CTDD Qwest Corporation

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE: None.

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General

We are a facilities-based technology and communications company that provides a broad array of integrated communications products and services to our business and mass markets customers. Our specific products and services are detailed in Note 3—Revenue Recognition of this report.

We generate the majority of our total consolidated operating revenue from services provided in the 14-state region of Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. We refer to this region as our local service area.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include our accounts and the accounts of our subsidiaries. Intercompany amounts and transactions with our consolidated subsidiaries have been eliminated. Transactions with our non-consolidated affiliates (referred to herein as affiliates) have not been eliminated.

We reclassified certain prior period amounts to conform to the current period presentation, including our revenue by product and service categories. See Note 3—Revenue Recognition for additional information. These changes had no impact on total operating revenue, total operating expenses or net (loss) income for any period.

Operating Expenses

Our current definitions of operating expenses are as follows:

•Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) are expenses incurred in providing products and services to our customers. These expenses include: employee-related expenses directly attributable to operating and maintaining our network (such as salaries, wages, benefits and professional fees); facilities expenses (which include third-party telecommunications expenses we incur for using other carriers' networks to provide services to our customers); rents and utilities expenses; equipment sales expenses (such as data integration and modem expenses); and other expenses directly related to our operations; and

•Selling, general and administrative expenses are corporate overhead and other operating expenses. These expenses include: employee-related expenses (such as salaries, wages, internal commissions, benefits and professional fees) directly attributable to selling products or services and employee-related expenses for administrative functions; marketing and advertising; property and other operating taxes and fees; external commissions; litigation expenses associated with general matters; bad debt expense; and other selling, general and administrative expenses.

These expense classifications may not be comparable to those of other companies.

Segments

Our operations are integrated into and reported as part of Lumen Technologies. Lumen's chief operating decision maker ("CODM") is our CODM but reviews our financial information on an aggregate basis only in connection with our quarterly and annual reports that we file with the SEC. Consequently, we do not provide our discrete financial information to the CODM on a regular basis. As such, we have one reportable segment.

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Use of Estimates

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. These accounting principles require us to make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions. We believe that the estimates, judgments and assumptions we make when accounting for specific items and matters are reasonable, based on information available at the time they are made. These estimates, judgments and assumptions can materially affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and components of stockholder's equity as of the dates of the consolidated balance sheets, as well as the reported amounts of revenue, expenses and components of cash flows during the periods presented in our other consolidated financial statements. We also make estimates in our assessments of potential losses in relation to threatened or pending tax and legal matters. See Note 12—Income Taxes and Note 14—Commitments, Contingencies and Other Items for additional information.

For matters not related to income taxes, if a loss is considered probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated, we recognize an expense for the estimated loss. If we have the potential to recover a portion of the estimated loss from a third party, we make a separate assessment of recoverability and reduce the estimated loss if recovery is also deemed probable.

For matters related to income taxes, if we determine the impact of an uncertain tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant taxing authority, then we recognize a benefit for the largest amount that is more likely than not to be sustained. We do not recognize any portion of an uncertain tax position if the position has less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained. We recognize interest on the amount of unrecognized benefit from uncertain tax positions.

For all of these and other matters, actual results could differ materially from our estimates.

Revenue Recognition

We earn most of our consolidated revenue from contracts with customers, primarily through the provision of communications and other services. Revenue from contracts with customers is accounted for under Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 606. We also earn revenue from leasing arrangements (primarily fiber capacity agreements) and governmental subsidy payments, neither of which are accounted for under ASC 606.

Revenue is recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to our customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to receive in exchange for those goods or services. Revenue is recognized based on the following five-step model:

•Identification of the contract with a customer;

•Identification of the performance obligations in the contract;

•Determination of the transaction price;

•Allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and

•Recognition of revenue when, or as, we satisfy a performance obligation.

We provide an array of communications services to business and residential customers, including local voice, VPN, Ethernet, data, broadband, private line (including special access), network access, transport, voice, information technology, video and other ancillary services. We provide these services to a wide range of businesses, including global/international, enterprise, wholesale, government, and small and medium business customers. Certain contracts also include the sale of equipment, which is not significant to our business.

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We recognize revenue for services when we provide the applicable service or when control of a product is transferred. Recognition of certain payments received in advance of services being provided is deferred. These advance payments may include certain activation and certain installation charges. If the activation and installation charges are not separate performance obligations, we recognize them as revenue over the actual or expected contract term using historical experience, which typically ranges from one to five years depending on the service. In most cases, termination fees or other fees on existing contracts that are negotiated in conjunction with new contracts are deferred and recognized over the new contract term.

For access services, we generally bill fixed monthly charges one month in advance to customers and recognize revenue as service is provided over the contract term in alignment with the customer's receipt of service. For usage and other ancillary services, we generally bill in arrears and recognize revenue as usage or delivery occurs. In most cases, the amount invoiced for our service offerings constitutes the price that would be billed on a standalone basis.

In certain cases, customers may be permitted to modify their contracts. We evaluate the change in scope or price to identify whether the modification should be treated as a separate contract, as a termination of the existing contract and creation of a new contract, or as a change to the existing contract.

Customer contracts are evaluated to determine whether the performance obligations are separable. If the performance obligations are deemed separable and separate earnings processes exist, the total transaction price that we expect to receive with the customer is allocated to each performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price. The revenue associated with each performance obligation is then recognized as earned.

We periodically sell transmission capacity on our network. These transactions are generally structured as indefeasible rights of use, commonly referred to as IRUs, which are the exclusive right to use a specified amount of capacity or fiber for a specified term, typically 20 years. In most cases, we account for the cash consideration received on transfers of transmission capacity as ASC 606 revenue, which is adjusted for the time value of money and is recognized ratably over the term of the agreement. Cash consideration received on transfers of dark fiber is accounted for as non-ASC 606 lease revenue, which we also recognize ratably over the term of the agreement. We do not recognize revenue on any contemporaneous exchanges of our transmission capacity assets for other non-owned transmission capacity assets.

In connection with offering products and services provided to the end user by third-party vendors, we review the relationship between us, the vendor and the end user to assess whether revenue should be reported on a gross or net basis. In assessing whether revenue should be reported on a gross or net basis, we consider whether we act as a principal in the transaction and control the goods and services used to fulfill the performance obligations associated with the transaction.

We have service level commitments pursuant to contracts with certain of our customers. To the extent that we determine that such service levels were not achieved or may not have been achieved, we estimate the amount of credits to be issued and record a corresponding reduction to revenue in the period that the service level commitment was not met or may not be met.

Customer payments are made based on billing schedules included in our customer contracts, which is typically on a monthly basis.

We defer (or capitalize) incremental contract acquisition and fulfillment costs and recognize (or amortize) such costs over the average contract life. Our deferred contract costs for our customers have average amortization periods of approximately 36 months for mass markets customers and 33 months for business customers. These deferred costs are periodically monitored to reflect any significant change in assumptions.

See Note 3—Revenue Recognition for additional information.

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Affiliate Transactions

We provide to our affiliates telecommunications services that we also provide to external customers. In addition, we provide to our affiliates application development and support services. Services provided by us to our affiliates are recognized as operating revenue-affiliates in our consolidated statements of operations. We also purchase services from our affiliates including telecommunications services, marketing and employee-related support services. Services provided to us from our affiliates are recognized as operating expenses-affiliates on our consolidated statements of operations. Because of the significance of the services we provide to our affiliates and our affiliates provide to us, the results of operations, financial position and cash flows presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations, financial position and cash flows we would have achieved had we operated as a stand-alone entity during the periods presented.

We recognize intercompany charges at the amounts billed to us by our affiliates and we recognize intercompany revenue for services we bill to our affiliates. For additional information, see Note 13—Affiliate Transactions.

Our ultimate parent company, Lumen Technologies, Inc. has cash management arrangements or loan arrangements with a majority of its subsidiaries that include lines of credit, affiliate obligations, capital contributions and dividends. As part of these cash management arrangements, affiliates provide lines of credit to certain other affiliates. Amounts outstanding under these lines of credit and intercompany obligations vary from time to time. Under these arrangements, the majority of our cash balance is transferred on a daily basis for centralized management by Lumen's service company affiliate. From time to time, we may declare and pay dividends to QSC, our direct parent, using cash owed to us under these advances, which has the net effect of reducing the amount of these advances. We report the balance of these transfers on our consolidated balance sheet as advances to affiliates. Dividends paid are reflected on our consolidated statements of stockholder's equity and the consolidated statements of cash flows reflects the changes in advances to affiliates as investing activities and changes in advances from affiliates as financing activities. Interest is assessed on advances to and from affiliates using the current interest rate for our note payable-affiliate.

The affiliate obligations, net in current and noncurrent liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets primarily represents the cumulative allocation of expense, net of payments, associated with QCII’s pension plans and post-retirement benefits plans prior to the plan mergers. In 2015, we agreed to a plan to settle the outstanding affiliate obligations, net balance with QCII over a 30 year term. Under the plan, payments are scheduled to be made on a monthly basis. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, we made settlement payments of $57 million and $61 million, respectively, to QCII in accordance with the plan. Changes in the affiliate obligations, net are reflected in operating activities on our consolidated statements of cash flows.

In the normal course of business, we transfer assets to and from various affiliates through our parent, QSC, which are recorded through our equity. It is our policy to record asset transfers based on carrying values. These

transactions may reduce our capital resources for debt repayments and other purposes.

On September 30, 2022, Qwest Corporation repaid the outstanding principal and interest on the Note Payable - Affiliate to an affiliate of our ultimate parent company, Lumen Technologies, Inc., under a revolving promissory note. For additional information, see "Note Payable - Affiliate" in Note 6—Long-Term Debt and Note Payable - Affiliate.

Advertising Costs

Costs related to advertising are expensed as incurred and recorded as selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of operations. Our advertising expense was $17 million, $26 million and $24 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Legal Costs

In the normal course of our business, we incur costs to hire and retain external legal counsel to advise us on finance, regulatory, litigation and other matters. Subject to certain exceptions, we expense these costs as the related services are received.

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Income Taxes

Our results are included in the Lumen Technologies consolidated federal income tax return and certain combined state income tax returns. Lumen Technologies allocates income tax expense to us based upon a separate return method which results in income tax expense that approximates the expense that would result if we were a stand-alone entity. Our reported deferred tax assets and liabilities, as discussed below and in Note 12—Income Taxes, are primarily determined as a result of the application of the separate return method and therefore the settlement of these amounts is dependent upon our parent, Lumen Technologies, Inc., rather than tax authorities.

The provision for income taxes consists of an amount for taxes currently payable, an amount for tax consequences deferred to future periods and adjustments to our liabilities for uncertain tax positions. We record deferred income tax assets and liabilities reflecting future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying value of assets and liabilities and the tax basis of those assets and liabilities. Deferred taxes are computed using enacted tax rates expected to apply in the year in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. The effect on deferred income tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rate is recognized in earnings in the period that includes the enactment date.

We establish valuation allowances when necessary to reduce deferred income tax assets to the amounts that we believe are more likely than not to be recovered. Each quarter we evaluate the need to retain all or a portion of the valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets. See Note 12—Income Taxes for additional information.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include highly liquid investments that are readily convertible into cash and are not subject to significant risk from fluctuations in interest rates. As a result, the value at which cash and cash equivalents are reported in our consolidated financial statements approximates their fair value. Our cash collections are transferred to Lumen Technologies, Inc. on a daily basis and our ultimate parent funds our cash disbursement needs. The net cash transferred to Lumen Technologies, Inc. has been reflected as advances to affiliates in our consolidated balance sheets.

Book overdrafts occur when we have issued checks but have not yet been presented to our controlled disbursement bank accounts for payment. Disbursement bank accounts allow us to delay funding of issued checks until the checks are presented for payment. Until the issued checks are presented for payment, the book overdrafts are included in accounts payable on our consolidated balance sheets. This activity is included in the operating activities section in our consolidated statements of cash flows. There were no book overdrafts included in accounts payable at December 31, 2023 or December 31, 2022.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash consists primarily of cash and investments that serve to collateralize certain performance and operating obligations. Restricted cash is recorded as current or non-current assets in the consolidated balance sheets depending on the duration of the restriction and the purpose for which the restriction exists.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses

Accounts receivable are recognized based upon the amount due from customers for the services provided or at cost for purchased and other receivables less an allowance for credit losses. We use a loss rate method to estimate our allowance for credit losses. For more information on our methodology for estimating our allowance for credit losses, see Note 5—Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.

We generally consider our accounts past due if they are outstanding over 30 days. Our past due accounts are written off against our allowance for credit losses when collection is considered to be not probable. Any recoveries of accounts previously written off are generally recognized as a reduction in bad debt expense in the period received. The carrying value of accounts receivable, net of the allowance for credit losses, approximates fair value.

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Property, Plant and Equipment

As a result of our indirect acquisition by Lumen Technologies, Inc., property, plant and equipment acquired at the time of acquisition was recorded based on its estimated fair value as of the acquisition date. Subsequently purchased and constructed property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Property, plant and equipment is depreciated primarily using the straight-line group method. Under the straight-line group method, assets dedicated to providing telecommunications services (which comprise the majority of our property, plant and equipment) that have similar physical characteristics, use and expected useful lives are pooled for purposes of depreciation and tracking. We use the equal life group procedure to establish each pool's average remaining useful life. Generally, under the straight-line group method, when an asset is sold or retired in the course of normal business activities, the cost is deducted from property, plant and equipment and charged to accumulated depreciation without recognition of a gain or loss. A gain or loss is recognized in our consolidated statements of operations only if a disposal is unusual. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the useful lives of the assets or the expected lease term. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. During the construction phase of network and other internal-use capital projects, we capitalize related employee and interest costs. Property, plant and equipment supplies used internally are carried at average cost, except for significant individual items for which cost is based on specific identification.

We perform annual internal reviews to evaluate the reasonableness of the depreciable lives for our property, plant and equipment. Our reviews utilize models that take into account actual usage, physical wear and tear, replacement history, assumptions about technology evolution and, in certain instances, actuarially determined probabilities to estimate the remaining useful life of our asset base. Our remaining useful life assessments evaluate the possible loss in service value of assets that may precede the physical retirement. Assets shared among many customers may lose service value as those customers reduce their use of the network. However, the asset is not retired until all customers no longer utilize the asset and we determine there is no alternative use for the asset.

We review long-lived tangible assets for impairment whenever facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of the assets may not be recoverable. For assessment purposes, long-lived assets are grouped with other assets and liabilities at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities, absent a material change in operations. An impairment loss is recognized only if the carrying amount of the asset group is not recoverable and exceeds its estimated fair value. Recoverability of the asset group to be held and used is assessed by comparing the carrying amount of the asset group to the estimated undiscounted future net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset group. If the asset group's carrying value is not recoverable, we recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds its estimated fair value.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

We initially record intangible assets arising from business combinations, such as goodwill and capitalized software at estimated fair value. We amortize capitalized software using the straight-line method over estimated lives ranging up to seven years. Other intangible assets not arising from business combinations are initially recorded at cost.

Internally used software, whether purchased or developed by us, is capitalized and amortized using the straight-line method over its estimated useful life. We have capitalized certain costs associated with software such as costs of employees devoting time to the projects and external direct costs for materials and services. Costs associated with software to be used for internal purposes are expensed until the point at which the project has reached the development stage. Subsequent additions, modifications or upgrades to internal-use software are capitalized only to the extent that they allow the software to perform a task it previously did not perform. Software maintenance, data conversion and training costs are expensed in the period in which they are incurred. We review the remaining economic lives of our capitalized software annually. Capitalized software is included in other intangible assets, net, in our consolidated balance sheets.

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We are required to assess our goodwill for impairment annually, or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that would indicate an impairment may have occurred. We are required to write-down the value of goodwill of the reporting unit in periods in which the carrying amount of the reporting unit equity exceeds the estimated fair value of the equity of the reporting unit limited to the goodwill balance. The impairment assessment is performed at the reporting unit level. We have determined that our operations consist of one reporting unit, consistent with our determination that our business consists of one operating segment. See Note 2—Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets for additional information.

Pension and Post-Retirement Benefits

A substantial portion of our active and retired employees participate in the Lumen Combined Pension Plan. On December 31, 2014, the QCII pension plan and a pension plan of an affiliate were merged into the CenturyLink Retirement Plan, and the CenturyLink Retirement Plan is now named the Lumen Combined Pension Plan. Prior to the pension plan merger, the above-noted employees participated in the QCII pension plan. In addition, certain of our employees participate in Lumen's post-retirement health care and life insurance benefit plans. Lumen Technologies allocates service costs relating to pension and post-retirement health care and life insurance benefits to us and its other affiliates. The amounts contributed by us through Lumen Technologies are not segregated or restricted to pay amounts due to our employees and may be used to provide benefits to other employees of Lumen Technologies. The allocation of the service costs to us is based upon our employees who are currently earning benefits under the plans.

For further information on qualified pension, post-retirement and other post-employment benefit plans, see Note 11—Employee Benefits to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of Lumen's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Correction of Immaterial Errors

During 2023, we identified errors in our previously reported consolidated financial statements related to accounts receivable and accounts payable. The errors are the result of understated revenues from one of our legacy mainframe billing systems and understated network expenses for periods prior to 2021. We have completed a quantitative and qualitative evaluation of the errors individually and in aggregate, and concluded the errors are immaterial to our previously issued consolidated financial statements. Notwithstanding this evaluation, we have revised certain line items on our December 31, 2022 consolidated balance sheet for these errors. The net effect of these adjustments was an increase in accounts receivable of $38 million and a decrease in advances to affiliates of $7 million for a total increase in assets of $31 million, and an increase in accounts payable and total liabilities of $18 million on our December 31, 2022 consolidated balance sheet. In addition, we recorded an adjustment to increase our January 1, 2021 retained earnings by $13 million, which represents the cumulative correction of the immaterial errors prior to January 1, 2021. The errors did not have an impact on our previously issued consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive (loss) income, or cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2022 or 2021, and did not, and are not expected to, have an impact on the economics of the Company's existing or future commercial arrangements.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Supplier Finance Programs

On January 1, 2023, we adopted Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2022-04, “Liabilities-Supplier Finance Program (Subtopic 405-50): Disclosure of Supplier Finance Program Obligations” (“ASU 2022-04”). These amendments require that a company that uses a supplier finance program in connection with the purchase of goods or services disclose sufficient information about the program to allow a user of financial statements to understand the program’s nature, program activity during the period, changes from period to period and the potential magnitude of program transactions. The adoption of ASU 2022-04 did not have a material impact to our consolidated financial statements.

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Credit Losses

On January 1, 2023, we adopted ASU 2022-02, "Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Troubled Debt Restructurings (“TDR”) and Vintage Disclosures” (“ASU 2022-02”). The ASU eliminates the TDR recognition and measurement guidance, enhances existing disclosure requirements and introduces new requirements related to certain modifications of receivables made to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty. The adoption of ASU 2022-02 did not have any impact to our consolidated financial statements.

Government Assistance

On January 1, 2022, we adopted ASU 2021-10 "Government Assistance (Topic 832): Disclosures by Business Entities about Government Assistance" ("ASU 2021-10"). This ASU requires business entities to disclose information about certain types of government assistance they receive. Please refer to Note 3—Revenue Recognition for more information.

Leases

On January 1, 2022, we adopted ASU 2021-05, “Leases (Topic 842): Lessors—Certain Leases with Variable Lease Payments” (“ASU 2021-05”). This ASU (i) amends the lease classification requirements for lessors to align them with practice under ASC Topic 840, (ii) provides criteria for lessors to classify and account for a lease with variable lease payments that do not depend on a reference index or a rate as an operating lease; and (iii) provides guidance with respect to net investments by lessors under operating leases and other related topics. The adoption of ASU 2021-05 did not have a material impact to our consolidated financial statements.

Debt

On January 1, 2021, we adopted ASU 2020-09, "Debt (Topic 470) Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Release No. 33-10762" ("ASU 2020-09"). This ASU amends and supersedes various SEC guidance to reflect SEC Release No. 33-10762, which includes amendments to the financial disclosure requirements applicable to registered debt offerings that include credit enhancements, such as subsidiary guarantees. The adoption of ASU 2020-09 did not have a material impact to our consolidated financial statements.

Investments

On January 1, 2021, we adopted ASU 2020-01, "Investments - Equity Securities (Topic 321), Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) - Clarifying the Interactions between Topic 321, Topic 323, and Topic 815)" ("ASU 2020-01"). This ASU, among other things, clarifies that a company should consider observable transactions that require a company to either apply or discontinue the equity method of accounting under Topic 323, Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures, for the purposes of applying the measurement alternative in accordance with Topic 321 immediately before applying or upon discontinuing the equity method. As of December 31, 2023, we determined there was no application or discontinuation of the equity method during the reporting periods covered in this report. The adoption of ASU 2020-01 did not have a material impact to our consolidated financial statements.

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Income Taxes

On January 1, 2021, we adopted ASU 2019-12, "Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (Topic 740)" ("ASU 2019-12"). This ASU removes certain exceptions for investments, intra-period allocations and interim calculations, and adds guidance to reduce complexity in accounting for income taxes. The adoption of ASU 2019-12 did not have a material impact to our consolidated financial statements.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures” (“ASU 2023-09”). 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 5 percent of the amount computed by multiplying pretax income or loss by the applicable statutory income tax rate).” ASU 2023-09 will become effective for us in the annual period of fiscal 2025 and early adoption is permitted. We have chosen not to early adopt this ASU.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-08, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Crypto Assets (Subtopic 350-60): Accounting for and Disclosure of Crypto Assets” (“ASU 2023-08”). This ASU is intended to improve the accounting for certain crypto assets by requiring an entity to measure those crypto assets at fair value each reporting period with changes in fair value recognized in net income. The amendments also improve the information provided to investors about an entity’s crypto asset holdings by requiring disclosure about significant holdings, contractual sale restrictions, and changes during the reporting period. This ASU will become effective for us in the first quarter of fiscal 2025 and early adoption is permitted. As of December 31, 2023, we do not hold crypto assets and do not expect ASU 2023-08 will have any impact to our consolidated financial statements.

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures” (“ASU 2023-07”). This ASU is intended to improve reportable segment disclosure requirements primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. This ASU will become effective for us in annual period fiscal 2024 and early adoption is permitted. As of December 31, 2023, we are evaluating its impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In October 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-06, “Disclosure Improvements: Codification Amendments in Response to the SEC’s Disclosure Update and Simplification Initiative” (“ASU 2023-06”). This ASU incorporates certain SEC disclosure requirements into the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“Codification”). The amendments in the ASU are expected to clarify or improve disclosure and presentation requirements of a variety of Codification Topics, allow users to more easily compare entities subject to the SEC’s existing disclosures with those entities that were not previously subject to the requirements, and align the requirements in the Codification with the SEC’s regulations. ASU 2023-06 will become effective for each amendment on the effective date of the SEC's corresponding disclosure rule changes. As of December 31, 2023, we do not expect ASU 2023-06 will have any impact to our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-05, “Business Combinations – Joint Venture Formations (Subtopic 805-60): Recognition and initial Measurement” (“ASU 2023-05”). This ASU applies to the formation of entities that meet the definition of a joint venture (or a corporate joint venture). The amendments in the ASU require that a joint venture apply a new basis of accounting upon formation. ASU 2023-05 will become effective for us in the first quarter of fiscal 2025 and early adoption is permitted. As of December 31, 2023, we do not expect ASU 2023-05 will have any impact to our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-04, “Liabilities (Topic 405): Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 121” (“ASU 2023-04”). This ASU amends and adds various SEC paragraphs to the FASB Codification to reflect guidance regarding the accounting for obligations to safeguard crypto assets an entity holds for platform users. This ASU does not provide any new guidance. ASU 2023-04 became effective for us once the addition to the FASB Codification was made available. As of December 31, 2023, we do not expect ASU 2023-04 will have any impact to our consolidated financial statements.

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In July 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-03, “Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205), Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220), Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (Topic 480), Equity (Topic 505), and Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 120, SEC Staff Announcement at the March 24, 2022 EITF Meeting, and Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 6.B, Accounting Series Release 280—General Revision of Regulation S-X: Income or Loss Applicable to Common Stock” (“ASU 2023-03”). This ASU amends or supersedes various SEC paragraphs within the applicable codification to conform to past SEC staff announcements. This ASU does not provide any new guidance. ASU 2023-03 became effective for us once the addition to the FASB Codification was made available. As of December 31, 2023, we do not expect ASU 2023-03 will have any impact to our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-02, “Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Accounting for Investments in Tax Credit Structures Using the Proportional Amortization Method” (“ASU 2023-02”). These amendments allow reporting entities to elect to account for qualifying tax equity investments using the proportional amortization method, regardless of the program giving rise to the related income tax credits. ASU 2023-02 will become effective for us in the first quarter of fiscal 2024 and early adoption is permitted. As of December 31, 2023, we do not expect ASU 2023-02 will have any impact to our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-01, “Leases (Topic 842): Common Control Arrangements” (“ASU 2023-01”). These amendments require all entities to amortize leasehold improvements associated with common control leases over the useful life to the common control group. ASU 2023-01 will become effective for us in the first quarter of fiscal 2024 and early adoption is permitted. As of December 31, 2023, we do not expect ASU 2023-01 will have any impact to our consolidated financial statements.

In December 2022, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2022-06, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) – Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848" ("ASU 2022-06"). These amendments extend the period of time preparers can utilize the reference rate reform relief guidance in Topic 848, which defers the sunset date from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2024, after which entities will no longer be permitted to apply the relief in Topic 848. ASU 2022-06 is effective upon issuance. Based on our review of our key material contracts through December 31, 2023, ASU 2022-06 does not have a material impact to our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-03, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Fair Value Measurement of Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions” (“ASU 2022-03”). These amendments clarify that a contractual restriction on the sales of an investment in an equity security is not considered part of the unit of account of the equity security and, therefore, is not considered in measuring its fair value. ASU 2022-03 will become effective for us in the first quarter of fiscal 2024 and early adoption is permitted. As of December 31, 2023, we do not expect ASU 2022-03 will have any impact to our consolidated financial statements.

