBITDA	$	576	873	502	921	1,300	4,172	(1,944	)	2,228

The following table summarizes our segment results and operating revenue detail for our product and services for the nine months ended September 30, 2019.



	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
	International and Global Accounts		Enterprise	Small and Medium Business	Wholesale	Consumer	Total Segments	Operations and Other		Total
	(Dollars in millions)
Revenue:
IP and Data Services	$	1,257	2,060	885	1,037	—	5,239	—		5,239
Transport and Infrastructure	984		1,137	319	1,450	—	3,890	—		3,890
Voice and Collaboration	284		1,182	986	589	—	3,041	—		3,041
IT and Managed Services	167		199	35	4	—	405	—		405
Broadband	—		—	—	—	2,158	2,158	—		2,158
Voice	—		—	—	—	1,428	1,428	—		1,428
Regulatory	—		—	—	—	474	474	—		474
Other	—		—	—	—	196	196	—		196
Total Revenue	2,692		4,578	2,225	3,080	4,256	16,831	—		16,831
Expenses:
Cost of services and products	786		1,537	455	430	244	3,452	4,104		7,556
Selling, general and administrative	201		426	364	62	321	1,374	1,349		2,723
Less: share-based compensation	—		—	—	—	—	—	(114	)	(114	)
Total expense	987		1,963	819	492	565	4,826	5,339		10,165
Total adjusted EBITDA	$	1,705	2,615	1,406	2,588	3,691	12,005	(5,339	)	6,666

The following table summarizes our segment results and operating revenue detail for our product and services for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.



	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
	International and Global Accounts		Enterprise	Small and Medium Business	Wholesale	Consumer	Total Segments	Operations and Other		Total
	(Dollars in millions)
Revenue:
IP and Data Services	$	1,294	1,991	884	1,036	—	5,205	—		5,205
Transport and Infrastructure	947		1,154	362	1,614	—	4,077	—		4,077
Voice and Collaboration	285		1,203	1,101	667	—	3,256	—		3,256
IT and Managed Services	204		227	41	6	—	478	—		478
Broadband	—		—	—	—	2,119	2,119	—		2,119
Voice	—		—	—	—	1,668	1,668	—		1,668
Regulatory	—		—	—	—	549	549	—		549
Other	—		—	—	—	313	313	—		313
Total Revenue	2,730		4,575	2,388	3,323	4,649	17,665	—		17,665
Expenses:
Cost of services and products	789		1,505	454	501	397	3,646	4,559		8,205
Selling, general and administrative	194		438	392	65	395	1,484	1,707		3,191
Less: share-based compensation	—		—	—	—	—	—	(144	)	(144	)
Total expense	983		1,943	846	566	792	5,130	6,122		11,252
Total adjusted EBITDA	$	1,747	2,632	1,542	2,757	3,857	12,535	(6,122	)	6,413

Summary of USF surcharges and transaction taxes

The following table provides the amount of USF surcharges and transaction taxes:



	Three Months Ended September 30,			Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2019		2018	2019	2018
	(Dollars in millions)
USF surcharges and transaction taxes	$	270	221	750	698

Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated net income

The following table reconciles total segment adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss):



	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2019			2018		2019		2018
	(Dollars in millions)
Total segment adjusted EBITDA	$	3,980		4,172		12,005		12,535
Depreciation and amortization	(1,235		)	(1,285	)	(3,619	)	(3,858	)
Impairment of goodwill	—			—		(6,506	)	—
Other operating expenses	(1,757		)	(1,944	)	(5,339	)	(6,122	)
Stock-based compensation	(38		)	(49	)	(114	)	(144	)
Operating income (loss)	950			894		(3,573	)	2,411
Total other expense, net	(540		)	(565	)	(1,542	)	(1,609	)
Income (loss) before income taxes	410			329		(5,115	)	802
Income tax expense	108			57		377		123
Net income (loss)	$	302		272		(5,492	)	679

Other Financial Information (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of components of other current assets

The following table presents details of other current assets reflected in our consolidated balance sheets:



	September 30, 2019		December 31, 2018
	(Dollars in millions)
Prepaid expenses	$	352	307
Income tax receivable	5		82
Materials, supplies and inventory	137		120
Contract assets	51		52
Contract acquisition costs	175		167
Contract fulfillment costs	111		82
Other	53		108
Total other current assets	$	884	918

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]

Summary of the entity's accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component

The table below summarizes changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss recorded on our consolidated balance sheet by component for the nine months ended September 30, 2019:



	Pension Plans			Post-Retirement Benefit Plans		Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment and Other		Interest Rate Swap		Total
	(Dollars in millions)
Balance at December 31, 2018	$	(2,173	)	(58	)	(230	)	—		(2,461	)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	—			—		(115	)	(54	)	(169	)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	122			9		—		—		131
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	122			9		(115	)	(54	)	(38	)
Balance at September 30, 2019	$	(2,051	)	(49	)	(345	)	(54	)	(2,499	)

The table below summarizes changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss recorded on our consolidated balance sheets by component for the nine months ended September 30, 2018:



	Pension Plans			Post-Retirement Benefit Plans		Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment and Other		Total
	(Dollars in millions)
Balance at December 31, 2017	$	(1,731	)	(235	)	(29	)	(1,995	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	—			—		(161	)	(161	)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	97			11		—		108
Net current-period other comprehensive income	97			11		(161	)	(53	)
Cumulative effect of adoption of ASU 2018-02, Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	(375		)	(32	)	—		(407	)
Balance at September 30, 2018	$	(2,009	)	(256	)	(190	)	(2,455	)

Schedule of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component

The tables below present further information about our reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss by component for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019:



Three Months Ended September 30, 2019	Decrease (Increase) in Net Income			Affected Line Item in Consolidated Statement of Operations
	(Dollars in millions)
Amortization of pension & post-retirement plans⁽¹⁾
Net actuarial loss	$	54		Other income, net
Prior service cost	3			Other income, net
Total before tax	57
Income tax benefit	(14		)	Income tax expense
Net of tax	$	43



Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019	Increase (Decrease) in Net Loss			Affected Line Item in Consolidated Statement of Operations
	(Dollars in millions)
Amortization of pension & post-retirement plans⁽¹⁾
Net actuarial loss	$	167		Other income, net
Prior service cost	7			Other income, net
Total before tax	174
Income tax benefit	(43		)	Income tax expense
Net of tax	$	131

________________________________________________________________________

(1)

See Note 7—Employee Benefits for additional information on our net periodic benefit expense (income) related to our pension and post-retirement plans.

The tables below present further information about our reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss by component for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018



Three Months Ended September 30, 2018	Decrease (Increase) in Net Income			Affected Line Item in Consolidated Statement of Operations
	(Dollars in millions)
Amortization of pension & post-retirement plans⁽¹⁾
Net actuarial loss	$	45		Other income, net
Prior service cost	3			Other income, net
Total before tax	48
Income tax benefit	(11		)	Income tax expense
Net of tax	$	37



Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018	Decrease (Increase) in Net Income			Affected Line Item in Consolidated Statement of Operations
	(Dollars in millions)
Amortization of pension & post-retirement plans⁽¹⁾
Net actuarial loss	$	134		Other income, net
Prior service cost	9			Other income, net
Total before tax	143
Income tax benefit	(35		)	Income tax expense
Net of tax	$	108

________________________________________________________________________

(1)

See Note 7—Employee Benefits for additional information on our net periodic benefit expense (income) related to our pension and post-retirement plans.

Background (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
Background (Details) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($) derivative_agreement	Mar. 31, 2019 derivative_agreement	Jan. 01, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Book overdraft balance	$ 2			$ 86
Number of new instruments held \| derivative_agreement	6	5
Operating lease assets	$ 1,721
Operating lease liabilities	$ 1,770
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating lease assets			$ 2,100
Operating lease liabilities			2,200
Retained Earnings \| Accounting Standards Update 2016-02
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cumulative effect of adoption of ASU			$ 115

Goodwill, Customer Relationships and Other Intangible Assets - Schedule of Goodwill, Customer Relationships, and Other Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 21,507	$ 28,031
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	7,902	8,911
Indefinite-life intangible assets	269	269
Total other intangible assets, net	1,977	1,868
Customer relationships
Goodwill [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	7,902	8,911
Accumulated amortization	9,481	8,492
Computer Software, Intangible Asset
Goodwill [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	1,599	1,468
Accumulated amortization	2,858	2,616
Trade Names and Patents
Goodwill [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	109	131
Accumulated amortization	$ 83	$ 61

Goodwill, Customer Relationships and Other Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($) segment	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Jan. 01, 2019
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Control premium, percent		4.10%				4.50%
Goodwill impairment	$ 0	$ 6,500	$ 0	$ 6,506	$ 0
Amortization of intangible assets	438		$ 446	1,300	$ 1,300
Intangible assets, gross (including goodwill)	$ 43,800			$ 43,800
Number of reportable segments \| segment				5

Goodwill, Customer Relationships and Other Intangible Assets - Schedule of Amortization Expense (Details) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
2019 (remaining three months)	$ 427
2020	1,647
2021	1,212
2022	983
2023	$ 898

Goodwill, Customer Relationships and Other Intangible Assets - Rollforward of Goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
As of December 31, 2018		$ 28,031		$ 28,031
January 2019 reorganization				0
Effect of foreign currency rate change and other				(18)
Impairment of goodwill	$ 0	(6,500)	$ 0	(6,506)	$ 0
As of September 30, 2019	21,507			21,507
International and Global Accounts
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
As of December 31, 2018		3,595		3,595
January 2019 reorganization				0
Effect of foreign currency rate change and other				(18)
Impairment of goodwill				(934)
As of September 30, 2019	2,643			2,643
Enterprise
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
As of December 31, 2018		5,222		5,222
January 2019 reorganization				987
Effect of foreign currency rate change and other				0
Impairment of goodwill				(1,471)
As of September 30, 2019	4,738			4,738
Small and Medium Business
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
As of December 31, 2018		5,193		5,193
January 2019 reorganization				(1,038)
Effect of foreign currency rate change and other				0
Impairment of goodwill				(896)
As of September 30, 2019	3,259			3,259
Wholesale
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
As of December 31, 2018		6,437		6,437
January 2019 reorganization				395
Effect of foreign currency rate change and other				0
Impairment of goodwill				(3,019)
As of September 30, 2019	3,813			3,813
Consumer
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
As of December 31, 2018		$ 7,584		7,584
January 2019 reorganization				(344)
Effect of foreign currency rate change and other				0
Impairment of goodwill				(186)
As of September 30, 2019	$ 7,054			$ 7,054

Revenue Recognition - Revenue not Under ASC 606 (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Total revenue	$ 5,606	$ 5,818	$ 16,831	$ 17,665
Adjustments for non-ASC 606 revenue	(355)	(312)	(1,069)	(947)
Total revenue from contracts with customers	$ 5,251	$ 5,506	$ 15,762	$ 16,718

Revenue Recognition - Contract with Customer, Asset and Liability (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Customer receivables	$ 2,224	$ 2,346
Contract assets	145	140
Contract liabilities	987	860
Accounts receivable, gross	2,400	2,500
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable	$ 133	$ 132

Revenue Recognition - Additional Information (Details)	9 Months Ended
Revenue Recognition - Additional Information (Details)	Sep. 30, 2019
Minimum
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Contract term	1 year
Minimum \| Business Customer
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Length of customer life	12 months
Maximum
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Contract term	7 years
Maximum \| Business Customer
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Length of customer life	60 months
Weighted Average \| Consumer Customers
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Length of customer life	30 months

Revenue Recognition - Revenue Recognized (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Amounts included in contract liability at the beginning of the period (January 1, 2019 and 2018, respectively)	$ 47	$ 56	$ 581	$ 629
Performance obligations satisfied in previous periods	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

Revenue Recognition - Remaining Performance Obligation (Details) $ in Billions	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Remaining performance obligation	$ 7.3
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2019-10-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Remaining performance obligation, percentage	75.00%
Remaining performance obligation, satisfaction period	2 years 3 months

Revenue Recognition - Capitalized Contract Costs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Contract Acquisition Costs
Capitalized Contract Cost [Roll Forward]
Beginning of period balance	$ 321	$ 287	$ 322	$ 268
Costs incurred	48	53	148	152
Amortization	(50)	(44)	(151)	(124)
End of period balance	319	296	319	296
Contract Fulfillment Costs
Capitalized Contract Cost [Roll Forward]
Beginning of period balance	207	161	187	133
Costs incurred	41	46	119	104
Amortization	(32)	(34)	(90)	(64)
End of period balance	$ 216	$ 173	$ 216	$ 173

Leases - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Leases [Abstract]
Lease income	$ 202	$ 221	$ 606	$ 693
Percent of operating revenue	4.00%	4.00%	4.00%	4.00%

Leases - Lease Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Leases - Lease Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019
Leases [Abstract]
Operating and short-term lease cost	$ 157	$ 492
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of right-of-use assets	11	34
Interest on lease liability	2	9
Total finance lease cost	13	43
Total lease cost	$ 170	$ 535

Leases - Supplemental Balance Sheet (Details) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)
Assets
Operating lease assets	$ 1,721
Finance lease assets	253
Total leased assets	1,974
Current
Operating	419
Finance	30
Noncurrent
Operating	1,351
Finance	182
Total lease liabilities	$ 1,982
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years)
Operating leases	9 years 6 months
Finance leases	11 years 2 months 12 days
Weighted-average discount rate
Operating leases	6.78%
Finance leases	5.49%

Leases - Supplemental Cash Flows (Details) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
Leases - Supplemental Cash Flows (Details) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$ 508
Operating cash flows from finance leases	11
Financing cash flows from finance leases	$ 24

Leases - Maturities of Lease Liabilities (Details) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)
Operating Leases
2019 (remaining three months)	$ 136
2020	453
2021	355
2022	305
2023	262
Thereafter	1,004
Total lease payments	2,515
Less: interest	(745)
Total	1,770
Less: current portion	(419)
Long-term portion	1,351
Finance Leases
2019 (remaining three months)	11
2020	36
2021	25
2022	23
2023	20
Thereafter	179
Total lease payments	294
Less: interest	(82)
Total	212
Less: current portion	(30)
Long-term portion	$ 182

Leases - Capital Lease Maturities Under Topic 840 (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Leases [Abstract]
2019	$ 51
2020	36
2021	23
2022	21
2023	20
2024 and thereafter	183
Total minimum payments	334
Less: amount representing interest and executory costs	(100)
Present value of minimum payments	234
Less: current portion	(38)
Long-term portion	$ 196

Leases - Right-of-Way and Operating Lease Maturities Under Topic 840 (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Future minimum sublease rentals	$ 101
Operating Leases
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
2019	675
2020	443
2021	355
2022	279
2023	241
2024	969
Total future minimum payments	$ 2,962

Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities - Schedule of Long Term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Finance lease and other obligations	$ 214	$ 801
Unamortized discounts and other, net	(30)	(8)
Unamortized debt issuance costs	(266)	(283)
Total long-term debt	35,125	36,061
Less current maturities	(1,744)	(652)
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities	33,381	35,409
CenturyLink, Inc. \| Line of credit \| 2017 Revolving Credit Facility
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Long-term debt, gross	$ 700	$ 550
CenturyLink, Inc. \| Line of credit \| 2017 Revolving Credit Facility \| Minimum
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Stated interest rate	4.786%
CenturyLink, Inc. \| Medium-term notes
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Long-term debt, weighted average interest rate	4.794%	5.272%
CenturyLink, Inc. \| Medium-term notes \| Term Loan A
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Long-term debt, gross	$ 1,558	$ 1,622
CenturyLink, Inc. \| Medium-term notes \| Term Loan A-1
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Long-term debt, gross	338	351
CenturyLink, Inc. \| Medium-term notes \| Term Loan B
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Long-term debt, gross	5,895	5,940
CenturyLink, Inc. \| Senior notes
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Long-term debt, gross	$ 7,446	8,036
CenturyLink, Inc. \| Senior notes \| Minimum
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Stated interest rate	5.625%
CenturyLink, Inc. \| Senior notes \| Maximum
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Stated interest rate	7.65%
Level 3 Financing, Inc. \| Medium-term notes
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Long-term debt, gross	$ 4,611	$ 4,611
Long-term debt, weighted average interest rate	4.294%	4.754%
Level 3 Financing, Inc. \| Senior notes
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Long-term debt, gross	$ 5,915	$ 5,315
Level 3 Financing, Inc. \| Senior notes \| Minimum
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Stated interest rate	4.625%
Level 3 Financing, Inc. \| Senior notes \| Maximum
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Stated interest rate	6.125%
Embarq Corporation \| First mortgage bonds
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Long-term debt, gross	$ 138	138
Embarq Corporation \| First mortgage bonds \| Minimum
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Stated interest rate	7.125%
Embarq Corporation \| First mortgage bonds \| Maximum
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Stated interest rate	8.375%
Embarq Corporation \| Senior notes
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Stated interest rate	7.995%
Long-term debt, gross	$ 1,450	1,485
Embarq Corporation \| Other
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Stated interest rate	9.00%
Long-term debt, gross	$ 148	150
Level 3 Parent, LLC \| Senior notes
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Stated interest rate	5.75%
Long-term debt, gross	$ 600	600
Qwest Corporation \| Medium-term notes
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Stated interest rate	4.05%
Long-term debt, gross	$ 100	100
Qwest Corporation \| Senior notes
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Long-term debt, gross	$ 5,956	5,956
Qwest Corporation \| Senior notes \| Minimum
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Stated interest rate	6.125%
Qwest Corporation \| Senior notes \| Maximum
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Stated interest rate	7.75%
Qwest Capital Funding, Inc. \| Senior notes
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Long-term debt, gross	$ 352	$ 697
Qwest Capital Funding, Inc. \| Senior notes \| Minimum
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Stated interest rate	6.875%
Qwest Capital Funding, Inc. \| Senior notes \| Maximum
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Stated interest rate	7.75%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) \| CenturyLink, Inc. \| Medium-term notes \| Term Loan A
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Basis spread	2.75%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) \| CenturyLink, Inc. \| Medium-term notes \| Term Loan A-1
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Basis spread	2.75%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) \| CenturyLink, Inc. \| Medium-term notes \| Term Loan B
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Basis spread	2.75%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) \| Level 3 Financing, Inc. \| Medium-term notes
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Basis spread	2.25%

Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities - Schedule of Maturities of Long Term Debt (Details) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)
Long-term Debt, Fiscal Year Maturity
2019 (remaining three months)	$ 640
2020	1,190
2021	2,478
2022	5,250
2023	2,095
2024 and thereafter	23,768
Total long-term debt	$ 35,421

Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities - Additional Information (Details)		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2019 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)	Oct. 25, 2019 USD ($)	Oct. 24, 2019 USD ($)	Oct. 17, 2019 USD ($)	Oct. 15, 2019 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2019 USD ($) derivative_agreement	Feb. 28, 2019 USD ($) derivative_agreement
Derivative [Line Items]
Repayments of debt		$ 1,100,000,000
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt		70,000,000
Subsequent Event
Derivative [Line Items]
Stated interest rate					5.75%
Repurchased face amount					$ 600,000,000
Interest Rate Swap \| Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivative [Line Items]
Number of instruments \| derivative_agreement							6	5
Interest Rate Swap \| Designated as Hedging Instrument \| Cash Flow Hedging
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount							$ 1,500,000,000	$ 2,500,000,000
9.000% Centel Capital Corporation Notes \| Subsequent Event
Derivative [Line Items]
Stated interest rate						9.00%
Repurchased face amount						$ 148,000,000
Senior notes
Derivative [Line Items]
Repayments of debt		249,000,000
Senior notes \| 6.125% Senior Notes due 2021 \| Subsequent Event
Derivative [Line Items]
Stated interest rate			6.125%
Repurchased face amount			$ 240,000,000
Medium-term notes
Derivative [Line Items]
Repayments of debt		122,000,000
Level 3 Financing, Inc.
Derivative [Line Items]
Repayments of debt		400,000,000
Level 3 Financing, Inc. \| Senior notes \| 4.625% Senior Notes Due 2027
Derivative [Line Items]
Face amount	$ 1,000,000,000.0
Stated interest rate	4.625%
Level 3 Financing, Inc. \| Senior notes \| 6.125% Senior Notes due 2021
Derivative [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	6.125%
Repurchased face amount	$ 240,000,000
Level 3 Financing, Inc. \| Senior notes \| 5.75% Senior Notes Due 2022
Derivative [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	5.75%
Repurchased face amount	$ 600,000,000
Level 3 Financing, Inc. \| Senior notes \| 5.375% Senior Notes Due 2022
Derivative [Line Items]
Repayments of debt	160,000,000
Face amount	$ 1,000,000,000
Stated interest rate	5.375%
Level 3 Financing, Inc. \| Senior notes \| 5.375% Senior Notes Due 2022 \| Subsequent Event
Derivative [Line Items]
Face amount				$ 1,000,000,000
Stated interest rate			5.375%
Repurchased face amount			$ 160,000,000
Qwest Capital Funding, Inc.
Derivative [Line Items]
Repayments of debt		345,000,000
CenturyLink, Inc.
Derivative [Line Items]
Repayments of debt		$ 340,000,000

Severance and Leased Real Estate - Additional Information (Details) $ in Millions	Jan. 01, 2019 USD ($)
Property Subject to Operating Lease
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring reserve	$ 110

Severance and Leased Real Estate - Schedule of Severance Expenses (Details) - Severance $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)
Restructuring reserve
Balance at the beginning of the period	$ 87
Accrued to expense	10
Payments, net	(71)
Balance at the end of the period	$ 26

Employee Benefits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
Employee Benefits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Pension plans
Components of net periodic (benefit) expense
Service cost	$ 14	$ 17	$ 42	$ 50
Interest cost	109	99	326	295
Expected return on plan assets	(155)	(171)	(464)	(513)
Recognition of prior service credit	(2)	(2)	(6)	(6)
Recognition of actuarial loss	54	45	167	134
Net periodic pension benefit expense (income)	20	(12)	65	(40)
Post-retirement benefit plans
Components of net periodic (benefit) expense
Service cost	3	4	11	13
Interest cost	27	24	82	73
Expected return on plan assets	0	(1)	0	(1)
Recognition of prior service credit	5	5	13	15
Net periodic pension benefit expense (income)	$ 35	$ 32	$ 106	$ 100

Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
(Loss) Income (Numerator):
Net income (loss)	$ 302	$ 272	$ (5,492)	$ 679
Weighted-average number of shares:
Weighted average shares outstanding for computing basic earnings per common share (in shares)	1,072,543	1,066,904	1,070,921	1,065,410
Incremental common shares attributable to dilutive securities:
Number of shares as adjusted for purposes of computing diluted (loss) earnings per common share (in shares)	1,074,790	1,072,351	1,070,921	1,069,726
Basic (loss) earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.28	$ 0.25	$ (5.13)	$ 0.64
Diluted (loss) earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.28	$ 0.25	$ (5.13)	$ 0.63
Convertible Debt Securities
Incremental common shares attributable to dilutive securities:
Number of shares of common stock excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share (in shares)			2,300
Common Class A
(Loss) Income (Numerator):
Net income (loss)		$ 272		$ 679
Net income (loss) applicable to common stock for computing basic earnings per common share	$ 302	272	$ (5,492)	679
Net income (loss) as adjusted for purposes of computing diluted earnings per common share	$ 302	$ 272	$ (5,492)	$ 679
Weighted-average number of shares:
Outstanding during period (in shares)	1,090,755	1,080,589	1,088,229	1,077,712
Non-vested restricted stock (in shares)	(18,212)	(13,685)	(17,308)	(12,302)
Weighted average shares outstanding for computing basic earnings per common share (in shares)	1,072,543	1,066,904	1,070,921	1,065,410
Incremental common shares attributable to dilutive securities:
Shares issuable under convertible securities (in shares)	10	10	0	10
Shares issuable under incentive compensation plans (in shares)	2,237	5,437	0	4,306
Number of shares as adjusted for purposes of computing diluted (loss) earnings per common share (in shares)	1,074,790	1,072,351	1,070,921	1,069,726
Basic (loss) earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.28	$ 0.25	$ (5.13)	$ 0.64
Diluted (loss) earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.28	$ 0.25	$ (5.13)	$ 0.63
Number of shares of common stock excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share (in shares)	5,200	1,500	8,300	3,000

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) - Fair value measurements determined on a nonrecurring basis - Fair value inputs, Level 2 - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Carrying Amount
Fair value disclosure
Long-term debt, excluding finance lease and other obligations	$ 34,911	$ 35,260
Interest rate swap contracts	71	0
Fair Value
Fair value disclosure
Long-term debt, excluding finance lease and other obligations	$ 35,739	32,915
Interest rate swap contracts		$ 0

