XML 47 R36.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.20.2

Revenue Recognition - Capitalized Contract Costs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Sep. 30, 2020 | Sep. 30, 2019 | Sep. 30, 2020 | Sep. 30, 2019
Acquisition Costs |  |  |  |
Capitalized Contract Cost |  |  |  |
Beginning of period balance | $ 81 | $ 87 | $ 86 | $ 90
Costs incurred | 12 | 15 | 39 | 44
Amortization | (15) | (15) | (47) | (47)
End of period balance | 78 | 87 | 78 | 87
Fulfillment Costs |  |  |  |
Capitalized Contract Cost |  |  |  |
Beginning of period balance | 59 | 60 | 64 | 57
Costs incurred | 6 | 10 | 18 | 29
Amortization | (8) | (8) | (25) | (24)
End of period balance | $ 57 | $ 62 | $ 57 | $ 62

X
- Definition Capitalized Contract Cost, Incurred + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ctl_CapitalizedContractCostIncurred
Namespace Prefix: | ctl_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Capitalized Contract Cost [Roll Forward] + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ctl_CapitalizedContractCostRollForward
Namespace Prefix: | ctl_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of amortization expense for asset recognized from cost incurred to obtain or fulfill contract with customer. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 340 -SubTopic 40 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68051541&loc=SL49131252-203054 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostAmortization
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount, after accumulated amortization and accumulated impairment loss, of asset recognized from cost incurred to obtain or fulfill contract with customer. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 340 -SubTopic 40 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68051541&loc=SL49131252-203054 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostNet
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostAxis=ctl_ContractAcquisitionCostsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostAxis=ctl_ContractFulfillmentCostsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |