LUMEN TECHNOLOGIES, INC., 10-Q filed on 5/1/2025
Quarterly Report
v3.25.1
Cover Page - shares
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
Apr. 29, 2025
Document Information [Line Items]    
Document Type 10-Q  
Document Quarterly Report true  
Document Period End Date Mar. 31, 2025  
Document Transition Report false  
Entity File Number 001-7784  
Entity Registrant Name LUMEN TECHNOLOGIES, INC.  
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code LA  
Entity Tax Identification Number 72-0651161  
Entity Address, Address Line One 100 CenturyLink Drive,  
Entity Address, City or Town Monroe,  
Entity Address, State or Province LA  
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 71203  
City Area Code 318  
Local Phone Number 388-9000  
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes  
Entity Interactive Data Current Yes  
Entity Filer Category Large Accelerated Filer  
Entity Small Business false  
Entity Emerging Growth Company false  
Entity Shell Company false  
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   1,025,907,768
Entity Central Index Key 0000018926  
Amendment Flag false  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2025  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q1  
Common Stock    
Document Information [Line Items]    
Title of 12(b) Security Common Stock, no par value per share  
Trading Symbol LUMN  
Security Exchange Name NYSE  
Preferred Stock    
Document Information [Line Items]    
Title of 12(b) Security Preferred Stock Purchase Rights  
Security Exchange Name NYSE  
Preferred Stock - No Trading Symbol true  
v3.25.1
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED) - USD ($)
shares in Thousands, $ in Millions
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
Mar. 31, 2024
Income Statement [Abstract]    
OPERATING REVENUE $ 3,182 $ 3,290
OPERATING EXPENSES    
Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) 1,687 1,652
Selling, general and administrative 675 823
Net loss on sale of business 0 22
Depreciation and amortization 713 748
Total operating expenses 3,075 3,245
OPERATING INCOME 107 45
OTHER (EXPENSE) INCOME    
Interest expense (347) (291)
Net (loss) gain on early retirement of debt (Note 4) (35) 275
Other income, net 30 73
Total other (expense) income, net (352) 57
(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES (245) 102
Income tax (benefit) expense (44) 45
NET (LOSS) INCOME $ (201) $ 57
BASIC AND DILUTED (LOSS) EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE    
BASIC (in dollars per share) $ (0.20) $ 0.06
DILUTED (in dollars per share) $ (0.20) $ 0.06
WEIGHTED-AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING    
BASIC (in shares) 991,269 984,855
DILUTED (in shares) 991,269 986,262
v3.25.1
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME (UNAUDITED) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
Mar. 31, 2024
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]    
NET (LOSS) INCOME $ (201) $ 57
Items related to employee benefit plans:    
Change in net actuarial loss, net of $(7) and $(6) tax 22 18
Change in net prior service cost, net of $— and $1 tax (2) (3)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of $— and $— tax 3 (4)
Other comprehensive income 23 11
COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME $ (178) $ 68
v3.25.1
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME (UNAUDITED) (Parenthetical) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
Mar. 31, 2024
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]    
Change in net actuarial loss, tax $ (7) $ (6)
Change in net prior service cost, tax 0 1
Foreign currency translation adjustment and other, tax $ 0 $ 0
v3.25.1
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Mar. 31, 2025
Dec. 31, 2024
CURRENT ASSETS    
Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,900 $ 1,889
Accounts receivable, less allowance of $54 and $59 1,180 1,231
Other current assets, net 1,197 1,274
Total current assets 4,277 4,394
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $23,541 and $23,121 20,568 20,421
GOODWILL AND OTHER ASSETS    
Goodwill 1,964 1,964
Other intangible assets, net 4,660 4,806
Other assets, net 2,069 1,911
Total goodwill and other assets 8,693 8,681
TOTAL ASSETS 33,538 33,496
CURRENT LIABILITIES    
Current maturities of long-term debt 330 412
Accounts payable 773 749
Accrued expenses and other liabilities    
Salaries and benefits 563 716
Income and other taxes 305 272
Current operating lease liabilities 263 253
Interest 237 197
Other current liabilities 198 179
Current portion of deferred revenue 876 861
Total current liabilities 3,545 3,639
LONG-TERM DEBT 17,334 17,494
DEFERRED CREDITS AND OTHER LIABILITIES    
Deferred income taxes, net 2,731 2,890
Benefit plan obligations, net 2,177 2,205
Deferred revenue 4,226 3,733
Other liabilities 3,236 3,071
Total deferred credits and other liabilities 12,370 11,899
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 10)
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, no par value, authorized 2,200,000 and 2,200,000 shares, issued and outstanding 1,024,989 and 1,014,768 shares 19,152 19,149
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (700) (723)
Accumulated deficit (18,163) (17,962)
Total stockholders' equity 289 464
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 33,538 $ 33,496
v3.25.1
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) (Parenthetical) - USD ($)
shares in Thousands, $ in Millions
Mar. 31, 2025
Dec. 31, 2024
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]    
Accounts receivable, allowance $ 54 $ 59
Accumulated depreciation $ 23,541 $ 23,121
Preferred stock-non-redeemable, par value (in dollars per share) $ 25.00 $ 25.00
Preferred stock-non-redeemable, shares authorized (in shares) 2,000 2,000
Preferred stock-non-redeemable, shares issued (in shares) 7 7
Preferred stock-non-redeemable, shares outstanding (in shares) 7 7
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) $ 0 $ 0
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares) 2,200,000 2,200,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares) 1,024,989 1,014,768
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares) 1,024,989 1,014,768
v3.25.1
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
Mar. 31, 2024
OPERATING ACTIVITIES    
Net (loss) income $ (201) $ 57
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:    
Depreciation and amortization 713 748
Net loss on sale of business 0 22
Deferred income taxes (168) 8
Provision for uncollectible accounts 13 23
Net loss (gain) on early retirement of debt 35 (275)
Debt modification costs and related fees 0 (79)
Unrealized gain on investments 0 (20)
Stock-based compensation 10 14
Changes in current assets and liabilities:    
Accounts receivable 38 (25)
Accounts payable 101 (7)
Accrued income and other taxes 133 772
Other current assets and liabilities, net (138) (261)
Retirement benefits (2) (13)
Change in deferred revenue 493 52
Changes in other assets and liabilities, net 30 146
Other, net 38 (60)
Net cash provided by operating activities 1,095 1,102
INVESTING ACTIVITIES    
Capital expenditures (791) (713)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment, and other assets 14 12
Other, net 8 3
Net cash used in investing activities (769) (698)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES    
Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt 2,279 1,325
Payments of long-term debt (2,502) (1,902)
Net payments of revolving line of credit 0 (200)
Dividends paid (1) (3)
Debt issuance and extinguishment costs and related fees (80) (278)
Other, net (10) (2)
Net cash used in financing activities (314) (1,060)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 12 (656)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period 1,900 2,248
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period 1,912 1,592
Supplemental cash flow information:    
Income taxes (paid) refunded, net (1) 724
Interest paid (net of capitalized interest of $37 and $39) (280) (339)
Supplemental noncash information regarding financing activities:    
Cancellation of term loans as part of refinancing (Note 4) (121) 0
Issuance of term loan as part of refinancing (Note 4) 121 0
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash:    
Cash and cash equivalents 1,900 1,580
Restricted cash included in Other current assets, net 2 2
Restricted cash included in Other assets, net 10 10
Total $ 1,912 $ 1,592
v3.25.1
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) (Parenthetical) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
Mar. 31, 2024
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]    
Capitalized interest $ 37 $ 39
v3.25.1
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (UNAUDITED) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Total
COMMON STOCK
ADDITIONAL PAID-IN CAPITAL
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
ACCUMULATED DEFICIT
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2023   $ 1,008 $ 18,126 $ (810) $ (17,907)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity          
Issuance of common stock through incentive and benefit plans   8      
Shares withheld to satisfy tax withholdings   0 (1)    
Stock-based compensation   0 14    
Other   0 (2)    
Other comprehensive income $ 11     11  
Net (loss) income 57       57
Balance at end of period at Mar. 31, 2024 504 1,016 18,137 (799) (17,850)
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2024 464 19,149 0 (723) (17,962)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity          
Issuance of common stock through incentive and benefit plans   0      
Shares withheld to satisfy tax withholdings   (10) 0    
Stock-based compensation   10 0    
Other   3 0    
Other comprehensive income 23     23  
Net (loss) income (201)       (201)
Balance at end of period at Mar. 31, 2025 $ 289 $ 19,152 $ 0 $ (700) $ (18,163)
v3.25.1
Background
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Background
Note 1— Background

General

We are a networking company with the goal of connecting people, data, and applications quickly, securely, and effortlessly. We are unleashing the world's digital potential by providing a broad array of integrated products and services to our domestic and global Business customers and our domestic Mass Markets customers. We operate one of the world’s most interconnected networks. Our platform empowers our customers to swiftly adjust digital programs to meet immediate demands, create efficiencies, accelerate market access, and reduce costs, which allows our customers to rapidly evolve their IT programs to address dynamic changes. Our specific products and services are detailed in Note 3—Revenue Recognition.

Basis of Presentation

Our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2024, 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 note 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 U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). However, in our opinion, the disclosures made therein are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. We believe 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 three 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, 2024.

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 financing activities.

We reclassified certain prior period amounts to conform to the current period presentation, including the recategorization of our Business revenue by product category and sales channel in our segment reporting. See Note 3—Revenue Recognition and Note 9—Segment Information for additional information. These changes had no impact on total operating revenue, total operating expenses or net (loss) income for any period.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Refer 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, 2024.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Segments

We adopted Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2023-07, “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures” for the year ended December 31, 2024. This ASU is intended to improve reportable segment disclosure requirements primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. The ASU does not change how a public entity identifies its operating segments, aggregates them, or applies quantitative thresholds to determine reportable segments. Refer to Note 9—Segment Information for more information on our segment reporting.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-04, "Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20): Induced Conversions of Convertible Debt Instruments." This ASU clarifies the requirements for determining whether certain settlements of convertible debt instruments should be accounted for as induced conversions rather than as debt extinguishments. This standard is effective for the annual period of fiscal 2026 and early adoption is permitted. As of March 31, 2025, we did not have any outstanding convertible debt instruments and do not expect this ASU will have any impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, "Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses." This ASU requires additional footnote disclosure of the details of certain income statement expense line items as well as additional disclosure about selling expenses. This standard is effective for the annual period of fiscal 2027 and early adoption is permitted. The guidance is to be applied prospectively, with the option for retrospective application. We are currently evaluating the impact the adoption of this standard will have on our disclosures.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures.” This ASU requires that public business entities must annually (1) disclose specific categories in the rate reconciliation and (2) provide additional information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold (if the effect of those reconciling items is equal to or greater than five percent of the amount computed by multiplying pretax income or loss by the applicable statutory income tax rate). This ASU becomes effective for us for the annual period of fiscal 2025. We do not anticipate early adoption and expect the Income Taxes footnote to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of Part II of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 will align with the standard. We do not anticipate this standard will affect our operating results.
v3.25.1
Goodwill, Customer Relationships and Other Intangible Assets
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]  
Goodwill, Customer Relationships and Other Intangible Assets
Note 2—Goodwill, Customer Relationships and Other Intangible Assets

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

March 31, 2025
December 31, 2024
(Dollars in millions)
Goodwill$1,964 1,964 
Indefinite-lived intangible assets$— 9 
Other intangible assets subject to amortization: 
Customer relationships, less accumulated amortization of $4,499 and $4,504(1)
3,048 3,196 
Capitalized software, less accumulated amortization of $3,776 and $4,067(1)
1,544 1,529 
Patents and other, less accumulated amortization of $89 and $86
68 72 
Total other intangible assets, net$4,660 4,806 
______________________________________________________________________
(1)    Certain customer relationships with a gross carrying value of $161 million and capitalized software with a gross carrying value of $211 million became fully amortized during 2024 and were retired during the first quarter of 2025.

As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the gross carrying amount of goodwill, customer relationships, indefinite-lived, and other intangible assets was $15.0 billion and $15.4 billion, respectively.

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

We are required to assess our goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually, or, under certain circumstances, more frequently, such as when events or changes in circumstances indicate there may be impairment. We are required to write down the value of goodwill only when our assessment determines the carrying value of equity of any of our reporting units exceeds its fair value. Our annual impairment assessment date for goodwill is October 31, at which date we assess our reporting units.

We report our results within two segments: Business and Mass Markets. See Note 9—Segment Information for more information on these segments. We assigned no goodwill to our Business segment as of either March 31, 2025 or December 31, 2024. We assigned approximately $2.0 billion of goodwill to our Mass Markets segment as of both March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024. Total goodwill as of both March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 was net of accumulated impairment losses of $21.7 billion.

As of March 31, 2025, we had three reporting units, which are (i) Mass Markets, (ii) North American Business ("NA Business"), and (iii) Asia Pacific region ("APAC"). Our reporting units are not discrete legal entities with discrete full financial statements. Our assets and liabilities are deployed in, and relate to the operations of, multiple reporting units. When we assess goodwill for impairment, we compare the estimated fair value of each reporting unit's equity to the 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 a non-cash impairment charge equal to the excess amount. Depending on the facts and circumstances, we typically estimate the fair value of our reporting units by considering either or both of (i) a discounted cash flow method, which is based on the present value of projected cash flows over a discrete projection period and a terminal value, which is based on the expected normalized cash flows of the reporting units following the discrete projection period, and (ii) a market approach, which includes the use of market multiples of publicly-traded companies whose services are comparable to ours.

Total amortization expense for finite-lived intangible assets for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 totaled $252 million and $272 million, respectively.
v3.25.1
Revenue Recognition
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]  
Revenue Recognition
Note 3—Revenue Recognition

Product and Service Categories

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

•Grow, which includes existing and emerging products and services in which we are significantly investing, including our dark fiber and conduit, Edge Cloud, IP, managed security, software-defined wide area networks, Unified Communications and Collaboration, and wavelengths services;

•Nurture, which includes our more mature offerings, including ethernet, and VPN data networks services;

•Harvest, which includes our legacy services managed for cash flow, including Time Division Multiplexing voice, and private line services; and

•Other, which includes equipment sales, managed and professional service solutions, and other services.

We categorize our products and services revenue among the following categories for the Mass Markets segment:

•Fiber Broadband, under which we provide high speed broadband services to residential and small business customers utilizing our fiber-based network infrastructure;

•Other Broadband, under which we provide primarily lower speed broadband services to residential and small business customers utilizing our copper-based network infrastructure; and

•Voice and Other, under which we derive revenues from (i) providing local and long-distance voice services, professional services, and other ancillary services, and (ii) federal broadband and state support programs.

Reconciliation of Total Revenue to Revenue from Contracts with Customers

The following tables provide total revenue by segment, sales channel and product category. They also provide the amount of revenue that is not subject to Accounting Standards Codification "ASC" 606, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" ("ASC 606"), but is instead governed by other accounting standards.
Three Months Ended March 31, 2025
Total Revenue
Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue (1)
Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers
(Dollars in millions)
Business Segment by Sales Channel and Product Category
Large Enterprise
Grow$416 (87)329 
Nurture203 — 203 
Harvest79 — 79 
Other39 — 39 
Total Large Enterprise Revenue737 (87)650 
Mid-Market Enterprise
Grow259 (7)252 
Nurture165 — 165 
Harvest79 (1)78 
Other10 — 10 
Total Mid-Market Enterprise Revenue513 (8)505 
Public Sector
Grow159 (24)135 
Nurture84 — 84 
Harvest108 — 108 
Other132 — 132 
Total Public Sector Revenue483 (24)459 
Wholesale
Grow265 (75)190 
Nurture177 (6)171 
Harvest260 (34)226 
Other3 — 3 
Total Wholesale Revenue705 (115)590 
International and Other
Grow37 (1)36 
Nurture37 — 37 
Harvest8 — 8 
Other4 — 4 
Total International and Other86 (1)85 
Business Segment by Product Category
Grow1,136 (194)942 
Nurture666 (6)660 
Harvest534 (35)499 
Other188 — 188 
Total Business Segment Revenue2,524 (235)2,289 
Mass Markets Segment by Product Category
Fiber Broadband209 (3)206 
Other Broadband257 (24)233 
Voice and Other192 (9)183 
Total Mass Markets Revenue658 (36)622 
Total Revenue$3,182 (271)2,911 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2024
Total Revenue
Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue (1)
Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers
(Dollars in millions)
Business Segment by Sales Channel and Product Category
Large Enterprise
Grow$378 (49)329 
Nurture241 — 241 
Harvest103 — 103 
Other43 (1)42 
Total Large Enterprise Revenue765 (50)715 
Mid-Market Enterprise
Grow256 (6)250 
Nurture213 — 213 
Harvest98 (1)97 
Other10 (1)9 
Total Mid-Market Enterprise Revenue577 (8)569 
Public Sector
Grow125 (21)104 
Nurture88 — 88 
Harvest94 (1)93 
Other114 — 114 
Total Public Sector Revenue421 (22)399 
Wholesale
Grow260 (62)198 
Nurture192 (7)185 
Harvest276 (38)238 
Other3 — 3 
Total Wholesale Revenue731 (107)624 
International and Other
Grow40 (1)39 
Nurture42 — 42 
Harvest11 — 11 
Other4 — 4 
Total International and Other97 (1)96 
Business Segment by Product Category
Grow1,059 (139)920 
Nurture776 (7)769 
Harvest582 (40)542 
Other174 (2)172 
Total Business Segment Revenue2,591 (188)2,403 
Mass Markets Segment by Product Category
Fiber Broadband170 (4)166 
Other Broadband315 (28)287 
Voice and Other214 (9)205 
Total Mass Markets Revenue699 (41)658 
Total Revenue$3,290 (229)3,061 
____________________________________________________________________
(1)Includes regulatory revenue and lease revenue not within the scope of ASC 606.
Operating Lease Revenue

We lease various dark fiber and conduit, office facilities, colocation facilities, switching facilities, other network sites. and service equipment to third parties under operating leases. Lease and sublease income are included in Operating revenue in the consolidated statements of operations.

For the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, our gross rental revenue was $262 million and $221 million, respectively, which represented approximately 8% and 7%, respectively, of our operating revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024.

Customer Receivables and Contract Balances

The following table provides balances of customer receivables, contract assets, and contract liabilities:

March 31, 2025December 31, 2024
 (Dollars in millions)
Customer receivables, less allowance of $44 and $50
$1,136 1,193 
Contract assets
18 19 
Contract liabilities
696 733 

Contract liabilities are consideration we have received from our customers or billed in advance of providing goods or services promised in the future. We defer recognizing this consideration as revenue until we have satisfied the related performance obligation to the customer. Contract liabilities include recurring services billed one month in advance and installation and maintenance charges that are deferred and recognized over the actual or expected contract term, which typically ranges from one to five years depending on the service. Contract liabilities are included within Deferred revenue on our consolidated balance sheets. During the three months ended March 31, 2025, we recognized $294 million of revenue that was included in contract liabilities of $733 million as of January 1, 2025. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, we recognized $300 million of revenue that was included in contract liabilities of $698 million as of January 1, 2024, including contract liabilities that were classified as held for sale.

Performance Obligations

As of March 31, 2025, we expect to recognize approximately $6.1 billion of revenue in the future related to performance obligations associated with existing customer contracts that are partially or wholly unsatisfied. As of March 31, 2025, the transaction price related to unsatisfied performance obligations that are expected to be recognized for the remainder of 2025, 2026, and thereafter was $2.2 billion, $1.9 billion and $2.0 billion, respectively.

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

The following tables provide changes in our contract acquisition costs and fulfillment costs:

Three Months Ended March 31, 2025
Acquisition CostsFulfillment Costs
(Dollars in millions)
Beginning of period balance
$203 222 
Costs incurred40 51 
Amortization(33)(37)
End of period balance
$210 236 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2024
Acquisition CostsFulfillment Costs
(Dollars in millions)
Beginning of period balance
$182 184 
Costs incurred33 36 
Amortization(33)(31)
End of period balance
$182 189 

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

We amortize deferred acquisition and fulfillment costs based on the transfer of services on a straight-line basis over the average contract life of approximately 47 months for Mass Markets customers and 34 months for Business customers. We include amortized fulfillment costs in cost of services and products and amortized acquisition costs in Selling, general and administrative in our consolidated statements of operations. We include the amount of these deferred costs that are anticipated to be amortized in the next 12 months in Other current assets, net on our consolidated balance sheets. We include the amount of deferred costs expected to be amortized beyond the next 12 months in Other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. We assess deferred acquisition and fulfillment costs for impairment on a quarterly basis.
v3.25.1
Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]  
Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities
Note 4—Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities

At March 31, 2025, substantially all of our outstanding consolidated debt had been incurred by us or one of the following three subsidiaries, each of which has borrowed funds either on a standalone basis or as part of a separate restricted group with certain of its subsidiaries:

•Level 3 Financing, Inc. ("Level 3 Financing"), including its parent guarantor Level 3 Parent, LLC ("Level 3 Parent") and certain subsidiary guarantors;

•Qwest Corporation ("Qwest"); and

•Qwest Capital Funding, Inc., including its parent guarantor, Qwest Communications International Inc.

Each of these borrowers or borrowing groups has entered into a credit agreement with certain financial institutions or other institutional lenders or issued senior notes. Certain of these debt instruments are described further below or Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of Part II of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024.
The following table reflects the consolidated long-term debt of Lumen Technologies, Inc. and its subsidiaries as of the dates indicated below, including unamortized premiums (discounts) and unamortized debt issuance costs:

Interest Rates(1)
Maturities(1)
March 31, 2025December 31, 2024
   (Dollars in millions)
Senior Secured Debt: (2)
Lumen Technologies, Inc.
Series A Revolving Credit Facility
SOFR + 4.00%
2028$— — 
Series B Revolving Credit Facility
SOFR + 6.00%
2028— — 
Term Loan A(3)
SOFR + 6.00%
2028352 357 
Term Loan B-1(4)
SOFR + 2.35%
20291,602 1,606 
Term Loan B-2(4)
SOFR + 2.35%
20301,602 1,606 
Term Loan B(5)
SOFR + 2.25%
202756 56 
Superpriority Notes
4.125% - 10.000%
2029 - 2032
1,247 1,247 
Subsidiaries
Level 3 Financing, Inc.
Term Loan B-1(6)
N/A
N/A
— 1,199 
Term Loan B-2(6)
N/A
N/A
— 1,199 
Term Loan B-3(7)
SOFR + 4.25%
20322,400 — 
Former Facility Tranche B Term Loan(8)
SOFR + 1.75%
202712 12 
First Lien Notes(9)
10.500% - 11.000%
2029 - 2030
3,846 3,846 
Second Lien Notes
3.875% - 10.000%
2029 - 2032
2,579 2,579 
Unsecured Senior Notes and Other Debt:
    
Lumen Technologies, Inc.
Senior notes
4.500% - 7.650%
2028 - 2042
1,296 1,428 
Subsidiaries:
Level 3 Financing, Inc.
Senior notes
3.625% - 4.250%
2028 - 2029
894 964 
Qwest Corporation
Senior notes
6.500% - 7.750%
2025 - 2057
1,973 1,973 
Qwest Capital Funding, Inc.
Senior notes
6.875% - 7.750%
2028 - 2031
192 192 
Finance lease and other obligationsVariousVarious250 254 
Unamortized discounts, net  (412)(395)
Unamortized debt issuance costs(225)(217)
Total long-term debt  17,664 17,906 
Less current maturities   (330)(412)
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities  $17,334 17,494 
______________________________________________________________________ 
(1)As of March 31, 2025. All references to "SOFR" refer to the Secured Overnight Financing Rate.
(2)The debt listed under the caption “Senior Secured Debt” is either secured by assets of the issuer, guaranteed on a secured or unsecured basis by certain affiliates of the issuer, or both.
(3)Term Loan A had an interest rate of 10.324% and 10.573% as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.
(4)Term Loan B-1 and B-2 each had an interest rate of 6.788% and 7.037% as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.
(5)Term Loan B had an interest rate of 6.688% and 6.937% as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.
(6)Level 3 Financing's Term Loan B-1 and B-2 each had an interest rate composition of SOFR + 6.56% which was 11.133% as of December 31, 2024.
(7)Level 3 Financing's Term Loan B-3 had an interest rate of 8.574% as of March 31, 2025.
(8)Level 3 Financing's Former Facility Tranche B 2027 Term Loan had an interest rate of 6.188% and 6.437% as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.
(9)Reflects Level 3 Financing's senior secured notes issued in early 2023 and first lien notes issued on March 22, 2024.

Long-Term Debt Maturities

Set forth below is the aggregate principal amount of our long-term debt as of March 31, 2025 (excluding unamortized discounts, net, and unamortized debt issuance costs), maturing during the following years.

 (Dollars in millions)
2025 (remaining nine months)$307 
202689 
2027139 
2028739 
20296,004 
2030 and thereafter11,023 
Total long-term debt$18,301 

2025 Debt Transactions

Credit Facilities Transactions

On March 27, 2025, Level 3 Financing (i) refinanced all of the outstanding secured term B-1 loan facilities and secured term B-2 loan facilities under its existing Credit Agreement, dated March 22, 2024 (the "2024 Level 3 Credit Agreement"), by and among Level 3 Financing, as borrower, Level 3 Parent, as guarantor, Wilmington Trust, National Association, as administrative agent and collateral agent, and the lenders from time to time party thereto and (ii) entered into an amendment to the 2024 Level 3 Credit Agreement (collectively, the "Credit Facilities Transactions"). This amendment revised the 2024 Level 3 Credit Agreement to, among other things, (i) reduce the pricing on Level 3 Financing’s term loan facility and make related changes to effect such repricing and (ii) extend the maturity of Level 3 Financing's term loan facility to 2032. Immediately following the Credit Facilities Transactions, Level 3 Financing had $2.4 billion of outstanding borrowings under its new secured term B-3 loan facility.

The Company determined that the Credit Facilities Transactions constituted a debt extinguishment and recorded a loss of $35 million, which is included in our aggregate Net (loss) gain on early retirement of debt in Other (expense) income, net in our consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2025.
Redemptions

The following table sets forth the aggregate principal amount of each series of unsecured senior notes of Lumen and Level 3 Financing fully redeemed in exchange for cash on February 15, 2025. Transaction fees related to these redemptions were not significant.

Debt
Aggregate Principal Amount (in millions)
Lumen Technologies, Inc.
5.625% unsecured Senior Notes due 2025
$55 
7.200% unsecured Senior Notes due 2025
29 
5.125% unsecured Senior Notes due 2026
7 
4.000% unsecured Senior Notes due 2027
41 
Level 3 Financing, Inc.
3.400% unsecured Senior Notes due 2027
5 
4.625% unsecured Senior Notes due 2027
65 
Total
$202 

2024 Debt Transactions

For information on various issuances, exchanges, or payments of long-term indebtedness by Lumen or its subsidiaries during 2024, see Note 7—Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities in Item 8 of Part II of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024.

Lumen Credit Agreements

Lumen is a party to (i) a Superpriority Revolving/Term A Credit Agreement, dated March 22, 2024, providing for superpriority series A and series B Revolving Credit Facilities (respectively, the “Series A Revolving Credit Facility” and “Series B Revolving Credit Facility,” and, collectively, the “Revolving Credit Facilities”) and a superpriority secured term loan facility (the “Lumen TLA”) and (ii) a Superpriority Term B Credit Agreement, dated March 22, 2024, providing for two superpriority secured term loan facilities, maturing 2029 and 2030, respectively (collectively, the “Lumen TLB”), all of which are described in further detail in Note 7—Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities— in Item 8 of Part II of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024.

Lumen may prepay amounts outstanding under the Series B Revolving Credit Facility or Lumen TLA at anytime without premium or penalty. If no amounts are outstanding under the Series B Revolving Credit Facility, Lumen may prepay amounts outstanding under the Series A Revolving Credit Facility without premium or penalty.

Both of the Revolving Credit Facilities mature on June 1, 2028 (in each case subject to a springing maturity in certain circumstances). The Lumen TLA matures on June 1, 2028 and requires Lumen to make quarterly amortization payments of 1.25% of the initial principal amount and certain specified mandatory prepayments upon the occurrence of certain transactions.

The Lumen TLB requires Lumen to make quarterly amortization payments of 0.25% of the initial principal amount and certain specified mandatory prepayments upon the occurrence of certain transactions.

As of March 31, 2025, no borrowings were outstanding under Lumen’s (i) Series A Revolving Credit Facility, with commitments of approximately $489 million, or (ii) Series B Revolving Credit Facility, with commitments of approximately $465 million.

Level 3 Financing Credit Agreement

As of March 31, 2025, Level 3 Financing had $2.4 billion of non-amortizing secured term B-3 loans outstanding under the term loan facility established by the 2024 Level 3 Credit Agreement (as amended through March 27, 2025, the “Level 3 Credit Agreement”).
Borrowings under the term loan facility will be, at Level 3 Financing’s option, either (i) the base rate (which is the highest of (x) the overnight federal funds rate, plus 0.50%, (y) the prime rate on such day, and (z) the one-month SOFR published on such date, plus 1.00%), plus an applicable margin, or (ii) one-, three- or six-month SOFR, plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin for SOFR loans under the term loan facility will be 4.25%. The term loan facility is subject to a SOFR floor of 0.50%.

Level 3 Financing may voluntarily prepay loans or reduce commitments under the term loan facility, in whole or in part, subject to minimum amounts, with prior notice, but without premium or penalty (other than a 1.00% premium on any prepayment in connection with a repricing transaction prior to September 27, 2025). Level 3 Financing is required to prepay borrowings under the term loan facility with 100% of the net cash proceeds of certain asset sales and 100% of the net cash proceeds of certain debt issuances, in each case subject to certain exceptions.

Senior Notes of Lumen and its Subsidiaries

The Company’s consolidated indebtedness at March 31, 2025 included:

•superpriority senior secured notes issued by Lumen;

•first and second lien secured notes issued by Level 3 Financing; and

•senior unsecured notes issued by Lumen, Level 3 Financing, Qwest, and Qwest Capital Funding, Inc.

All of these notes carry fixed interest rates and all principal is due on the notes’ respective maturity dates, which rates and maturity dates are summarized in the table above.

Except for a limited number of senior notes issued by Qwest Corporation, the issuer generally can redeem the notes, at its option, in whole or in part, (i) pursuant to a fixed schedule of pre-established redemption prices, (ii) pursuant to a “make whole” redemption price, or (iii) under certain other specified limited conditions.

Revolving Letters of Credit

We use various financial instruments in the normal course of business. These instruments include letters of credit, which are conditional commitments issued on our behalf in accordance with specified terms and conditions. Lumen may draw letters of credit primarily under (i) an uncommitted $225 million revolving letter of credit facility and (ii) the Revolving Credit Facilities.

At March 31, 2025, we had $234 million undrawn letters of credit outstanding, $231 million of which were issued under the Revolving Credit Facilities and $3 million of which were issued under a separate facility maintained by other Lumen subsidiaries (the full amount of which is collateralized by cash that is reflected on our consolidated balance sheets as restricted cash within Other assets, net).

Certain Guarantees and Security Interests

Lumen’s obligations under its Superpriority Revolving/Term Loan A Credit Agreement are unsecured, but certain of Lumen’s subsidiaries have provided an unconditional guarantee of payment of Lumen’s obligations (such entities, the “Lumen Guarantors”) and certain of such guarantees will be secured by a lien on substantially all of the assets of the applicable Lumen Guarantors. Level 3 Parent, Level 3 Financing, and certain of Level 3 Financing’s subsidiaries have provided an unconditional guarantee of payment of Lumen’s obligations under each of its Series A Revolving Credit Facility of up to $150 million and its Series B Revolving Credit Facility of up to $150 million, in each case secured by a lien on substantially all of their assets (such entities, the “Level 3 Collateral Guarantors”). The guarantee by the Level 3 Collateral Guarantors may be reduced or terminated under certain circumstances. Qwest Corporation and certain of its subsidiaries have provided an unsecured guarantee of collection of Lumen’s obligations under the Revolving Credit Facilities and Lumen TLA (such entities, the “Qwest Guarantors”).
Lumen’s obligations under the Superpriority Term Loan B Credit Agreement are unsecured. The term loans issued under this agreement are guaranteed by the Lumen Guarantors and the Qwest Guarantors on the same basis as those entities guarantee Lumen’s obligations under its Superpriority Revolving/Term Loan A Credit Agreement.

Level 3 Financing’s obligations under the Level 3 Credit Agreement are secured by a first priority lien on substantially all of its assets. In addition, the other Level 3 Collateral Guarantors have provided a guarantee of Level 3 Financing’s obligations under the Level 3 Credit Agreement secured by a lien on substantially all of their assets.

Lumen’s superpriority secured senior notes are guaranteed by the Lumen Guarantors and the Qwest Guarantors on the same basis as those entities guarantee Lumen’s obligations under its Superpriority Revolving/Term Loan A Credit Agreement (subject, in certain cases, to receipt of necessary regulatory approvals). Level 3 Financing’s obligations under its first lien notes are secured by a first priority lien on substantially all of its assets (subject, in certain cases, to receipt of necessary regulatory approvals), and are guaranteed by the other Level 3 Collateral Guarantors (or, for certain such guarantors, for certain notes, will be guaranteed upon the receipt of required regulatory approvals) on the same basis as the guarantees provided by such entities under the New Level 3 Credit Agreement. Level 3 Financing’s obligations under its second lien notes are secured by a second lien on substantially all of its assets, and are guaranteed by the other Level 3 Collateral Guarantors on the same basis as the guarantees provided by such entities under the New Level 3 Credit Agreement, except the lien securing such guarantees is a second lien.

Lumen's reimbursement obligations under its outstanding letters of credit are secured by guarantees issued by certain of its subsidiaries.

Level 3 Financing's obligations under its unsecured notes are guaranteed on an unsecured basis by the same affiliated entities that guarantee the Level 3 Credit Agreement and secured notes. The senior unsecured notes issued by Qwest Capital Funding, Inc. are guaranteed by its parent, Qwest Communications International Inc.

Covenants

Lumen

Under its Superpriority Revolving/Term Loan A Credit Agreement, Lumen may not permit:

(i) its maximum total net leverage ratio to exceed 5.50 to 1.00 with respect to each fiscal quarter ending after December 31, 2024 and stepping down to 5.25 to 1.00 with respect to each fiscal quarter ending after December 31, 2025; or

(ii) its interest coverage ratio as of the last day of any test period to be less than 2.00 to 1.00.

Lumen’s superpriority credit agreements and superpriority senior secured notes contain various representations and warranties and extensive affirmative and negative covenants. Such covenants include, among other things and subject to certain significant exceptions, restrictions on our ability to declare or pay dividends, repurchase stock, repay certain other indebtedness, create liens, incur additional indebtedness, make investments, engage in transactions with our affiliates, dispose of assets, and merge or consolidate with other persons.

Lumen’s senior unsecured notes were issued under four separate indentures. These indentures restrict Lumen’s ability to (i) incur, issue, or create liens upon its property and (ii) consolidate with or merge into, or transfer or lease all or substantially all of its assets to, any other party.

Under certain circumstances in connection with a “change of control” of Lumen, Lumen will be required to make an offer to repurchase substantially all of these senior notes at a price of 101% of the principal amount redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest.
Level 3 Financing

The Level 3 Credit Agreement and Level 3 Financing's first and second lien secured notes contain various representations and extensive affirmative and negative covenants. Such covenants include, among other things and subject to certain significant exceptions, restrictions on their ability to declare or pay dividends, repay certain other indebtedness, create liens, incur additional indebtedness, make investments, dispose of assets, and merge or consolidate with other persons. Also, under certain circumstances in connection with a “change of control” of Level 3 Parent or Level 3 Financing, Level 3 Financing will be required to make an offer to repurchase each series of its outstanding senior notes at a price of 101% of the principal amount redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest.

Qwest Companies

The senior notes of Qwest Corporation were issued under indentures dated April 15, 1990 and October 15, 1999. These indentures contain restrictions on the incurrence of liens and the consummation of certain transactions substantially similar to the above-described covenants in the indentures governing Lumen’s senior unsecured notes (but contain no mandatory repurchase provisions). The senior notes of Qwest Capital Funding, Inc. were issued under an indenture dated June 29, 1998 containing terms substantially similar to those set forth in Qwest Corporation's indentures.

Compliance

As of March 31, 2025, Lumen Technologies, 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.

Guarantees

Lumen does not guarantee the debt of any unaffiliated parties, but, as noted above, as of March 31, 2025, certain of its key subsidiaries guaranteed (i) its debt outstanding under its superpriority credit agreements, its superpriority senior secured notes and its $225 million letter of credit facility and (ii) the outstanding term loans or senior secured notes issued by certain other subsidiaries. As further noted above, several of the subsidiaries guaranteeing these obligations have pledged substantially all of their assets to secure certain of their respective guarantees.
v3.25.1
Severance
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]  
Severance
Note 5—Severance

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 workloads due to reduced demand for certain services.

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

Severance

(Dollars in millions)
Balance at December 31, 2024$12 
Accrued to expense11 
Payments, net(10)
Balance at March 31, 2025$13 
v3.25.1
Employee Benefits
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]  
Employee Benefits
Note 6—Employee Benefits

For detailed descriptions of the various defined benefit pension plans (qualified and non-qualified), post-retirement benefits plans, and defined contribution plan we sponsor, see Note 11—Employee Benefits 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, 2024.
Net periodic benefit expense for the Lumen Combined Pension Plan (the "Combined Pension Plan" or the "Plan") includes the following components:

Combined Pension Plan
 Three Months Ended March 31,
2025
2024
 (Dollars in millions)
Service cost$5 6 
Interest cost60 63 
Expected return on plan assets(63)(67)
Recognition of prior service credit— (2)
Recognition of actuarial loss35 28 
Net periodic pension expense$37 28 


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

 Post-Retirement Benefit Plans
 Three Months Ended March 31,
 20252024
 (Dollars in millions)
Service cost$1 1 
Interest cost22 23 
Recognition of prior service credit(2)(2)
Recognition of actuarial gain(6)(4)
Net periodic post-retirement benefit expense$15 18 

Service costs for our pension and post-retirement benefit plans are included in the Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) and Selling, general and administrative line items on our consolidated statements of operations and all other costs listed above are included in Other income, net on our consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024.

Our Combined Pension Plan contains provisions that allow us, from time to time, to offer lump sum payment options to certain former employees in settlement of their future retirement benefits. We record an accounting settlement charge, consisting of the recognition of certain deferred costs of the pension plan associated with these lump sum payments, only if in the aggregate they exceed or are probable to exceed the sum of the annual service and interest costs for the plan’s net periodic pension benefit cost, which represents the settlement accounting threshold. The amount of any future non-cash settlement charges will be dependent on several factors, including the total amount of our future lump sum benefit payments.
Benefits paid by the Combined Pension Plan are paid through a trust that holds the Plan's assets. The amount of required contributions to the Combined Pension Plan in 2025 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. Based on current laws and circumstances, we do not expect to be required to make any additional contributions in 2025.
v3.25.1
(Loss) Earnings Per Common Share
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]  
(Loss) Earnings Per Common Share
Note 7—(Loss) Earnings Per Common Share

Basic and diluted (loss) earnings per common share for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 were calculated as follows:

 Three Months Ended March 31,
 20252024
 (Dollars in millions, except per share amounts, shares in thousands)
(Loss) Income (numerator)
Net (loss) income$(201)57 
Net (loss) income applicable to common stock for computing basic (loss) earnings per common share(201)57 
Net (loss) income as adjusted for purposes of computing diluted (loss) earnings per common share$(201)57 
Shares (denominator):
Weighted-average number of shares:
Outstanding during period1,018,252 1,011,350 
Non-vested restricted stock(26,983)(26,495)
Weighted average shares outstanding for computing basic (loss) earnings per common share991,269 984,855 
Incremental common shares attributable to dilutive securities:
Shares issuable under convertible securities— 10 
Shares issuable under incentive compensation plans— 1,397 
Number of shares as adjusted for purposes of computing diluted (loss) earnings per common share991,269 986,262 
Basic (loss) earnings per common share$(0.20)0.06 
Diluted (loss) earnings per common share(1)
$(0.20)0.06 
______________________________________________________________________ 
(1)For the three months ended March 31, 2025, we excluded from the calculation of diluted loss per share 12 million shares, potentially issuable under incentive compensation plans or convertible securities, as their effect, if included, would have been anti-dilutive due to our net loss position.

Our calculation of diluted (loss) earnings per common share excludes non-vested restricted stock awards that are anti-dilutive based upon the terms of the award. Such shares were 13.5 million and 20.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
v3.25.1
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Note 8—Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Our financial instruments consist of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, long-term debt (excluding finance lease and other obligations), interest rate swap contracts, certain equity investments, and certain indemnification obligations. Due primarily to their short-term nature, the carrying amounts of our cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, and accounts payable approximate their fair values.

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between independent and knowledgeable parties who are willing and able to transact for an asset or liability at the measurement date. We use valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when determining fair value and then we rank the estimated values based on the reliability of the inputs using the below-described fair value hierarchy.
We determined the fair values of our long-term debt, including the current portion, based on quoted market prices where available or, if not available, based on inputs other than quoted market prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable such as discounted future cash flows using current market interest rates.

The three input levels in the hierarchy of fair value measurements are defined by the FASB generally as follows:

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

The following table presents the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of our financial assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024:

  March 31, 2025December 31, 2024
 Input
Level		Carrying
Amount		Fair
Value		Carrying
Amount		Fair
Value
 (Dollars in millions)
Long-term debt, excluding finance lease and other obligations
2$17,414 16,740 17,652 17,127 
Indemnifications related to the sale of the Latin American business(1)
387 8487 84 
______________________________________________________________________
(1)Nonrecurring fair value is measured as of August 1, 2022.
v3.25.1
Segment Information
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
Segment Reporting [Abstract]  
Segment Information
Note 9—Segment Information

Our business is managed based on customer-facing sales channels to align with how we support our customers. Our chief operating decision maker ("CODM"), who is our CEO, makes decisions and assesses the performance of the Company reviewing two segments: Business and Mass Markets. Our reportable segments have not been aggregated.

Under our Business segment we provide products and services to meet the needs of our enterprise and wholesale customers under five distinct sales channels: Large Enterprise, Mid-Market Enterprise, Public Sector, Wholesale, and International and Other. For Business segment revenue, we report the following product categories: Grow, Nurture, Harvest, and Other, in each case through the sales channels outlined above.

Under our Mass Markets Segment, we provide products and services to residential and small business customers. We report the following product categories: Fiber Broadband, Other Broadband, and Voice and Other.

See detailed descriptions of these product and service categories in Note 3—Revenue Recognition.

As described in more detail below, our segments are managed based on the direct costs of providing services to their customers and directly associated headcount and non-headcount operating expenses. Shared costs are managed separately and included in "other unallocated expense" in the table included below under the heading "— Revenue and Expenses". As referenced above, we reclassified certain prior period amounts to conform to the current period presentation. See Note 1— Background for additional detail on these changes. The CODM uses adjusted EBITDA as the key indicator in assessing performance and allocating resources for both the Business segment and Mass Markets segment.

The following tables summarize our segment results for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, based on the segment categorization we were operating under at March 31, 2025.

Three Months Ended March 31, 2025
BusinessMass Markets
(Dollars in millions)
Segment revenue$2,524 658 
Segment expenses
Cost of services and products738 14 
Headcount costs
286 150 
Non-headcount costs
334 113 
Total segment expense1,358 277 
Total segment adjusted EBITDA$1,166 381 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2024
BusinessMass Markets
(Dollars in millions)
Segment revenue$2,591 699 
Segment expenses
Cost of services and products738 17 
Headcount costs
344 167 
Non-headcount costs
341 132 
Total segment expense1,423 316 
Total segment adjusted EBITDA$1,168 383 
Revenue and Expenses

Our segment revenue includes all revenue from our two 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 (i) specific cost of service expenses incurred as a direct result of providing services and products to segment customers, (ii) headcount costs, which primarily includes salaries, commissions, and group insurance, and (iii) non-headcount costs, which primarily includes legal and other professional fees, marketing and advertising expenses, other network related expenses, and external commissions. We have not allocated assets or debt to specific segments.

The following items are excluded from our segment results, because they are centrally managed and not monitored by or reported to our chief operating decision maker by segment:

•network expenses not incurred as a direct result of providing services and products to segment customers and centrally managed expenses such as Finance, Human Resources, Legal, Marketing, Product Management, and IT, all of which are reported as "other unallocated expense" in the table below;

•depreciation and amortization expense;

•goodwill or other impairments;

•interest expense;

•stock-based compensation;

•other income and expense items; and

•income tax expense.

The following table reconciles total segment adjusted EBITDA to net (loss) income for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024:

 Three Months Ended March 31,
 20252024
 (Dollars in millions)
Total segment adjusted EBITDA$1,547 1,551 
Depreciation and amortization(713)(748)
Other unallocated expense(717)(744)
Stock-based compensation expense(10)(14)
Operating income107 45 
Total other (expense) income, net(352)57 
(Loss) income before taxes(245)102 
Income tax (benefit) expense(44)45 
Net (loss) income$(201)57 
v3.25.1
Commitments, Contingencies and Other Items
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies and Other Items
Note 10—Commitments, Contingencies and Other Items

We are subject to various claims, legal proceedings, and other contingent liabilities, including the matters described below, which individually or in the aggregate could materially affect our financial condition, future results of operations, or cash flows.

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. Subject to these limitations, at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, we had accrued $77 million and $78 million, respectively, in the aggregate for our litigation and non-income tax contingencies, which is included in Other current liabilities or Other liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets as of such dates. We cannot at this time estimate the reasonably possible loss or range of loss, if any, in excess of our $77 million accrual at March 31, 2025 due to the inherent uncertainties and speculative nature of contested proceedings. 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, a reference to a "putative" class action means a class has been alleged, but not certified, in that matter.

Principal Proceedings

Houser Shareholder Suit

Lumen and certain of its current and former officers and directors 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 original complaint asserted claims on behalf of a putative class of former Level 3 Communications, Inc. ("Level 3") shareholders who became CenturyLink, Inc. shareholders as a result of our acquisition of Level 3. It alleged that the proxy statement provided to the Level 3 shareholders failed to disclose various material information, including information about strategic revenue, customer loss rates, and customer account issues, among other items. The original complaint sought damages, costs and fees, rescission, rescissory damages, and other equitable relief. In May 2020, the court dismissed the original complaint. The plaintiffs appealed that decision, and in March 2022, the appellate court affirmed the district court's order in part and reversed it in part. It then remanded the case to the district court for further proceedings. The plaintiffs filed an amended complaint asserting the same claims and prayer for relief, and we filed a motion to dismiss. The court granted our motion to dismiss in May 2023 and the plaintiffs appealed that dismissal. In August 2024, the appellate court set aside the trial court's dismissal. In October 2024, we filed a petition with the Colorado Supreme Court seeking a review of the appellate court's decision, and the petition for review was granted.

Quantum Fiber Disclosure Litigation

In re Lumen Technologies, Inc. Securities Litigation. On March 3, 2023, a purported shareholder of Lumen filed a putative class action complaint originally captioned Voigt et al. v. Lumen Technologies, et al. (now captioned In re Lumen Technologies, Inc. Securities Litigation, Case 3:23-cv-00286-TAD-KDM), in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana. The complaint alleges that Lumen and certain of its current and former officers violated the federal securities laws by omitting or misstating material information related to Lumen’s expansion of its Quantum Fiber business. The court appointed a lead plaintiff who filed an amended complaint, seeking money damages, attorneys’ fees and costs, and other relief. On October 30, 2024, the court granted the motion to dismiss we filed against the amended complaint. The plaintiff filed and then withdrew an appeal.
Associated Derivative Litigation. On August 5, 2024, a purported shareholder of Lumen filed a shareholder derivative complaint on behalf of Lumen captioned Slack v. Allen, et al., Case 3:24-cv-01043-TAD-KMM, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana. The complaint alleges claims for breach of fiduciary duty, violations of the federal securities laws, and other causes of action against current and former officers and directors of Lumen allegedly responsible for omitting or misstating material information related to Lumen’s expansion of its Quantum Fiber business. The complaint seeks money damages, attorneys’ fees and costs, and other relief. Substantially similar derivative cases have been filed as follows: (i) on August 20, 2024, Capistrano v. Storey, et al., Case 3:24-cv-01130-TAD-KMM, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana; and on (ii) October 11, 2024, Ostrow v. Johnson, et al., Case 2024-3706, in the 4th Judicial District Court for the Parish of Ouachita, State of Louisiana, subsequently removed on October 11, 2024, to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana as Case 3:24-cv-01399-TAD-KMM. The plaintiff in each case voluntarily dismissed the proceeding.

Lead-Sheathed Cable Litigation

Disclosure Litigation. In re Lumen Technologies, Inc. Securities Litigation II. On September 15, 2023, a purported shareholder of Lumen filed a putative class action complaint originally captioned Glauber, et al. v. Lumen Technologies (now captioned In re Lumen Technologies, Inc. Securities Litigation II, Case 3:23-cv-01290), in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana. The complaint alleged that Lumen and certain of its current and former officers violated the federal securities laws by omitting or misstating material information related to Lumen’s responsibility for environmental degradation allegedly caused by the lead sheathing of certain telecommunications cables. The court appointed lead plaintiffs who filed an amended complaint, seeking money damages, attorneys’ fees and costs, and other relief. On March 31, 2025, the court granted Lumen's motion to dismiss plaintiffs' claims with prejudice.

Derivative Litigation. On June 11, 2024, a purported shareholder of Lumen filed a shareholder derivative complaint on behalf of Lumen captioned Brown v. Johnson, et al., Case 3:24-cv-00798-TAD-KDM, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana. The complaint alleges claims for breach of fiduciary duty, violations of the federal securities laws, and other causes of action against current and former officers and directors of Lumen relating to placement or presence of lead-sheathed telecommunications cables. The complaint seeks damages, injunctive relief, and attorneys' fees. Substantially similar derivative cases have been filed as follows: (i) on August 9, 2024, Pourarian v. Johnson, et al., Case 3:24-cv-01071-TAD-KMM in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana; (ii) on September 9, 2024, Capistrano v. Johnson, et al., Case 3:24-cv-01234-TAD-KMM in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana; (iii) on September 16, 2024, Vogel v. Perry, et al., Case 2024-3360 in the 4th Judicial District Court for the Parish of Ouachita, State of Louisiana, subsequently removed on September 17, 2024 to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana as Case 3:24-cv-01274-TAD-KMM; and (iv) on September 25, 2024, Murray v. Allen, et al., Case 3:24-cv-01320 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana. In April 2025, the court consolidated the Brown, Pourarian, Capistrano, and Murray actions and stayed the consolidated action pending further developments in In re Lumen Technologies, Inc. Securities Litigation II.

Environmental Litigation

Parish of St. Mary. On July 9, 2024, a putative class action complaint was filed in the 16th Judicial District Court for the Parish of St. Mary, State of Louisiana, Case 138575, asserting claims on behalf of all parishes, municipalities, and citizens owning real properties in the State of Louisiana that have been affected by lead-sheathed telecommunications cables installed by AT&T and Lumen or their predecessors. The complaint seeks damages and injunctive relief under Louisiana state law. The case was removed to the United States District Court Western District of Louisiana Lafayette Division, Case 6:24-CV-01001-RRS-DJA. On December 6, 2024, the plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed the class action complaint without prejudice. On December 13, 2024, St. Mary’s Parish along with other parishes, municipalities, and two individuals served a notice of intent to file citizen suit under the Louisiana Environmental Quality Act, asserting claims identical to the class action which the plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed. In April 2025, the Village of Parks (one of the municipalities which had served a notice of intent to file a citizen suit) served Lumen with a petition in an action captioned Village of Parks v. Lumen Technologies, Inc., Case 95026, in the 16th Judicial District Court for the Parish of St. Martin, State of Louisiana. The Village of Parks petition seeks damages and injunctive relief under Louisiana state law.
Blum. On November 6, 2023, a putative class action complaint was filed in the 16th Judicial District Court for the Parish of St. Mary, State of Louisiana, Case 137935, asserting claims on behalf of all citizens owning real properties in the State of Louisiana that have been affected by lead-sheathed telecommunications cables installed by AT&T, BellSouth, Verizon, and Lumen or their predecessors. The complaint seeks damages and injunctive relief under Louisiana state law. The case has been removed to Federal Court in the United States District Court Western District of Louisiana Lafayette Division, Case 6:23-CV-01748. In December 2024, the plaintiffs filed an amended complaint and a motion for remand.

State Tax Suits

Since 2012, a number of Missouri municipalities have asserted claims in the Circuit Court of St. Louis County, Missouri, alleging that we and several of our subsidiaries have underpaid taxes. These municipalities are seeking, among other things, declaratory relief regarding the application of business license and gross receipts taxes and back taxes from 2007 to the present, plus penalties and interest. In a February 2017 ruling in connection with one of these pending cases, the court entered an order awarding the plaintiffs $4 million and broadening the tax base on a going-forward basis. We appealed that decision to the Missouri Supreme Court. In December 2019, it affirmed the circuit court's order in some respects and reversed it in others, remanding the case to the circuit court for further proceedings. The Missouri Supreme Court's decision reduced our exposure in the case. In a June 2021 ruling in one of the pending cases, another trial court awarded the cities of Columbia and Joplin approximately $55 million, plus statutory interest. On appeal, the Missouri Court of Appeals affirmed in part and reversed in part, vacated the judgment and remanded the case to the trial court with instructions for further proceedings consistent with the Missouri Supreme Court's decision. A new trial has been set for August 2025.

FCRA Litigation

In November 2014, a putative class action complaint captioned Bultemeyer v. CenturyLink, Inc. was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona, Case CV-14-02530-PHX-SPL, alleging violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (the "FCRA"). In February 2017, the case was dismissed for lack of standing. The plaintiff appealed and the 9th Circuit reversed and remanded. Class certification was contested and ultimately granted in 2023. The 9th Circuit denied Lumen’s request to appeal the class certification ruling. A jury trial was conducted in September 2024. The jury found that CenturyLink willfully violated the FCRA and awarded each class member $500 for statutory damages and $2,000 for punitive damages. The district court denied Lumen’s post-trial motions for relief, and Lumen has appealed the judgment to the 9th Circuit. We have not accrued a contingent liability for this matter. While liability is possible, we have not determined it to be probable, and damages exposure, if any, is uncertain.

December 2018 Outage Proceedings

We experienced an outage on one of our transport networks that impacted voice, IP, 911, and transport services for some of our customers between the 27th and 29th of December 2018. We believe that the outage was caused by a faulty network management card from a third-party equipment vendor.

The FCC and four states initiated formal investigations. In November 2020, following the FCC's release of a public report on the outage, we negotiated a settlement which was disclosed by the FCC in December 2020. The amount of the settlement was not material to our financial statements.

In December 2020, the Staff of the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission ("WUTC") filed a complaint against us based on the December 2018 outage, seeking penalties of approximately $7 million for alleged violations of Washington regulations and laws. The Washington Attorney General's office sought penalties of $27 million. Following trial, the WUTC issued an order imposing a penalty of approximately $1 million. We appealed that decision to the Washington state Court of Appeals.

Latin American Tax Litigation and Claims

In connection with the 2022 divestiture of our Latin American business, the purchaser assumed responsibility for the Brazilian tax claims described in our prior periodic reports filed with the SEC. We agreed to indemnify the purchaser for amounts paid with respect to the Brazilian tax claims. The value of this indemnification and others associated with the Latin American business divestiture are included in the indemnification amount as disclosed in Note 8—Fair Value of Financial Instruments.
Huawei Network Deployment Investigations

Lumen has received requests from the following federal agencies for information relating to the use of equipment manufactured by Huawei Technologies Company ("Huawei") in Lumen’s networks.

•DOJ. Lumen has received a civil investigative demand from the U.S. Department of Justice in the course of a False Claims Act investigation alleging that Lumen Technologies, Inc. and Lumen Technologies Government Solutions, Inc. failed to comply with certain specified requirements in federal contracts concerning their use of Huawei equipment. 

•FCC. The FCC’s Enforcement Bureau issued a Letter of Inquiry to Lumen Technologies, Inc. regarding its written certifications to the FCC that Lumen has complied with FCC rules governing the use of resources derived from the High Cost Program, Lifeline Program, Rural Health Care Program, E-Rate Program, Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, and the Affordable Connectivity Program. Under these programs, federal funds may not be used to facilitate the deployment or maintenance of equipment or services provided by Huawei, a company the FCC has determined poses a national security threat to the integrity of U.S. communications networks or the communications supply chain.

•Team Telecom. The Committee for the Assessment of Foreign Participation in the United States Telecommunications Service Sector (comprised of the U.S. Attorney General, and the Secretaries of the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Defense), commonly referred to as Team Telecom, issued questions and requests for information relating to Lumen’s FCC licenses and its use of Huawei equipment.

Marshall Fire Litigation

On December 30, 2021, a wildfire referred to as the Marshall Fire ignited near Boulder, Colorado. The Marshall Fire killed two people, and it burned thousands of acres, including entire neighborhoods. Approximately 300 lawsuits naming various defendants and asserting various claims for relief have been filed. To date, three of those name our affiliate Qwest Corporation as being at fault: Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance Company, et al., v. Qwest Corp., et al., Case 2023-cv-3048, and Wallace, et al. v. Qwest Corp., et al., Case 2023-cv-30488, both of which have been consolidated with Kupfner et al., v. Public Service Company of Colorado, et al., Case 2022-cv-30195. The consolidated proceeding is pending in Colorado District Court, Boulder, Colorado. Preliminary estimates of potential damage claims exceed $2 billion.

911 Surcharge

In June 2021, the Company was served with a complaint filed in the Santa Fe County District Court by Phone Recovery Services, LLC (“PRS”), acting on behalf of the State of New Mexico. The complaint claims Qwest Corporation and CenturyTel of the Southwest have violated the New Mexico Fraud Against Taxpayers Act since 2004 by failing to bill, collect, and remit certain 911 surcharges from customers. Through pre-trial proceedings, the Court narrowed the issues to be resolved by jury. On August 21, 2024, a jury decided the remaining issues, and consequently all claims asserted, in Lumen's favor. The plaintiff has filed a Notice of Appeal and Lumen submitted a cross-appeal as to the original motion to dismiss and motion for summary judgment.

Other Proceedings, Disputes and Contingencies

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

We are currently defending several patent infringement lawsuits asserted against us by non-practicing entities which are seeking substantial recoveries. These cases have progressed to various stages and one or more may go to trial within the next twelve months if they are not otherwise resolved. Where applicable, we are seeking full or partial indemnification from our vendors and suppliers.
We are subject to various foreign, federal, state, and local environmental protection and health and safety laws. From time to time, we are subject to judicial and administrative proceedings brought by various governmental authorities under these laws. Several such proceedings are currently pending, but none is reasonably expected to exceed $300,000 in fines and penalties. In addition, in the past we acquired companies that had installed lead-sheathed cables several decades earlier, or had operated certain manufacturing companies in the first part of the 1900s. Under applicable environmental laws, we could be named as a potentially responsible party for a share of the remediation of environmental conditions arising from the historical operations of our predecessors.

The outcomes of these other proceedings described under this heading are 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 in this Note do not reflect all our contingencies. For additional information on our contingencies, see Note 18—Commitments, Contingencies and Other Items 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, 2024. 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 we currently consider insignificant may ultimately affect us materially.
v3.25.1
Other Financial Information
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]  
Other Financial Information
Note 11—Other Financial Information

Other Current Assets, net

The following table presents details of other current assets, net reflected on our consolidated balance sheets:

March 31, 2025December 31, 2024
(Dollars in millions)
Prepaid expenses$411 372 
Income tax receivable384 483 
Materials, supplies and inventory124 146 
Contract assets16 16 
Contract acquisition costs104 102 
Contract fulfillment costs117 109 
Assets held for sale24 24 
Other17 22 
Total other current assets, net
$1,197 1,274 

Current Liabilities

Included in accounts payable at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 were $169 million and $248 million, respectively, associated with capital expenditures.
v3.25.1
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]  
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Note 12—Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Information Relating to 2025

The table below summarizes changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss recorded on our consolidated balance sheet by component for the three months ended March 31, 2025:

Pension PlansPost-Retirement Benefit PlansForeign Currency Translation Adjustment and OtherTotal
 (Dollars in millions)
Balance at December 31, 2024$(1,003)320 (40)(723)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications— — 3 3 
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss26 (6)— 20 
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)26 (6)3 23 
Balance at March 31, 2025$(977)314 (37)(700)

The table below presents further information about our reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss by component for the three months ended March 31, 2025:

Three Months Ended March 31, 2025Decrease (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$29 Other income, net
Prior service credit(2)Other income, net
Total before tax27  
Income tax benefit(7)Income tax (benefit) expense
Net of tax$20  
________________________________________________________________________
(1)See Note 6—Employee Benefits for additional information on our net periodic benefit expense related to our pension and post-retirement plans.
Information Relating to 2024

The table below summarizes changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss recorded on our consolidated balance sheets by component for the three months ended March 31, 2024:

Pension PlansPost-Retirement Benefit PlansForeign Currency Translation Adjustment and OtherTotal
 (Dollars in millions)
Balance at December 31, 2023$(1,045)276 (41)(810)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications
— — (4)(4)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss20 (5)— 15 
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)20 (5)(4)11 
Balance at March 31, 2024$(1,025)271 (45)(799)

The table below presents further information about our reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss by component for the three months ended March 31, 2024:


Three Months Ended March 31, 2024Decrease (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$24 Other income, net
Prior service credit(4)Other income, net
Total before tax20  
Income tax benefit(5)Income tax (benefit) expense
Net of tax$15  
________________________________________________________________________
(1)See Note 6—Employee Benefits for additional information on our net periodic benefit expense related to our pension and post-retirement plans.
v3.25.1
Labor Union Contracts
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]  
Labor Union Contracts
Note 13—Labor Union Contracts

As of March 31, 2025, approximately 21% of our employees were represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA) or the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). Approximately 90% of our represented employees are subject to collective bargaining agreements that are scheduled to expire over the 12-month period ending March 31, 2026.
v3.25.1
Pay vs Performance Disclosure - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
Mar. 31, 2024
Pay vs Performance Disclosure    
Net (loss) income $ (201) $ 57
v3.25.1
Insider Trading Arrangements
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
Trading Arrangements, by Individual  
Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted false
Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted false
Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated false
Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated false
v3.25.1
Background (Policies)
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation
Basis of Presentation

Our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2024, 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 note 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 U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). However, in our opinion, the disclosures made therein are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. We believe 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 three 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, 2024.

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 financing activities.
Reclassification We reclassified certain prior period amounts to conform to the current period presentation, including the recategorization of our Business revenue by product category and sales channel in our segment reporting.
Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Pronouncements
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Segments

We adopted Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2023-07, “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures” for the year ended December 31, 2024. This ASU is intended to improve reportable segment disclosure requirements primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. The ASU does not change how a public entity identifies its operating segments, aggregates them, or applies quantitative thresholds to determine reportable segments. Refer to Note 9—Segment Information for more information on our segment reporting.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-04, "Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20): Induced Conversions of Convertible Debt Instruments." This ASU clarifies the requirements for determining whether certain settlements of convertible debt instruments should be accounted for as induced conversions rather than as debt extinguishments. This standard is effective for the annual period of fiscal 2026 and early adoption is permitted. As of March 31, 2025, we did not have any outstanding convertible debt instruments and do not expect this ASU will have any impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, "Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses." This ASU requires additional footnote disclosure of the details of certain income statement expense line items as well as additional disclosure about selling expenses. This standard is effective for the annual period of fiscal 2027 and early adoption is permitted. The guidance is to be applied prospectively, with the option for retrospective application. We are currently evaluating the impact the adoption of this standard will have on our disclosures.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures.” This ASU requires that public business entities must annually (1) disclose specific categories in the rate reconciliation and (2) provide additional information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold (if the effect of those reconciling items is equal to or greater than five percent of the amount computed by multiplying pretax income or loss by the applicable statutory income tax rate). This ASU becomes effective for us for the annual period of fiscal 2025. We do not anticipate early adoption and expect the Income Taxes footnote to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of Part II of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 will align with the standard. We do not anticipate this standard will affect our operating results.
v3.25.1
Goodwill, Customer Relationships and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]  
Schedule of Intangible Assets and Goodwill
Goodwill, customer relationships and other intangible assets consisted of the following:

March 31, 2025
December 31, 2024
(Dollars in millions)
Goodwill$1,964 1,964 
Indefinite-lived intangible assets$— 9 
Other intangible assets subject to amortization: 
Customer relationships, less accumulated amortization of $4,499 and $4,504(1)
3,048 3,196 
Capitalized software, less accumulated amortization of $3,776 and $4,067(1)
1,544 1,529 
Patents and other, less accumulated amortization of $89 and $86
68 72 
Total other intangible assets, net$4,660 4,806 
______________________________________________________________________
(1)    Certain customer relationships with a gross carrying value of $161 million and capitalized software with a gross carrying value of $211 million became fully amortized during 2024 and were retired during the first quarter of 2025.
v3.25.1
Revenue Recognition (Tables)
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]  
Schedule of Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services
The following tables provide total revenue by segment, sales channel and product category. They also provide the amount of revenue that is not subject to Accounting Standards Codification "ASC" 606, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" ("ASC 606"), but is instead governed by other accounting standards.
Three Months Ended March 31, 2025
Total Revenue
Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue (1)
Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers
(Dollars in millions)
Business Segment by Sales Channel and Product Category
Large Enterprise
Grow$416 (87)329 
Nurture203 — 203 
Harvest79 — 79 
Other39 — 39 
Total Large Enterprise Revenue737 (87)650 
Mid-Market Enterprise
Grow259 (7)252 
Nurture165 — 165 
Harvest79 (1)78 
Other10 — 10 
Total Mid-Market Enterprise Revenue513 (8)505 
Public Sector
Grow159 (24)135 
Nurture84 — 84 
Harvest108 — 108 
Other132 — 132 
Total Public Sector Revenue483 (24)459 
Wholesale
Grow265 (75)190 
Nurture177 (6)171 
Harvest260 (34)226 
Other3 — 3 
Total Wholesale Revenue705 (115)590 
International and Other
Grow37 (1)36 
Nurture37 — 37 
Harvest8 — 8 
Other4 — 4 
Total International and Other86 (1)85 
Business Segment by Product Category
Grow1,136 (194)942 
Nurture666 (6)660 
Harvest534 (35)499 
Other188 — 188 
Total Business Segment Revenue2,524 (235)2,289 
Mass Markets Segment by Product Category
Fiber Broadband209 (3)206 
Other Broadband257 (24)233 
Voice and Other192 (9)183 
Total Mass Markets Revenue658 (36)622 
Total Revenue$3,182 (271)2,911 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2024
Total Revenue
Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue (1)
Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers
(Dollars in millions)
Business Segment by Sales Channel and Product Category
Large Enterprise
Grow$378 (49)329 
Nurture241 — 241 
Harvest103 — 103 
Other43 (1)42 
Total Large Enterprise Revenue765 (50)715 
Mid-Market Enterprise
Grow256 (6)250 
Nurture213 — 213 
Harvest98 (1)97 
Other10 (1)9 
Total Mid-Market Enterprise Revenue577 (8)569 
Public Sector
Grow125 (21)104 
Nurture88 — 88 
Harvest94 (1)93 
Other114 — 114 
Total Public Sector Revenue421 (22)399 
Wholesale
Grow260 (62)198 
Nurture192 (7)185 
Harvest276 (38)238 
Other3 — 3 
Total Wholesale Revenue731 (107)624 
International and Other
Grow40 (1)39 
Nurture42 — 42 
Harvest11 — 11 
Other4 — 4 
Total International and Other97 (1)96 
Business Segment by Product Category
Grow1,059 (139)920 
Nurture776 (7)769 
Harvest582 (40)542 
Other174 (2)172 
Total Business Segment Revenue2,591 (188)2,403 
Mass Markets Segment by Product Category
Fiber Broadband170 (4)166 
Other Broadband315 (28)287 
Voice and Other214 (9)205 
Total Mass Markets Revenue699 (41)658 
Total Revenue$3,290 (229)3,061 
____________________________________________________________________
(1)Includes regulatory revenue and lease revenue not within the scope of ASC 606.
Schedule of Contract with Customer, Asset and Liability
The following table provides balances of customer receivables, contract assets, and contract liabilities:

March 31, 2025December 31, 2024
 (Dollars in millions)
Customer receivables, less allowance of $44 and $50
$1,136 1,193 
Contract assets
18 19 
Contract liabilities
696 733 
Schedule of Capitalized Contract Cost
The following tables provide changes in our contract acquisition costs and fulfillment costs:

Three Months Ended March 31, 2025
Acquisition CostsFulfillment Costs
(Dollars in millions)
Beginning of period balance
$203 222 
Costs incurred40 51 
Amortization(33)(37)
End of period balance
$210 236 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2024
Acquisition CostsFulfillment Costs
(Dollars in millions)
Beginning of period balance
$182 184 
Costs incurred33 36 
Amortization(33)(31)
End of period balance
$182 189 
v3.25.1
Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities (Tables)
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]  
Schedule of Long-term Debt Including Unamortized Discounts and Premiums
The following table reflects the consolidated long-term debt of Lumen Technologies, Inc. and its subsidiaries as of the dates indicated below, including unamortized premiums (discounts) and unamortized debt issuance costs:

Interest Rates(1)
Maturities(1)
March 31, 2025December 31, 2024
   (Dollars in millions)
Senior Secured Debt: (2)
Lumen Technologies, Inc.
Series A Revolving Credit Facility
SOFR + 4.00%
2028$— — 
Series B Revolving Credit Facility
SOFR + 6.00%
2028— — 
Term Loan A(3)
SOFR + 6.00%
2028352 357 
Term Loan B-1(4)
SOFR + 2.35%
20291,602 1,606 
Term Loan B-2(4)
SOFR + 2.35%
20301,602 1,606 
Term Loan B(5)
SOFR + 2.25%
202756 56 
Superpriority Notes
4.125% - 10.000%
2029 - 2032
1,247 1,247 
Subsidiaries
Level 3 Financing, Inc.
Term Loan B-1(6)
N/A
N/A
— 1,199 
Term Loan B-2(6)
N/A
N/A
— 1,199 
Term Loan B-3(7)
SOFR + 4.25%
20322,400 — 
Former Facility Tranche B Term Loan(8)
SOFR + 1.75%
202712 12 
First Lien Notes(9)
10.500% - 11.000%
2029 - 2030
3,846 3,846 
Second Lien Notes
3.875% - 10.000%
2029 - 2032
2,579 2,579 
Unsecured Senior Notes and Other Debt:
    
Lumen Technologies, Inc.
Senior notes
4.500% - 7.650%
2028 - 2042
1,296 1,428 
Subsidiaries:
Level 3 Financing, Inc.
Senior notes
3.625% - 4.250%
2028 - 2029
894 964 
Qwest Corporation
Senior notes
6.500% - 7.750%
2025 - 2057
1,973 1,973 
Qwest Capital Funding, Inc.
Senior notes
6.875% - 7.750%
2028 - 2031
192 192 
Finance lease and other obligationsVariousVarious250 254 
Unamortized discounts, net  (412)(395)
Unamortized debt issuance costs(225)(217)
Total long-term debt  17,664 17,906 
Less current maturities   (330)(412)
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities  $17,334 17,494 
______________________________________________________________________ 
(1)As of March 31, 2025. All references to "SOFR" refer to the Secured Overnight Financing Rate.
(2)The debt listed under the caption “Senior Secured Debt” is either secured by assets of the issuer, guaranteed on a secured or unsecured basis by certain affiliates of the issuer, or both.
(3)Term Loan A had an interest rate of 10.324% and 10.573% as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.
(4)Term Loan B-1 and B-2 each had an interest rate of 6.788% and 7.037% as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.
(5)Term Loan B had an interest rate of 6.688% and 6.937% as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.
(6)Level 3 Financing's Term Loan B-1 and B-2 each had an interest rate composition of SOFR + 6.56% which was 11.133% as of December 31, 2024.
(7)Level 3 Financing's Term Loan B-3 had an interest rate of 8.574% as of March 31, 2025.
(8)Level 3 Financing's Former Facility Tranche B 2027 Term Loan had an interest rate of 6.188% and 6.437% as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.
(9)Reflects Level 3 Financing's senior secured notes issued in early 2023 and first lien notes issued on March 22, 2024.
Schedule of Maturities of Long-Term Debt
Set forth below is the aggregate principal amount of our long-term debt as of March 31, 2025 (excluding unamortized discounts, net, and unamortized debt issuance costs), maturing during the following years.

 (Dollars in millions)
2025 (remaining nine months)$307 
202689 
2027139 
2028739 
20296,004 
2030 and thereafter11,023 
Total long-term debt$18,301 
Schedule of Redemptions of Debt
The following table sets forth the aggregate principal amount of each series of unsecured senior notes of Lumen and Level 3 Financing fully redeemed in exchange for cash on February 15, 2025. Transaction fees related to these redemptions were not significant.

Debt
Aggregate Principal Amount (in millions)
Lumen Technologies, Inc.
5.625% unsecured Senior Notes due 2025
$55 
7.200% unsecured Senior Notes due 2025
29 
5.125% unsecured Senior Notes due 2026
7 
4.000% unsecured Senior Notes due 2027
41 
Level 3 Financing, Inc.
3.400% unsecured Senior Notes due 2027
5 
4.625% unsecured Senior Notes due 2027
65 
Total
$202 
v3.25.1
Severance (Tables)
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]  
Schedule of Changes in Accrued Liabilities for Severance Expenses
Changes in our accrued liabilities for severance expenses were as follows:

Severance

(Dollars in millions)
Balance at December 31, 2024$12 
Accrued to expense11 
Payments, net(10)
Balance at March 31, 2025$13 
v3.25.1
Employee Benefits (Tables)
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]  
Schedule of Components of Net Periodic Pension Benefit Expense and Post-retirement Benefit Expense
Net periodic benefit expense for the Lumen Combined Pension Plan (the "Combined Pension Plan" or the "Plan") includes the following components:

Combined Pension Plan
 Three Months Ended March 31,
2025
2024
 (Dollars in millions)
Service cost$5 6 
Interest cost60 63 
Expected return on plan assets(63)(67)
Recognition of prior service credit— (2)
Recognition of actuarial loss35 28 
Net periodic pension expense$37 28 


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

 Post-Retirement Benefit Plans
 Three Months Ended March 31,
 20252024
 (Dollars in millions)
Service cost$1 1 
Interest cost22 23 
Recognition of prior service credit(2)(2)
Recognition of actuarial gain(6)(4)
Net periodic post-retirement benefit expense$15 18 
v3.25.1
(Loss) Earnings Per Common Share (Tables)
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]  
Schedule of Basic and Diluted (Loss) Earnings Per Common Share
Basic and diluted (loss) earnings per common share for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 were calculated as follows:

 Three Months Ended March 31,
 20252024
 (Dollars in millions, except per share amounts, shares in thousands)
(Loss) Income (numerator)
Net (loss) income$(201)57 
Net (loss) income applicable to common stock for computing basic (loss) earnings per common share(201)57 
Net (loss) income as adjusted for purposes of computing diluted (loss) earnings per common share$(201)57 
Shares (denominator):
Weighted-average number of shares:
Outstanding during period1,018,252 1,011,350 
Non-vested restricted stock(26,983)(26,495)
Weighted average shares outstanding for computing basic (loss) earnings per common share991,269 984,855 
Incremental common shares attributable to dilutive securities:
Shares issuable under convertible securities— 10 
Shares issuable under incentive compensation plans— 1,397 
Number of shares as adjusted for purposes of computing diluted (loss) earnings per common share991,269 986,262 
Basic (loss) earnings per common share$(0.20)0.06 
Diluted (loss) earnings per common share(1)
$(0.20)0.06 
______________________________________________________________________ 
(1)For the three months ended March 31, 2025, we excluded from the calculation of diluted loss per share 12 million shares, potentially issuable under incentive compensation plans or convertible securities, as their effect, if included, would have been anti-dilutive due to our net loss position.
v3.25.1
Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Schedule of Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques
The three input levels in the hierarchy of fair value measurements are defined by the FASB generally as follows:

Input LevelDescription of Input
Level 1Observable inputs such as quoted market prices in active markets.
Level 2Inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable.
Level 3Unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists.
Schedule of Carrying Amounts and Estimated Fair Values of Financial Assets and Liabilities
The following table presents the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of our financial assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024:

  March 31, 2025December 31, 2024
 Input
Level		Carrying
Amount		Fair
Value		Carrying
Amount		Fair
Value
 (Dollars in millions)
Long-term debt, excluding finance lease and other obligations
2$17,414 16,740 17,652 17,127 
Indemnifications related to the sale of the Latin American business(1)
387 8487 84 
______________________________________________________________________
(1)Nonrecurring fair value is measured as of August 1, 2022.
v3.25.1
Segment Information (Tables)
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
Segment Reporting [Abstract]  
Schedule of Segment Results
The following tables summarize our segment results for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, based on the segment categorization we were operating under at March 31, 2025.

Three Months Ended March 31, 2025
BusinessMass Markets
(Dollars in millions)
Segment revenue$2,524 658 
Segment expenses
Cost of services and products738 14 
Headcount costs
286 150 
Non-headcount costs
334 113 
Total segment expense1,358 277 
Total segment adjusted EBITDA$1,166 381 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2024
BusinessMass Markets
(Dollars in millions)
Segment revenue$2,591 699 
Segment expenses
Cost of services and products738 17 
Headcount costs
344 167 
Non-headcount costs
341 132 
Total segment expense1,423 316 
Total segment adjusted EBITDA$1,168 383 
Schedule of Reconciliation of Segment Adjusted EBITDA to Net (Loss) Income
The following table reconciles total segment adjusted EBITDA to net (loss) income for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024:

 Three Months Ended March 31,
 20252024
 (Dollars in millions)
Total segment adjusted EBITDA$1,547 1,551 
Depreciation and amortization(713)(748)
Other unallocated expense(717)(744)
Stock-based compensation expense(10)(14)
Operating income107 45 
Total other (expense) income, net(352)57 
(Loss) income before taxes(245)102 
Income tax (benefit) expense(44)45 
Net (loss) income$(201)57 
v3.25.1
Other Financial Information (Tables)
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]  
Schedule of Components of Other Current Assets, Net
The following table presents details of other current assets, net reflected on our consolidated balance sheets:

March 31, 2025December 31, 2024
(Dollars in millions)
Prepaid expenses$411 372 
Income tax receivable384 483 
Materials, supplies and inventory124 146 
Contract assets16 16 
Contract acquisition costs104 102 
Contract fulfillment costs117 109 
Assets held for sale24 24 
Other17 22 
Total other current assets, net
$1,197 1,274 
v3.25.1
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]  
Schedule of the Entity's Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss by Component
The table below summarizes changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss recorded on our consolidated balance sheet by component for the three months ended March 31, 2025:

Pension PlansPost-Retirement Benefit PlansForeign Currency Translation Adjustment and OtherTotal
 (Dollars in millions)
Balance at December 31, 2024$(1,003)320 (40)(723)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications— — 3 3 
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss26 (6)— 20 
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)26 (6)3 23 
Balance at March 31, 2025$(977)314 (37)(700)
The table below summarizes changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss recorded on our consolidated balance sheets by component for the three months ended March 31, 2024:

Pension PlansPost-Retirement Benefit PlansForeign Currency Translation Adjustment and OtherTotal
 (Dollars in millions)
Balance at December 31, 2023$(1,045)276 (41)(810)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications
— — (4)(4)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss20 (5)— 15 
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)20 (5)(4)11 
Balance at March 31, 2024$(1,025)271 (45)(799)
Schedule of Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss by Component
The table below presents further information about our reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss by component for the three months ended March 31, 2025:

Three Months Ended March 31, 2025Decrease (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$29 Other income, net
Prior service credit(2)Other income, net
Total before tax27  
Income tax benefit(7)Income tax (benefit) expense
Net of tax$20  
________________________________________________________________________
(1)See Note 6—Employee Benefits for additional information on our net periodic benefit expense related to our pension and post-retirement plans.
The table below presents further information about our reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss by component for the three months ended March 31, 2024:


Three Months Ended March 31, 2024Decrease (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$24 Other income, net
Prior service credit(4)Other income, net
Total before tax20  
Income tax benefit(5)Income tax (benefit) expense
Net of tax$15  
________________________________________________________________________
(1)See Note 6—Employee Benefits for additional information on our net periodic benefit expense related to our pension and post-retirement plans.
v3.25.1
Goodwill, Customer Relationships and Other Intangible Assets - Goodwill, Customer Relationships, and Other Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Mar. 31, 2025
Dec. 31, 2024
Goodwill [Line Items]    
Goodwill $ 1,964 $ 1,964
Indefinite-lived intangible assets 0 9
Total other intangible assets, net 4,660 4,806
Customer Relationships    
Goodwill [Line Items]    
Other intangible assets subject to amortization 3,048 3,196
Accumulated amortization 4,499 4,504
Capitalized Software    
Goodwill [Line Items]    
Other intangible assets subject to amortization 1,544 1,529
Accumulated amortization 3,776 4,067
Patents and Other    
Goodwill [Line Items]    
Other intangible assets subject to amortization 68 72
Accumulated amortization $ 89 86
Fully Amortized and Retired Customer Relationships    
Goodwill [Line Items]    
Gross carrying value   161
Fully Amortized and Retired Capitalized Software    
Goodwill [Line Items]    
Gross carrying value   $ 211
v3.25.1
Goodwill, Customer Relationships and Other Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Details)
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
USD ($)
reporting_unit
segment
Mar. 31, 2024
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2024
USD ($)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]      
Intangible assets, gross (including goodwill) $ 15,000,000,000.0   $ 15,400,000,000
Number of reportable segments | segment 2    
Goodwill $ 1,964,000,000   1,964,000,000
Accumulated impairment losses $ 21,700,000,000   21,700,000,000
Number of reporting units | reporting_unit 3    
Goodwill impairment $ 0    
Amortization of intangible assets 252,000,000 $ 272,000,000  
Business      
Goodwill [Roll Forward]      
Goodwill 0   0
Mass Markets      
Goodwill [Roll Forward]      
Goodwill $ 2,000,000,000   $ 2,000,000,000
v3.25.1
Revenue Recognition - Revenue by Segment, Sales Channel and Product Category (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
Mar. 31, 2024
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Total Revenue $ 3,182 $ 3,290
Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue (271) (229)
Total revenue from Contracts with Customers 2,911 3,061
Business    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Total Revenue 2,524 2,591
Mass Markets    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Total Revenue 658 699
Operating Segments | Business    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Total Revenue 2,524 2,591
Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue (235) (188)
Total revenue from Contracts with Customers 2,289 2,403
Operating Segments | Mass Markets    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Total Revenue 658 699
Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue (36) (41)
Total revenue from Contracts with Customers 622 658
Operating Segments | Large Enterprise | Business    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Total Revenue 737 765
Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue (87) (50)
Total revenue from Contracts with Customers 650 715
Operating Segments | Mid-Market Enterprise | Business    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Total Revenue 513 577
Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue (8) (8)
Total revenue from Contracts with Customers 505 569
Operating Segments | Public Sector | Business    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Total Revenue 483 421
Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue (24) (22)
Total revenue from Contracts with Customers 459 399
Operating Segments | Wholesale | Business    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Total Revenue 705 731
Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue (115) (107)
Total revenue from Contracts with Customers 590 624
Operating Segments | International and Other | Business    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Total Revenue 86 97
Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue (1) (1)
Total revenue from Contracts with Customers 85 96
Operating Segments | Grow | Business    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Total Revenue 1,136 1,059
Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue (194) (139)
Total revenue from Contracts with Customers 942 920
Operating Segments | Grow | Large Enterprise | Business    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Total Revenue 416 378
Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue (87) (49)
Total revenue from Contracts with Customers 329 329
Operating Segments | Grow | Mid-Market Enterprise | Business    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Total Revenue 259 256
Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue (7) (6)
Total revenue from Contracts with Customers 252 250
Operating Segments | Grow | Public Sector | Business    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Total Revenue 159 125
Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue (24) (21)
Total revenue from Contracts with Customers 135 104
Operating Segments | Grow | Wholesale | Business    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Total Revenue 265 260
Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue (75) (62)
Total revenue from Contracts with Customers 190 198
Operating Segments | Grow | International and Other | Business    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Total Revenue 37 40
Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue (1) (1)
Total revenue from Contracts with Customers 36 39
Operating Segments | Nurture | Business    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Total Revenue 666 776
Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue (6) (7)
Total revenue from Contracts with Customers 660 769
Operating Segments | Nurture | Large Enterprise | Business    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Total Revenue 203 241
Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue 0 0
Total revenue from Contracts with Customers 203 241
Operating Segments | Nurture | Mid-Market Enterprise | Business    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Total Revenue 165 213
Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue 0 0
Total revenue from Contracts with Customers 165 213
Operating Segments | Nurture | Public Sector | Business    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Total Revenue 84 88
Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue 0 0
Total revenue from Contracts with Customers 84 88
Operating Segments | Nurture | Wholesale | Business    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Total Revenue 177 192
Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue (6) (7)
Total revenue from Contracts with Customers 171 185
Operating Segments | Nurture | International and Other | Business    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Total Revenue 37 42
Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue 0 0
Total revenue from Contracts with Customers 37 42
Operating Segments | Harvest | Business    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Total Revenue 534 582
Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue (35) (40)
Total revenue from Contracts with Customers 499 542
Operating Segments | Harvest | Large Enterprise | Business    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Total Revenue 79 103
Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue 0 0
Total revenue from Contracts with Customers 79 103
Operating Segments | Harvest | Mid-Market Enterprise | Business    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Total Revenue 79 98
Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue (1) (1)
Total revenue from Contracts with Customers 78 97
Operating Segments | Harvest | Public Sector | Business    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Total Revenue 108 94
Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue 0 (1)
Total revenue from Contracts with Customers 108 93
Operating Segments | Harvest | Wholesale | Business    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Total Revenue 260 276
Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue (34) (38)
Total revenue from Contracts with Customers 226 238
Operating Segments | Harvest | International and Other | Business    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Total Revenue 8 11
Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue 0 0
Total revenue from Contracts with Customers 8 11
Operating Segments | Other | Business    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Total Revenue 188 174
Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue 0 (2)
Total revenue from Contracts with Customers 188 172
Operating Segments | Other | Large Enterprise | Business    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Total Revenue 39 43
Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue 0 (1)
Total revenue from Contracts with Customers 39 42
Operating Segments | Other | Mid-Market Enterprise | Business    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Total Revenue 10 10
Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue 0 (1)
Total revenue from Contracts with Customers 10 9
Operating Segments | Other | Public Sector | Business    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Total Revenue 132 114
Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue 0 0
Total revenue from Contracts with Customers 132 114
Operating Segments | Other | Wholesale | Business    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Total Revenue 3 3
Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue 0 0
Total revenue from Contracts with Customers 3 3
Operating Segments | Other | International and Other | Business    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Total Revenue 4 4
Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue 0 0
Total revenue from Contracts with Customers 4 4
Operating Segments | Fiber Broadband | Mass Markets    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Total Revenue 209 170
Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue (3) (4)
Total revenue from Contracts with Customers 206 166
Operating Segments | Other Broadband | Mass Markets    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Total Revenue 257 315
Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue (24) (28)
Total revenue from Contracts with Customers 233 287
Operating Segments | Voice and Other | Mass Markets    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Total Revenue 192 214
Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue (9) (9)
Total revenue from Contracts with Customers $ 183 $ 205
v3.25.1
Revenue Recognition - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
Mar. 31, 2024
Dec. 31, 2024
Dec. 31, 2023
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]        
Operating Lease, Lease Income, Statement of Income or Comprehensive Income [Extensible Enumeration] OPERATING REVENUE OPERATING REVENUE    
Lease revenue $ 262 $ 221    
Percent of operating revenue 8.00% 7.00%    
Revenue recognized $ 294 $ 300    
Contract liabilities     $ 733 $ 698
Minimum        
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]        
Contract term 1 year      
Maximum        
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]        
Contract term 5 years      
Weighted Average | Mass Market Customers        
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]        
Length of customer life 47 months      
Weighted Average | Business Customers        
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]        
Length of customer life 34 months      
v3.25.1
Revenue Recognition - Contract with Customer, Asset and Liability (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Mar. 31, 2025
Dec. 31, 2024
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]    
Customer receivables, less allowance of $44 and $50 $ 1,136 $ 1,193
Contract assets 18 19
Contract liabilities 696 733
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable $ 44 $ 50
v3.25.1
Revenue Recognition - Remaining Performance Obligation (Details)
$ in Billions
Mar. 31, 2025
USD ($)
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]  
Remaining performance obligation $ 6.1
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2025-04-01  
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]  
Remaining performance obligation $ 2.2
Remaining performance obligation, satisfaction period 9 months
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2026-01-01  
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]  
Remaining performance obligation $ 1.9
Remaining performance obligation, satisfaction period 1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2027-01-01  
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]  
Remaining performance obligation $ 2.0
Remaining performance obligation, satisfaction period 1 year
v3.25.1
Revenue Recognition - Capitalized Contract Costs (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
Mar. 31, 2024
Acquisition Costs    
Capitalized Contract Cost [Roll Forward]    
Beginning of period balance $ 203 $ 182
Costs incurred 40 33
Amortization (33) (33)
End of period balance 210 182
Fulfillment Costs    
Capitalized Contract Cost [Roll Forward]    
Beginning of period balance 222 184
Costs incurred 51 36
Amortization (37) (31)
End of period balance $ 236 $ 189
v3.25.1
Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities - Long Term Debt (Details)
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
USD ($)
subsidiary
Dec. 31, 2024
USD ($)
Mar. 27, 2025
USD ($)
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]      
Number of subsidiaries | subsidiary 3    
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities      
Finance lease and other obligations $ 250,000,000 $ 254,000,000  
Unamortized discounts, net (412,000,000) (395,000,000)  
Unamortized debt issuance costs (225,000,000) (217,000,000)  
Total long-term debt 17,664,000,000 17,906,000,000  
Less current maturities (330,000,000) (412,000,000)  
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities $ 17,334,000,000 17,494,000,000  
Line of Credit | Series A Revolving Credit Facility      
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities      
Basis spread (as a percent) 4.00%    
Long-term debt, gross $ 0 0  
Line of Credit | Series B Revolving Credit Facility      
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities      
Basis spread (as a percent) 6.00%    
Long-term debt, gross $ 0 0  
Term Loan | Term Loan A      
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities      
Basis spread (as a percent) 6.00%    
Long-term debt, gross $ 352,000,000 $ 357,000,000  
Long-term debt, weighted average interest rate 10.324% 10.573%  
Term Loan | Term Loan B-1      
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities      
Basis spread (as a percent) 2.35%    
Long-term debt, gross $ 1,602,000,000 $ 1,606,000,000  
Long-term debt, weighted average interest rate   7.037%  
Term Loan | Term Loan B-1 | Level 3 Financing, Inc.      
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities      
Basis spread (as a percent)   6.56%  
Long-term debt, gross $ 0 $ 1,199,000,000  
Long-term debt, weighted average interest rate   11.133%  
Term Loan | Term Loan B-2      
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities      
Basis spread (as a percent) 2.35%    
Long-term debt, gross $ 1,602,000,000 $ 1,606,000,000  
Long-term debt, weighted average interest rate 6.788%    
Term Loan | Term Loan B-2 | Level 3 Financing, Inc.      
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities      
Basis spread (as a percent)   6.56%  
Long-term debt, gross $ 0 $ 1,199,000,000  
Long-term debt, weighted average interest rate   11.133%  
Term Loan | Term Loan B      
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities      
Basis spread (as a percent) 2.25%    
Long-term debt, gross $ 56,000,000 $ 56,000,000  
Long-term debt, weighted average interest rate 6.688% 6.937%  
Term Loan | Term Loan B-3 | Level 3 Financing, Inc.      
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities      
Basis spread (as a percent) 4.25%    
Long-term debt, gross $ 2,400,000,000 $ 0 $ 2,400,000,000
Long-term debt, weighted average interest rate 8.574%    
Term Loan | Tranche B 2027 Term Loan | Level 3 Financing, Inc.      
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities      
Basis spread (as a percent) 1.75%    
Long-term debt, gross $ 12,000,000 $ 12,000,000  
Long-term debt, weighted average interest rate 6.188% 6.437%  
Senior Notes | Superpriority Notes Due on Various Dates      
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities      
Long-term debt, gross $ 1,247,000,000 $ 1,247,000,000  
Senior Notes | Superpriority Notes Due on Various Dates | Minimum      
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities      
Stated interest rate 4.125%    
Senior Notes | Superpriority Notes Due on Various Dates | Maximum      
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities      
Stated interest rate 10.00%    
Senior Notes | First Lien Notes | Level 3 Financing, Inc.      
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities      
Long-term debt, gross $ 3,846,000,000 3,846,000,000  
Senior Notes | First Lien Notes | Level 3 Financing, Inc. | Minimum      
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities      
Stated interest rate 10.50%    
Senior Notes | First Lien Notes | Level 3 Financing, Inc. | Maximum      
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities      
Stated interest rate 11.00%    
Senior Notes | Second Lien Notes | Level 3 Financing, Inc.      
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities      
Long-term debt, gross $ 2,579,000,000 2,579,000,000  
Senior Notes | Second Lien Notes | Level 3 Financing, Inc. | Minimum      
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities      
Stated interest rate 3.875%    
Senior Notes | Second Lien Notes | Level 3 Financing, Inc. | Maximum      
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities      
Stated interest rate 10.00%    
Senior Notes | Senior Notes Maturing 2028-2042      
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities      
Long-term debt, gross $ 1,296,000,000 1,428,000,000  
Senior Notes | Senior Notes Maturing 2028-2042 | Minimum      
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities      
Stated interest rate 4.50%    
Senior Notes | Senior Notes Maturing 2028-2042 | Maximum      
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities      
Stated interest rate 7.65%    
Senior Notes | Senior Notes Maturing 2028-2029 | Level 3 Financing, Inc.      
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities      
Long-term debt, gross $ 894,000,000 964,000,000  
Senior Notes | Senior Notes Maturing 2028-2029 | Level 3 Financing, Inc. | Minimum      
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities      
Stated interest rate 3.625%    