Derivative Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Details) - Interest Rate Swap $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2019 USD ($) derivative_agreement	Feb. 28, 2019 USD ($) derivative_agreement
Derivative [Line Items]
Reclassification in next twelve months	$ 20.1
Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivative [Line Items]
Number of instruments \| derivative_agreement		6	5
Designated as Hedging Instrument \| Cash Flow Hedging
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount		$ 1,500.0	$ 2,500.0
Fixed interest rate		1.58%	2.48%
One Counterparty \| Designated as Hedging Instrument \| Cash Flow Hedging
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount			$ 700.0
Three Counterparties \| Designated as Hedging Instrument \| Cash Flow Hedging
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount			$ 450.0
Six Counterparties \| Designated as Hedging Instrument \| Cash Flow Hedging
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount		$ 250.0

Derivative Financial Instruments - Fair Value of Derivatives (Details) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)
Cash Flow Hedging \| Interest Rate Swap \| Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair Value	$ 71

Derivative Financial Instruments - Losses Recognized in OCI (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019
Interest Rate Swap
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Loss recognized in other comprehensive income	$ 14	$ 71

Segment Information - Additional Information (Details)	9 Months Ended
Segment Information - Additional Information (Details)	Sep. 30, 2019 segment category regional_operating_unit customer
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments \| segment	5
Number of global enterprise customers \| customer	200
Number of operating regions \| regional_operating_unit	3
International and Global Accounts
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of categories of products and services	4
Consumer
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of categories of products and services	4

Segment Information - Segment Results and Operating Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	$ 5,606	$ 5,818	$ 16,831	$ 17,665
Cost of services and products	2,590	2,672	7,556	8,205
Selling, general and administrative	831	967	2,723	3,191
Share-based compensation	(38)	(49)	(114)	(144)
Total expense	3,383	3,590	10,165	11,252
Total adjusted EBITDA	2,223	2,228	6,666	6,413
IP and Data Services
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	1,760	1,724	5,239	5,205
Transport and Infrastructure
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	1,309	1,345	3,890	4,077
Voice and Collaboration
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	1,013	1,056	3,041	3,256
IT and Managed Services
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	126	154	405	478
Broadband
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	718	702	2,158	2,119
Voice
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	462	565	1,428	1,668
Regulatory
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	157	181	474	549
Other
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	61	91	196	313
Operating segments
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	5,606	5,818	16,831	17,665
Cost of services and products	1,192	1,172	3,452	3,646
Selling, general and administrative	434	474	1,374	1,484
Share-based compensation	0	0	0	0
Total expense	1,626	1,646	4,826	5,130
Total adjusted EBITDA	3,980	4,172	12,005	12,535
Operating segments \| IP and Data Services
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	1,760	1,724	5,239	5,205
Operating segments \| Transport and Infrastructure
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	1,309	1,345	3,890	4,077
Operating segments \| Voice and Collaboration
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	1,013	1,056	3,041	3,256
Operating segments \| IT and Managed Services
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	126	154	405	478
Operating segments \| Broadband
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	718	702	2,158	2,119
Operating segments \| Voice
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	462	565	1,428	1,668
Operating segments \| Regulatory
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	157	181	474	549
Operating segments \| Other
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	61	91	196	313
Operating segments \| International and Global Accounts
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	899	892	2,692	2,730
Cost of services and products	269	254	786	789
Selling, general and administrative	65	62	201	194
Share-based compensation	0	0	0	0
Total expense	334	316	987	983
Total adjusted EBITDA	565	576	1,705	1,747
Operating segments \| International and Global Accounts \| IP and Data Services
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	417	423	1,257	1,294
Operating segments \| International and Global Accounts \| Transport and Infrastructure
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	331	317	984	947
Operating segments \| International and Global Accounts \| Voice and Collaboration
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	96	90	284	285
Operating segments \| International and Global Accounts \| IT and Managed Services
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	55	62	167	204
Operating segments \| International and Global Accounts \| Broadband
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating segments \| International and Global Accounts \| Voice
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating segments \| International and Global Accounts \| Regulatory
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating segments \| International and Global Accounts \| Other
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating segments \| Enterprise
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	1,550	1,505	4,578	4,575
Cost of services and products	544	491	1,537	1,505
Selling, general and administrative	134	141	426	438
Share-based compensation	0	0	0	0
Total expense	678	632	1,963	1,943
Total adjusted EBITDA	872	873	2,615	2,632
Operating segments \| Enterprise \| IP and Data Services
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	691	659	2,060	1,991
Operating segments \| Enterprise \| Transport and Infrastructure
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	405	374	1,137	1,154
Operating segments \| Enterprise \| Voice and Collaboration
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	395	395	1,182	1,203
Operating segments \| Enterprise \| IT and Managed Services
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	59	77	199	227
Operating segments \| Enterprise \| Broadband
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating segments \| Enterprise \| Voice
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating segments \| Enterprise \| Regulatory
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating segments \| Enterprise \| Other
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating segments \| Small and Medium Business
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	734	785	2,225	2,388
Cost of services and products	155	154	455	454
Selling, general and administrative	112	129	364	392
Share-based compensation	0	0	0	0
Total expense	267	283	819	846
Total adjusted EBITDA	467	502	1,406	1,542
Operating segments \| Small and Medium Business \| IP and Data Services
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	295	294	885	884
Operating segments \| Small and Medium Business \| Transport and Infrastructure
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	106	117	319	362
Operating segments \| Small and Medium Business \| Voice and Collaboration
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	322	361	986	1,101
Operating segments \| Small and Medium Business \| IT and Managed Services
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	11	13	35	41
Operating segments \| Small and Medium Business \| Broadband
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating segments \| Small and Medium Business \| Voice
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating segments \| Small and Medium Business \| Regulatory
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating segments \| Small and Medium Business \| Other
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating segments \| Wholesale
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	1,025	1,097	3,080	3,323
Cost of services and products	144	158	430	501
Selling, general and administrative	21	18	62	65
Share-based compensation	0	0	0	0
Total expense	165	176	492	566
Total adjusted EBITDA	860	921	2,588	2,757
Operating segments \| Wholesale \| IP and Data Services
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	357	348	1,037	1,036
Operating segments \| Wholesale \| Transport and Infrastructure
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	467	537	1,450	1,614
Operating segments \| Wholesale \| Voice and Collaboration
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	200	210	589	667
Operating segments \| Wholesale \| IT and Managed Services
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	1	2	4	6
Operating segments \| Wholesale \| Broadband
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating segments \| Wholesale \| Voice
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating segments \| Wholesale \| Regulatory
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating segments \| Wholesale \| Other
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating segments \| Consumer
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	1,398	1,539	4,256	4,649
Cost of services and products	80	115	244	397
Selling, general and administrative	102	124	321	395
Share-based compensation	0	0	0	0
Total expense	182	239	565	792
Total adjusted EBITDA	1,216	1,300	3,691	3,857
Operating segments \| Consumer \| IP and Data Services
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating segments \| Consumer \| Transport and Infrastructure
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating segments \| Consumer \| Voice and Collaboration
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating segments \| Consumer \| IT and Managed Services
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating segments \| Consumer \| Broadband
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	718	702	2,158	2,119
Operating segments \| Consumer \| Voice
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	462	565	1,428	1,668
Operating segments \| Consumer \| Regulatory
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	157	181	474	549
Operating segments \| Consumer \| Other
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	61	91	196	313
Segment Reconciling Items
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Cost of services and products	1,398	1,500	4,104	4,559
Selling, general and administrative	397	493	1,349	1,707
Share-based compensation	(38)	(49)	(114)	(144)
Total expense	1,757	1,944	5,339	6,122
Total adjusted EBITDA	(1,757)	(1,944)	(5,339)	(6,122)
Segment Reconciling Items \| IP and Data Services
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Segment Reconciling Items \| Transport and Infrastructure
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Segment Reconciling Items \| Voice and Collaboration
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Segment Reconciling Items \| IT and Managed Services
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Segment Reconciling Items \| Broadband
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Segment Reconciling Items \| Voice
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Segment Reconciling Items \| Regulatory
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Segment Reconciling Items \| Other
Operating revenues by products and services
Revenues	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

Segment Information - USF Surcharges and Transaction Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
USF surcharges and transaction taxes	$ 270	$ 221	$ 750	$ 698

Segment Information - Reconciliation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment adjusted EBITDA	$ 2,223		$ 2,228	$ 6,666	$ 6,413
Depreciation and amortization	(1,235)		(1,285)	(3,619)	(3,858)
Impairment of goodwill	0	$ (6,500)	0	(6,506)	0
Stock-based compensation	(38)		(49)	(114)	(144)
Total other expense, net	(540)		(565)	(1,542)	(1,609)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	410		329	(5,115)	802
Income tax expense	(108)		(57)	(377)	(123)
NET INCOME (LOSS)	302		272	(5,492)	679
Operating segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment adjusted EBITDA	3,980		4,172	12,005	12,535
Segment Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment adjusted EBITDA	(1,757)		(1,944)	(5,339)	(6,122)
Depreciation and amortization	(1,235)		(1,285)	(3,619)	(3,858)
Impairment of goodwill	0		0	(6,506)	0
Other operating expenses	(1,757)		(1,944)	(5,339)	(6,122)
Operating income (loss)	950		894	(3,573)	2,411
Total other expense, net	$ (540)		$ (565)	$ (1,542)	$ (1,609)

Commitments and Contingencies and Other Items (Details) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($) lawsuit	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($) property lawsuit	Dec. 31, 2005 USD ($)
Loss Contingencies
Estimate of possible loss		$ 133,000	$ 133,000
Patents allegedly infringed \| lawsuit			1
Number of properties with potential environmental liability \| property			200
Unfavorable Regulatory Action
Loss Contingencies
Estimate of possible loss		$ 100,000	$ 100,000
Louisiana State Court
Loss Contingencies
New claims filed, number \| lawsuit		2
U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
Loss Contingencies
Litigation settlement amount			15,500
Litigation Settlement, Expense			$ 3,500
Missouri municipalities \| Judicial ruling
Loss Contingencies
Litigation settlement amount	$ 4,000
CenturyLink, Inc. \| Interexchange Carriers
Loss Contingencies
Number of lawsuits \| lawsuit		100	100
Level 3 Parent, LLC
Loss Contingencies
Damages sought, value			$ 50,000
Level 3 Parent, LLC \| Pending litigation \| Peruvian Tax Litigation, Before Interest
Loss Contingencies
Loss contingency, asserted claim				$ 26,000
Level 3 Parent, LLC \| Pending litigation \| Peruvian Tax Litigation
Loss Contingencies
Loss contingency, asserted claim		$ 8,000	8,000
Level 3 Parent, LLC \| Pending litigation \| Brazilian Tax Claims \| Maximum
Loss Contingencies
Loss contingency, range of possible loss, portion not accrued		$ 37,000	$ 37,000

Other Financial Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Abstract]
Prepaid expenses	$ 352	$ 307
Income tax receivable	5	82
Materials, supplies and inventory	137	120
Contract assets	51	52
Other	53	108
Total other current assets	884	918
Contract Acquisition Costs
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Abstract]
Contract costs	175	167
Contract Fulfillment Costs
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Abstract]
Contract costs	$ 111	$ 82

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Jan. 01, 2018
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period			$ 19,828
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications			(169)	$ (161)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			131	108
Other comprehensive (loss) income	$ (80)	$ 36	(38)	(53)
Balance at end of period	13,674	22,802	13,674	22,802
Defined benefit plan \| Pension plans
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period			(2,173)	(1,731)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications			0	0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			122	97
Other comprehensive (loss) income			122	97
Balance at end of period	(2,051)	(2,009)	(2,051)	(2,009)
Defined benefit plan \| Pension plans \| Accounting Standards Update 2018-02
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Cumulative effect of adoption of ASU 2018-02, Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income					$ (375)
Defined benefit plan \| Post-retirement benefit plans
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period			(58)	(235)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications			0	0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			9	11
Other comprehensive (loss) income			9	11
Balance at end of period	(49)	(256)	(49)	(256)
Defined benefit plan \| Post-retirement benefit plans \| Accounting Standards Update 2018-02
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Cumulative effect of adoption of ASU 2018-02, Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income					(32)
Foreign currency translation adjustment and other
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period			(230)	(29)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications			(115)	(161)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			0	0
Other comprehensive (loss) income			(115)	(161)
Balance at end of period	(345)	(190)	(345)	(190)
Foreign currency translation adjustment and other \| Accounting Standards Update 2018-02
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Cumulative effect of adoption of ASU 2018-02, Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income					0
Interest rate hedges
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period			0
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications			(54)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			0
Other comprehensive (loss) income			(54)
Balance at end of period	(54)		(54)
Accumulated other comprehensive income
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	(2,419)	(2,491)	(2,461)	(1,995)
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(80)	36	(38)	(53)
Balance at end of period	$ (2,499)	$ (2,455)	$ (2,499)	$ (2,455)
Accumulated other comprehensive income \| Accounting Standards Update 2018-02
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Cumulative effect of adoption of ASU 2018-02, Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income					$ (407)

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Reclassifications (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income loss by component
Other income, net	$ (44)	$ (8)	$ (5)	$ 29
Total before tax	410	329	(5,115)	802
Income tax benefit	(108)	(57)	(377)	(123)
Net (loss) income	302	272	(5,492)	679
Decrease (Increase) in Net Income \| Net actuarial loss
Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income loss by component
Other income, net	54	45	167	134
Decrease (Increase) in Net Income \| Prior service cost
Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income loss by component
Other income, net	3	3	7	9
Decrease (Increase) in Net Income \| Defined benefit plan
Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income loss by component
Total before tax	57	48	174	143
Income tax benefit	(14)	(11)	(43)	(35)
Net (loss) income	$ 43	$ 37	$ 131	$ 108

- Definition

The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

+ References + Details

Labor Union Contracts (Details)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Labor Union Contracts (Details)	Sep. 30, 2019 Employee	Sep. 30, 2019 Employee
Concentration risk
Entity number of employees	43,000	43,000
Total number of employees \| Unionized employees concentration risk
Concentration risk
Concentration risk, percent	73.00%	26.00%
Workforce Subject to Collective Bargaining Arrangements, Expired \| Unionized employees concentration risk
Concentration risk
Concentration risk, percent		2.00%
Workforce Subject to Collective Bargaining Arrangements Expiring within One Year \| Unionized employees concentration risk
Concentration risk
Concentration risk, percent		10.00%

Label	Element	Value
Accounting Standards Update 2018-02 [Member] \| Retained Earnings [Member]
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption	us-gaap_CumulativeEffectOfNewAccountingPrincipleInPeriodOfAdoption	$ 407,000,000
Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 [Member] \| Retained Earnings [Member]
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption	us-gaap_CumulativeEffectOfNewAccountingPrincipleInPeriodOfAdoption	49,000,000
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption	us-gaap_CumulativeEffectOfNewAccountingPrincipleInPeriodOfAdoption	$ 346,000,000