Senior Notes | Senior Notes Maturing 2028-2029 | Level 3 Financing, Inc. | Maximum      
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities      
Stated interest rate 4.25%    
Senior Notes | Senior Notes Maturing 2025-2057 | Qwest Corporation      
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities      
Long-term debt, gross $ 1,973,000,000 1,973,000,000  
Senior Notes | Senior Notes Maturing 2025-2057 | Qwest Corporation | Minimum      
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities      
Stated interest rate 6.50%    
Senior Notes | Senior Notes Maturing 2025-2057 | Qwest Corporation | Maximum      
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities      
Stated interest rate 7.75%    
Senior Notes | Senior Notes Maturing 2028-2031 | Qwest Capital Funding, Inc.      
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities      
Long-term debt, gross $ 192,000,000 $ 192,000,000  
Senior Notes | Senior Notes Maturing 2028-2031 | Qwest Capital Funding, Inc. | Minimum      
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities      
Stated interest rate 6.875%    
Senior Notes | Senior Notes Maturing 2028-2031 | Qwest Capital Funding, Inc. | Maximum      
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities      
Stated interest rate 7.75%    
v3.25.1
Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities - Long-Term Debt Maturities (Details)
$ in Millions
Mar. 31, 2025
USD ($)
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]  
2025 (remaining nine months) $ 307
2026 89
2027 139
2028 739
2029 6,004
2030 and thereafter 11,023
Total long-term debt $ 18,301
v3.25.1
Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities - Credit Facilities Transactions (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
Mar. 31, 2024
Mar. 27, 2025
Dec. 31, 2024
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities        
Net (loss) gain on early retirement of debt $ (35) $ 275    
Level 3 Financing, Inc. | Term Loan B-3 | Term Loan        
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities        
Long-term debt, gross 2,400   $ 2,400 $ 0
Net (loss) gain on early retirement of debt $ (35)      
v3.25.1
Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities - Redemptions (Details) - Senior Notes
$ in Millions
Feb. 15, 2025
USD ($)
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities  
Aggregate principal amount $ 202
5.625% unsecured Senior Notes due 2025  
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities  
Stated interest rate 5.625%
Aggregate principal amount $ 55
7.200% unsecured Senior Notes due 2025  
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities  
Stated interest rate 7.20%
Aggregate principal amount $ 29
5.125% unsecured Senior Notes due 2026  
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities  
Stated interest rate 5.125%
Aggregate principal amount $ 7
4.000% unsecured Senior Notes due 2027  
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities  
Stated interest rate 4.00%
Aggregate principal amount $ 41
3.400% unsecured Senior Notes due 2027 | Level 3 Financing, Inc.  
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities  
Stated interest rate 3.40%
Aggregate principal amount $ 5
4.625% unsecured Senior Notes due 2027 | Level 3 Financing, Inc.  
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities  
Stated interest rate 4.625%
Aggregate principal amount $ 65
v3.25.1
Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities - Lumen Credit Agreements (Details)
Mar. 22, 2024
credit_facility
Mar. 31, 2025
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2024
USD ($)
Series A Revolving Credit Facility      
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities      
Maximum borrowing capacity   $ 489,000,000  
Series B Revolving Credit Facility      
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities      
Maximum borrowing capacity   465,000,000  
Term Loan | Lumen TLA      
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities      
Debt instrument periodic payment (as a percent) 1.25%    
Term Loan | Lumen TLB      
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities      
Debt instrument periodic payment (as a percent) 0.25%    
Term Loan | Superpriority Secured Term Loan Facility      
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities      
Number of credit facilities | credit_facility 2    
Line of Credit | Series A Revolving Credit Facility      
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities      
Long-term debt, gross   0 $ 0
Line of Credit | Series B Revolving Credit Facility      
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities      
Long-term debt, gross   $ 0 $ 0
v3.25.1
Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities - Level 3 Financing Credit Agreement (Details) - Level 3 Financing, Inc. - Term Loan B-3 - Term Loan - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
Mar. 27, 2025
Dec. 31, 2024
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities      
Long-term debt, gross $ 2,400 $ 2,400 $ 0
Basis spread (as a percent) 4.25%    
Debt instrument, floor interest rate (as a percent) 0.50%    
Debt instrument, prepayment premium (as a percent) 1.00%    
Prepayment from net cash proceeds of certain asset sales (as a percent) 100.00%    
Prepayment from net cash proceeds of certain debt issuances (as a percent) 100.00%    
Federal Funds Rate      
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities      
Basis spread (as a percent) 0.50%    
One Month SOFR Rate      
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities      
Basis spread (as a percent) 1.00%    
SOFR      
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities      
Basis spread (as a percent) 4.25%    
v3.25.1
Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities - Revolving Letters of Credit (Details)
$ in Millions
Mar. 31, 2025
USD ($)
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities  
Letters of credit outstanding $ 234
Facility Maintained By a Subsidiary  
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities  
Letters of credit outstanding 3
Letter of Credit | Uncommitted Letter of Credit Facility  
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities  
Maximum borrowing capacity 225
Revolving Credit Facility  
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities  
Letters of credit outstanding $ 231
v3.25.1
Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities - Certain Guarantees and Security Interests (Details) - Financial Guarantee
$ in Millions
Mar. 31, 2025
USD ($)
Series A Revolving Credit Facility  
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities  
Guaranteed amount $ 150
Series B Revolving Credit Facility  
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities  
Guaranteed amount $ 150
v3.25.1
Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities - Covenants and Guarantees (Details)
$ in Millions
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
USD ($)
indenture
Letter of Credit | Uncommitted Letter of Credit Facility  
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities  
Maximum borrowing capacity | $ $ 225
Line of Credit and Term Loan | Minimum  
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities  
Interest coverage ratio 2.00
Senior Notes  
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities  
Number of indentures | indenture 4
Redemption price (as a percent) 101.00%
Senior Notes | Level 3 Financing, Inc.  
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities  
Redemption price (as a percent) 101.00%
Fiscal Quarter Ending After December 31, 2024 | Line of Credit and Term Loan  
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities  
Maximum total net leverage ratio 5.50
Fiscal Quarter Ending After December 31, 2025 | Line of Credit and Term Loan  
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities  
Maximum total net leverage ratio 5.25
v3.25.1
Severance - Accrued Liabilities for Severance Expenses (Details) - Severance
$ in Millions
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
USD ($)
Restructuring reserve  
Balance at the beginning of the period $ 12
Accrued to expense 11
Payments, net (10)
Balance at the end of the period $ 13
v3.25.1
Employee Benefits - Net Periodic Benefit (Income) Expense (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
Mar. 31, 2024
Combined Pension Plan    
Components of net periodic (benefit) expense    
Service cost $ 5 $ 6
Interest cost 60 63
Expected return on plan assets (63) (67)
Recognition of prior service credit 0 (2)
Recognition of actuarial (gain) loss 35 28
Net periodic expense 37 28
Post-Retirement Benefit Plans    
Components of net periodic (benefit) expense    
Service cost 1 1
Interest cost 22 23
Recognition of prior service credit (2) (2)
Recognition of actuarial (gain) loss (6) (4)
Net periodic expense $ 15 $ 18
v3.25.1
(Loss) Earnings Per Common Share (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Millions
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
Mar. 31, 2024
(Loss) Income (numerator)    
Net (loss) income $ (201) $ 57
Net (loss) income applicable to common stock for computing basic (loss) earnings per common share (201) 57
Net (loss) income as adjusted for purposes of computing diluted (loss) earnings per common share $ (201) $ 57
Weighted-average number of shares:    
Outstanding during period (in shares) 1,018,252 1,011,350
Non-vested restricted stock (in shares) (26,983) (26,495)
Weighted average shares outstanding for computing basic (loss) earnings per common share (in shares) 991,269 984,855
Incremental common shares attributable to dilutive securities:    
Shares issuable under convertible securities (in shares) 0 10
Shares issuable under incentive compensation plans (in shares) 0 1,397
Number of shares as adjusted for purposes of computing diluted (loss) earnings per common share (in shares) 991,269 986,262
Basic (loss) earnings per common share (in dollars per share) $ (0.20) $ 0.06
Diluted (loss) earnings per common share (in dollars per share) $ (0.20) $ 0.06
Stock compensation plan    
Incremental common shares attributable to dilutive securities:    
Number of shares of common stock excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share (in shares) 12,000  
Restricted stock    
Incremental common shares attributable to dilutive securities:    
Number of shares of common stock excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share (in shares) 13,500 20,200
v3.25.1
Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Carrying Amounts (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Mar. 31, 2025
Dec. 31, 2024
Fair Value Inputs, Level 2 | Carrying Amount    
Fair value disclosure    
Long-term debt, excluding finance lease and other obligations $ 17,414 $ 17,652
Fair Value Inputs, Level 2 | Fair Value    
Fair value disclosure    
Long-term debt, excluding finance lease and other obligations 16,740 17,127
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 | Carrying Amount    
Fair value disclosure    
Indemnifications related to the sale of the Latin American business 87 87
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 | Fair Value    
Fair value disclosure    
Indemnifications related to the sale of the Latin American business $ 84 $ 84
v3.25.1
Segment Information - Additional Information (Details)
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
sales_channel
segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]  
Number of operating segments | segment 2
Business  
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]  
Number of sales channels | sales_channel 5
v3.25.1
Segment Information - Segment Results and Operating Revenue (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
Mar. 31, 2024
Operating revenues by products and services    
Segment revenue $ 3,182 $ 3,290
Cost of services and products 1,687 1,652
Business    
Operating revenues by products and services    
Segment revenue 2,524 2,591
Cost of services and products 738 738
Headcount costs 286 344
Non-headcount costs 334 341
Total segment expense 1,358 1,423
Total segment adjusted EBITDA 1,166 1,168
Mass Markets    
Operating revenues by products and services    
Segment revenue 658 699
Cost of services and products 14 17
Headcount costs 150 167
Non-headcount costs 113 132
Total segment expense 277 316
Total segment adjusted EBITDA $ 381 $ 383
v3.25.1
Segment Information - Reconciliation (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
Mar. 31, 2024
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Depreciation and amortization $ (713) $ (748)
OPERATING INCOME 107 45
Total other (expense) income, net (352) 57
(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES (245) 102
Income tax (benefit) expense (44) 45
NET (LOSS) INCOME (201) 57
Operating Segments    
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Total segment adjusted EBITDA 1,547 1,551
Segment Reconciling Items    
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Depreciation and amortization (713) (748)
Other unallocated expense (717) (744)
Stock-based compensation expense (10) (14)
OPERATING INCOME 107 45
Total other (expense) income, net $ (352) $ 57
v3.25.1
Commitments, Contingencies and Other Items (Details)
 1 Months Ended 3 Months Ended
Dec. 30, 2021
People
lawsuit
Sep. 30, 2024
USD ($)
Jun. 30, 2023
USD ($)
Jun. 30, 2021
USD ($)
lawsuit
Dec. 31, 2020
USD ($)
Feb. 28, 2017
USD ($)
lawsuit
Mar. 31, 2025
USD ($)
lawsuit
patent
Dec. 31, 2024
USD ($)
Loss Contingencies                
Estimate of possible loss             $ 77,000,000 $ 78,000,000
Number of people killed in fire | People 2              
Number of patents allegedly infringed | patent             1  
Penalties for Violation of Washington Regulations and Laws Filed by Staff of WUTC                
Loss Contingencies                
Loss contingency, damages sought, value         $ 7,000,000      
Penalties Sought by Washington Attorneys General Office                
Loss Contingencies                
Loss contingency, damages sought, value         $ 27,000,000      
Penalties Sought for Violation of Regulations and Laws of WUTC                
Loss Contingencies                
Loss contingency, damages awarded, value     $ 1,000,000          
Unfavorable Regulatory Action                
Loss Contingencies                
Estimate of possible loss             $ 300,000  
Missouri Municipalities | Judicial Ruling                
Loss Contingencies                
Number of pending claims | lawsuit           1    
Litigation settlement amount           $ 4,000,000    
Peruvian Tax Litigation | Pending Litigation                
Loss Contingencies                
Number of pending claims | lawsuit       1        
Columbia and Joplin Municipalities | Judicial Ruling                
Loss Contingencies                
Litigation settlement amount       $ 55,000,000        
FCPA Litigation | Judicial Ruling | Statutory Damages                
Loss Contingencies                
Litigation settlement amount   $ 500            
FCPA Litigation | Judicial Ruling | Punitive Damages                
Loss Contingencies                
Litigation settlement amount   $ 2,000            
Marshall Fire Litigation | Pending Litigation                
Loss Contingencies                
Number of pending claims | lawsuit             3  
Number of lawsuits filed | lawsuit 300              
Marshall Fire Litigation | Pending Litigation | Minimum                
Loss Contingencies                
Estimate of possible loss             $ 2,000,000,000  
v3.25.1
Other Financial Information - Other Current Assets, Net (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Mar. 31, 2025
Dec. 31, 2024
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Abstract]    
Prepaid expenses $ 411 $ 372
Income tax receivable 384 483
Materials, supplies and inventory 124 146
Contract assets 16 16
Assets held for sale 24 24
Other 17 22
Total other current assets, net 1,197 1,274
Acquisition Costs    
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Abstract]    
Contract costs 104 102
Fulfillment Costs    
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Abstract]    
Contract costs $ 117 $ 109
v3.25.1
Other Financial Information - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
Dec. 31, 2024
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]    
Capital expenditures included in accounts payable $ 169 $ 248
v3.25.1
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - AOCI Activity (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
Mar. 31, 2024
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]    
Balance at beginning of period $ 464  
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications 3 $ (4)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss 20 15
Other comprehensive income 23 11
Balance at end of period 289 504
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss    
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]    
Balance at beginning of period (723) (810)
Other comprehensive income 23 11
Balance at end of period (700) (799)
Defined Benefit Plan | Pension Plans    
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]    
Balance at beginning of period (1,003) (1,045)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications 0 0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss 26 20
Other comprehensive income 26 20
Balance at end of period (977) (1,025)
Defined Benefit Plan | Post-Retirement Benefit Plans    
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]    
Balance at beginning of period 320 276
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications 0 0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss (6) (5)
Other comprehensive income (6) (5)
Balance at end of period 314 271
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment and Other    
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]    
Balance at beginning of period (40) (41)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications 3 (4)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss 0 0
Other comprehensive income 3 (4)
Balance at end of period $ (37) $ (45)
v3.25.1
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Reclassifications (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
Mar. 31, 2024
Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income loss by component    
Other income, net $ (30) $ (73)
Total before tax 245 (102)
Income tax (benefit) expense (44) 45
Net income (loss) 201 (57)
Decrease (Increase) in Net Income | Defined Benefit Plan    
Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income loss by component    
Total before tax 27 20
Income tax (benefit) expense (7) (5)
Net income (loss) 20 15
Decrease (Increase) in Net Income | Net actuarial loss    
Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income loss by component    
Other income, net 29 24
Decrease (Increase) in Net Income | Prior service credit    
Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income loss by component    
Other income, net $ (2) $ (4)
v3.25.1
Labor Union Contracts (Details) - Unionized Employees Concentration Risk
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
Total Number of Employees  
Concentration risk  
Concentration risk (as a percent) 21.00%
Workforce Subject to Collective Bargaining Arrangements Expiring within One Year  
Concentration risk  
Concentration risk (as a percent) 90.00%