In January 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-01, "Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Scope" ("ASU 2021-01"), which clarifies that certain optional expedients and exceptions in Topic 848 for contract modifications and hedge accounting apply to derivatives that are affected by the discounting transition. ASU 2021-01 also amends the expedients and exceptions in Topic 848 to capture the incremental consequences of the scope clarification and to tailor the existing guidance to derivative instruments affected by the discounting transition. These amendments may be applied prospectively to contract modifications made and hedging relationships entered into or evaluated on or before December 31, 2022. ASU 2021-01 provides optional expedients for a limited time to ease the potential burden in accounting for reference rate reform. Based on our review of our key material contracts through December 31, 2023, ASU 2021-01 will not have a material impact to our consolidated financial statements.

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Goodwill and other intangible assets consisted of the following:

			As of December 31,
			2023						2022
			(Dollars in millions)
Goodwill(1)			$	6,955					$	9,360
Other intangible assets, less accumulated amortization of $1,966 and $1,924			$	103					$	138

______________________________________________________________________ 

(1)We recorded a cumulative non-cash, non-tax-deductible goodwill impairment charge of $2.4 billion during the year ended December 31, 2023.

As of December 31, 2023, the gross carrying amount of goodwill and other intangible assets was $9.0 billion.

Substantially all of our goodwill was derived from Lumen's acquisition of us where the purchase price exceeded the fair value of the net assets acquired.

We are required to assess our goodwill for impairment annually, or under certain circumstances, more frequently, such as when events or changes in circumstances indicate there may be impairment. We are required to write down the value of goodwill only when our assessment determines the carrying value of equity of our reporting unit exceeds its fair value. Our annual impairment assessment date for goodwill is October 31, at which date we assess goodwill at our reporting unit. In reviewing the criteria for reporting units, we have determined that we are one reporting unit.

2023 Goodwill Impairment Analyses

At October 31, 2023, we performed our annual impairment analysis of our reporting unit. Given the continued decline in Lumen's share price, we determined our quantitative impairment analysis would estimate the fair value of our reporting unit using only the market approach. Applying this approach, we utilized company comparisons and analyst reports within the telecommunications industry which supported a range of fair values derived from annualized revenue and Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization ("EBITDA") multiples between 1.5x and 3.5x and 4.8x and 8.4x, respectively. We selected a revenue multiple within and an EBITDA multiple below these comparable market multiples. Based on our assessment performed, we concluded that the estimated fair value of our reporting unit was less than their carrying value of equity at October 31, 2023. As a result, we recorded a non-cash, non-tax-deductible goodwill impairment charge of $2.4 billion on October 31, 2023.

During the second quarter of 2023, the Company determined circumstances existed indicating it was more likely than not that the carrying value of our reporting unit exceeded its fair value. Given the continued erosion in Lumen's market capitalization, we determined our quantitative impairment analysis would estimate the fair value of our reporting unit using only the market approach. Applying this approach, we utilized company comparisons and analyst reports within the telecommunications industry which supported a range of fair values derived from annualized revenue and EBITDA multiples between 1.5x and 4.3x and 4.6x and 10.5x, respectively. We selected a revenue multiple within and an EBITDA multiple below these comparable market multiples. Based on our assessment performed, the estimated fair value of our equity exceeded our carrying value of equity by approximately 11% at June 30, 2023. We concluded that goodwill was not impaired as of June 30, 2023.

The market approach that we used incorporated estimates and assumptions related to the forecasted results for the remainder of the year, including revenues, expenses, and the achievement of certain strategic initiatives. In developing the market multiples, we considered observed trends of our industry participants. Our assessment included many factors that required significant judgment. Alternative interpretations of these factors could have resulted in different conclusions.

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2022 and 2021 Goodwill Impairment Analysis

At October 31, 2022 and 2021, we estimated the fair value of equity by considering both a market approach and a discounted cash flow method. The market approach method includes the use of comparable multiples of publicly traded companies whose services are comparable to ours. The discounted cash flow method is based on the present value of projected cash flows and a terminal value, equal to the present value of all normalized cash flows after the projection period. Based on our assessment performed, the estimated fair value of our equity exceeded our carrying value of equity by approximately 24% and 42% at October 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. We concluded that goodwill was not impaired as of October 31, 2022 and 2021.

Our fair value estimates for evaluating goodwill incorporated significant judgments and assumptions including forecast revenues and expenses, cost of capital, and control premiums. In developing market multiples, we also considered observed trends of our industry participants and other qualitative factors that required significant judgment. Alternative estimates, judgments, and interpretations of these factors could have resulted in different conclusions regarding the need for an impairment charge.

The following table shows the rollforward of goodwill from December 31, 2021 through December 31, 2023:

			(Dollars in millions)
As of December 31, 2021			$	9,360
As of December 31, 2022			9,360
Impairment			(2,405)
As of December 31, 2023(1)			$	6,955

______________________________________________________________________ 

(1)Goodwill at December 31, 2023 is net of accumulated impairment losses of $2.4 billion.

We annually review the estimated lives and methods used to amortize our other intangible assets. The actual amounts of amortization expense may differ materially from our estimates, depending on the results of our annual reviews. As of December 31, 2023, the weighted average remaining useful life was 3 years for capitalized software.

Total amortization expense for intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $67 million, $79 million and $176 million, respectively.

We estimate that total amortization expense for intangible assets for the years ending December 31, 2024 through 2028 will be as follows:

			(Dollars in millions)
Year ending December 31,
2024			$	44
2025			16
2026			10
2027			7
2028			5

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We categorize our revenue derived from our operations serving our mass markets customers, primarily within the first three categories listed below, and our revenue derived from our operations servicing our business customers, primarily in the 'Harvest', 'Nurture' and 'Grow' categories listed below:

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

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

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

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

•Nurture, which includes our more mature offerings, including primarily ethernet;

•Grow, which includes products and services marketed to our business customers that we anticipate will grow, including dark fiber and wavelengths services; and

•Affiliate Services, which are communications services that we also provide to external customers. In

addition, we provide to our affiliates application development and support services and network support.

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Reconciliation of Total Revenue to Revenue from Contracts with Customers

The following tables provide our total revenue by product and service category as well as the amount of revenue that is not subject to ASC 606, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" ("ASC 606"), but is instead governed by other accounting standards:

			Year Ended December 31, 2023
			Total Revenue						Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue(1)						Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers
			(Dollars in millions)
Other Broadband			$	1,111					(95)						1,016
Voice and Other			589						(16)						573
Fiber Broadband			470						(12)						458
Harvest			1,048						(139)						909
Nurture			393						(8)						385
Grow			145						—						145
Affiliate Services			2,159						(45)						2,114
Total revenue			$	5,915					(315)						5,600
Timing of revenue
Goods and services transferred at a point in time															$	23
Services performed over time															5,577
Total revenue from contracts with customers															$	5,600

			Year Ended December 31, 2022
			Total Revenue						Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue(1)						Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers
			(Dollars in millions)
Other Broadband			$	1,275					(106)						1,169
Voice and Other			691						(31)						660
Fiber Broadband			461						(12)						449
Harvest			1,134						(161)						973
Nurture			435						(9)						426
Grow			159						(9)						150
Affiliate Services			2,294						(45)						2,249
Total revenue			$	6,449					(373)						6,076
Timing of revenue
Goods and services transferred at a point in time															$	28
Services performed over time															6,048
Total revenue from contracts with customers															$	6,076

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			Year Ended December 31, 2021
			Total Revenue						Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue(1)						Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers
			(Dollars in millions)
Other Broadband			$	1,360					(107)						1,253
Voice and Other			985						(161)						824
Fiber Broadband			408						—						408
Harvest			1,206						(167)						1,039
Nurture			450						(10)						440
Grow			153						(9)						144
Affiliate Services			2,389						(29)						2,360
Total revenue			$	6,951					(483)						6,468
Timing of revenue
Goods and services transferred at a point in time															$	30
Services performed over time															6,438
Total revenue from contracts with customers															$	6,468

_______________________________________________________________________________

(1)Includes regulatory revenue and lease revenue not within the scope of ASC 606.

We do not have any single external customer that comprises more than 10% of our total consolidated operating revenue. Substantially all of our consolidated revenue comes from customers located in the United States.

Customer Receivables and Contract Balances

The following table provides balances of customer receivables, contract assets and contract liabilities as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:

			December 31, 2023						December 31, 2022
			(Dollars in millions)
Customer receivables (1)			$	210					297
Contract assets			7						9
Contract liabilities			269						343

_______________________________________________________________________________

(1)Reflects gross customer receivables, including gross affiliate receivables, of $239 million and $324 million, net of allowance for credit losses of $29 million and $27 million, at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

Contract liabilities consist of consideration we have received from our customers or billed in advance of providing goods or services promised in the future. We defer recognizing this consideration as revenue until we have satisfied the related performance obligation to the customer. Contract liabilities include recurring services billed one month in advance and installation and maintenance charges that are deferred and recognized over the actual or expected contract term, which ranges from 1 to 5 years depending on the service. Contract liabilities are included within deferred revenue in our consolidated balance sheets. During the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we recognized $169 million and $192 million, respectively, of revenue that was included in contract liabilities of $343 million and $317 million as of January 1, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

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Performance Obligations

As of December 31, 2023, we expect to recognize approximately $2.0 billion of revenue in the future related to performance obligations associated with existing customer contracts that are partially or wholly unsatisfied. As of December 31, 2023, the transaction price related to unsatisfied performance obligations that are expected to be recognized in 2024, 2025 and thereafter was $924 million, $571 million, and $457 million, 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 that are not subject to ASC 606.

Contract Costs

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

			Year Ended December 31, 2023
			Acquisition Costs						Fulfillment Costs
			(Dollars in millions)
Beginning of period balance			$	61					46
Costs incurred			43						38
Amortization			(46)						(38)
End of period balance			$	58					46

			Year Ended December 31, 2022
			Acquisition Costs						Fulfillment Costs
			(Dollars in millions)
Beginning of period balance			$	64					47
Costs incurred			50						39
Amortization			(53)						(40)
End of period balance			$	61					46

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Acquisition costs include commission fees paid to employees as a result of obtaining contracts. Fulfillment costs include third party and internal costs associated with the provision, installation and activation of communications services to customers, including labor and materials consumed for these activities.

We amortize deferred acquisition and fulfillment costs based on the transfer of services on a straight-line basis over the average contract life of 36 months for mass markets customers and average contract life of 33 months for business customers. We include amortized fulfillment costs in cost of services and products and amortized acquisition costs are included in selling, general and administrative expenses 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 on our consolidated balance sheets. We include the amount of deferred costs expected to be amortized beyond the next 12 months in other non-current assets on our consolidated balance sheets. We assess deferred acquisition and fulfillment costs for impairment on a quarterly basis.

Governmental Funding

Lumen participates in various U.S. federal and state programs under which government support payments are received to offset costs associated with providing services in targeted locations such as unserved or underserved high-cost or rural areas, or for certain types of customers, including non-profit organizations, educational institutions and local governmental bodies. In certain instances, support payments are conditioned on specified infrastructure buildouts by milestone deadlines or provision of services at specified locations and speed requirements. Commitments may be made annually, on a multi-year basis ranging from one to ten years or be on-going subject to periodic change or termination. Consistent with customary practice and as referenced in ASC 832 Government Assistance, Lumen applies a grant model of accounting by which it accounts for these transactions as non-ASC 606 revenue over the periods in which the costs for which the funding is intended to compensate are incurred. This non-ASC 606 revenue is included in operating revenue in our consolidated statements of operations. Corresponding receivables are recorded when services have been provided to the customers and costs incurred, but the cash has not been received. These amounts are included in our accounts receivable, less allowance in our consolidated balance sheets. Certain programs are subject to audits of compliance with program commitments and, subject to the outcomes of those assessments, Lumen may be required to reimburse the government entity for cash previously received, or, in some cases, pay a penalty. Lumen evaluates each program and establishes a liability under the principles of ASC 450 if it is probable support payments will be recaptured or a penalty will be imposed.

For the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, we recorded non-customer revenue of $36 million and $22 million, respectively, under government assistance programs, of which 24% and 34%, respectively, was associated with state universal service fund support programs.

Between 2015 and 2021, Lumen received approximately $500 million annually through the Federal Communications Commission (the "FCC")'s Connect America Fund II ("CAF II"), a program that ended on December 31, 2021. Our share of this CAF II funding was approximately $145 million annually. In connection with the CAF II funding, we were required to meet certain specified infrastructure buildout requirements in 13 states by the end of 2021, which required substantial capital expenditures. In the first quarter of 2022, we recognized $13 million of previously deferred revenue related to the conclusion of the CAF II program based upon our final buildout and filing submissions. The government has the right to audit our compliance with the CAF II program and the ultimate outcome of any remaining examinations is unknown, but could result in a liability to us in excess of our reserve accruals established for these matters.

In early 2020, the FCC created the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (the “RDOF”) program, a federal support program designed to fund broadband deployment in rural America. For the first phase of this program, RDOF Phase I, the FCC ultimately awarded $6.4 billion in support payments to be paid in equal monthly installments over 10 years. Lumen Technologies was awarded RDOF funding in several of the states in which we operate and began receiving monthly support payments during the second quarter of 2022, our share of which is not material.

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We primarily lease to or from third parties various office facilities, colocation facilities and equipment. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on our consolidated balance sheets; we recognize lease expense for these leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception and whether that lease meets the classification criteria of a finance or operating lease. Lease-related assets, or right-of-use assets, are recognized at the lease commencement date at amounts equal to the respective lease liabilities. Lease-related liabilities are recognized at the present value of the remaining contractual fixed lease payments, discounted using our incremental borrowing rates. As part of the present value calculation for the lease liabilities, we use an incremental borrowing rate as the rates implicit in the leases are not readily determinable. The incremental borrowing rates used for lease accounting are based on our unsecured rates, adjusted to approximate the rates at which we could borrow on a collateralized basis over a term similar to the recognized lease term. We apply the incremental borrowing rates to lease components using a portfolio approach based upon the length of the lease term and the reporting entity in which the lease resides. Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term, while variable lease payments are expensed as incurred. Operating lease assets are included in Other, net under goodwill and other assets on our consolidated balance sheets. Current operating lease liabilities are included in Other under accrued expenses and other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. Noncurrent operating lease liabilities are included in Other under deferred credits and other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets.

Some of our lease arrangements contain lease components, non-lease components (including common-area maintenance costs) and executory costs (including real estate taxes and insurance costs). We generally account for each component separately based on the estimated standalone price of each component. For colocation leases, we account for the lease and non-lease components as a single lease component.

Many of our lease agreements contain renewal options; however, we do not recognize right-of-use assets or lease liabilities for renewal periods unless we determine that we are reasonably certain of renewing the lease. Certain leases also include options to purchase the leased property. The depreciable life of assets and leasehold improvements are limited by the expected lease term, unless there is a transfer of title or purchase option reasonably certain to be exercised. Our lease agreements do not generally contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants.

Lease expense consisted of the following:

			Years Ended December 31,
			2023						2022						2021
			(Dollars in millions)
Operating and short-term lease cost			$	26					25						26
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of right-of-use assets			1						1						1
Total finance lease cost			1						1						1
Total lease cost			$	27					26						27

We lease various equipment, office facilities, retail outlets, and other network sites. These leases, with few exceptions, provide for renewal options and escalations that are either fixed or based on the consumer price index. Any rent abatements, along with rent escalations, are included in the computation of rent expense calculated on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The lease term for most leases includes the initial non-cancelable term plus any term under renewal options that are reasonably assured. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, our gross rental expense was $27 million, $26 million and $27 million, respectively. We also received sublease rental income for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 of $8 million, $9 million and $10 million, respectively.

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Supplemental consolidated balance sheet information and other information related to leases is included below:

						As of December 31,
Leases (Dollars in millions)			Classification on the Balance Sheet			2023						2022
Assets
Operating lease assets			Other, net			$	65					68
Finance lease assets			Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation			7						5
Total leased assets						$	72					73
Liabilities
Current
Operating			Other			$	20					21
Finance			Current maturities of long-term debt			1						2
Noncurrent
Operating			Other			47						58
Finance			Long-term debt			3						2
Total lease liabilities						$	71					83
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years)
Operating leases						4.9						4.8
Finance leases						7.7						10.0
Weighted-average discount rate
Operating leases						4.83		%				4.08		%
Finance leases						5.89		%				4.08		%

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Supplemental consolidated cash flow statement information related to leases is included below:

			Years Ended December 31,
			2023						2022
			(Dollars in millions)
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows for operating leases			$	35					40
Operating cash flows for finance leases			—						—
Financing cash flows for finance leases			2						1
Supplemental lease cash flow disclosures
Operating lease right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities			$	15					23
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities			3						1

As of December 31, 2023, maturities of lease liabilities were as follows:

			Operating Leases						Finance Leases
			(Dollars in millions)
2024			$	22					1
2025			16						1
2026			11						1
2027			9						1
2028			5						—
Thereafter			11						1
Total lease payments			74						5
Less: interest			(7)						(1)
Total			67						4
Less: current portion			(20)						(1)
Long-term portion			$	47					3

Operating Lease Income

We lease various data transmission capacity, office facilities, switching facilities and other network sites to third parties under operating leases. Lease and sublease income are included in operating revenue in the consolidated statements of operations. See "Revenue Recognition" in Note 1—Background and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.

For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, our gross rental income was $304 million, $346 million and $324 million, respectively which represents 5% of our operating revenue for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.

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To assess our expected credit losses on financial instruments, we aggregate financial assets with similar risk characteristics to monitor their credit quality or deterioration over the life of such assets. We periodically monitor certain risk characteristics within our aggregated financial assets and revise their composition accordingly, to the extent internal and external risk factors change. We separately evaluate financial assets that do not share risk characteristics with other financial assets. Our financial assets measured at amortized cost primarily consist of accounts receivable.

We use a loss rate method to estimate our allowance for credit losses. Our determination of the current expected credit loss rate begins with our review of historical loss experience as a percentage of accounts receivable. We measure our historical loss period based on the average days to recognize accounts receivable as credit losses. When asset specific characteristics and current conditions change from those in the historical period, due to changes in our credit and collections strategy, certain classes of aged balances, or credit loss and recovery policies, we perform a qualitative and quantitative assessment to adjust our historical loss rate. We use regression analysis to develop an expected loss rate using historical experience and economic data over a forecast period. We measure our forecast period based on the average days to collect payment on billed accounts receivable. To determine our current allowance for credit losses, we combine the historical and expected credit loss rates and apply them to our period end accounts receivable.

If there is an unexpected deterioration of a customer's financial condition or an unexpected change in economic conditions, including macroeconomic events, we assess the need to adjust the allowance for credit losses. Any such resulting adjustments would affect earnings in the period that adjustments are made.

The assessment of the correlation between historical observed default rates, current conditions and forecasted economic conditions requires judgment. Alternative interpretations of these factors could have resulted in different conclusions regarding our allowance for credit losses. The amount of credit loss is sensitive to changes in circumstances and forecasted economic conditions. Our historical credit loss experience, current conditions and forecast of economic conditions may also not be representative of the customers' actual default experience in the future, and we may use methodologies that differ from those used by other companies.

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The following table presents the activity of our allowance for credit losses by accounts receivable portfolio from December 31, 2021 through December 31, 2023:

			Business						Mass Markets						Total
			(Dollars in millions)
Balance at January 1, 2021(1)			$	25					36						61
Provision for expected losses			10						17						27
Write-offs charged against the allowance			(19)						(35)						(54)
Recoveries collected			3						1						4
Balance at December 31, 2021			$	19					19						38
Provision for expected losses			13						47						60
Write-offs charged against the allowance			(14)						(50)						(64)
Recoveries collected			2						—						2
Balance at December 31, 2022			$	20					16						36
Provision for expected losses			20						46						66
Write-offs charged against the allowance			(26)						(43)						(69)
Recoveries collected			—						1						1
Balance at December 31, 2023			$	14					20						34

(1)Due to an internal reorganization of our reporting categories on January 1, 2021, our accounts receivable portfolios were changed to align with changes to how we manage our customers. Allowance for credit losses previously included in the Consumer and Business portfolio of $32 million and $4 million, respectively, were reclassified to the Mass Markets allowance for credit losses on January 1, 2021, as a result of this change.

For the year ended December 31, 2023, we decreased our allowance for credit losses for our Business accounts receivable portfolio primarily due to higher write-off activity.

For the year ended December 31, 2022, we decreased our allowance for credit losses for our Mass Markets accounts receivable portfolio primarily due to higher write-off activity.

The following chart reflects (i) the consolidated long-term debt of Qwest Corporation and its subsidiaries, including finance lease and other obligations, unamortized premiums, net, unamortized debt issuance costs and (ii) note payable-affiliate:

															As of December 31,
			Interest Rates (1)						Maturities (1)						2023						2022
															(Dollars in millions)
Senior notes			6.500% - 7.750%						2025 - 2057						$	1,986					1,986
Term loan (2)			SOFR + 2.50%						2027						215						215
Finance lease and other			Various						Various						4						3
Unamortized premiums, net															4						5
Unamortized debt issuance costs															(52)						(52)
Total long-term debt															2,157						2,157
Less current maturities															(1)						(2)
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities															$	2,156					2,155
Note payable-affiliate			6.210%						2027						$	—					—

_______________________________________________________________________________

(1) As of December 31, 2023.

(2) Qwest Corporation's Term Loan had interest rates of 7.970% and 6.640% as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

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Term Loan

In the fourth quarter of 2020, we borrowed $215 million under a variable-rate term loan with CoBank ACB. The outstanding unpaid principal amount of this term loan plus any accrued and unpaid interest is due on October 23, 2027. Interest is paid at least quarterly based upon either the Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR") or the base rate (as defined in the credit agreement) plus an applicable margin between 1.50% to 2.50% per annum for SOFR loans and 0.50% to 1.50% per annum for base rate loans depending on Qwest Corporation's then current senior unsecured long-term debt rating.

Long-Term Debt Maturities

Set forth below is the aggregate principal amount of our long-term debt as of December 31, 2023 (excluding unamortized premiums, net, unamortized debt issuance costs and note payable-affiliate) maturing during the following years:

			(Dollars in millions)
2024			$	1
2025			250
2026			1
2027			216
2028			—
2029 and thereafter			1,737
Total long-term debt			$	2,205

Note Payable - Affiliate

On June 30, 2022, Qwest Corporation entered into an amended and restated revolving promissory note ("Note Payable - Affiliate") with an affiliate of our ultimate parent company, Lumen Technologies, Inc. ("Lender"), that replaces the previous revolving promissory agreement that was scheduled to mature on June 30, 2022 ("Prior Note Payable - Affiliate"). The Note Payable - Affiliate, as amended, enables Qwest Corporation to borrow from Lumen up to $2.0 billion. Any outstanding principal balance owed by Qwest Corporation under the Note Payable - Affiliate and the accrued interest thereon is due and payable on demand, but if no demand is made, then on the maturity date. The Note Payable - Affiliate has an initial maturity date of June 30, 2027, but will automatically renew for an unlimited number of successive twelve-month periods unless the Lender provides notice of its intent not to renew at least 30 days prior to the initial maturity date or each subsequent maturity date.

In accordance with the terms of the amended Note Payable - Affiliate, interest is assessed every six months ending on June 30th and December 31st (an "Interest Period") and is payable within 30 days of the end of the respective Interest Period. Interest is accrued on the outstanding principal balance during the respective Interest Period using a weighted average per annum interest rate on the consolidated outstanding debt of Lumen Technologies, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

On September 30, 2022, Qwest Corporation repaid the outstanding principal and interest on the Note Payable - Affiliate of approximately $1.2 billion and $43 million, respectively. Since such payment, Qwest Corporation has not owed any amounts under the Note Payable - Affiliate.

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Interest Expense

Interest expense includes interest on total long-term debt. The following table presents the amount of gross interest expense, net of capitalized interest and interest expense-affiliates, net:

			Years Ended December 31,
			2023						2022						2021
			(Dollars in millions)
Interest expense:
Gross interest expense			$	149					141						200
Capitalized interest			(54)						(29)						(19)
Total interest expense			$	95					112						181
Interest (income) expense-affiliates, net			$	(15)					60						105

Covenants

Our senior notes were issued under indentures dated April 15, 1990 and October 15, 1999. These indentures contain certain covenants including, but not limited to: (i) a prohibition on certain liens on our assets; and (ii) a limitation on mergers or sales of all, or substantially all, of our assets, which limitation requires that a successor assume the obligation with regard to these notes. These indentures do not contain any cross-default provisions. These indentures do not contain any financial covenants or restrictions on our ability to issue new securities thereunder. Except for our notes maturing in 2027 or before, we can redeem our senior notes, at our option, at par plus accrued and unpaid interest.

Under our term loan, we must maintain a debt to EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) ratio of not more than 2.85:1.0, as determined and calculated in the manner described in the term loan documentation. The term loan also contains a negative pledge covenant, which generally requires us to secure equally and ratably any advances under the term loan if we pledge assets or permit liens on our property for the benefit of other debtholders. The term loan also has a cross payment default and cross acceleration provisions. When present, these provisions could have a wider impact on liquidity than might otherwise arise from a default or acceleration of a single debt instrument. Our debt to EBITDA ratio could be adversely impacted by a wide variety of events, including unforeseen contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. This could reduce our financing flexibility due to potential restrictions on incurring additional debt under certain provisions of our debt agreements or, in certain circumstances, could result in a default under certain provisions of such agreements.

None of our long-term debt is secured or guaranteed by other companies.

Compliance

At December 31, 2023 and 2022, we believe we were in compliance with the financial covenants contained in our material debt agreements in all material respects.

Subsequent Event

See Note 18—Subsequent Event, for information regarding certain debt restructuring transactions contemplated under our amended and restated transaction support agreement dated as of January 22, 2024.

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The following table presents details of our accounts receivable balances:

			As of December 31,
			2023						2022(1)
			(Dollars in millions)
Trade and purchased receivables			$	287					320
Earned and unbilled (credits) receivables			(15)						23
Other			23						40
Total accounts receivable			295						383
Less: allowance for credit losses			(34)						(36)
Accounts receivable, less allowance			$	261					347

______________________________________________________________________

(1)Amounts have been adjusted to reflect the immaterial correction of accounts receivable. See Note 1—Background and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies under the header Correction of Immaterial Errors.

We are exposed to concentrations of credit risk from our customers. We generally do not require collateral to secure our receivable balances. We have agreements with other telecommunications service providers whereby we agree to bill and collect on their behalf for services rendered by those providers to our customers within our local service area. We purchase accounts receivable from other telecommunications service providers primarily on a recourse basis and include these amounts in our accounts receivable balance. We have not experienced any significant loss associated with these purchased receivables.

Net property, plant and equipment is composed of the following:

			Depreciable Lives						As of December 31,
									2023						2022
									(Dollars in millions)
Property, plant and equipment:
Land			N/A						$	334					339
Fiber, conduit and other outside plant(1)			15-45 years						7,126						6,755
Central office and other network electronics(2)			7-10 years						5,488						5,283
Support assets(3)			3-30 years						2,845						2,766
Construction in progress(4)			N/A						1,146						747
Gross property, plant and equipment									16,939						15,890
Accumulated depreciation									(8,239)						(7,617)
Net property, plant and equipment									$	8,700					8,273

_______________________________________________________________________________

(1)Fiber, conduit and other outside plant consists of fiber and metallic cable, conduit, poles and other supporting structures.

(2)Central office and other network electronics consists of circuit and packet switches, routers, transmission electronics and electronics providing service to customers.

(3)Support assets consist of buildings, computers and other administrative and support equipment.

(4)Construction in progress includes inventory held for construction and property of the aforementioned categories that has not been placed in service as it is still under construction.

We recorded depreciation expense of $756 million, $781 million and $833 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

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Pension and Post-Retirement Benefits

QCII's post-retirement benefit plans were merged into Lumen's post-retirement benefit plans on January 1, 2012 and on December 31, 2014, QCII's qualified pension plan and a pension plan of an affiliate were merged into the CenturyLink Retirement Plan, which is now named the Lumen Combined Pension Plan (the "LCPP"). Based on current laws and circumstances, (i) Lumen Technologies was not required to make a cash contribution to the LCPP in 2023 and (ii) Lumen Technologies does not expect it will be required to make a contribution in 2024. The amount of required contributions to the LCPP in 2024 and beyond will depend on earnings on plan investments, prevailing discount rates, demographic experience, changes in plan benefits and changes in funding laws and regulations. Lumen Technologies occasionally makes voluntary contributions in addition to required contributions. Lumen Technologies did not make a voluntary contribution to the LCPP in 2023 or 2022.

The unfunded status of Lumen's qualified and non-qualified pension plans for accounting purposes was approximately $769 million and $615 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, which includes the merged QCII qualified pension plan. The unfunded status of Lumen's post-retirement benefit plans for accounting purposes was $1.9 billion and $2.0 billion as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.

Lumen Technologies allocates current service costs to subsidiaries relative to employees who are currently earning benefits under the pension and post-retirement benefit plans. The net cost allocated to us is paid on a monthly basis through Lumen's intercompany cash management process.

The affiliate obligations, net in current and noncurrent liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets primarily represents the cumulative allocation of expense, net of payments, associated with QCII's pension plans and post-retirement benefits plans prior to the plan mergers. In 2015, we agreed to a plan to settle the outstanding pension and post-retirement affiliate obligations, net balance with QCII over a 30 year term. Under the plan, payments are scheduled to be made on a monthly basis. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, we made settlement payments in the aggregate of $57 million and $61 million, respectively, to QCII under the plan. Changes in the affiliate obligations, net are reflected in operating activities on our consolidated statements of cash flows.

We were allocated $22 million of pension service costs and $4 million of post-retirement service costs during the year ended December 31, 2023, which represented 87% of Lumen's total pension and post-retirement service costs for the year. The combined net pension and post-retirement service costs is included in cost of services and products and selling, general and administrative expenses on our consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2023.

We were allocated $31 million of pension service costs and $7 million of post-retirement service costs during the year ended December 31, 2022, which represented 72% of Lumen's total pension and post-retirement service costs for the year. The combined net pension and post-retirement service costs is included in cost of services and products and selling, general and administrative expenses on our consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2022.

We were allocated $38 million of pension service costs and $10 million of post-retirement service costs during the year ended December 31, 2021, which represented 69% of Lumen's total pension and post-retirement service costs for the year. The combined net pension and post-retirement service costs is included in cost of services and products and selling, general and administrative expenses on our consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2021.

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Lumen Technologies sponsors a noncontributory qualified defined benefit pension plan that covers certain of our eligible employees. The LCPP also provides survivor and disability benefits to certain employees. In November 2009, and prior to the plan merger, the pension plan was amended to no longer provide pension benefit accruals for active non-represented employees after December 31, 2009. In addition, non-represented employees hired after January 1, 2009 are not eligible to participate in the plans. Active non-represented employees who participate in these plans retain their accrued pension benefit earned as of December 31, 2009 and certain participants will continue to earn interest credits on their benefit after December 31, 2009. Employees are eligible to receive their vested accrued benefit when they separate from Lumen Technologies. The plans also provided a death benefit for eligible beneficiaries of certain retirees; however, the plan was amended to eliminate this benefit effective March 1, 2010 for retirees who retired prior to January 1, 2004 and whose deaths occur after February 28, 2010 and eliminate the death benefit for eligible beneficiaries of certain retirees who retired after December 31, 2003.

Lumen Technologies maintains post-retirement benefit plans that provide health care and life insurance benefits primarily for certain eligible retirees. The QCII post-retirement benefit plans were merged into Lumen's post-retirement benefit plans on January 1, 2012. The benefit obligation for the occupational health care and life insurance post-retirement plans is estimated based on the terms of benefit plans. In calculating this obligation, Lumen Technologies considers numerous assumptions, estimates and judgments, including but not limited to, discount rates, health care cost trend rates and plan amendments. Effective January 1, 2024, new represented employees are not eligible for benefits as a result of new collective bargaining agreements. New non-represented employees are also not eligible for benefits under the plan.

The terms of the post-retirement health care and life insurance plans between Lumen Technologies and its eligible non-represented employees and its eligible post-1990 non-represented retirees are established by Lumen Technologies and are subject to change at its discretion. Lumen Technologies has a practice of sharing some of the cost of providing health care benefits with its non-represented employees and post-1990 non-represented retirees. The benefit obligation for the non-represented post-retirement health care benefits is based on the terms of the current written plan documents and is adjusted for anticipated continued cost sharing with non-represented employees and post-1990 non-represented retirees. However, Lumen's contribution under its post-1990 non-represented retirees' health care plan is capped at a specific dollar amount.

Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003

Lumen Technologies sponsors post-retirement health care plans with several benefit options that provide prescription drug benefits that Lumen Technologies deems actuarially equivalent to or exceeding Medicare Part D. Lumen Technologies recognizes the impact of the federal subsidy received under the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 in the calculation of its post-retirement benefit obligation and net periodic post-retirement benefit expense.

Other Benefit Plans

Health Care and Life Insurance

We provide health care and life insurance benefits to essentially all of our active employees. We are largely self-funded for the cost of the health care plan. Our health care benefit expense for current employees was $101 million, $99 million and $110 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Employees' group basic life insurance plans are fully insured and the premiums are paid by Lumen Technologies.

401(k) Plans

Lumen Technologies sponsors a qualified defined contribution plan covering substantially all of our employees. Under this plan, employees may contribute a percentage of their annual compensation up to certain maximums, as defined by the plan and by the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS"). Currently, we match a percentage of our employees' contributions in cash. We recognized $27 million, $27 million and $29 million in expense related to this plan for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

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Stock-based compensation expenses are included in cost of services and products, and selling, general, and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of operations.

For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, we recorded stock-based compensation expense of approximately $9 million, $13 million and $15 million, respectively. We recognized an income tax benefit from our compensation expense of approximately $2 million, $3 million and $4 million during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Our financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, advances to and from affiliates, accounts payable, note payable-affiliate and long-term debt, excluding finance lease and other obligations. Due to their short-term nature, the carrying amounts of our cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, advances to and from affiliates, accounts payable and note payable-affiliate 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 Level						Description of Input
Level 1						Observable inputs such as quoted market prices in active markets.
Level 2						Inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable.
Level 3						Unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists.

The following table presents the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of our financial liabilities as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, as well as the input level used to determine the fair values indicated below:

									As of December 31, 2023												As of December 31, 2022
			Input Level						Carrying Amount						Fair Value						Carrying Amount						Fair Value
									(Dollars in millions)
Liabilities-Long-term debt (excluding finance lease and other obligations)			2						$	2,153					1,162						2,154						1,691

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The components of the income tax expense from continuing operations are as follows:

			Years Ended December 31,
			2023						2022						2021
			(Dollars in millions)
Income tax expense:
Federal and foreign
Current			$	432					514						553
Deferred			19						6						17
State and local
Current			107						137						129
Deferred			3						14						10
Income tax expense			$	561					671						709

The effective income tax rate for continuing operations differs from the statutory tax rate as follows:

			Years Ended December 31,
			2023						2022						2021
			(in percent)
Effective income tax rate:
Federal statutory income tax rate			21.0		%				21.0		%				21.0		%
State income taxes-net of federal effect			(31.3)		%				4.3		%				3.7		%
Goodwill impairment			(187.2)		%				—		%				—		%
Change in liability for unrecognized tax position			(8.9)		%				0.6		%				0.4		%
Other			(1.4)		%				—		%				0.1		%
Effective income tax rate			(207.8)		%				25.9		%				25.2		%

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, our effective income tax rate was (207.8)% and 25.9%, respectively. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2023 includes a $505 million unfavorable aggregate impact of non-deductible goodwill impairment.

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The tax effects of temporary differences that gave rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities were as follows:

			As of December 31,
			2023						2022
			(Dollars in millions)
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, plant and equipment			$	(1,464)					(1,414)
Intangible assets			(95)						(114)
Other			(50)						(54)
Total deferred tax liabilities			(1,609)						(1,582)
Deferred tax assets:
Payable to affiliate due to post-retirement benefit plan participation			292						302
Gross deferred tax assets			292						302
Less valuation allowance on deferred tax assets			—						—
Net deferred tax assets			292						302
Net deferred tax liabilities			$	(1,317)					(1,280)

At December 31, 2023, we had no established valuation allowance based on our assessment of whether it is not more likely than not that our deferred tax assets will be realized.

As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the $1.3 billion and $1.3 billion net deferred tax liabilities are included in long-term liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet.

With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local or non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2016. The Internal Revenue Service and state and local taxing authorities reserve the right to audit any period where net operating loss carryforwards are available.

A reconciliation of the change in our gross unrecognized tax benefits (excluding both interest and any related federal benefit) from January 1 to December 31 for 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

			Years ended December 31,
			2023						2022
			(Dollars in millions)
Unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of period			$	332					360
Decrease due to tax positions taken in a prior year			(1)						(28)
Decrease due to tax positions taken in a current year			(14)						—
Unrecognized tax benefits at end of period			$	317					332

As of December 31, 2023, the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact the effective income tax rate is immaterial. The unrecognized tax benefits also includes tax positions that, if recognized, would result in adjustments to other tax accounts, primarily deferred taxes, that would not impact the effective tax rate but could impact cash tax amounts payable to taxing authorities.

Our policy is to reflect interest expense associated with unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. We had accrued interest (presented before related tax benefits) of approximately $125 million and $95 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

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Based on our current assessment of various factors, including (i) the potential outcomes of these ongoing examinations, (ii) the expiration of statute of limitations for specific jurisdictions, (iii) the negotiated settlement of certain disputed issues, and (iv) the administrative practices of applicable taxing jurisdictions, it is reasonably possible that the related unrecognized tax benefits for uncertain tax positions previously taken may not change in the next 12 months. The actual amount of changes, if any, will depend on future developments and events, many of which are outside our control.

We paid $509 million, $673 million, and $697 million related to income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.

In August 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act was signed into law and which, among other things, implemented a corporate alternative minimum tax (“CAMT”) on adjusted financial statement income effective for tax periods occurring after December 31, 2022. The CAMT had no material impact on our financial results as of December 31, 2023. In addition, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development has issued Pillar Two model rules introducing a new global minimum tax of 15% intended to be effective on January 1, 2024. While the US has not yet adopted the Pillar Two rules, various other governments around the world are enacting legislation, some of which are effective for tax periods after December 31, 2023. While the global minimum tax will increase our administrative and compliance burdens, it is expected to have an immaterial impact to our financial statements.

We provide incumbent local exchange carrier telecommunications services to our affiliates that we also provide to external customers. These services are priced at regulated rates, where applicable, or otherwise at rates we believe are consistent with non-regulated market-based rates charged to external customers.

We also provide to our affiliates shared services in the form of application development and support services, as well as network support and technical services, and administrative and corporate support. In this regard, we function as a service company to other Lumen affiliates, and correspondingly recognize affiliate revenue based on the costs for the services that we provide to those affiliates.

Whenever possible, costs for shared services are incurred directly by our affiliates for the services they use. When these shared costs are not directly incurred, they are allocated among all affiliates based upon what we determine to be the most reasonable method, first using cost causative measures, or, if no cost causative measure is available, using a general allocator. From time to time, we may adjust the basis for allocating the costs of a shared service among affiliates. As applicable any such changes in allocation methodologies are applied prospectively.

For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, direct affiliate revenue was $1.6 billion, $1.7 billion, and $1.7 billion, respectively, and allocated affiliate revenue was $537 million, $597 million, and $661 million, respectively.

We are subject to various claims, legal proceedings and other contingent liabilities, including the matters described below, which individually or in the aggregate could materially affect our financial condition, future results of operations or cash flows. As a matter of course, we are prepared to both litigate these matters to judgment as needed, as well as to evaluate and consider reasonable settlement opportunities.

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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 December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we had accrued $15 million and $19 million, respectively, in the aggregate for our litigation and non-income tax contingencies, which is included in "Other" current liabilities and "Other Liabilities" in our consolidated balance sheet as of such date. We cannot at this time estimate the reasonably possible loss or range of loss in excess of this $15 million accrual 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.

Principal Proceedings

Billing Practices Suits

In June 2017, a former employee of a Lumen Technologies subsidiary filed an employment lawsuit against Lumen Technologies (at the time named CenturyLink, Inc.) claiming that she was wrongfully terminated for alleging that Lumen charged some of its retail customers for products and services they did not authorize. Thereafter, based in part on the allegations made by the former employee, several legal proceedings were filed, including consumer class actions in federal and state courts, a series of securities investor class actions in federal courts, and several shareholder derivative actions in federal and Louisiana state courts. The derivative cases were brought on behalf of CenturyLink, Inc. against certain current and former officers and directors of the Company and seek damages for alleged breaches of fiduciary duties.

The consumer class actions, the securities investor class actions, and the federal derivative actions were transferred to the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota for coordinated and consolidated pretrial proceedings as In Re: CenturyLink Sales Practices and Securities Litigation. Lumen Technologies has settled the consumer and securities investor class actions, and the derivative actions.

Lumen has engaged in discussions regarding related claims with a number of state attorneys general, and has entered into agreements settling certain of the consumer practices claims asserted by state attorneys general. While Lumen Technologies does not agree with allegations raised in these matters, it has been willing to consider reasonable settlements where appropriate.

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 the 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 communications networks or the communications supply chain.

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•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.

We are cooperating with the investigations.

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 Qwest Corp. as at fault: Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance Company, et al., v. Qwest Corp., et al., Case No. 2023-cv-3048, and Wallace, et al. v, Qwest Corp., et al, Case No. 2023-cv-30488, both of which have been consolidated with Kupfner et al v Public Service Company of Colorado, et al. Case No. 2022-cv-30195. The consolidated proceeding is pending in Colorado District Court, Boulder, Colorado, Preliminary estimates of potential damage claims exceed $2 billion. Qwest is vigorously defending the claims.

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 has narrowed the issues to be resolved by jury, ruling that Lumen bears the burden of proving that its actions were reasonable or known and approved by the State. Qwest is defending the New Mexico claims vigorously, as it has done successfully with other 911 claims involving PRS in other states.

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, various tax issues, environmental law issues, grievance hearings before labor regulatory agencies and miscellaneous third-party tort actions or commercial disputes.

We are currently defending several patent infringement lawsuits asserted against us by non-practicing entities, many of which are seeking substantial recoveries. These cases have progressed to various stages and one or more may go to trial 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. As with all litigation, we are vigorously defending these actions and, as a matter of course, are prepared to litigate these matters to judgment, as well as to evaluate and consider all reasonable settlement opportunities.

We are subject to various 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 outcome of these other proceedings described under this heading is not predictable. However, based on current circumstances, we do not believe that the ultimate resolution of these other proceedings, after considering available defenses and any insurance coverage or indemnification rights, will have a material adverse effect on us.

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The matters listed in this Note do not reflect all of our contingencies. The ultimate outcome of the above-described matters may differ materially from the outcomes anticipated, estimated, projected or implied by us in certain of our statements appearing above in this Note, and proceedings currently viewed as immaterial by us may ultimately materially impact us.

Right-of-Way

At December 31, 2023, our future rental commitments and Right-of-Way ("ROW") agreements were as follows:

			Future Rental Commitments and ROW Agreements
			(Dollars in millions)
2024			$	26
2025			2
2026			2
2027			2
2028			2
2029 and thereafter			25
Total future minimum payments			$	59

Purchase Commitments

We have several commitments primarily for marketing activities and support services from a variety of vendors to be used in the ordinary course of business totaling $114 million at December 31, 2023. Of this amount, we expect to purchase $22 million in 2024, $24 million in 2025 through 2026, $18 million in 2027 through 2028 and $50 million in 2029 and thereafter. These amounts do not represent our entire anticipated purchases in the future, but represent only those items for which we were contractually committed as of December 31, 2023.

Other Current Assets

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

			As of December 31,
			2023						2022
			(Dollars in millions)
Prepaid expenses			$	48					46
Contract acquisition costs			34						38
Contract fulfillment costs			28						30
Assets held for sale			29						—
Other			5						6
Total other current assets			$	144					120

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Other Current Liabilities

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

			As of December 31,
			2023						2022
			(Dollars in millions)
Current affiliate obligation			$	52					57
Current operating lease liability			20						21
Other			49						52
Total other current liabilities			$	121					130

Other Noncurrent Liabilities

The following table presents details of other noncurrent liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets:

			As of December 31,
			2023						2022
			(Dollars in millions)
Unrecognized tax benefits			$	442					427
Noncurrent operating lease liability			47						58
Other			190						169
Total other noncurrent liabilities			$	679					654

Common Stock

We have one share of common stock (no par value) issued and outstanding, which is owned by QSC.

In addition, in the normal course of business, we transfer assets and liabilities to and from QSC and its affiliates, which are recorded through our equity. It is our policy to record these asset transfers based on carrying values.

Dividends

We declared and paid the following cash dividend to QSC:

			Years Ended December 31,
			2023						2022						2021
			(Dollars in millions)
Cash dividend declared to QSC			$	1,980					—						570
Cash dividend paid to QSC(1)			1,980						—						570

______________________________________________________________________

(1) In 2023, we declared a dividend of advances to affiliate to our parent.

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The timing of cash payments for declared dividends to QSC is at our discretion in consultation with QSC. We may declare and pay dividends to QSC in excess of our earnings to the extent permitted by applicable law. Our debt covenants do not limit the amount of dividends we can pay to QSC. Dividends paid are reflected on our consolidated statement of cash flows as financing activities.

Transaction Support Agreement

On January 22, 2024, the Company, Lumen, Level 3, and a group of creditors holding a majority of Lumen's consolidated debt (the "TSA Parties") amended and restated the transaction support agreement that we originally entered into with a subset of the TSA Parties on October 31, 2023 (as amended and restated, the “Transaction Support Agreement”).

The Transaction Support Agreement defines the parties’ commitments to effect a series of transactions (the “TSA Transactions”) set forth in the term sheet attached thereto (the “Term Sheet”). Among other things and subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, the Transaction Support Agreement, including the Term Sheet, contemplates:

•the incurrence by Level 3 Financing of $1.325 billion in new money long term senior secured first lien indebtedness, which indebtedness will be backstopped by certain of the consenting lenders;

•a new revolving credit facility at Lumen in an amount expected to be approximately $1 billion;

•the extension of maturities, covenant modifications and rate increases of certain secured and unsecured indebtedness at Lumen and Level 3 through a series of exchanges and other debt transactions with certain consenting lenders as set forth in the Term Sheet; and

•the repayment of certain indebtedness of Lumen and Qwest.

The outside date for completion of the TSA Transactions under the Transaction Support Agreement is February 29, 2024, which Lumen may unilaterally extend at its discretion to March 31, 2024. The Company expects to consummate the TSA Transactions in the first quarter of 2024, subject to the satisfaction of remaining closing conditions.

Following consummation of the TSA Transactions, Level 3 Financing and our other affiliates may assess potential follow-on transactions with respect to non-participating creditors.

Additional information about the Transaction Support Agreement and the TSA Transactions is available in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 25, 2024, and Exhibit 10.10 to this annual report.

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v3.24.0.1

Cover - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Feb. 22, 2024	Jun. 30, 2023
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2023
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-03040
Entity Registrant Name	QWEST CORPORATION
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	CO
Entity Tax Identification Number	84-0273800
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 Information [Line Items]
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag	false
Document Financial Statement Error Correction	true
Document Financial Statement Restatement Recovery Analysis	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		1
Documents Incorporated by Reference	DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE: None.
Entity Central Index Key	0000068622
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Public Float			$ 0
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2023
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
6.5% Notes Due 2056
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	6.5% Notes Due 2056
Trading Symbol(s)	CTBB
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
6.75% Notes Due 2057
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	6.75% Notes Due 2057
Trading Symbol(s)	CTDD
Security Exchange Name	NYSE

v3.24.0.1

Audit Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023
Audit Information [Abstract]
Auditor Name	KPMG LLP
Auditor Location	Denver, Colorado
Auditor Firm ID	185

v3.24.0.1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Total operating revenue	$ 5,915	$ 6,449	$ 6,951
OPERATING EXPENSES
Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	1,608	1,646	1,722
Selling, general and administrative	478	454	354
Operating expenses - affiliates	796	734	758
Depreciation and amortization	823	860	1,009
Goodwill impairment	(2,405)	0	0
Total operating expenses	6,110	3,694	3,843
OPERATING (LOSS) INCOME	(195)	2,755	3,108
OTHER (EXPENSE) INCOME
Interest expense	(95)	(112)	(181)
Other income (expense), net	5	7	(6)
Total other expense, net	(75)	(165)	(292)
(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(270)	2,590	2,816
Income tax expense	561	671	709
NET INCOME	(831)	1,919	2,107
Affiliated Entity
OTHER (EXPENSE) INCOME
Interest and Other Income	15
Interest Expense, Other		(60)	(105)
Non-Affiliate Services
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Total operating revenue	3,756	4,155	4,562
Affiliate Services
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Total operating revenue	$ 2,159	$ 2,294	$ 2,389

v3.24.0.1

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 10	$ 8
Accounts receivable, less allowance of $34 and $36	261	347
Other	144	120
Total current assets	415	1,044
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $8,239 and $7,617	8,700	8,273
GOODWILL AND OTHER ASSETS
Goodwill	6,955	9,360
Other intangible assets, net	103	138
Other, net	164	141
Total goodwill and other assets	7,222	9,639
TOTAL ASSETS	16,337	18,956
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Current maturities of long-term debt	1	2
Accounts payable	362	231
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
Salaries and benefits	130	127
Income and other taxes	96	89
Other	121	130
Current portion of deferred revenue	162	167
Total current liabilities	933	746
LONG-TERM DEBT	2,156	2,155
DEFERRED CREDITS AND OTHER LIABILITIES
Deferred income taxes, net	1,318	1,282
Other	679	654
Total deferred credits and other liabilities	2,492	2,488
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 14)
STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
Common stock - one share without par value, owned by Qwest Services Corporation	10,050	10,050
Retained earnings	706	3,517
Total stockholder's equity	10,756	13,567
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY	16,337	18,956
Affiliated Entity
CURRENT ASSETS
Advances to affiliates	0	569
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Advances from affiliates	61	0
Note payable - affiliate	0
DEFERRED CREDITS AND OTHER LIABILITIES
Affiliate obligations, net	$ 495	$ 552

v3.24.0.1

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, allowance	$ 34	$ 36
PP&E, accumulated depreciation	$ 8,239	$ 7,617
Common stock, share issued (shares)	1	1
Common stock, share outstanding (shares)	1	1

v3.24.0.1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net (loss) income	$ (831)	$ 1,919	$ 2,107
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	823	860	1,009
Goodwill impairment	2,405	0	0
Deferred income taxes	22	20	27
Provision for uncollectible accounts	66	60	27
Accrued interest on affiliate note	0	28	57
Net loss on early retirement of debt	0	0	8
Changes in current assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	20	(68)	36
Accounts payable	14	(29)	(41)
Accrued income and other taxes	7	(5)	(1)
Other current assets and liabilities, net	(97)	(26)	(176)
Changes in other noncurrent assets and liabilities, net	17	(28)	(13)
Changes in affiliate obligations, net	(62)	(90)	(12)
Other, net	5	(15)	5
Net cash provided by operating activities	2,389	2,626	3,033
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital expenditures	(1,062)	(849)	(797)
Changes in advances to affiliates	569		0
Changes in advances to affiliates		(576)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and other assets	27	76	46
Net cash used in investing activities	(466)	(1,349)	(751)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Payment of note payable - affiliate	0	(1,215)	0
Payments of long-term debt	(2)	(1)	(1,186)
Dividends paid	(1,980)	0	(570)
Changes in advances from affiliates	61	(55)	(537)
Net cash used in financing activities	(1,921)	(1,271)	(2,293)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	2	6	(11)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	10	4	15
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	12	10	4
Supplemental cash flow information:
Income taxes paid, net	(509)	(673)	(697)
Interest paid, including affiliate interest (net of capitalized interest of $54, $29 and $19)	(97)	(113)	(188)
Supplemental noncash information of investing activities:
Sale of property, plant and equipment in exchange for receivable	0	0	56
Supplemental noncash information of financing activities:
Dividend to parent in exchange for advances to affiliates	(1,980)	0	0
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash:
Cash and cash equivalents	10	8	2
Restricted cash - noncurrent	2	2	2
Total	$ 12	$ 10	$ 4

v3.24.0.1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Interest paid, capitalized interest	$ 54	$ 29	$ 19

v3.24.0.1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY (DEFICIT) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Total	COMMON STOCK	RETAINED EARNINGS
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2020		$ 10,050	$ 61
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholder's Equity
Net (loss) income	$ 2,107		2,107
Dividends declared and paid to Qwest Services Corporation	(570)		(570)
Balance at end of period at Dec. 31, 2021	11,648	10,050	1,598
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholder's Equity
Net (loss) income	1,919		1,919
Dividends declared and paid to Qwest Services Corporation	0
Balance at end of period at Dec. 31, 2022	13,567	10,050	3,517
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholder's Equity
Net (loss) income	(831)		(831)
Dividends declared and paid to Qwest Services Corporation	(1,980)		(1,980)
Balance at end of period at Dec. 31, 2023	$ 10,756	$ 10,050	$ 706

v3.24.0.1

Background and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Background and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Background and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies General We are a facilities-based technology and communications company that provides a broad array of integrated communications products and services to our business and mass markets customers. Our specific products and services are detailed in Note 3—Revenue Recognition of this report. We generate the majority of our total consolidated operating revenue from services provided in the 14-state region of Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. We refer to this region as our local service area. Basis of Presentation The accompanying consolidated financial statements include our accounts and the accounts of our subsidiaries. Intercompany amounts and transactions with our consolidated subsidiaries have been eliminated. Transactions with our non-consolidated affiliates (referred to herein as affiliates) have not been eliminated. We reclassified certain prior period amounts to conform to the current period presentation, including our revenue by product and service categories. See Note 3—Revenue Recognition for additional information. These changes had no impact on total operating revenue, total operating expenses or net (loss) income for any period. Operating Expenses Our current definitions of operating expenses are as follows: •Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) are expenses incurred in providing products and services to our customers. These expenses include: employee-related expenses directly attributable to operating and maintaining our network (such as salaries, wages, benefits and professional fees); facilities expenses (which include third-party telecommunications expenses we incur for using other carriers' networks to provide services to our customers); rents and utilities expenses; equipment sales expenses (such as data integration and modem expenses); and other expenses directly related to our operations; and •Selling, general and administrative expenses are corporate overhead and other operating expenses. These expenses include: employee-related expenses (such as salaries, wages, internal commissions, benefits and professional fees) directly attributable to selling products or services and employee-related expenses for administrative functions; marketing and advertising; property and other operating taxes and fees; external commissions; litigation expenses associated with general matters; bad debt expense; and other selling, general and administrative expenses. These expense classifications may not be comparable to those of other companies. Segments Our operations are integrated into and reported as part of Lumen Technologies. Lumen's chief operating decision maker ("CODM") is our CODM but reviews our financial information on an aggregate basis only in connection with our quarterly and annual reports that we file with the SEC. Consequently, we do not provide our discrete financial information to the CODM on a regular basis. As such, we have one reportable segment. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Use of Estimates Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. These accounting principles require us to make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions. We believe that the estimates, judgments and assumptions we make when accounting for specific items and matters are reasonable, based on information available at the time they are made. These estimates, judgments and assumptions can materially affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and components of stockholder's equity as of the dates of the consolidated balance sheets, as well as the reported amounts of revenue, expenses and components of cash flows during the periods presented in our other consolidated financial statements. We also make estimates in our assessments of potential losses in relation to threatened or pending tax and legal matters. See Note 12—Income Taxes and Note 14—Commitments, Contingencies and Other Items for additional information. For matters not related to income taxes, if a loss is considered probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated, we recognize an expense for the estimated loss. If we have the potential to recover a portion of the estimated loss from a third party, we make a separate assessment of recoverability and reduce the estimated loss if recovery is also deemed probable. For matters related to income taxes, if we determine the impact of an uncertain tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant taxing authority, then we recognize a benefit for the largest amount that is more likely than not to be sustained. We do not recognize any portion of an uncertain tax position if the position has less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained. We recognize interest on the amount of unrecognized benefit from uncertain tax positions. For all of these and other matters, actual results could differ materially from our estimates. Revenue Recognition We earn most of our consolidated revenue from contracts with customers, primarily through the provision of communications and other services. Revenue from contracts with customers is accounted for under Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 606. We also earn revenue from leasing arrangements (primarily fiber capacity agreements) and governmental subsidy payments, neither of which are accounted for under ASC 606. Revenue is recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to our customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to receive in exchange for those goods or services. Revenue is recognized based on the following five-step model: •Identification of the contract with a customer; •Identification of the performance obligations in the contract; •Determination of the transaction price; •Allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and •Recognition of revenue when, or as, we satisfy a performance obligation. We provide an array of communications services to business and residential customers, including local voice, VPN, Ethernet, data, broadband, private line (including special access), network access, transport, voice, information technology, video and other ancillary services. We provide these services to a wide range of businesses, including global/international, enterprise, wholesale, government, and small and medium business customers. Certain contracts also include the sale of equipment, which is not significant to our business. We recognize revenue for services when we provide the applicable service or when control of a product is transferred. Recognition of certain payments received in advance of services being provided is deferred. These advance payments may include certain activation and certain installation charges. If the activation and installation charges are not separate performance obligations, we recognize them as revenue over the actual or expected contract term using historical experience, which typically ranges from one to five years depending on the service. In most cases, termination fees or other fees on existing contracts that are negotiated in conjunction with new contracts are deferred and recognized over the new contract term. For access services, we generally bill fixed monthly charges one month in advance to customers and recognize revenue as service is provided over the contract term in alignment with the customer's receipt of service. For usage and other ancillary services, we generally bill in arrears and recognize revenue as usage or delivery occurs. In most cases, the amount invoiced for our service offerings constitutes the price that would be billed on a standalone basis. In certain cases, customers may be permitted to modify their contracts. We evaluate the change in scope or price to identify whether the modification should be treated as a separate contract, as a termination of the existing contract and creation of a new contract, or as a change to the existing contract. Customer contracts are evaluated to determine whether the performance obligations are separable. If the performance obligations are deemed separable and separate earnings processes exist, the total transaction price that we expect to receive with the customer is allocated to each performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price. The revenue associated with each performance obligation is then recognized as earned. We periodically sell transmission capacity on our network. These transactions are generally structured as indefeasible rights of use, commonly referred to as IRUs, which are the exclusive right to use a specified amount of capacity or fiber for a specified term, typically 20 years. In most cases, we account for the cash consideration received on transfers of transmission capacity as ASC 606 revenue, which is adjusted for the time value of money and is recognized ratably over the term of the agreement. Cash consideration received on transfers of dark fiber is accounted for as non-ASC 606 lease revenue, which we also recognize ratably over the term of the agreement. We do not recognize revenue on any contemporaneous exchanges of our transmission capacity assets for other non-owned transmission capacity assets. In connection with offering products and services provided to the end user by third-party vendors, we review the relationship between us, the vendor and the end user to assess whether revenue should be reported on a gross or net basis. In assessing whether revenue should be reported on a gross or net basis, we consider whether we act as a principal in the transaction and control the goods and services used to fulfill the performance obligations associated with the transaction. We have service level commitments pursuant to contracts with certain of our customers. To the extent that we determine that such service levels were not achieved or may not have been achieved, we estimate the amount of credits to be issued and record a corresponding reduction to revenue in the period that the service level commitment was not met or may not be met. Customer payments are made based on billing schedules included in our customer contracts, which is typically on a monthly basis. We defer (or capitalize) incremental contract acquisition and fulfillment costs and recognize (or amortize) such costs over the average contract life. Our deferred contract costs for our customers have average amortization periods of approximately 36 months for mass markets customers and 33 months for business customers. These deferred costs are periodically monitored to reflect any significant change in assumptions. See Note 3—Revenue Recognition for additional information. Affiliate Transactions We provide to our affiliates telecommunications services that we also provide to external customers. In addition, we provide to our affiliates application development and support services. Services provided by us to our affiliates are recognized as operating revenue-affiliates in our consolidated statements of operations. We also purchase services from our affiliates including telecommunications services, marketing and employee-related support services. Services provided to us from our affiliates are recognized as operating expenses-affiliates on our consolidated statements of operations. Because of the significance of the services we provide to our affiliates and our affiliates provide to us, the results of operations, financial position and cash flows presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations, financial position and cash flows we would have achieved had we operated as a stand-alone entity during the periods presented. We recognize intercompany charges at the amounts billed to us by our affiliates and we recognize intercompany revenue for services we bill to our affiliates. For additional information, see Note 13—Affiliate Transactions. Our ultimate parent company, Lumen Technologies, Inc. has cash management arrangements or loan arrangements with a majority of its subsidiaries that include lines of credit, affiliate obligations, capital contributions and dividends. As part of these cash management arrangements, affiliates provide lines of credit to certain other affiliates. Amounts outstanding under these lines of credit and intercompany obligations vary from time to time. Under these arrangements, the majority of our cash balance is transferred on a daily basis for centralized management by Lumen's service company affiliate. From time to time, we may declare and pay dividends to QSC, our direct parent, using cash owed to us under these advances, which has the net effect of reducing the amount of these advances. We report the balance of these transfers on our consolidated balance sheet as advances to affiliates. Dividends paid are reflected on our consolidated statements of stockholder's equity and the consolidated statements of cash flows reflects the changes in advances to affiliates as investing activities and changes in advances from affiliates as financing activities. Interest is assessed on advances to and from affiliates using the current interest rate for our note payable-affiliate. The affiliate obligations, net in current and noncurrent liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets primarily represents the cumulative allocation of expense, net of payments, associated with QCII’s pension plans and post-retirement benefits plans prior to the plan mergers. In 2015, we agreed to a plan to settle the outstanding affiliate obligations, net balance with QCII over a 30 year term. Under the plan, payments are scheduled to be made on a monthly basis. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, we made settlement payments of $57 million and $61 million, respectively, to QCII in accordance with the plan. Changes in the affiliate obligations, net are reflected in operating activities on our consolidated statements of cash flows. In the normal course of business, we transfer assets to and from various affiliates through our parent, QSC, which are recorded through our equity. It is our policy to record asset transfers based on carrying values. These transactions may reduce our capital resources for debt repayments and other purposes. On September 30, 2022, Qwest Corporation repaid the outstanding principal and interest on the Note Payable - Affiliate to an affiliate of our ultimate parent company, Lumen Technologies, Inc., under a revolving promissory note. For additional information, see "Note Payable - Affiliate" in Note 6—Long-Term Debt and Note Payable - Affiliate. Advertising Costs Costs related to advertising are expensed as incurred and recorded as selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of operations. Our advertising expense was $17 million, $26 million and $24 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Legal Costs In the normal course of our business, we incur costs to hire and retain external legal counsel to advise us on finance, regulatory, litigation and other matters. Subject to certain exceptions, we expense these costs as the related services are received. Income Taxes Our results are included in the Lumen Technologies consolidated federal income tax return and certain combined state income tax returns. Lumen Technologies allocates income tax expense to us based upon a separate return method which results in income tax expense that approximates the expense that would result if we were a stand-alone entity. Our reported deferred tax assets and liabilities, as discussed below and in Note 12—Income Taxes, are primarily determined as a result of the application of the separate return method and therefore the settlement of these amounts is dependent upon our parent, Lumen Technologies, Inc., rather than tax authorities. The provision for income taxes consists of an amount for taxes currently payable, an amount for tax consequences deferred to future periods and adjustments to our liabilities for uncertain tax positions. We record deferred income tax assets and liabilities reflecting future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying value of assets and liabilities and the tax basis of those assets and liabilities. Deferred taxes are computed using enacted tax rates expected to apply in the year in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. The effect on deferred income tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rate is recognized in earnings in the period that includes the enactment date. We establish valuation allowances when necessary to reduce deferred income tax assets to the amounts that we believe are more likely than not to be recovered. Each quarter we evaluate the need to retain all or a portion of the valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets. See Note 12—Income Taxes for additional information. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents include highly liquid investments that are readily convertible into cash and are not subject to significant risk from fluctuations in interest rates. As a result, the value at which cash and cash equivalents are reported in our consolidated financial statements approximates their fair value. Our cash collections are transferred to Lumen Technologies, Inc. on a daily basis and our ultimate parent funds our cash disbursement needs. The net cash transferred to Lumen Technologies, Inc. has been reflected as advances to affiliates in our consolidated balance sheets. Book overdrafts occur when we have issued checks but have not yet been presented to our controlled disbursement bank accounts for payment. Disbursement bank accounts allow us to delay funding of issued checks until the checks are presented for payment. Until the issued checks are presented for payment, the book overdrafts are included in accounts payable on our consolidated balance sheets. This activity is included in the operating activities section in our consolidated statements of cash flows. There were no book overdrafts included in accounts payable at December 31, 2023 or December 31, 2022. Restricted Cash Restricted cash consists primarily of cash and investments that serve to collateralize certain performance and operating obligations. Restricted cash is recorded as current or non-current assets in the consolidated balance sheets depending on the duration of the restriction and the purpose for which the restriction exists. Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses Accounts receivable are recognized based upon the amount due from customers for the services provided or at cost for purchased and other receivables less an allowance for credit losses. We use a loss rate method to estimate our allowance for credit losses. For more information on our methodology for estimating our allowance for credit losses, see Note 5—Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. We generally consider our accounts past due if they are outstanding over 30 days. Our past due accounts are written off against our allowance for credit losses when collection is considered to be not probable. Any recoveries of accounts previously written off are generally recognized as a reduction in bad debt expense in the period received. The carrying value of accounts receivable, net of the allowance for credit losses, approximates fair value. Property, Plant and Equipment As a result of our indirect acquisition by Lumen Technologies, Inc., property, plant and equipment acquired at the time of acquisition was recorded based on its estimated fair value as of the acquisition date. Subsequently purchased and constructed property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Property, plant and equipment is depreciated primarily using the straight-line group method. Under the straight-line group method, assets dedicated to providing telecommunications services (which comprise the majority of our property, plant and equipment) that have similar physical characteristics, use and expected useful lives are pooled for purposes of depreciation and tracking. We use the equal life group procedure to establish each pool's average remaining useful life. Generally, under the straight-line group method, when an asset is sold or retired in the course of normal business activities, the cost is deducted from property, plant and equipment and charged to accumulated depreciation without recognition of a gain or loss. A gain or loss is recognized in our consolidated statements of operations only if a disposal is unusual. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the useful lives of the assets or the expected lease term. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. During the construction phase of network and other internal-use capital projects, we capitalize related employee and interest costs. Property, plant and equipment supplies used internally are carried at average cost, except for significant individual items for which cost is based on specific identification. We perform annual internal reviews to evaluate the reasonableness of the depreciable lives for our property, plant and equipment. Our reviews utilize models that take into account actual usage, physical wear and tear, replacement history, assumptions about technology evolution and, in certain instances, actuarially determined probabilities to estimate the remaining useful life of our asset base. Our remaining useful life assessments evaluate the possible loss in service value of assets that may precede the physical retirement. Assets shared among many customers may lose service value as those customers reduce their use of the network. However, the asset is not retired until all customers no longer utilize the asset and we determine there is no alternative use for the asset. We review long-lived tangible assets for impairment whenever facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of the assets may not be recoverable. For assessment purposes, long-lived assets are grouped with other assets and liabilities at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities, absent a material change in operations. An impairment loss is recognized only if the carrying amount of the asset group is not recoverable and exceeds its estimated fair value. Recoverability of the asset group to be held and used is assessed by comparing the carrying amount of the asset group to the estimated undiscounted future net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset group. If the asset group's carrying value is not recoverable, we recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds its estimated fair value. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets We initially record intangible assets arising from business combinations, such as goodwill and capitalized software at estimated fair value. We amortize capitalized software using the straight-line method over estimated lives ranging up to seven years. Other intangible assets not arising from business combinations are initially recorded at cost. Internally used software, whether purchased or developed by us, is capitalized and amortized using the straight-line method over its estimated useful life. We have capitalized certain costs associated with software such as costs of employees devoting time to the projects and external direct costs for materials and services. Costs associated with software to be used for internal purposes are expensed until the point at which the project has reached the development stage. Subsequent additions, modifications or upgrades to internal-use software are capitalized only to the extent that they allow the software to perform a task it previously did not perform. Software maintenance, data conversion and training costs are expensed in the period in which they are incurred. We review the remaining economic lives of our capitalized software annually. Capitalized software is included in other intangible assets, net, in our consolidated balance sheets. We are required to assess our goodwill for impairment annually, or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that would indicate an impairment may have occurred. We are required to write-down the value of goodwill of the reporting unit in periods in which the carrying amount of the reporting unit equity exceeds the estimated fair value of the equity of the reporting unit limited to the goodwill balance. The impairment assessment is performed at the reporting unit level. We have determined that our operations consist of one reporting unit, consistent with our determination that our business consists of one operating segment. See Note 2—Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets for additional information. Pension and Post-Retirement Benefits A substantial portion of our active and retired employees participate in the Lumen Combined Pension Plan. On December 31, 2014, the QCII pension plan and a pension plan of an affiliate were merged into the CenturyLink Retirement Plan, and the CenturyLink Retirement Plan is now named the Lumen Combined Pension Plan. Prior to the pension plan merger, the above-noted employees participated in the QCII pension plan. In addition, certain of our employees participate in Lumen's post-retirement health care and life insurance benefit plans. Lumen Technologies allocates service costs relating to pension and post-retirement health care and life insurance benefits to us and its other affiliates. The amounts contributed by us through Lumen Technologies are not segregated or restricted to pay amounts due to our employees and may be used to provide benefits to other employees of Lumen Technologies. The allocation of the service costs to us is based upon our employees who are currently earning benefits under the plans. For further information on qualified pension, post-retirement and other post-employment benefit plans, see Note 11—Employee Benefits to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of Lumen's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. Correction of Immaterial Errors During 2023, we identified errors in our previously reported consolidated financial statements related to accounts receivable and accounts payable. The errors are the result of understated revenues from one of our legacy mainframe billing systems and understated network expenses for periods prior to 2021. We have completed a quantitative and qualitative evaluation of the errors individually and in aggregate, and concluded the errors are immaterial to our previously issued consolidated financial statements. Notwithstanding this evaluation, we have revised certain line items on our December 31, 2022 consolidated balance sheet for these errors. The net effect of these adjustments was an increase in accounts receivable of $38 million and a decrease in advances to affiliates of $7 million for a total increase in assets of $31 million, and an increase in accounts payable and total liabilities of $18 million on our December 31, 2022 consolidated balance sheet. In addition, we recorded an adjustment to increase our January 1, 2021 retained earnings by $13 million, which represents the cumulative correction of the immaterial errors prior to January 1, 2021. The errors did not have an impact on our previously issued consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive (loss) income, or cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2022 or 2021, and did not, and are not expected to, have an impact on the economics of the Company's existing or future commercial arrangements. Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements Supplier Finance Programs On January 1, 2023, we adopted Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2022-04, “Liabilities-Supplier Finance Program (Subtopic 405-50): Disclosure of Supplier Finance Program Obligations” (“ASU 2022-04”). These amendments require that a company that uses a supplier finance program in connection with the purchase of goods or services disclose sufficient information about the program to allow a user of financial statements to understand the program’s nature, program activity during the period, changes from period to period and the potential magnitude of program transactions. The adoption of ASU 2022-04 did not have a material impact to our consolidated financial statements. Credit Losses On January 1, 2023, we adopted ASU 2022-02, "Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Troubled Debt Restructurings (“TDR”) and Vintage Disclosures” (“ASU 2022-02”). The ASU eliminates the TDR recognition and measurement guidance, enhances existing disclosure requirements and introduces new requirements related to certain modifications of receivables made to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty. The adoption of ASU 2022-02 did not have any impact to our consolidated financial statements. Government Assistance On January 1, 2022, we adopted ASU 2021-10 "Government Assistance (Topic 832): Disclosures by Business Entities about Government Assistance" ("ASU 2021-10"). This ASU requires business entities to disclose information about certain types of government assistance they receive. Please refer to Note 3—Revenue Recognition for more information. Leases On January 1, 2022, we adopted ASU 2021-05, “Leases (Topic 842): Lessors—Certain Leases with Variable Lease Payments” (“ASU 2021-05”). This ASU (i) amends the lease classification requirements for lessors to align them with practice under ASC Topic 840, (ii) provides criteria for lessors to classify and account for a lease with variable lease payments that do not depend on a reference index or a rate as an operating lease; and (iii) provides guidance with respect to net investments by lessors under operating leases and other related topics. The adoption of ASU 2021-05 did not have a material impact to our consolidated financial statements. Debt On January 1, 2021, we adopted ASU 2020-09, "Debt (Topic 470) Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Release No. 33-10762" ("ASU 2020-09"). This ASU amends and supersedes various SEC guidance to reflect SEC Release No. 33-10762, which includes amendments to the financial disclosure requirements applicable to registered debt offerings that include credit enhancements, such as subsidiary guarantees. The adoption of ASU 2020-09 did not have a material impact to our consolidated financial statements. Investments On January 1, 2021, we adopted ASU 2020-01, "Investments - Equity Securities (Topic 321), Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) - Clarifying the Interactions between Topic 321, Topic 323, and Topic 815)" ("ASU 2020-01"). This ASU, among other things, clarifies that a company should consider observable transactions that require a company to either apply or discontinue the equity method of accounting under Topic 323, Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures, for the purposes of applying the measurement alternative in accordance with Topic 321 immediately before applying or upon discontinuing the equity method. As of December 31, 2023, we determined there was no application or discontinuation of the equity method during the reporting periods covered in this report. The adoption of ASU 2020-01 did not have a material impact to our consolidated financial statements. Income Taxes On January 1, 2021, we adopted ASU 2019-12, "Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (Topic 740)" ("ASU 2019-12"). This ASU removes certain exceptions for investments, intra-period allocations and interim calculations, and adds guidance to reduce complexity in accounting for income taxes. The adoption of ASU 2019-12 did not have a material impact to our consolidated financial statements. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements In December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures” (“ASU 2023-09”). 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 5 percent of the amount computed by multiplying pretax income or loss by the applicable statutory income tax rate).” ASU 2023-09 will become effective for us in the annual period of fiscal 2025 and early adoption is permitted. We have chosen not to early adopt this ASU. In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-08, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Crypto Assets (Subtopic 350-60): Accounting for and Disclosure of Crypto Assets” (“ASU 2023-08”). This ASU is intended to improve the accounting for certain crypto assets by requiring an entity to measure those crypto assets at fair value each reporting period with changes in fair value recognized in net income. The amendments also improve the information provided to investors about an entity’s crypto asset holdings by requiring disclosure about significant holdings, contractual sale restrictions, and changes during the reporting period. This ASU will become effective for us in the first quarter of fiscal 2025 and early adoption is permitted. As of December 31, 2023, we do not hold crypto assets and do not expect ASU 2023-08 will have any impact to our consolidated financial statements. In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures” (“ASU 2023-07”). This ASU is intended to improve reportable segment disclosure requirements primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. This ASU will become effective for us in annual period fiscal 2024 and early adoption is permitted. As of December 31, 2023, we are evaluating its impact on our consolidated financial statements. In October 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-06, “Disclosure Improvements: Codification Amendments in Response to the SEC’s Disclosure Update and Simplification Initiative” (“ASU 2023-06”). This ASU incorporates certain SEC disclosure requirements into the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“Codification”). The amendments in the ASU are expected to clarify or improve disclosure and presentation requirements of a variety of Codification Topics, allow users to more easily compare entities subject to the SEC’s existing disclosures with those entities that were not previously subject to the requirements, and align the requirements in the Codification with the SEC’s regulations. ASU 2023-06 will become effective for each amendment on the effective date of the SEC's corresponding disclosure rule changes. As of December 31, 2023, we do not expect ASU 2023-06 will have any impact to our consolidated financial statements. In August 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-05, “Business Combinations – Joint Venture Formations (Subtopic 805-60): Recognition and initial Measurement” (“ASU 2023-05”). This ASU applies to the formation of entities that meet the definition of a joint venture (or a corporate joint venture). The amendments in the ASU require that a joint venture apply a new basis of accounting upon formation. ASU 2023-05 will become effective for us in the first quarter of fiscal 2025 and early adoption is permitted. As of December 31, 2023, we do not expect ASU 2023-05 will have any impact to our consolidated financial statements. In August 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-04, “Liabilities (Topic 405): Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 121” (“ASU 2023-04”). This ASU amends and adds various SEC paragraphs to the FASB Codification to reflect guidance regarding the accounting for obligations to safeguard crypto assets an entity holds for platform users. This ASU does not provide any new guidance. ASU 2023-04 became effective for us once the addition to the FASB Codification was made available. As of December 31, 2023, we do not expect ASU 2023-04 will have any impact to our consolidated financial statements. In July 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-03, “Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205), Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220), Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (Topic 480), Equity (Topic 505), and Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 120, SEC Staff Announcement at the March 24, 2022 EITF Meeting, and Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 6.B, Accounting Series Release 280—General Revision of Regulation S-X: Income or Loss Applicable to Common Stock” (“ASU 2023-03”). This ASU amends or supersedes various SEC paragraphs within the applicable codification to conform to past SEC staff announcements. This ASU does not provide any new guidance. ASU 2023-03 became effective for us once the addition to the FASB Codification was made available. As of December 31, 2023, we do not expect ASU 2023-03 will have any impact to our consolidated financial statements. In March 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-02, “Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Accounting for Investments in Tax Credit Structures Using the Proportional Amortization Method” (“ASU 2023-02”). These amendments allow reporting entities to elect to account for qualifying tax equity investments using the proportional amortization method, regardless of the program giving rise to the related income tax credits. ASU 2023-02 will become effective for us in the first quarter of fiscal 2024 and early adoption is permitted. As of December 31, 2023, we do not expect ASU 2023-02 will have any impact to our consolidated financial statements. In March 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-01, “Leases (Topic 842): Common Control Arrangements” (“ASU 2023-01”). These amendments require all entities to amortize leasehold improvements associated with common control leases over the useful life to the common control group. ASU 2023-01 will become effective for us in the first quarter of fiscal 2024 and early adoption is permitted. As of December 31, 2023, we do not expect ASU 2023-01 will have any impact to our consolidated financial statements. In December 2022, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2022-06, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) – Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848" ("ASU 2022-06"). These amendments extend the period of time preparers can utilize the reference rate reform relief guidance in Topic 848, which defers the sunset date from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2024, after which entities will no longer be permitted to apply the relief in Topic 848. ASU 2022-06 is effective upon issuance. Based on our review of our key material contracts through December 31, 2023, ASU 2022-06 does not have a material impact to our consolidated financial statements. In June 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-03, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Fair Value Measurement of Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions” (“ASU 2022-03”). These amendments clarify that a contractual restriction on the sales of an investment in an equity security is not considered part of the unit of account of the equity security and, therefore, is not considered in measuring its fair value. ASU 2022-03 will become effective for us in the first quarter of fiscal 2024 and early adoption is permitted. As of December 31, 2023, we do not expect ASU 2022-03 will have any impact to our consolidated financial statements. In January 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-01, "Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Scope" ("ASU 2021-01"), which clarifies that certain optional expedients and exceptions in Topic 848 for contract modifications and hedge accounting apply to derivatives that are affected by the discounting transition. ASU 2021-01 also amends the expedients and exceptions in Topic 848 to capture the incremental consequences of the scope clarification and to tailor the existing guidance to derivative instruments affected by the discounting transition. These amendments may be applied prospectively to contract modifications made and hedging relationships entered into or evaluated on or before December 31, 2022. ASU 2021-01 provides optional expedients for a limited time to ease the potential burden in accounting for reference rate reform. Based on our review of our key material contracts through December 31, 2023, ASU 2021-01 will not have a material impact to our consolidated financial statements.

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Goodwill, Customer Relationships and Other Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill, Customer Relationships and Other Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill and other intangible assets consisted of the following: As of December 31, 2023 2022 (Dollars in millions) Goodwill(1) $ 6,955  $ 9,360  Other intangible assets, less accumulated amortization of $1,966 and $1,924 $ 103  $ 138  ______________________________________________________________________  (1)We recorded a cumulative non-cash, non-tax-deductible goodwill impairment charge of $2.4 billion during the year ended December 31, 2023. As of December 31, 2023, the gross carrying amount of goodwill and other intangible assets was $9.0 billion. Substantially all of our goodwill was derived from Lumen's acquisition of us where the purchase price exceeded the fair value of the net assets acquired. We are required to assess our goodwill for impairment annually, or under certain circumstances, more frequently, such as when events or changes in circumstances indicate there may be impairment. We are required to write down the value of goodwill only when our assessment determines the carrying value of equity of our reporting unit exceeds its fair value. Our annual impairment assessment date for goodwill is October 31, at which date we assess goodwill at our reporting unit. In reviewing the criteria for reporting units, we have determined that we are one reporting unit. 2023 Goodwill Impairment Analyses At October 31, 2023, we performed our annual impairment analysis of our reporting unit. Given the continued decline in Lumen's share price, we determined our quantitative impairment analysis would estimate the fair value of our reporting unit using only the market approach. Applying this approach, we utilized company comparisons and analyst reports within the telecommunications industry which supported a range of fair values derived from annualized revenue and Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization ("EBITDA") multiples between 1.5x and 3.5x and 4.8x and 8.4x, respectively. We selected a revenue multiple within and an EBITDA multiple below these comparable market multiples. Based on our assessment performed, we concluded that the estimated fair value of our reporting unit was less than their carrying value of equity at October 31, 2023. As a result, we recorded a non-cash, non-tax-deductible goodwill impairment charge of $2.4 billion on October 31, 2023. During the second quarter of 2023, the Company determined circumstances existed indicating it was more likely than not that the carrying value of our reporting unit exceeded its fair value. Given the continued erosion in Lumen's market capitalization, we determined our quantitative impairment analysis would estimate the fair value of our reporting unit using only the market approach. Applying this approach, we utilized company comparisons and analyst reports within the telecommunications industry which supported a range of fair values derived from annualized revenue and EBITDA multiples between 1.5x and 4.3x and 4.6x and 10.5x, respectively. We selected a revenue multiple within and an EBITDA multiple below these comparable market multiples. Based on our assessment performed, the estimated fair value of our equity exceeded our carrying value of equity by approximately 11% at June 30, 2023. We concluded that goodwill was not impaired as of June 30, 2023. The market approach that we used incorporated estimates and assumptions related to the forecasted results for the remainder of the year, including revenues, expenses, and the achievement of certain strategic initiatives. In developing the market multiples, we considered observed trends of our industry participants. Our assessment included many factors that required significant judgment. Alternative interpretations of these factors could have resulted in different conclusions. 2022 and 2021 Goodwill Impairment Analysis At October 31, 2022 and 2021, we estimated the fair value of equity by considering both a market approach and a discounted cash flow method. The market approach method includes the use of comparable multiples of publicly traded companies whose services are comparable to ours. The discounted cash flow method is based on the present value of projected cash flows and a terminal value, equal to the present value of all normalized cash flows after the projection period. Based on our assessment performed, the estimated fair value of our equity exceeded our carrying value of equity by approximately 24% and 42% at October 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. We concluded that goodwill was not impaired as of October 31, 2022 and 2021. Our fair value estimates for evaluating goodwill incorporated significant judgments and assumptions including forecast revenues and expenses, cost of capital, and control premiums. In developing market multiples, we also considered observed trends of our industry participants and other qualitative factors that required significant judgment. Alternative estimates, judgments, and interpretations of these factors could have resulted in different conclusions regarding the need for an impairment charge. The following table shows the rollforward of goodwill from December 31, 2021 through December 31, 2023: (Dollars in millions) As of December 31, 2021 $ 9,360  As of December 31, 2022 9,360  Impairment (2,405) As of December 31, 2023(1) $ 6,955  ______________________________________________________________________  (1)Goodwill at December 31, 2023 is net of accumulated impairment losses of $2.4 billion. We annually review the estimated lives and methods used to amortize our other intangible assets. The actual amounts of amortization expense may differ materially from our estimates, depending on the results of our annual reviews. As of December 31, 2023, the weighted average remaining useful life was 3 years for capitalized software. Total amortization expense for intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $67 million, $79 million and $176 million, respectively. We estimate that total amortization expense for intangible assets for the years ending December 31, 2024 through 2028 will be as follows: (Dollars in millions) Year ending December 31, 2024 $ 44  2025 16  2026 10  2027 7  2028 5

v3.24.0.1

Revenue Recognition	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition We categorize our revenue derived from our operations serving our mass markets customers, primarily within the first three categories listed below, and our revenue derived from our operations servicing our business customers, primarily in the 'Harvest', 'Nurture' and 'Grow' categories listed below: •Other Broadband, under which we provide primarily lower speed broadband services to residential and small business customers utilizing our copper-based network infrastructure; •Voice and Other, under which we derive revenues from (i) providing local and long-distance voice services, professional services, and other ancillary services, (ii) federal broadband and state support programs, and (iii) equipment, IT solutions and other services; •Fiber Broadband, under which we provide high speed broadband services to residential and small business customers utilizing our fiber-based network infrastructure; •Harvest, which includes our legacy services managed for cash flow, including Time Division Multiplexing ("TDM") voice, private line and other legacy services; •Nurture, which includes our more mature offerings, including primarily ethernet; •Grow, which includes products and services marketed to our business customers that we anticipate will grow, including dark fiber and wavelengths services; and •Affiliate Services, which are communications services that we also provide to external customers. In addition, we provide to our affiliates application development and support services and network support. Reconciliation of Total Revenue to Revenue from Contracts with Customers The following tables provide our total revenue by product and service category as well as the amount of revenue that is not subject to ASC 606, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" ("ASC 606"), but is instead governed by other accounting standards:   Year Ended December 31, 2023 Total Revenue Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue(1) Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers   (Dollars in millions) Other Broadband $ 1,111  (95) 1,016  Voice and Other 589  (16) 573  Fiber Broadband 470  (12) 458  Harvest 1,048  (139) 909  Nurture 393  (8) 385  Grow 145  —  145  Affiliate Services 2,159  (45) 2,114  Total revenue $ 5,915  (315) 5,600  Timing of revenue Goods and services transferred at a point in time $ 23  Services performed over time 5,577  Total revenue from contracts with customers $ 5,600    Year Ended December 31, 2022 Total Revenue Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue(1) Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers   (Dollars in millions) Other Broadband $ 1,275  (106) 1,169  Voice and Other 691  (31) 660  Fiber Broadband 461  (12) 449  Harvest 1,134  (161) 973  Nurture 435  (9) 426  Grow 159  (9) 150  Affiliate Services 2,294  (45) 2,249  Total revenue $ 6,449  (373) 6,076  Timing of revenue Goods and services transferred at a point in time $ 28  Services performed over time 6,048  Total revenue from contracts with customers $ 6,076    Year Ended December 31, 2021 Total Revenue Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue(1) Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers   (Dollars in millions) Other Broadband $ 1,360  (107) 1,253  Voice and Other 985  (161) 824  Fiber Broadband 408  —  408  Harvest 1,206  (167) 1,039  Nurture 450  (10) 440  Grow 153  (9) 144  Affiliate Services 2,389  (29) 2,360  Total revenue $ 6,951  (483) 6,468  Timing of revenue Goods and services transferred at a point in time $ 30  Services performed over time 6,438  Total revenue from contracts with customers $ 6,468  _______________________________________________________________________________ (1)Includes regulatory revenue and lease revenue not within the scope of ASC 606. We do not have any single external customer that comprises more than 10% of our total consolidated operating revenue. Substantially all of our consolidated revenue comes from customers located in the United States. Customer Receivables and Contract Balances The following table provides balances of customer receivables, contract assets and contract liabilities as of December 31, 2023 and 2022: December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022   (Dollars in millions) Customer receivables (1) $ 210  297  Contract assets 7  9  Contract liabilities 269  343  _______________________________________________________________________________ (1)Reflects gross customer receivables, including gross affiliate receivables, of $239 million and $324 million, net of allowance for credit losses of $29 million and $27 million, at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Contract liabilities consist of consideration we have received from our customers or billed in advance of providing goods or services promised in the future. We defer recognizing this consideration as revenue until we have satisfied the related performance obligation to the customer. Contract liabilities include recurring services billed one month in advance and installation and maintenance charges that are deferred and recognized over the actual or expected contract term, which ranges from 1 to 5 years depending on the service. Contract liabilities are included within deferred revenue in our consolidated balance sheets. During the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we recognized $169 million and $192 million, respectively, of revenue that was included in contract liabilities of $343 million and $317 million as of January 1, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Performance Obligations As of December 31, 2023, we expect to recognize approximately $2.0 billion of revenue in the future related to performance obligations associated with existing customer contracts that are partially or wholly unsatisfied. As of December 31, 2023, the transaction price related to unsatisfied performance obligations that are expected to be recognized in 2024, 2025 and thereafter was $924 million, $571 million, and $457 million, 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 that are not subject to ASC 606. Contract Costs The following tables provide changes in our contract acquisition costs and fulfillment costs: Year Ended December 31, 2023 Acquisition Costs Fulfillment Costs   (Dollars in millions) Beginning of period balance $ 61  46  Costs incurred 43  38  Amortization (46) (38) End of period balance $ 58  46  Year Ended December 31, 2022 Acquisition Costs Fulfillment Costs   (Dollars in millions) Beginning of period balance $ 64  47  Costs incurred 50  39  Amortization (53) (40) End of period balance $ 61  46  Acquisition costs include commission fees paid to employees as a result of obtaining contracts. Fulfillment costs include third party and internal costs associated with the provision, installation and activation of communications services to customers, including labor and materials consumed for these activities. We amortize deferred acquisition and fulfillment costs based on the transfer of services on a straight-line basis over the average contract life of 36 months for mass markets customers and average contract life of 33 months for business customers. We include amortized fulfillment costs in cost of services and products and amortized acquisition costs are included in selling, general and administrative expenses 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 on our consolidated balance sheets. We include the amount of deferred costs expected to be amortized beyond the next 12 months in other non-current assets on our consolidated balance sheets. We assess deferred acquisition and fulfillment costs for impairment on a quarterly basis. Governmental Funding Lumen participates in various U.S. federal and state programs under which government support payments are received to offset costs associated with providing services in targeted locations such as unserved or underserved high-cost or rural areas, or for certain types of customers, including non-profit organizations, educational institutions and local governmental bodies. In certain instances, support payments are conditioned on specified infrastructure buildouts by milestone deadlines or provision of services at specified locations and speed requirements. Commitments may be made annually, on a multi-year basis ranging from one to ten years or be on-going subject to periodic change or termination. Consistent with customary practice and as referenced in ASC 832 Government Assistance, Lumen applies a grant model of accounting by which it accounts for these transactions as non-ASC 606 revenue over the periods in which the costs for which the funding is intended to compensate are incurred. This non-ASC 606 revenue is included in operating revenue in our consolidated statements of operations. Corresponding receivables are recorded when services have been provided to the customers and costs incurred, but the cash has not been received. These amounts are included in our accounts receivable, less allowance in our consolidated balance sheets. Certain programs are subject to audits of compliance with program commitments and, subject to the outcomes of those assessments, Lumen may be required to reimburse the government entity for cash previously received, or, in some cases, pay a penalty. Lumen evaluates each program and establishes a liability under the principles of ASC 450 if it is probable support payments will be recaptured or a penalty will be imposed. For the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, we recorded non-customer revenue of $36 million and $22 million, respectively, under government assistance programs, of which 24% and 34%, respectively, was associated with state universal service fund support programs. Between 2015 and 2021, Lumen received approximately $500 million annually through the Federal Communications Commission (the "FCC")'s Connect America Fund II ("CAF II"), a program that ended on December 31, 2021. Our share of this CAF II funding was approximately $145 million annually. In connection with the CAF II funding, we were required to meet certain specified infrastructure buildout requirements in 13 states by the end of 2021, which required substantial capital expenditures. In the first quarter of 2022, we recognized $13 million of previously deferred revenue related to the conclusion of the CAF II program based upon our final buildout and filing submissions. The government has the right to audit our compliance with the CAF II program and the ultimate outcome of any remaining examinations is unknown, but could result in a liability to us in excess of our reserve accruals established for these matters. In early 2020, the FCC created the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (the “RDOF”) program, a federal support program designed to fund broadband deployment in rural America. For the first phase of this program, RDOF Phase I, the FCC ultimately awarded $6.4 billion in support payments to be paid in equal monthly installments over 10 years. Lumen Technologies was awarded RDOF funding in several of the states in which we operate and began receiving monthly support payments during the second quarter of 2022, our share of which is not material. We participate in multiple state sponsored programs for broadband deployment in unserved and underserved areas for which the states have state universal service funds sourced from fees levied on telecommunications providers and passed on to consumers. During the years ending December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we participated in these types of programs primarily in the states of Nebraska, New Mexico, and Minnesota

v3.24.0.1

Leases	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023
Leases [Abstract]
Leases	Leases We primarily lease to or from third parties various office facilities, colocation facilities and equipment. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on our consolidated balance sheets; we recognize lease expense for these leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term. We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception and whether that lease meets the classification criteria of a finance or operating lease. Lease-related assets, or right-of-use assets, are recognized at the lease commencement date at amounts equal to the respective lease liabilities. Lease-related liabilities are recognized at the present value of the remaining contractual fixed lease payments, discounted using our incremental borrowing rates. As part of the present value calculation for the lease liabilities, we use an incremental borrowing rate as the rates implicit in the leases are not readily determinable. The incremental borrowing rates used for lease accounting are based on our unsecured rates, adjusted to approximate the rates at which we could borrow on a collateralized basis over a term similar to the recognized lease term. We apply the incremental borrowing rates to lease components using a portfolio approach based upon the length of the lease term and the reporting entity in which the lease resides. Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term, while variable lease payments are expensed as incurred. Operating lease assets are included in Other, net under goodwill and other assets on our consolidated balance sheets. Current operating lease liabilities are included in Other under accrued expenses and other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. Noncurrent operating lease liabilities are included in Other under deferred credits and other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. Some of our lease arrangements contain lease components, non-lease components (including common-area maintenance costs) and executory costs (including real estate taxes and insurance costs). We generally account for each component separately based on the estimated standalone price of each component. For colocation leases, we account for the lease and non-lease components as a single lease component. Many of our lease agreements contain renewal options; however, we do not recognize right-of-use assets or lease liabilities for renewal periods unless we determine that we are reasonably certain of renewing the lease. Certain leases also include options to purchase the leased property. The depreciable life of assets and leasehold improvements are limited by the expected lease term, unless there is a transfer of title or purchase option reasonably certain to be exercised. Our lease agreements do not generally contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants. Lease expense consisted of the following: Years Ended December 31, 2023 2022 2021 (Dollars in millions) Operating and short-term lease cost $ 26  25  26  Finance lease cost: Amortization of right-of-use assets 1  1  1  Total finance lease cost 1  1  1  Total lease cost $ 27  26  27  We lease various equipment, office facilities, retail outlets, and other network sites. These leases, with few exceptions, provide for renewal options and escalations that are either fixed or based on the consumer price index. Any rent abatements, along with rent escalations, are included in the computation of rent expense calculated on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The lease term for most leases includes the initial non-cancelable term plus any term under renewal options that are reasonably assured. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, our gross rental expense was $27 million, $26 million and $27 million, respectively. We also received sublease rental income for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 of $8 million, $9 million and $10 million, respectively. Supplemental consolidated balance sheet information and other information related to leases is included below: As of December 31, Leases (Dollars in millions) Classification on the Balance Sheet 2023 2022 Assets Operating lease assets Other, net $ 65  68  Finance lease assets Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation 7  5  Total leased assets $ 72  73  Liabilities Current Operating Other $ 20  21  Finance Current maturities of long-term debt 1  2  Noncurrent Operating Other 47  58  Finance Long-term debt 3  2  Total lease liabilities $ 71  83  Weighted-average remaining lease term (years) Operating leases 4.9 4.8 Finance leases 7.7 10.0 Weighted-average discount rate Operating leases 4.83  % 4.08  % Finance leases 5.89  % 4.08  % Supplemental consolidated cash flow statement information related to leases is included below: Years Ended December 31, 2023 2022 (Dollars in millions) Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: Operating cash flows for operating leases $ 35  40  Operating cash flows for finance leases —  —  Financing cash flows for finance leases 2  1  Supplemental lease cash flow disclosures Operating lease right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities $ 15  23  Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities 3  1  As of December 31, 2023, maturities of lease liabilities were as follows: Operating Leases Finance Leases (Dollars in millions) 2024 $ 22  1  2025 16  1  2026 11  1  2027 9  1  2028 5  —  Thereafter 11  1  Total lease payments 74  5  Less: interest (7) (1) Total 67  4  Less: current portion (20) (1) Long-term portion $ 47  3  Operating Lease Income We lease various data transmission capacity, office facilities, switching facilities and other network sites to third parties under operating leases. Lease and sublease income are included in operating revenue in the consolidated statements of operations. See "Revenue Recognition" in Note 1—Background and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, our gross rental income was $304 million, $346 million and $324 million, respectively which represents 5% of our operating revenue for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.
Leases	Leases We primarily lease to or from third parties various office facilities, colocation facilities and equipment. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on our consolidated balance sheets; we recognize lease expense for these leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term. We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception and whether that lease meets the classification criteria of a finance or operating lease. Lease-related assets, or right-of-use assets, are recognized at the lease commencement date at amounts equal to the respective lease liabilities. Lease-related liabilities are recognized at the present value of the remaining contractual fixed lease payments, discounted using our incremental borrowing rates. As part of the present value calculation for the lease liabilities, we use an incremental borrowing rate as the rates implicit in the leases are not readily determinable. The incremental borrowing rates used for lease accounting are based on our unsecured rates, adjusted to approximate the rates at which we could borrow on a collateralized basis over a term similar to the recognized lease term. We apply the incremental borrowing rates to lease components using a portfolio approach based upon the length of the lease term and the reporting entity in which the lease resides. Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term, while variable lease payments are expensed as incurred. Operating lease assets are included in Other, net under goodwill and other assets on our consolidated balance sheets. Current operating lease liabilities are included in Other under accrued expenses and other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. Noncurrent operating lease liabilities are included in Other under deferred credits and other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. Some of our lease arrangements contain lease components, non-lease components (including common-area maintenance costs) and executory costs (including real estate taxes and insurance costs). We generally account for each component separately based on the estimated standalone price of each component. For colocation leases, we account for the lease and non-lease components as a single lease component. Many of our lease agreements contain renewal options; however, we do not recognize right-of-use assets or lease liabilities for renewal periods unless we determine that we are reasonably certain of renewing the lease. Certain leases also include options to purchase the leased property. The depreciable life of assets and leasehold improvements are limited by the expected lease term, unless there is a transfer of title or purchase option reasonably certain to be exercised. Our lease agreements do not generally contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants. Lease expense consisted of the following: Years Ended December 31, 2023 2022 2021 (Dollars in millions) Operating and short-term lease cost $ 26  25  26  Finance lease cost: Amortization of right-of-use assets 1  1  1  Total finance lease cost 1  1  1  Total lease cost $ 27  26  27  We lease various equipment, office facilities, retail outlets, and other network sites. These leases, with few exceptions, provide for renewal options and escalations that are either fixed or based on the consumer price index. Any rent abatements, along with rent escalations, are included in the computation of rent expense calculated on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The lease term for most leases includes the initial non-cancelable term plus any term under renewal options that are reasonably assured. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, our gross rental expense was $27 million, $26 million and $27 million, respectively. We also received sublease rental income for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 of $8 million, $9 million and $10 million, respectively. Supplemental consolidated balance sheet information and other information related to leases is included below: As of December 31, Leases (Dollars in millions) Classification on the Balance Sheet 2023 2022 Assets Operating lease assets Other, net $ 65  68  Finance lease assets Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation 7  5  Total leased assets $ 72  73  Liabilities Current Operating Other $ 20  21  Finance Current maturities of long-term debt 1  2  Noncurrent Operating Other 47  58  Finance Long-term debt 3  2  Total lease liabilities $ 71  83  Weighted-average remaining lease term (years) Operating leases 4.9 4.8 Finance leases 7.7 10.0 Weighted-average discount rate Operating leases 4.83  % 4.08  % Finance leases 5.89  % 4.08  % Supplemental consolidated cash flow statement information related to leases is included below: Years Ended December 31, 2023 2022 (Dollars in millions) Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: Operating cash flows for operating leases $ 35  40  Operating cash flows for finance leases —  —  Financing cash flows for finance leases 2  1  Supplemental lease cash flow disclosures Operating lease right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities $ 15  23  Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities 3  1  As of December 31, 2023, maturities of lease liabilities were as follows: Operating Leases Finance Leases (Dollars in millions) 2024 $ 22  1  2025 16  1  2026 11  1  2027 9  1  2028 5  —  Thereafter 11  1  Total lease payments 74  5  Less: interest (7) (1) Total 67  4  Less: current portion (20) (1) Long-term portion $ 47  3  Operating Lease Income We lease various data transmission capacity, office facilities, switching facilities and other network sites to third parties under operating leases. Lease and sublease income are included in operating revenue in the consolidated statements of operations. See "Revenue Recognition" in Note 1—Background and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, our gross rental income was $304 million, $346 million and $324 million, respectively which represents 5% of our operating revenue for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.

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Credit Losses on Financial Instruments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023
Credit Loss [Abstract]
Credit Losses on Financial Instruments	Credit Losses on Financial Instruments To assess our expected credit losses on financial instruments, we aggregate financial assets with similar risk characteristics to monitor their credit quality or deterioration over the life of such assets. We periodically monitor certain risk characteristics within our aggregated financial assets and revise their composition accordingly, to the extent internal and external risk factors change. We separately evaluate financial assets that do not share risk characteristics with other financial assets. Our financial assets measured at amortized cost primarily consist of accounts receivable. We use a loss rate method to estimate our allowance for credit losses. Our determination of the current expected credit loss rate begins with our review of historical loss experience as a percentage of accounts receivable. We measure our historical loss period based on the average days to recognize accounts receivable as credit losses. When asset specific characteristics and current conditions change from those in the historical period, due to changes in our credit and collections strategy, certain classes of aged balances, or credit loss and recovery policies, we perform a qualitative and quantitative assessment to adjust our historical loss rate. We use regression analysis to develop an expected loss rate using historical experience and economic data over a forecast period. We measure our forecast period based on the average days to collect payment on billed accounts receivable. To determine our current allowance for credit losses, we combine the historical and expected credit loss rates and apply them to our period end accounts receivable. If there is an unexpected deterioration of a customer's financial condition or an unexpected change in economic conditions, including macroeconomic events, we assess the need to adjust the allowance for credit losses. Any such resulting adjustments would affect earnings in the period that adjustments are made. The assessment of the correlation between historical observed default rates, current conditions and forecasted economic conditions requires judgment. Alternative interpretations of these factors could have resulted in different conclusions regarding our allowance for credit losses. The amount of credit loss is sensitive to changes in circumstances and forecasted economic conditions. Our historical credit loss experience, current conditions and forecast of economic conditions may also not be representative of the customers' actual default experience in the future, and we may use methodologies that differ from those used by other companies. The following table presents the activity of our allowance for credit losses by accounts receivable portfolio from December 31, 2021 through December 31, 2023: Business Mass Markets Total (Dollars in millions) Balance at January 1, 2021(1) $ 25  36  61  Provision for expected losses 10  17  27  Write-offs charged against the allowance (19) (35) (54) Recoveries collected 3  1  4  Balance at December 31, 2021 $ 19  19  38  Provision for expected losses 13  47  60  Write-offs charged against the allowance (14) (50) (64) Recoveries collected 2  —  2  Balance at December 31, 2022 $ 20  16  36  Provision for expected losses 20  46  66  Write-offs charged against the allowance (26) (43) (69) Recoveries collected —  1  1  Balance at December 31, 2023 $ 14  20  34  (1)Due to an internal reorganization of our reporting categories on January 1, 2021, our accounts receivable portfolios were changed to align with changes to how we manage our customers. Allowance for credit losses previously included in the Consumer and Business portfolio of $32 million and $4 million, respectively, were reclassified to the Mass Markets allowance for credit losses on January 1, 2021, as a result of this change. For the year ended December 31, 2023, we decreased our allowance for credit losses for our Business accounts receivable portfolio primarily due to higher write-off activity. For the year ended December 31, 2022, we decreased our allowance for credit losses for our Mass Markets accounts receivable portfolio primarily due to higher write-off activity.

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Long-Term Debt and Note Payable - Affiliate	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt and Revolving Promissory Note	Long-Term Debt and Note Payable - Affiliate The following chart reflects (i) the consolidated long-term debt of Qwest Corporation and its subsidiaries, including finance lease and other obligations, unamortized premiums, net, unamortized debt issuance costs and (ii) note payable-affiliate: As of December 31, Interest Rates (1) Maturities (1) 2023 2022 (Dollars in millions) Senior notes 6.500% - 7.750% 2025 - 2057 $ 1,986  1,986  Term loan (2) SOFR + 2.50% 2027 215  215  Finance lease and other Various Various 4  3  Unamortized premiums, net 4  5  Unamortized debt issuance costs (52) (52) Total long-term debt 2,157  2,157  Less current maturities (1) (2) Long-term debt, excluding current maturities $ 2,156  2,155  Note payable-affiliate 6.210% 2027 $ —  —  _______________________________________________________________________________ (1) As of December 31, 2023. (2) Qwest Corporation's Term Loan had interest rates of 7.970% and 6.640% as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022. Term Loan In the fourth quarter of 2020, we borrowed $215 million under a variable-rate term loan with CoBank ACB. The outstanding unpaid principal amount of this term loan plus any accrued and unpaid interest is due on October 23, 2027. Interest is paid at least quarterly based upon either the Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR") or the base rate (as defined in the credit agreement) plus an applicable margin between 1.50% to 2.50% per annum for SOFR loans and 0.50% to 1.50% per annum for base rate loans depending on Qwest Corporation's then current senior unsecured long-term debt rating. Long-Term Debt Maturities Set forth below is the aggregate principal amount of our long-term debt as of December 31, 2023 (excluding unamortized premiums, net, unamortized debt issuance costs and note payable-affiliate) maturing during the following years: (Dollars in millions) 2024 $ 1  2025 250  2026 1  2027 216  2028 —  2029 and thereafter 1,737  Total long-term debt $ 2,205  Note Payable - Affiliate On June 30, 2022, Qwest Corporation entered into an amended and restated revolving promissory note ("Note Payable - Affiliate") with an affiliate of our ultimate parent company, Lumen Technologies, Inc. ("Lender"), that replaces the previous revolving promissory agreement that was scheduled to mature on June 30, 2022 ("Prior Note Payable - Affiliate"). The Note Payable - Affiliate, as amended, enables Qwest Corporation to borrow from Lumen up to $2.0 billion. Any outstanding principal balance owed by Qwest Corporation under the Note Payable - Affiliate and the accrued interest thereon is due and payable on demand, but if no demand is made, then on the maturity date. The Note Payable - Affiliate has an initial maturity date of June 30, 2027, but will automatically renew for an unlimited number of successive twelve-month periods unless the Lender provides notice of its intent not to renew at least 30 days prior to the initial maturity date or each subsequent maturity date. In accordance with the terms of the amended Note Payable - Affiliate, interest is assessed every six months ending on June 30th and December 31st (an "Interest Period") and is payable within 30 days of the end of the respective Interest Period. Interest is accrued on the outstanding principal balance during the respective Interest Period using a weighted average per annum interest rate on the consolidated outstanding debt of Lumen Technologies, Inc. and its subsidiaries. On September 30, 2022, Qwest Corporation repaid the outstanding principal and interest on the Note Payable - Affiliate of approximately $1.2 billion and $43 million, respectively. Since such payment, Qwest Corporation has not owed any amounts under the Note Payable - Affiliate. Interest Expense Interest expense includes interest on total long-term debt. The following table presents the amount of gross interest expense, net of capitalized interest and interest expense-affiliates, net: Years Ended December 31, 2023 2022 2021 (Dollars in millions) Interest expense: Gross interest expense $ 149  141  200  Capitalized interest (54) (29) (19) Total interest expense $ 95  112  181  Interest (income) expense-affiliates, net $ (15) 60  105  Covenants Our senior notes were issued under indentures dated April 15, 1990 and October 15, 1999. These indentures contain certain covenants including, but not limited to: (i) a prohibition on certain liens on our assets; and (ii) a limitation on mergers or sales of all, or substantially all, of our assets, which limitation requires that a successor assume the obligation with regard to these notes. These indentures do not contain any cross-default provisions. These indentures do not contain any financial covenants or restrictions on our ability to issue new securities thereunder. Except for our notes maturing in 2027 or before, we can redeem our senior notes, at our option, at par plus accrued and unpaid interest. Under our term loan, we must maintain a debt to EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) ratio of not more than 2.85:1.0, as determined and calculated in the manner described in the term loan documentation. The term loan also contains a negative pledge covenant, which generally requires us to secure equally and ratably any advances under the term loan if we pledge assets or permit liens on our property for the benefit of other debtholders. The term loan also has a cross payment default and cross acceleration provisions. When present, these provisions could have a wider impact on liquidity than might otherwise arise from a default or acceleration of a single debt instrument. Our debt to EBITDA ratio could be adversely impacted by a wide variety of events, including unforeseen contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. This could reduce our financing flexibility due to potential restrictions on incurring additional debt under certain provisions of our debt agreements or, in certain circumstances, could result in a default under certain provisions of such agreements. None of our long-term debt is secured or guaranteed by other companies. Compliance At December 31, 2023 and 2022, we believe we were in compliance with the financial covenants contained in our material debt agreements in all material respects. Subsequent Event See Note 18—Subsequent Event, for information regarding certain debt restructuring transactions contemplated under our amended and restated transaction support agreement dated as of January 22, 2024.

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Accounts Receivable	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023
Receivables [Abstract]
Accounts Receivable	Accounts Receivable The following table presents details of our accounts receivable balances: As of December 31, 2023 2022(1) (Dollars in millions) Trade and purchased receivables $ 287  320  Earned and unbilled (credits) receivables (15) 23  Other 23  40  Total accounts receivable 295  383  Less: allowance for credit losses (34) (36) Accounts receivable, less allowance $ 261  347  ______________________________________________________________________ (1)Amounts have been adjusted to reflect the immaterial correction of accounts receivable. See Note 1—Background and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies under the header Correction of Immaterial Errors. We are exposed to concentrations of credit risk from our customers. We generally do not require collateral to secure our receivable balances. We have agreements with other telecommunications service providers whereby we agree to bill and collect on their behalf for services rendered by those providers to our customers within our local service area. We purchase accounts receivable from other telecommunications service providers primarily on a recourse basis and include these amounts in our accounts receivable balance. We have not experienced any significant loss associated with these purchased receivables.

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Property, Plant and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, Plant and Equipment Net property, plant and equipment is composed of the following: Depreciable Lives As of December 31, 2023 2022 (Dollars in millions) Property, plant and equipment: Land N/A $ 334  339  Fiber, conduit and other outside plant(1) 15-45 years 7,126  6,755  Central office and other network electronics(2) 7-10 years 5,488  5,283  Support assets(3) 3-30 years 2,845  2,766  Construction in progress(4) N/A 1,146  747  Gross property, plant and equipment 16,939  15,890  Accumulated depreciation (8,239) (7,617) Net property, plant and equipment $ 8,700  8,273  _______________________________________________________________________________ (1)Fiber, conduit and other outside plant consists of fiber and metallic cable, conduit, poles and other supporting structures. (2)Central office and other network electronics consists of circuit and packet switches, routers, transmission electronics and electronics providing service to customers. (3)Support assets consist of buildings, computers and other administrative and support equipment. (4)Construction in progress includes inventory held for construction and property of the aforementioned categories that has not been placed in service as it is still under construction. We recorded depreciation expense of $756 million, $781 million and $833 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

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Employee Benefits	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Employee Benefits	Employee Benefits Pension and Post-Retirement Benefits QCII's post-retirement benefit plans were merged into Lumen's post-retirement benefit plans on January 1, 2012 and on December 31, 2014, QCII's qualified pension plan and a pension plan of an affiliate were merged into the CenturyLink Retirement Plan, which is now named the Lumen Combined Pension Plan (the "LCPP"). Based on current laws and circumstances, (i) Lumen Technologies was not required to make a cash contribution to the LCPP in 2023 and (ii) Lumen Technologies does not expect it will be required to make a contribution in 2024. The amount of required contributions to the LCPP in 2024 and beyond will depend on earnings on plan investments, prevailing discount rates, demographic experience, changes in plan benefits and changes in funding laws and regulations. Lumen Technologies occasionally makes voluntary contributions in addition to required contributions. Lumen Technologies did not make a voluntary contribution to the LCPP in 2023 or 2022. The unfunded status of Lumen's qualified and non-qualified pension plans for accounting purposes was approximately $769 million and $615 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, which includes the merged QCII qualified pension plan. The unfunded status of Lumen's post-retirement benefit plans for accounting purposes was $1.9 billion and $2.0 billion as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. Lumen Technologies allocates current service costs to subsidiaries relative to employees who are currently earning benefits under the pension and post-retirement benefit plans. The net cost allocated to us is paid on a monthly basis through Lumen's intercompany cash management process. The affiliate obligations, net in current and noncurrent liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets primarily represents the cumulative allocation of expense, net of payments, associated with QCII's pension plans and post-retirement benefits plans prior to the plan mergers. In 2015, we agreed to a plan to settle the outstanding pension and post-retirement affiliate obligations, net balance with QCII over a 30 year term. Under the plan, payments are scheduled to be made on a monthly basis. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, we made settlement payments in the aggregate of $57 million and $61 million, respectively, to QCII under the plan. Changes in the affiliate obligations, net are reflected in operating activities on our consolidated statements of cash flows. We were allocated $22 million of pension service costs and $4 million of post-retirement service costs during the year ended December 31, 2023, which represented 87% of Lumen's total pension and post-retirement service costs for the year. The combined net pension and post-retirement service costs is included in cost of services and products and selling, general and administrative expenses on our consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2023. We were allocated $31 million of pension service costs and $7 million of post-retirement service costs during the year ended December 31, 2022, which represented 72% of Lumen's total pension and post-retirement service costs for the year. The combined net pension and post-retirement service costs is included in cost of services and products and selling, general and administrative expenses on our consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2022. We were allocated $38 million of pension service costs and $10 million of post-retirement service costs during the year ended December 31, 2021, which represented 69% of Lumen's total pension and post-retirement service costs for the year. The combined net pension and post-retirement service costs is included in cost of services and products and selling, general and administrative expenses on our consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2021. Lumen Technologies sponsors a noncontributory qualified defined benefit pension plan that covers certain of our eligible employees. The LCPP also provides survivor and disability benefits to certain employees. In November 2009, and prior to the plan merger, the pension plan was amended to no longer provide pension benefit accruals for active non-represented employees after December 31, 2009. In addition, non-represented employees hired after January 1, 2009 are not eligible to participate in the plans. Active non-represented employees who participate in these plans retain their accrued pension benefit earned as of December 31, 2009 and certain participants will continue to earn interest credits on their benefit after December 31, 2009. Employees are eligible to receive their vested accrued benefit when they separate from Lumen Technologies. The plans also provided a death benefit for eligible beneficiaries of certain retirees; however, the plan was amended to eliminate this benefit effective March 1, 2010 for retirees who retired prior to January 1, 2004 and whose deaths occur after February 28, 2010 and eliminate the death benefit for eligible beneficiaries of certain retirees who retired after December 31, 2003. Lumen Technologies maintains post-retirement benefit plans that provide health care and life insurance benefits primarily for certain eligible retirees. The QCII post-retirement benefit plans were merged into Lumen's post-retirement benefit plans on January 1, 2012. The benefit obligation for the occupational health care and life insurance post-retirement plans is estimated based on the terms of benefit plans. In calculating this obligation, Lumen Technologies considers numerous assumptions, estimates and judgments, including but not limited to, discount rates, health care cost trend rates and plan amendments. Effective January 1, 2024, new represented employees are not eligible for benefits as a result of new collective bargaining agreements. New non-represented employees are also not eligible for benefits under the plan. The terms of the post-retirement health care and life insurance plans between Lumen Technologies and its eligible non-represented employees and its eligible post-1990 non-represented retirees are established by Lumen Technologies and are subject to change at its discretion. Lumen Technologies has a practice of sharing some of the cost of providing health care benefits with its non-represented employees and post-1990 non-represented retirees. The benefit obligation for the non-represented post-retirement health care benefits is based on the terms of the current written plan documents and is adjusted for anticipated continued cost sharing with non-represented employees and post-1990 non-represented retirees. However, Lumen's contribution under its post-1990 non-represented retirees' health care plan is capped at a specific dollar amount. Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 Lumen Technologies sponsors post-retirement health care plans with several benefit options that provide prescription drug benefits that Lumen Technologies deems actuarially equivalent to or exceeding Medicare Part D. Lumen Technologies recognizes the impact of the federal subsidy received under the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 in the calculation of its post-retirement benefit obligation and net periodic post-retirement benefit expense. Other Benefit Plans Health Care and Life Insurance We provide health care and life insurance benefits to essentially all of our active employees. We are largely self-funded for the cost of the health care plan. Our health care benefit expense for current employees was $101 million, $99 million and $110 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Employees' group basic life insurance plans are fully insured and the premiums are paid by Lumen Technologies. 401(k) Plans Lumen Technologies sponsors a qualified defined contribution plan covering substantially all of our employees. Under this plan, employees may contribute a percentage of their annual compensation up to certain maximums, as defined by the plan and by the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS"). Currently, we match a percentage of our employees' contributions in cash. We recognized $27 million, $27 million and $29 million in expense related to this plan for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

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Share-based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023
Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]
Share-based Compensation	Stock-based Compensation Stock-based compensation expenses are included in cost of services and products, and selling, general, and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of operations. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, we recorded stock-based compensation expense of approximately $9 million, $13 million and $15 million, respectively. We recognized an income tax benefit from our compensation expense of approximately $2 million, $3 million and $4 million during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

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Fair Value Disclosure	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Disclosure	Fair Value of Financial Instruments Our financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, advances to and from affiliates, accounts payable, note payable-affiliate and long-term debt, excluding finance lease and other obligations. Due to their short-term nature, the carrying amounts of our cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, advances to and from affiliates, accounts payable and note payable-affiliate 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 Level Description of Input Level 1 Observable inputs such as quoted market prices in active markets. Level 2 Inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable. Level 3 Unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists. The following table presents the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of our financial liabilities as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, as well as the input level used to determine the fair values indicated below: As of December 31, 2023 As of December 31, 2022 Input Level Carrying Amount Fair Value Carrying Amount Fair Value (Dollars in millions) Liabilities-Long-term debt (excluding finance lease and other obligations) 2 $ 2,153  1,162  2,154  1,691

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Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes The components of the income tax expense from continuing operations are as follows: Years Ended December 31, 2023 2022 2021 (Dollars in millions) Income tax expense: Federal and foreign Current $ 432  514  553  Deferred 19  6  17  State and local Current 107  137  129  Deferred 3  14  10  Income tax expense $ 561  671  709  The effective income tax rate for continuing operations differs from the statutory tax rate as follows: Years Ended December 31, 2023 2022 2021 (in percent) Effective income tax rate: Federal statutory income tax rate 21.0  % 21.0  % 21.0  % State income taxes-net of federal effect (31.3) % 4.3  % 3.7  % Goodwill impairment (187.2) % —  % —  % Change in liability for unrecognized tax position (8.9) % 0.6  % 0.4  % Other (1.4) % —  % 0.1  % Effective income tax rate (207.8) % 25.9  % 25.2  % For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, our effective income tax rate was (207.8)% and 25.9%, respectively. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2023 includes a $505 million unfavorable aggregate impact of non-deductible goodwill impairment. The tax effects of temporary differences that gave rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities were as follows: As of December 31, 2023 2022 (Dollars in millions) Deferred tax liabilities: Property, plant and equipment $ (1,464) (1,414) Intangible assets (95) (114) Other (50) (54) Total deferred tax liabilities (1,609) (1,582) Deferred tax assets: Payable to affiliate due to post-retirement benefit plan participation 292  302  Gross deferred tax assets 292  302  Less valuation allowance on deferred tax assets —  —  Net deferred tax assets 292  302  Net deferred tax liabilities $ (1,317) (1,280) At December 31, 2023, we had no established valuation allowance based on our assessment of whether it is not more likely than not that our deferred tax assets will be realized. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the $1.3 billion and $1.3 billion net deferred tax liabilities are included in long-term liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet. With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local or non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2016. The Internal Revenue Service and state and local taxing authorities reserve the right to audit any period where net operating loss carryforwards are available. A reconciliation of the change in our gross unrecognized tax benefits (excluding both interest and any related federal benefit) from January 1 to December 31 for 2023 and 2022 are as follows: Years ended December 31, 2023 2022   (Dollars in millions) Unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of period $ 332  360  Decrease due to tax positions taken in a prior year (1) (28) Decrease due to tax positions taken in a current year (14) —  Unrecognized tax benefits at end of period $ 317  332  As of December 31, 2023, the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact the effective income tax rate is immaterial. The unrecognized tax benefits also includes tax positions that, if recognized, would result in adjustments to other tax accounts, primarily deferred taxes, that would not impact the effective tax rate but could impact cash tax amounts payable to taxing authorities. Our policy is to reflect interest expense associated with unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. We had accrued interest (presented before related tax benefits) of approximately $125 million and $95 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Based on our current assessment of various factors, including (i) the potential outcomes of these ongoing examinations, (ii) the expiration of statute of limitations for specific jurisdictions, (iii) the negotiated settlement of certain disputed issues, and (iv) the administrative practices of applicable taxing jurisdictions, it is reasonably possible that the related unrecognized tax benefits for uncertain tax positions previously taken may not change in the next 12 months. The actual amount of changes, if any, will depend on future developments and events, many of which are outside our control. We paid $509 million, $673 million, and $697 million related to income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. In August 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act was signed into law and which, among other things, implemented a corporate alternative minimum tax (“CAMT”) on adjusted financial statement income effective for tax periods occurring after December 31, 2022. The CAMT had no material impact on our financial results as of December 31, 2023. In addition, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development has issued Pillar Two model rules introducing a new global minimum tax of 15% intended to be effective on January 1, 2024. While the US has not yet adopted the Pillar Two rules, various other governments around the world are enacting legislation, some of which are effective for tax periods after December 31, 2023. While the global minimum tax will increase our administrative and compliance burdens, it is expected to have an immaterial impact to our financial statements.

v3.24.0.1

Affiliate Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Affiliate Transactions	Affiliate Transactions We provide incumbent local exchange carrier telecommunications services to our affiliates that we also provide to external customers. These services are priced at regulated rates, where applicable, or otherwise at rates we believe are consistent with non-regulated market-based rates charged to external customers. We also provide to our affiliates shared services in the form of application development and support services, as well as network support and technical services, and administrative and corporate support. In this regard, we function as a service company to other Lumen affiliates, and correspondingly recognize affiliate revenue based on the costs for the services that we provide to those affiliates. Whenever possible, costs for shared services are incurred directly by our affiliates for the services they use. When these shared costs are not directly incurred, they are allocated among all affiliates based upon what we determine to be the most reasonable method, first using cost causative measures, or, if no cost causative measure is available, using a general allocator. From time to time, we may adjust the basis for allocating the costs of a shared service among affiliates. As applicable any such changes in allocation methodologies are applied prospectively. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, direct affiliate revenue was $1.6 billion, $1.7 billion, and $1.7 billion, respectively, and allocated affiliate revenue was $537 million, $597 million, and $661 million, respectively. We also purchase services from our affiliates including telecommunication services, insurance, flight services and other support services such as legal, regulatory, finance administration and executive support. Our affiliates charge us for these services using the allocation methodology described above.

v3.24.0.1

Commitments, Contingencies and Other Items	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments, Contingencies and Other Items	Commitments, Contingencies and Other Items We are subject to various claims, legal proceedings and other contingent liabilities, including the matters described below, which individually or in the aggregate could materially affect our financial condition, future results of operations or cash flows. As a matter of course, we are prepared to both litigate these matters to judgment as needed, as well as to evaluate and consider reasonable settlement opportunities. 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 December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we had accrued $15 million and $19 million, respectively, in the aggregate for our litigation and non-income tax contingencies, which is included in "Other" current liabilities and "Other Liabilities" in our consolidated balance sheet as of such date. We cannot at this time estimate the reasonably possible loss or range of loss in excess of this $15 million accrual 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. Principal Proceedings Billing Practices Suits In June 2017, a former employee of a Lumen Technologies subsidiary filed an employment lawsuit against Lumen Technologies (at the time named CenturyLink, Inc.) claiming that she was wrongfully terminated for alleging that Lumen charged some of its retail customers for products and services they did not authorize. Thereafter, based in part on the allegations made by the former employee, several legal proceedings were filed, including consumer class actions in federal and state courts, a series of securities investor class actions in federal courts, and several shareholder derivative actions in federal and Louisiana state courts. The derivative cases were brought on behalf of CenturyLink, Inc. against certain current and former officers and directors of the Company and seek damages for alleged breaches of fiduciary duties. The consumer class actions, the securities investor class actions, and the federal derivative actions were transferred to the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota for coordinated and consolidated pretrial proceedings as In Re: CenturyLink Sales Practices and Securities Litigation. Lumen Technologies has settled the consumer and securities investor class actions, and the derivative actions. Lumen has engaged in discussions regarding related claims with a number of state attorneys general, and has entered into agreements settling certain of the consumer practices claims asserted by state attorneys general. While Lumen Technologies does not agree with allegations raised in these matters, it has been willing to consider reasonable settlements where appropriate. 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 the 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 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. We are cooperating with the investigations. 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 Qwest Corp. as at fault: Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance Company, et al., v. Qwest Corp., et al., Case No. 2023-cv-3048, and Wallace, et al. v, Qwest Corp., et al, Case No. 2023-cv-30488, both of which have been consolidated with Kupfner et al v Public Service Company of Colorado, et al. Case No. 2022-cv-30195. The consolidated proceeding is pending in Colorado District Court, Boulder, Colorado, Preliminary estimates of potential damage claims exceed $2 billion. Qwest is vigorously defending the claims. 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 has narrowed the issues to be resolved by jury, ruling that Lumen bears the burden of proving that its actions were reasonable or known and approved by the State. Qwest is defending the New Mexico claims vigorously, as it has done successfully with other 911 claims involving PRS in other states. 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, various tax issues, environmental law issues, grievance hearings before labor regulatory agencies and miscellaneous third-party tort actions or commercial disputes. We are currently defending several patent infringement lawsuits asserted against us by non-practicing entities, many of which are seeking substantial recoveries. These cases have progressed to various stages and one or more may go to trial 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. As with all litigation, we are vigorously defending these actions and, as a matter of course, are prepared to litigate these matters to judgment, as well as to evaluate and consider all reasonable settlement opportunities. We are subject to various 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 outcome of these other proceedings described under this heading is not predictable. However, based on current circumstances, we do not believe that the ultimate resolution of these other proceedings, after considering available defenses and any insurance coverage or indemnification rights, will have a material adverse effect on us. The matters listed in this Note do not reflect all of our contingencies. The ultimate outcome of the above-described matters may differ materially from the outcomes anticipated, estimated, projected or implied by us in certain of our statements appearing above in this Note, and proceedings currently viewed as immaterial by us may ultimately materially impact us. Right-of-Way At December 31, 2023, our future rental commitments and Right-of-Way ("ROW") agreements were as follows: Future Rental Commitments and ROW Agreements (Dollars in millions) 2024 $ 26  2025 2  2026 2  2027 2  2028 2  2029 and thereafter 25  Total future minimum payments $ 59  Purchase Commitments We have several commitments primarily for marketing activities and support services from a variety of vendors to be used in the ordinary course of business totaling $114 million at December 31, 2023. Of this amount, we expect to purchase $22 million in 2024, $24 million in 2025 through 2026, $18 million in 2027 through 2028 and $50 million in 2029 and thereafter. These amounts do not represent our entire anticipated purchases in the future, but represent only those items for which we were contractually committed as of December 31, 2023.

v3.24.0.1

Other Financial Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Other Financial Information	Other Financial Information Other Current Assets The following table presents details of other current assets in our consolidated balance sheets: As of December 31, 2023 2022 (Dollars in millions) Prepaid expenses $ 48  46  Contract acquisition costs 34  38  Contract fulfillment costs 28  30  Assets held for sale 29  —  Other 5  6  Total other current assets $ 144  120  Other Current Liabilities The following table presents details of other current liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets: As of December 31, 2023 2022 (Dollars in millions) Current affiliate obligation $ 52  57  Current operating lease liability 20  21  Other 49  52  Total other current liabilities $ 121  130  Other Noncurrent Liabilities The following table presents details of other noncurrent liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets: As of December 31, 2023 2022 (Dollars in millions) Unrecognized tax benefits $ 442  427  Noncurrent operating lease liability 47  58  Other 190  169  Total other noncurrent liabilities $ 679  654

v3.24.0.1

Labor Union Contracts	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Labor Union Contracts	Labor Union ContractsAs of December 31, 2023, approximately 43% of our employees were represented by the Communication Workers of America ("CWA") or the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers ("IBEW"). None of our represented employees are subject to collective bargaining agreements that are scheduled to expire within the 12 month period ending December 31, 2024. We believe relations with our employees continue to be generally good.

v3.24.0.1

Stockholder's Equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Stockholder's Equity	Stockholder's Equity Common Stock We have one share of common stock (no par value) issued and outstanding, which is owned by QSC. In addition, in the normal course of business, we transfer assets and liabilities to and from QSC and its affiliates, which are recorded through our equity. It is our policy to record these asset transfers based on carrying values. Dividends We declared and paid the following cash dividend to QSC: Years Ended December 31, 2023 2022 2021 (Dollars in millions) Cash dividend declared to QSC $ 1,980  —  570  Cash dividend paid to QSC(1) 1,980  —  570  ______________________________________________________________________ (1) In 2023, we declared a dividend of advances to affiliate to our parent. The timing of cash payments for declared dividends to QSC is at our discretion in consultation with QSC. We may declare and pay dividends to QSC in excess of our earnings to the extent permitted by applicable law. Our debt covenants do not limit the amount of dividends we can pay to QSC. Dividends paid are reflected on our consolidated statement of cash flows as financing activities.

v3.24.0.1

Subsequent Events	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	Subsequent Event Transaction Support Agreement On January 22, 2024, the Company, Lumen, Level 3, and a group of creditors holding a majority of Lumen's consolidated debt (the "TSA Parties") amended and restated the transaction support agreement that we originally entered into with a subset of the TSA Parties on October 31, 2023 (as amended and restated, the “Transaction Support Agreement”). The Transaction Support Agreement defines the parties’ commitments to effect a series of transactions (the “TSA Transactions”) set forth in the term sheet attached thereto (the “Term Sheet”). Among other things and subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, the Transaction Support Agreement, including the Term Sheet, contemplates: •the incurrence by Level 3 Financing of $1.325 billion in new money long term senior secured first lien indebtedness, which indebtedness will be backstopped by certain of the consenting lenders; •a new revolving credit facility at Lumen in an amount expected to be approximately $1 billion; •the extension of maturities, covenant modifications and rate increases of certain secured and unsecured indebtedness at Lumen and Level 3 through a series of exchanges and other debt transactions with certain consenting lenders as set forth in the Term Sheet; and •the repayment of certain indebtedness of Lumen and Qwest. The outside date for completion of the TSA Transactions under the Transaction Support Agreement is February 29, 2024, which Lumen may unilaterally extend at its discretion to March 31, 2024. The Company expects to consummate the TSA Transactions in the first quarter of 2024, subject to the satisfaction of remaining closing conditions. Following consummation of the TSA Transactions, Level 3 Financing and our other affiliates may assess potential follow-on transactions with respect to non-participating creditors. Additional information about the Transaction Support Agreement and the TSA Transactions is available in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 25, 2024, and Exhibit 10.10 to this annual report.

v3.24.0.1

Background and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
General	General We are a facilities-based technology and communications company that provides a broad array of integrated communications products and services to our business and mass markets customers. Our specific products and services are detailed in Note 3—Revenue Recognition of this report. We generate the majority of our total consolidated operating revenue from services provided in the 14-state region of Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. We refer to this region as our local service area.
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation The accompanying consolidated financial statements include our accounts and the accounts of our subsidiaries. Intercompany amounts and transactions with our consolidated subsidiaries have been eliminated. Transactions with our non-consolidated affiliates (referred to herein as affiliates) have not been eliminated.
Reclassifications	We reclassified certain prior period amounts to conform to the current period presentation, including our revenue by product and service categories. See Note 3—Revenue Recognition for additional information. These changes had no impact on total operating revenue, total operating expenses or net (loss) income for any period.
Operating Expenses, Policy	Operating Expenses Our current definitions of operating expenses are as follows: •Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) are expenses incurred in providing products and services to our customers. These expenses include: employee-related expenses directly attributable to operating and maintaining our network (such as salaries, wages, benefits and professional fees); facilities expenses (which include third-party telecommunications expenses we incur for using other carriers' networks to provide services to our customers); rents and utilities expenses; equipment sales expenses (such as data integration and modem expenses); and other expenses directly related to our operations; and •Selling, general and administrative expenses are corporate overhead and other operating expenses. These expenses include: employee-related expenses (such as salaries, wages, internal commissions, benefits and professional fees) directly attributable to selling products or services and employee-related expenses for administrative functions; marketing and advertising; property and other operating taxes and fees; external commissions; litigation expenses associated with general matters; bad debt expense; and other selling, general and administrative expenses. These expense classifications may not be comparable to those of other companies.
Segments	Our operations are integrated into and reported as part of Lumen Technologies. Lumen's chief operating decision maker ("CODM") is our CODM but reviews our financial information on an aggregate basis only in connection with our quarterly and annual reports that we file with the SEC. Consequently, we do not provide our discrete financial information to the CODM on a regular basis.
Use of Estimates	Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. These accounting principles require us to make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions. We believe that the estimates, judgments and assumptions we make when accounting for specific items and matters are reasonable, based on information available at the time they are made. These estimates, judgments and assumptions can materially affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and components of stockholder's equity as of the dates of the consolidated balance sheets, as well as the reported amounts of revenue, expenses and components of cash flows during the periods presented in our other consolidated financial statements. We also make estimates in our assessments of potential losses in relation to threatened or pending tax and legal matters. See Note 12—Income Taxes and Note 14—Commitments, Contingencies and Other Items for additional information. For matters not related to income taxes, if a loss is considered probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated, we recognize an expense for the estimated loss. If we have the potential to recover a portion of the estimated loss from a third party, we make a separate assessment of recoverability and reduce the estimated loss if recovery is also deemed probable. For matters related to income taxes, if we determine the impact of an uncertain tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant taxing authority, then we recognize a benefit for the largest amount that is more likely than not to be sustained. We do not recognize any portion of an uncertain tax position if the position has less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained. We recognize interest on the amount of unrecognized benefit from uncertain tax positions. For all of these and other matters, actual results could differ materially from our estimates.
Revenue Recognition	We earn most of our consolidated revenue from contracts with customers, primarily through the provision of communications and other services. Revenue from contracts with customers is accounted for under Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 606. We also earn revenue from leasing arrangements (primarily fiber capacity agreements) and governmental subsidy payments, neither of which are accounted for under ASC 606. Revenue is recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to our customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to receive in exchange for those goods or services. Revenue is recognized based on the following five-step model: •Identification of the contract with a customer; •Identification of the performance obligations in the contract; •Determination of the transaction price; •Allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and •Recognition of revenue when, or as, we satisfy a performance obligation. We provide an array of communications services to business and residential customers, including local voice, VPN, Ethernet, data, broadband, private line (including special access), network access, transport, voice, information technology, video and other ancillary services. We provide these services to a wide range of businesses, including global/international, enterprise, wholesale, government, and small and medium business customers. Certain contracts also include the sale of equipment, which is not significant to our business. We recognize revenue for services when we provide the applicable service or when control of a product is transferred. Recognition of certain payments received in advance of services being provided is deferred. These advance payments may include certain activation and certain installation charges. If the activation and installation charges are not separate performance obligations, we recognize them as revenue over the actual or expected contract term using historical experience, which typically ranges from one to five years depending on the service. In most cases, termination fees or other fees on existing contracts that are negotiated in conjunction with new contracts are deferred and recognized over the new contract term. For access services, we generally bill fixed monthly charges one month in advance to customers and recognize revenue as service is provided over the contract term in alignment with the customer's receipt of service. For usage and other ancillary services, we generally bill in arrears and recognize revenue as usage or delivery occurs. In most cases, the amount invoiced for our service offerings constitutes the price that would be billed on a standalone basis. In certain cases, customers may be permitted to modify their contracts. We evaluate the change in scope or price to identify whether the modification should be treated as a separate contract, as a termination of the existing contract and creation of a new contract, or as a change to the existing contract. Customer contracts are evaluated to determine whether the performance obligations are separable. If the performance obligations are deemed separable and separate earnings processes exist, the total transaction price that we expect to receive with the customer is allocated to each performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price. The revenue associated with each performance obligation is then recognized as earned. We periodically sell transmission capacity on our network. These transactions are generally structured as indefeasible rights of use, commonly referred to as IRUs, which are the exclusive right to use a specified amount of capacity or fiber for a specified term, typically 20 years. In most cases, we account for the cash consideration received on transfers of transmission capacity as ASC 606 revenue, which is adjusted for the time value of money and is recognized ratably over the term of the agreement. Cash consideration received on transfers of dark fiber is accounted for as non-ASC 606 lease revenue, which we also recognize ratably over the term of the agreement. We do not recognize revenue on any contemporaneous exchanges of our transmission capacity assets for other non-owned transmission capacity assets. In connection with offering products and services provided to the end user by third-party vendors, we review the relationship between us, the vendor and the end user to assess whether revenue should be reported on a gross or net basis. In assessing whether revenue should be reported on a gross or net basis, we consider whether we act as a principal in the transaction and control the goods and services used to fulfill the performance obligations associated with the transaction. We have service level commitments pursuant to contracts with certain of our customers. To the extent that we determine that such service levels were not achieved or may not have been achieved, we estimate the amount of credits to be issued and record a corresponding reduction to revenue in the period that the service level commitment was not met or may not be met. Customer payments are made based on billing schedules included in our customer contracts, which is typically on a monthly basis. We defer (or capitalize) incremental contract acquisition and fulfillment costs and recognize (or amortize) such costs over the average contract life. Our deferred contract costs for our customers have average amortization periods of approximately 36 months for mass markets customers and 33 months for business customers. These deferred costs are periodically monitored to reflect any significant change in assumptions. See Note 3—Revenue Recognition for additional information.
Affiliate Transactions	We provide to our affiliates telecommunications services that we also provide to external customers. In addition, we provide to our affiliates application development and support services. Services provided by us to our affiliates are recognized as operating revenue-affiliates in our consolidated statements of operations. We also purchase services from our affiliates including telecommunications services, marketing and employee-related support services. Services provided to us from our affiliates are recognized as operating expenses-affiliates on our consolidated statements of operations. Because of the significance of the services we provide to our affiliates and our affiliates provide to us, the results of operations, financial position and cash flows presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations, financial position and cash flows we would have achieved had we operated as a stand-alone entity during the periods presented. We recognize intercompany charges at the amounts billed to us by our affiliates and we recognize intercompany revenue for services we bill to our affiliates. For additional information, see Note 13—Affiliate Transactions. Our ultimate parent company, Lumen Technologies, Inc. has cash management arrangements or loan arrangements with a majority of its subsidiaries that include lines of credit, affiliate obligations, capital contributions and dividends. As part of these cash management arrangements, affiliates provide lines of credit to certain other affiliates. Amounts outstanding under these lines of credit and intercompany obligations vary from time to time. Under these arrangements, the majority of our cash balance is transferred on a daily basis for centralized management by Lumen's service company affiliate. From time to time, we may declare and pay dividends to QSC, our direct parent, using cash owed to us under these advances, which has the net effect of reducing the amount of these advances. We report the balance of these transfers on our consolidated balance sheet as advances to affiliates. Dividends paid are reflected on our consolidated statements of stockholder's equity and the consolidated statements of cash flows reflects the changes in advances to affiliates as investing activities and changes in advances from affiliates as financing activities. Interest is assessed on advances to and from affiliates using the current interest rate for our note payable-affiliate. The affiliate obligations, net in current and noncurrent liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets primarily represents the cumulative allocation of expense, net of payments, associated with QCII’s pension plans and post-retirement benefits plans prior to the plan mergers. In 2015, we agreed to a plan to settle the outstanding affiliate obligations, net balance with QCII over a 30 year term. Under the plan, payments are scheduled to be made on a monthly basis. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, we made settlement payments of $57 million and $61 million, respectively, to QCII in accordance with the plan. Changes in the affiliate obligations, net are reflected in operating activities on our consolidated statements of cash flows. In the normal course of business, we transfer assets to and from various affiliates through our parent, QSC, which are recorded through our equity. It is our policy to record asset transfers based on carrying values. These transactions may reduce our capital resources for debt repayments and other purposes. On September 30, 2022, Qwest Corporation repaid the outstanding principal and interest on the Note Payable - Affiliate to an affiliate of our ultimate parent company, Lumen Technologies, Inc., under a revolving promissory note. For additional information, see "Note Payable - Affiliate" in Note 6—Long-Term Debt and Note Payable - Affiliate.
Advertising Costs	Costs related to advertising are expensed as incurred and recorded as selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of operations.
Legal Costs	In the normal course of our business, we incur costs to hire and retain external legal counsel to advise us on finance, regulatory, litigation and other matters. Subject to certain exceptions, we expense these costs as the related services are received.
Income Taxes	Our results are included in the Lumen Technologies consolidated federal income tax return and certain combined state income tax returns. Lumen Technologies allocates income tax expense to us based upon a separate return method which results in income tax expense that approximates the expense that would result if we were a stand-alone entity. Our reported deferred tax assets and liabilities, as discussed below and in Note 12—Income Taxes, are primarily determined as a result of the application of the separate return method and therefore the settlement of these amounts is dependent upon our parent, Lumen Technologies, Inc., rather than tax authorities. The provision for income taxes consists of an amount for taxes currently payable, an amount for tax consequences deferred to future periods and adjustments to our liabilities for uncertain tax positions. We record deferred income tax assets and liabilities reflecting future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying value of assets and liabilities and the tax basis of those assets and liabilities. Deferred taxes are computed using enacted tax rates expected to apply in the year in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. The effect on deferred income tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rate is recognized in earnings in the period that includes the enactment date. We establish valuation allowances when necessary to reduce deferred income tax assets to the amounts that we believe are more likely than not to be recovered. Each quarter we evaluate the need to retain all or a portion of the valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets. See Note 12—Income Taxes for additional information.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and cash equivalents include highly liquid investments that are readily convertible into cash and are not subject to significant risk from fluctuations in interest rates. As a result, the value at which cash and cash equivalents are reported in our consolidated financial statements approximates their fair value. Our cash collections are transferred to Lumen Technologies, Inc. on a daily basis and our ultimate parent funds our cash disbursement needs. The net cash transferred to Lumen Technologies, Inc. has been reflected as advances to affiliates in our consolidated balance sheets. Book overdrafts occur when we have issued checks but have not yet been presented to our controlled disbursement bank accounts for payment. Disbursement bank accounts allow us to delay funding of issued checks until the checks are presented for payment. Until the issued checks are presented for payment, the book overdrafts are included in accounts payable on our consolidated balance sheets. This activity is included in the operating activities section in our consolidated statements of cash flows. There were no book overdrafts included in accounts payable at December 31, 2023 or December 31, 2022.
Restricted Cash and Securities	Restricted cash consists primarily of cash and investments that serve to collateralize certain performance and operating obligations. Restricted cash is recorded as current or non-current assets in the consolidated balance sheets depending on the duration of the restriction and the purpose for which the restriction exists.
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses	Accounts receivable are recognized based upon the amount due from customers for the services provided or at cost for purchased and other receivables less an allowance for credit losses. We use a loss rate method to estimate our allowance for credit losses. For more information on our methodology for estimating our allowance for credit losses, see Note 5—Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. We generally consider our accounts past due if they are outstanding over 30 days. Our past due accounts are written off against our allowance for credit losses when collection is considered to be not probable. Any recoveries of accounts previously written off are generally recognized as a reduction in bad debt expense in the period received. The carrying value of accounts receivable, net of the allowance for credit losses, approximates fair value.
Property, Plant and Equipment	As a result of our indirect acquisition by Lumen Technologies, Inc., property, plant and equipment acquired at the time of acquisition was recorded based on its estimated fair value as of the acquisition date. Subsequently purchased and constructed property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Property, plant and equipment is depreciated primarily using the straight-line group method. Under the straight-line group method, assets dedicated to providing telecommunications services (which comprise the majority of our property, plant and equipment) that have similar physical characteristics, use and expected useful lives are pooled for purposes of depreciation and tracking. We use the equal life group procedure to establish each pool's average remaining useful life. Generally, under the straight-line group method, when an asset is sold or retired in the course of normal business activities, the cost is deducted from property, plant and equipment and charged to accumulated depreciation without recognition of a gain or loss. A gain or loss is recognized in our consolidated statements of operations only if a disposal is unusual. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the useful lives of the assets or the expected lease term. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. During the construction phase of network and other internal-use capital projects, we capitalize related employee and interest costs. Property, plant and equipment supplies used internally are carried at average cost, except for significant individual items for which cost is based on specific identification. We perform annual internal reviews to evaluate the reasonableness of the depreciable lives for our property, plant and equipment. Our reviews utilize models that take into account actual usage, physical wear and tear, replacement history, assumptions about technology evolution and, in certain instances, actuarially determined probabilities to estimate the remaining useful life of our asset base. Our remaining useful life assessments evaluate the possible loss in service value of assets that may precede the physical retirement. Assets shared among many customers may lose service value as those customers reduce their use of the network. However, the asset is not retired until all customers no longer utilize the asset and we determine there is no alternative use for the asset. We review long-lived tangible assets for impairment whenever facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of the assets may not be recoverable. For assessment purposes, long-lived assets are grouped with other assets and liabilities at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities, absent a material change in operations. An impairment loss is recognized only if the carrying amount of the asset group is not recoverable and exceeds its estimated fair value. Recoverability of the asset group to be held and used is assessed by comparing the carrying amount of the asset group to the estimated undiscounted future net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset group. If the asset group's carrying value is not recoverable, we recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds its estimated fair value.
Goodwill, Customer Relationships and Other Intangible Assets	We initially record intangible assets arising from business combinations, such as goodwill and capitalized software at estimated fair value. We amortize capitalized software using the straight-line method over estimated lives ranging up to seven years. Other intangible assets not arising from business combinations are initially recorded at cost. Internally used software, whether purchased or developed by us, is capitalized and amortized using the straight-line method over its estimated useful life. We have capitalized certain costs associated with software such as costs of employees devoting time to the projects and external direct costs for materials and services. Costs associated with software to be used for internal purposes are expensed until the point at which the project has reached the development stage. Subsequent additions, modifications or upgrades to internal-use software are capitalized only to the extent that they allow the software to perform a task it previously did not perform. Software maintenance, data conversion and training costs are expensed in the period in which they are incurred. We review the remaining economic lives of our capitalized software annually. Capitalized software is included in other intangible assets, net, in our consolidated balance sheets. We are required to assess our goodwill for impairment annually, or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that would indicate an impairment may have occurred. We are required to write-down the value of goodwill of the reporting unit in periods in which the carrying amount of the reporting unit equity exceeds the estimated fair value of the equity of the reporting unit limited to the goodwill balance. The impairment assessment is performed at the reporting unit level. We have determined that our operations consist of one reporting unit, consistent with our determination that our business consists of one operating segment. See Note 2—Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets for additional information.
Pension and Post-Retirement Benefits	A substantial portion of our active and retired employees participate in the Lumen Combined Pension Plan. On December 31, 2014, the QCII pension plan and a pension plan of an affiliate were merged into the CenturyLink Retirement Plan, and the CenturyLink Retirement Plan is now named the Lumen Combined Pension Plan. Prior to the pension plan merger, the above-noted employees participated in the QCII pension plan. In addition, certain of our employees participate in Lumen's post-retirement health care and life insurance benefit plans. Lumen Technologies allocates service costs relating to pension and post-retirement health care and life insurance benefits to us and its other affiliates. The amounts contributed by us through Lumen Technologies are not segregated or restricted to pay amounts due to our employees and may be used to provide benefits to other employees of Lumen Technologies. The allocation of the service costs to us is based upon our employees who are currently earning benefits under the plans. For further information on qualified pension, post-retirement and other post-employment benefit plans, see Note 11—Employee Benefits to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of Lumen's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements; Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements Supplier Finance Programs On January 1, 2023, we adopted Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2022-04, “Liabilities-Supplier Finance Program (Subtopic 405-50): Disclosure of Supplier Finance Program Obligations” (“ASU 2022-04”). These amendments require that a company that uses a supplier finance program in connection with the purchase of goods or services disclose sufficient information about the program to allow a user of financial statements to understand the program’s nature, program activity during the period, changes from period to period and the potential magnitude of program transactions. The adoption of ASU 2022-04 did not have a material impact to our consolidated financial statements. Credit Losses On January 1, 2023, we adopted ASU 2022-02, "Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Troubled Debt Restructurings (“TDR”) and Vintage Disclosures” (“ASU 2022-02”). The ASU eliminates the TDR recognition and measurement guidance, enhances existing disclosure requirements and introduces new requirements related to certain modifications of receivables made to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty. The adoption of ASU 2022-02 did not have any impact to our consolidated financial statements. Government Assistance On January 1, 2022, we adopted ASU 2021-10 "Government Assistance (Topic 832): Disclosures by Business Entities about Government Assistance" ("ASU 2021-10"). This ASU requires business entities to disclose information about certain types of government assistance they receive. Please refer to Note 3—Revenue Recognition for more information. Leases On January 1, 2022, we adopted ASU 2021-05, “Leases (Topic 842): Lessors—Certain Leases with Variable Lease Payments” (“ASU 2021-05”). This ASU (i) amends the lease classification requirements for lessors to align them with practice under ASC Topic 840, (ii) provides criteria for lessors to classify and account for a lease with variable lease payments that do not depend on a reference index or a rate as an operating lease; and (iii) provides guidance with respect to net investments by lessors under operating leases and other related topics. The adoption of ASU 2021-05 did not have a material impact to our consolidated financial statements. Debt On January 1, 2021, we adopted ASU 2020-09, "Debt (Topic 470) Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Release No. 33-10762" ("ASU 2020-09"). This ASU amends and supersedes various SEC guidance to reflect SEC Release No. 33-10762, which includes amendments to the financial disclosure requirements applicable to registered debt offerings that include credit enhancements, such as subsidiary guarantees. The adoption of ASU 2020-09 did not have a material impact to our consolidated financial statements. Investments On January 1, 2021, we adopted ASU 2020-01, "Investments - Equity Securities (Topic 321), Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) - Clarifying the Interactions between Topic 321, Topic 323, and Topic 815)" ("ASU 2020-01"). This ASU, among other things, clarifies that a company should consider observable transactions that require a company to either apply or discontinue the equity method of accounting under Topic 323, Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures, for the purposes of applying the measurement alternative in accordance with Topic 321 immediately before applying or upon discontinuing the equity method. As of December 31, 2023, we determined there was no application or discontinuation of the equity method during the reporting periods covered in this report. The adoption of ASU 2020-01 did not have a material impact to our consolidated financial statements. Income Taxes On January 1, 2021, we adopted ASU 2019-12, "Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (Topic 740)" ("ASU 2019-12"). This ASU removes certain exceptions for investments, intra-period allocations and interim calculations, and adds guidance to reduce complexity in accounting for income taxes. The adoption of ASU 2019-12 did not have a material impact to our consolidated financial statements. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements In December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures” (“ASU 2023-09”). 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 5 percent of the amount computed by multiplying pretax income or loss by the applicable statutory income tax rate).” ASU 2023-09 will become effective for us in the annual period of fiscal 2025 and early adoption is permitted. We have chosen not to early adopt this ASU. In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-08, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Crypto Assets (Subtopic 350-60): Accounting for and Disclosure of Crypto Assets” (“ASU 2023-08”). This ASU is intended to improve the accounting for certain crypto assets by requiring an entity to measure those crypto assets at fair value each reporting period with changes in fair value recognized in net income. The amendments also improve the information provided to investors about an entity’s crypto asset holdings by requiring disclosure about significant holdings, contractual sale restrictions, and changes during the reporting period. This ASU will become effective for us in the first quarter of fiscal 2025 and early adoption is permitted. As of December 31, 2023, we do not hold crypto assets and do not expect ASU 2023-08 will have any impact to our consolidated financial statements. In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures” (“ASU 2023-07”). This ASU is intended to improve reportable segment disclosure requirements primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. This ASU will become effective for us in annual period fiscal 2024 and early adoption is permitted. As of December 31, 2023, we are evaluating its impact on our consolidated financial statements. In October 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-06, “Disclosure Improvements: Codification Amendments in Response to the SEC’s Disclosure Update and Simplification Initiative” (“ASU 2023-06”). This ASU incorporates certain SEC disclosure requirements into the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“Codification”). The amendments in the ASU are expected to clarify or improve disclosure and presentation requirements of a variety of Codification Topics, allow users to more easily compare entities subject to the SEC’s existing disclosures with those entities that were not previously subject to the requirements, and align the requirements in the Codification with the SEC’s regulations. ASU 2023-06 will become effective for each amendment on the effective date of the SEC's corresponding disclosure rule changes. As of December 31, 2023, we do not expect ASU 2023-06 will have any impact to our consolidated financial statements. In August 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-05, “Business Combinations – Joint Venture Formations (Subtopic 805-60): Recognition and initial Measurement” (“ASU 2023-05”). This ASU applies to the formation of entities that meet the definition of a joint venture (or a corporate joint venture). The amendments in the ASU require that a joint venture apply a new basis of accounting upon formation. ASU 2023-05 will become effective for us in the first quarter of fiscal 2025 and early adoption is permitted. As of December 31, 2023, we do not expect ASU 2023-05 will have any impact to our consolidated financial statements. In August 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-04, “Liabilities (Topic 405): Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 121” (“ASU 2023-04”). This ASU amends and adds various SEC paragraphs to the FASB Codification to reflect guidance regarding the accounting for obligations to safeguard crypto assets an entity holds for platform users. This ASU does not provide any new guidance. ASU 2023-04 became effective for us once the addition to the FASB Codification was made available. As of December 31, 2023, we do not expect ASU 2023-04 will have any impact to our consolidated financial statements. In July 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-03, “Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205), Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220), Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (Topic 480), Equity (Topic 505), and Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 120, SEC Staff Announcement at the March 24, 2022 EITF Meeting, and Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 6.B, Accounting Series Release 280—General Revision of Regulation S-X: Income or Loss Applicable to Common Stock” (“ASU 2023-03”). This ASU amends or supersedes various SEC paragraphs within the applicable codification to conform to past SEC staff announcements. This ASU does not provide any new guidance. ASU 2023-03 became effective for us once the addition to the FASB Codification was made available. As of December 31, 2023, we do not expect ASU 2023-03 will have any impact to our consolidated financial statements. In March 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-02, “Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Accounting for Investments in Tax Credit Structures Using the Proportional Amortization Method” (“ASU 2023-02”). These amendments allow reporting entities to elect to account for qualifying tax equity investments using the proportional amortization method, regardless of the program giving rise to the related income tax credits. ASU 2023-02 will become effective for us in the first quarter of fiscal 2024 and early adoption is permitted. As of December 31, 2023, we do not expect ASU 2023-02 will have any impact to our consolidated financial statements. In March 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-01, “Leases (Topic 842): Common Control Arrangements” (“ASU 2023-01”). These amendments require all entities to amortize leasehold improvements associated with common control leases over the useful life to the common control group. ASU 2023-01 will become effective for us in the first quarter of fiscal 2024 and early adoption is permitted. As of December 31, 2023, we do not expect ASU 2023-01 will have any impact to our consolidated financial statements. In December 2022, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2022-06, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) – Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848" ("ASU 2022-06"). These amendments extend the period of time preparers can utilize the reference rate reform relief guidance in Topic 848, which defers the sunset date from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2024, after which entities will no longer be permitted to apply the relief in Topic 848. ASU 2022-06 is effective upon issuance. Based on our review of our key material contracts through December 31, 2023, ASU 2022-06 does not have a material impact to our consolidated financial statements. In June 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-03, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Fair Value Measurement of Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions” (“ASU 2022-03”). These amendments clarify that a contractual restriction on the sales of an investment in an equity security is not considered part of the unit of account of the equity security and, therefore, is not considered in measuring its fair value. ASU 2022-03 will become effective for us in the first quarter of fiscal 2024 and early adoption is permitted. As of December 31, 2023, we do not expect ASU 2022-03 will have any impact to our consolidated financial statements. In January 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-01, "Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Scope" ("ASU 2021-01"), which clarifies that certain optional expedients and exceptions in Topic 848 for contract modifications and hedge accounting apply to derivatives that are affected by the discounting transition. ASU 2021-01 also amends the expedients and exceptions in Topic 848 to capture the incremental consequences of the scope clarification and to tailor the existing guidance to derivative instruments affected by the discounting transition. These amendments may be applied prospectively to contract modifications made and hedging relationships entered into or evaluated on or before December 31, 2022. ASU 2021-01 provides optional expedients for a limited time to ease the potential burden in accounting for reference rate reform. Based on our review of our key material contracts through December 31, 2023, ASU 2021-01 will not have a material impact to our consolidated financial statements.

v3.24.0.1

Credit Losses (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023
Credit Loss [Abstract]
Credit Losses on Financial Instruments	To assess our expected credit losses on financial instruments, we aggregate financial assets with similar risk characteristics to monitor their credit quality or deterioration over the life of such assets. We periodically monitor certain risk characteristics within our aggregated financial assets and revise their composition accordingly, to the extent internal and external risk factors change. We separately evaluate financial assets that do not share risk characteristics with other financial assets. Our financial assets measured at amortized cost primarily consist of accounts receivable.

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Goodwill, Customer Relationships and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of goodwill, customer relationships and other intangible assets	Goodwill and other intangible assets consisted of the following: As of December 31, 2023 2022 (Dollars in millions) Goodwill(1) $ 6,955  $ 9,360  Other intangible assets, less accumulated amortization of $1,966 and $1,924 $ 103  $ 138  ______________________________________________________________________  (1)We recorded a cumulative non-cash, non-tax-deductible goodwill impairment charge of $2.4 billion during the year ended December 31, 2023.
Schedule of Goodwill	The following table shows the rollforward of goodwill from December 31, 2021 through December 31, 2023: (Dollars in millions) As of December 31, 2021 $ 9,360  As of December 31, 2022 9,360  Impairment (2,405) As of December 31, 2023(1) $ 6,955  ______________________________________________________________________  (1)Goodwill at December 31, 2023 is net of accumulated impairment losses of $2.4 billion.
Schedule of estimated amortization expense for intangible assets	We estimate that total amortization expense for intangible assets for the years ending December 31, 2024 through 2028 will be as follows: (Dollars in millions) Year ending December 31, 2024 $ 44  2025 16  2026 10  2027 7  2028 5

v3.24.0.1

Revenue Recognition (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Schedule of disaggregated revenue by service offering	The following tables provide our total revenue by product and service category as well as the amount of revenue that is not subject to ASC 606, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" ("ASC 606"), but is instead governed by other accounting standards:   Year Ended December 31, 2023 Total Revenue Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue(1) Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers   (Dollars in millions) Other Broadband $ 1,111  (95) 1,016  Voice and Other 589  (16) 573  Fiber Broadband 470  (12) 458  Harvest 1,048  (139) 909  Nurture 393  (8) 385  Grow 145  —  145  Affiliate Services 2,159  (45) 2,114  Total revenue $ 5,915  (315) 5,600  Timing of revenue Goods and services transferred at a point in time $ 23  Services performed over time 5,577  Total revenue from contracts with customers $ 5,600    Year Ended December 31, 2022 Total Revenue Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue(1) Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers   (Dollars in millions) Other Broadband $ 1,275  (106) 1,169  Voice and Other 691  (31) 660  Fiber Broadband 461  (12) 449  Harvest 1,134  (161) 973  Nurture 435  (9) 426  Grow 159  (9) 150  Affiliate Services 2,294  (45) 2,249  Total revenue $ 6,449  (373) 6,076  Timing of revenue Goods and services transferred at a point in time $ 28  Services performed over time 6,048  Total revenue from contracts with customers $ 6,076    Year Ended December 31, 2021 Total Revenue Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue(1) Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers   (Dollars in millions) Other Broadband $ 1,360  (107) 1,253  Voice and Other 985  (161) 824  Fiber Broadband 408  —  408  Harvest 1,206  (167) 1,039  Nurture 450  (10) 440  Grow 153  (9) 144  Affiliate Services 2,389  (29) 2,360  Total revenue $ 6,951  (483) 6,468  Timing of revenue Goods and services transferred at a point in time $ 30  Services performed over time 6,438  Total revenue from contracts with customers $ 6,468  _______________________________________________________________________________ (1)Includes regulatory revenue and lease revenue not within the scope of ASC 606.
Schedule of customer receivables and contract balances	The following table provides balances of customer receivables, contract assets and contract liabilities as of December 31, 2023 and 2022: December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022   (Dollars in millions) Customer receivables (1) $ 210  297  Contract assets 7  9  Contract liabilities 269  343  _______________________________________________________________________________ (1)Reflects gross customer receivables, including gross affiliate receivables, of $239 million and $324 million, net of allowance for credit losses of $29 million and $27 million, at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.
Schedule of contract costs	The following tables provide changes in our contract acquisition costs and fulfillment costs: Year Ended December 31, 2023 Acquisition Costs Fulfillment Costs   (Dollars in millions) Beginning of period balance $ 61  46  Costs incurred 43  38  Amortization (46) (38) End of period balance $ 58  46  Year Ended December 31, 2022 Acquisition Costs Fulfillment Costs   (Dollars in millions) Beginning of period balance $ 64  47  Costs incurred 50  39  Amortization (53) (40) End of period balance $ 61  46

v3.24.0.1

Leases (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023
Leases [Abstract]
Lease cost	Lease expense consisted of the following: Years Ended December 31, 2023 2022 2021 (Dollars in millions) Operating and short-term lease cost $ 26  25  26  Finance lease cost: Amortization of right-of-use assets 1  1  1  Total finance lease cost 1  1  1  Total lease cost $ 27  26  27  Supplemental consolidated cash flow statement information related to leases is included below: Years Ended December 31, 2023 2022 (Dollars in millions) Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: Operating cash flows for operating leases $ 35  40  Operating cash flows for finance leases —  —  Financing cash flows for finance leases 2  1  Supplemental lease cash flow disclosures Operating lease right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities $ 15  23  Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities 3  1
Assets and liabilities	Supplemental consolidated balance sheet information and other information related to leases is included below: As of December 31, Leases (Dollars in millions) Classification on the Balance Sheet 2023 2022 Assets Operating lease assets Other, net $ 65  68  Finance lease assets Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation 7  5  Total leased assets $ 72  73  Liabilities Current Operating Other $ 20  21  Finance Current maturities of long-term debt 1  2  Noncurrent Operating Other 47  58  Finance Long-term debt 3  2  Total lease liabilities $ 71  83  Weighted-average remaining lease term (years) Operating leases 4.9 4.8 Finance leases 7.7 10.0 Weighted-average discount rate Operating leases 4.83  % 4.08  % Finance leases 5.89  % 4.08  %
Maturities of Operating lease liabilities	As of December 31, 2023, maturities of lease liabilities were as follows: Operating Leases Finance Leases (Dollars in millions) 2024 $ 22  1  2025 16  1  2026 11  1  2027 9  1  2028 5  —  Thereafter 11  1  Total lease payments 74  5  Less: interest (7) (1) Total 67  4  Less: current portion (20) (1) Long-term portion $ 47  3

v3.24.0.1

Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023
Credit Loss [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss	The following table presents the activity of our allowance for credit losses by accounts receivable portfolio from December 31, 2021 through December 31, 2023: Business Mass Markets Total (Dollars in millions) Balance at January 1, 2021(1) $ 25  36  61  Provision for expected losses 10  17  27  Write-offs charged against the allowance (19) (35) (54) Recoveries collected 3  1  4  Balance at December 31, 2021 $ 19  19  38  Provision for expected losses 13  47  60  Write-offs charged against the allowance (14) (50) (64) Recoveries collected 2  —  2  Balance at December 31, 2022 $ 20  16  36  Provision for expected losses 20  46  66  Write-offs charged against the allowance (26) (43) (69) Recoveries collected —  1  1  Balance at December 31, 2023 $ 14  20  34  (1)Due to an internal reorganization of our reporting categories on January 1, 2021, our accounts receivable portfolios were changed to align with changes to how we manage our customers. Allowance for credit losses previously included in the Consumer and Business portfolio of $32 million and $4 million, respectively, were reclassified to the Mass Markets allowance for credit losses on January 1, 2021, as a result of this change.

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Long-Term Debt and Note Payable - Affiliate (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of long-term debt, including unamortized discounts and premiums	The following chart reflects (i) the consolidated long-term debt of Qwest Corporation and its subsidiaries, including finance lease and other obligations, unamortized premiums, net, unamortized debt issuance costs and (ii) note payable-affiliate: As of December 31, Interest Rates (1) Maturities (1) 2023 2022 (Dollars in millions) Senior notes 6.500% - 7.750% 2025 - 2057 $ 1,986  1,986  Term loan (2) SOFR + 2.50% 2027 215  215  Finance lease and other Various Various 4  3  Unamortized premiums, net 4  5  Unamortized debt issuance costs (52) (52) Total long-term debt 2,157  2,157  Less current maturities (1) (2) Long-term debt, excluding current maturities $ 2,156  2,155  Note payable-affiliate 6.210% 2027 $ —  —  _______________________________________________________________________________ (1) As of December 31, 2023. (2) Qwest Corporation's Term Loan had interest rates of 7.970% and 6.640% as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
Schedule of aggregate maturities of the entity's long-term debt (excluding unamortized premiums, discounts, and other)	Set forth below is the aggregate principal amount of our long-term debt as of December 31, 2023 (excluding unamortized premiums, net, unamortized debt issuance costs and note payable-affiliate) maturing during the following years: (Dollars in millions) 2024 $ 1  2025 250  2026 1  2027 216  2028 —  2029 and thereafter 1,737  Total long-term debt $ 2,205
Schedule of amount of gross interest expense, net of capitalized interest and interest expense (income)-affiliates	Interest expense includes interest on total long-term debt. The following table presents the amount of gross interest expense, net of capitalized interest and interest expense-affiliates, net: Years Ended December 31, 2023 2022 2021 (Dollars in millions) Interest expense: Gross interest expense $ 149  141  200  Capitalized interest (54) (29) (19) Total interest expense $ 95  112  181  Interest (income) expense-affiliates, net $ (15) 60  105

v3.24.0.1

Accounts Receivable (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023
Receivables [Abstract]
Schedule of the entity's accounts receivable balances	The following table presents details of our accounts receivable balances: As of December 31, 2023 2022(1) (Dollars in millions) Trade and purchased receivables $ 287  320  Earned and unbilled (credits) receivables (15) 23  Other 23  40  Total accounts receivable 295  383  Less: allowance for credit losses (34) (36) Accounts receivable, less allowance $ 261  347  ______________________________________________________________________ (1)Amounts have been adjusted to reflect the immaterial correction of accounts receivable. See Note 1—Background and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies under the header Correction of Immaterial Errors.

v3.24.0.1

Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Schedule of net property, plant and equipment	Net property, plant and equipment is composed of the following: Depreciable Lives As of December 31, 2023 2022 (Dollars in millions) Property, plant and equipment: Land N/A $ 334  339  Fiber, conduit and other outside plant(1) 15-45 years 7,126  6,755  Central office and other network electronics(2) 7-10 years 5,488  5,283  Support assets(3) 3-30 years 2,845  2,766  Construction in progress(4) N/A 1,146  747  Gross property, plant and equipment 16,939  15,890  Accumulated depreciation (8,239) (7,617) Net property, plant and equipment $ 8,700  8,273  _______________________________________________________________________________ (1)Fiber, conduit and other outside plant consists of fiber and metallic cable, conduit, poles and other supporting structures. (2)Central office and other network electronics consists of circuit and packet switches, routers, transmission electronics and electronics providing service to customers. (3)Support assets consist of buildings, computers and other administrative and support equipment. (4)Construction in progress includes inventory held for construction and property of the aforementioned categories that has not been placed in service as it is still under construction.

v3.24.0.1

Fair Value Disclosure (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of the three input levels in the hierarchy of fair value measurements	The three input levels in the hierarchy of fair value measurements are defined by the FASB generally as follows: Input Level Description of Input Level 1 Observable inputs such as quoted market prices in active markets. Level 2 Inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable. Level 3 Unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists.
Schedule of carrying amounts and estimated fair values of long-term debt, excluding capital lease obligations, and input levels to determine fair values	The following table presents the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of our financial liabilities as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, as well as the input level used to determine the fair values indicated below: As of December 31, 2023 As of December 31, 2022 Input Level Carrying Amount Fair Value Carrying Amount Fair Value (Dollars in millions) Liabilities-Long-term debt (excluding finance lease and other obligations) 2 $ 2,153  1,162  2,154  1,691

v3.24.0.1

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of components of the income tax expense from continuing operations	The components of the income tax expense from continuing operations are as follows: Years Ended December 31, 2023 2022 2021 (Dollars in millions) Income tax expense: Federal and foreign Current $ 432  514  553  Deferred 19  6  17  State and local Current 107  137  129  Deferred 3  14  10  Income tax expense $ 561  671  709
Schedule of effective income tax rate for continuing operations that differs from the statutory tax rate	The effective income tax rate for continuing operations differs from the statutory tax rate as follows: Years Ended December 31, 2023 2022 2021 (in percent) Effective income tax rate: Federal statutory income tax rate 21.0  % 21.0  % 21.0  % State income taxes-net of federal effect (31.3) % 4.3  % 3.7  % Goodwill impairment (187.2) % —  % —  % Change in liability for unrecognized tax position (8.9) % 0.6  % 0.4  % Other (1.4) % —  % 0.1  % Effective income tax rate (207.8) % 25.9  % 25.2  % For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, our effective income tax rate was (207.8)% and 25.9%, respectively. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2023 includes a $505 million unfavorable aggregate impact of non-deductible goodwill impairment.
Schedule of components of the deferred tax assets and liabilities	The tax effects of temporary differences that gave rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities were as follows: As of December 31, 2023 2022 (Dollars in millions) Deferred tax liabilities: Property, plant and equipment $ (1,464) (1,414) Intangible assets (95) (114) Other (50) (54) Total deferred tax liabilities (1,609) (1,582) Deferred tax assets: Payable to affiliate due to post-retirement benefit plan participation 292  302  Gross deferred tax assets 292  302  Less valuation allowance on deferred tax assets —  —  Net deferred tax assets 292  302  Net deferred tax liabilities $ (1,317) (1,280)
Reconciliation of unrecognized tax benefits	A reconciliation of the change in our gross unrecognized tax benefits (excluding both interest and any related federal benefit) from January 1 to December 31 for 2023 and 2022 are as follows: Years ended December 31, 2023 2022   (Dollars in millions) Unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of period $ 332  360  Decrease due to tax positions taken in a prior year (1) (28) Decrease due to tax positions taken in a current year (14) —  Unrecognized tax benefits at end of period $ 317  332

v3.24.0.1

Commitments, Contingencies and Other Items (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Right-of-way	At December 31, 2023, our future rental commitments and Right-of-Way ("ROW") agreements were as follows: Future Rental Commitments and ROW Agreements (Dollars in millions) 2024 $ 26  2025 2  2026 2  2027 2  2028 2  2029 and thereafter 25  Total future minimum payments $ 59

v3.24.0.1

Other Financial Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of other current assets	The following table presents details of other current assets in our consolidated balance sheets: As of December 31, 2023 2022 (Dollars in millions) Prepaid expenses $ 48  46  Contract acquisition costs 34  38  Contract fulfillment costs 28  30  Assets held for sale 29  —  Other 5  6  Total other current assets $ 144  120
Schedule of other current liabilities	The following table presents details of other current liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets: As of December 31, 2023 2022 (Dollars in millions) Current affiliate obligation $ 52  57  Current operating lease liability 20  21  Other 49  52  Total other current liabilities $ 121  130
Schedule of other noncurrent liabilities	The following table presents details of other noncurrent liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets: As of December 31, 2023 2022 (Dollars in millions) Unrecognized tax benefits $ 442  427  Noncurrent operating lease liability 47  58  Other 190  169  Total other noncurrent liabilities $ 679  654

v3.24.0.1

Stockholder's Equity (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Schedule of cash dividends declared	We declared and paid the following cash dividend to QSC: Years Ended December 31, 2023 2022 2021 (Dollars in millions) Cash dividend declared to QSC $ 1,980  —  570  Cash dividend paid to QSC(1) 1,980  —  570  ______________________________________________________________________ (1) In 2023, we declared a dividend of advances to affiliate to our parent.

v3.24.0.1

Background and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - General (Details)	Dec. 31, 2023 state
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Number of states in which entity operates	14

v3.24.0.1

Background and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Segments (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023 segment
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments	1

v3.24.0.1

Background and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($) reporting_unit segment	Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($)
Statement [Line Items]
Advertising expense	$ 17,000,000	$ 26,000,000	$ 24,000,000
Bank overdrafts	$ 0	0
Accounts receivable, period past due	30 days
Number of reporting units | reporting_unit	1
Number of operating segments | segment	1
Capitalized software
Statement [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, maximum useful life	7 years
Affiliated Entity | Pension, Supplemental and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
Statement [Line Items]
Pension settlement term	30 years
Revenue from affiliate	$ 57,000,000	61,000,000
Affiliated Entity | Pension, Supplemental and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue from affiliate	$ 57,000,000	$ 61,000,000
Minimum
Statement [Line Items]
Contract term	1 year
Maximum
Statement [Line Items]
Contract term	5 years
Customer relationship period for revenue recognition	20 years
Average | Consumer customers, average contract life
Statement [Line Items]
Customer life	36 months
Average | Business customer, average contract life
Statement [Line Items]
Customer life	33 months

v3.24.0.1

Background and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Correction of Immaterial Errors (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Jan. 01, 2021
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Accounts receivable, less allowance of $34 and $36	$ 261	$ 347
Assets	16,337	18,956
Accounts payable	362	231
Retained earnings	706	3,517
Affiliated Entity
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Advances to affiliates	$ 0	569
Correction of Error from Understatement of Revenues and Network Expenses Prior to 2021
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Accounts receivable, less allowance of $34 and $36		38
Assets		31
Liabilities		18
Retained earnings			$ 13
Correction of Error from Understatement of Revenues and Network Expenses Prior to 2021 | Affiliated Entity
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Advances to affiliates		$ (7)

v3.24.0.1

Goodwill, Customer Relationships and Other Intangible Assets - Schedule of Goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill		$ 6,955	$ 9,360	$ 9,360
Finite-lived intangible assets, net		103	138
Goodwill impairment	$ (2,400)	(2,405)	0	$ 0
Other intangible assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, net		103	138
Accumulated amortization		$ 1,966	$ 1,924

v3.24.0.1

Goodwill, Customer Relationships and Other Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($) reporting_unit	Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2023	Jun. 30, 2023	Oct. 31, 2022	Oct. 31, 2021
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible assets, gross (including goodwill)	$ 9,000
Number of reporting units | reporting_unit	1
Estimated fair value in excess of carrying value of equity (as a percent)					11.00%	24.00%	42.00%
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization of intangible assets	$ 67	$ 79	$ 176
Maximum | Measurement Input, EBITDA Multiple
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill Impairment, Measurement Input				8.4	10.5
Maximum | Measurement Input, Revenue Multiple
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill Impairment, Measurement Input				3.5	4.3
Minimum | Measurement Input, EBITDA Multiple
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill Impairment, Measurement Input				4.8	4.6
Minimum | Measurement Input, Revenue Multiple
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill Impairment, Measurement Input				1.5	1.5
Capitalized software
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Acquired finite-lived intangible assets, weighted average useful life	3 years

v3.24.0.1

Goodwill, Customer Relationships and Other Intangible Assets - Rollforward Goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Goodwill Activity
As of beginning of period		$ 9,360	$ 9,360
Impairment	$ (2,400)	(2,405)	0	$ 0
As of end of period		6,955	$ 9,360	$ 9,360
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss		$ 2,400

v3.24.0.1

Goodwill, Customer Relationships and Other Intangible Assets - Schedule of Future Amortization Expense (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($)
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
2024	$ 44
2025	16
2026	10
2027	7
2028	$ 5

v3.24.0.1

Revenue Recognition - Disaggregation of Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total operating revenue	$ 5,915	$ 6,449	$ 6,951
Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue	(315)	(373)	(483)
Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers	5,600	6,076	6,468
Goods and services transferred at a point in time
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers	23	28	30
Services performed over time
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers	5,577	6,048	6,438
Other Broadband
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total operating revenue	1,111	1,275	1,360
Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue	(95)	(106)	(107)
Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers	1,016	1,169	1,253
Voice and Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total operating revenue	589	691	985
Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue	(16)	(31)	(161)
Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers	573	660	824
Fiber Broadband
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total operating revenue	470	461	408
Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue	(12)	(12)	0
Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers	458	449	408
Harvest
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total operating revenue	1,048	1,134	1,206
Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue	(139)	(161)	(167)
Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers	909	973	1,039
Nuture
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total operating revenue	393	435	450
Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue	(8)	(9)	(10)
Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers	385	426	440
Grow
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total operating revenue	145	159	153
Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue	0	(9)	(9)
Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers	145	150	144
Affiliate Services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total operating revenue	2,159	2,294	2,389
Adjustments for Non-ASC 606 Revenue	(45)	(45)	(29)
Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers	$ 2,114	$ 2,249	$ 2,360

v3.24.0.1

Revenue Recognition - Customer Receivables and Contract Balances (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Customer receivables	$ 210	$ 297
Contract assets	7	9
Contract liabilities	269	343	$ 317
Gross customer receivables	239	324
Customer receivable allowance for credit loss	$ 29	$ 27

v3.24.0.1

Revenue Recognition - Additional Information (Details) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 07, 2020 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2023 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($) state	Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($)
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue included in contract liability			$ 169	$ 192
Contract liabilities			269	343	$ 317
Performance obligation, amount			2,000
Non-customer revenue under government assistance programs			36	$ 22
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2024-01-01
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Performance obligation, amount			924
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2025-01-01
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Performance obligation, amount			571
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2026-01-01
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Performance obligation, amount			$ 457
State Universal Service Fund Support Programs
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Non-customer revenue associate with state universal service fund support programs (as a percent)			24.00%	34.00%
CAF Phase II Program | Lumen
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Non-customer revenue under government assistance programs				$ 500	500
CAF Phase II Program | Qwest Corporation
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Non-customer revenue under government assistance programs				$ 145	$ 145
Number of states where required to meet infrastructure buildout requirements | state				13
Previously deferred revenue recognized		$ 13
RDOF Phase I Program
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Allocated support payments	$ 6,400
Transaction duration	10 years
Minimum
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Contract term			1 year
Maximum
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Contract term			5 years
Average | Consumer customers, average contract life
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Customer life			36 months
Average | Business customer, average contract life
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Customer life			33 months

v3.24.0.1

Revenue Recognition - Performance Obligations (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($)
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
GovernmentAssistanceStatementOfIncomeOrComprehensiveIncomeExtensibleEnumerationNotDisclosedFlag	true
Performance obligation, amount	$ 2,000
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2024-01-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Performance obligation, period	1 year
Performance obligation, amount	$ 924
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2025-01-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Performance obligation, period	1 year
Performance obligation, amount	$ 571
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2026-01-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Performance obligation, period
Performance obligation, amount	$ 457

v3.24.0.1

Revenue Recognition - Contract Costs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Acquisition Costs
Capitalized Contract Costs [Roll Forward]
Beginning of period balance	$ 61	$ 64
Costs incurred	43	50
Amortization	(46)	(53)
End of period balance	58	61
Fulfillment Costs
Capitalized Contract Costs [Roll Forward]
Beginning of period balance	46	47
Costs incurred	38	39
Amortization	(38)	(40)
End of period balance	$ 46	$ 46

v3.24.0.1

Leases - Lease Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Leases [Abstract]
Operating and short-term lease cost	$ 26	$ 25	$ 26
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of right-of-use assets	1	1	1
Total finance lease cost	1	1	1
Total lease cost	$ 27	$ 26	$ 27

v3.24.0.1

Leases - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Leases [Abstract]
Gross rental expense	$ 27	$ 26	$ 27
Sublease rental income	8	9	10
Operating lease, lease income	$ 304	$ 346	$ 324
Operating lease, lease income (as a percent)	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%
Operating lease, lease income	Revenues	Revenues	Revenues

v3.24.0.1

Leases - Supplemental Balance Sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Assets
Operating lease assets	$ 65	$ 68
Finance lease assets	7	5
Total leased assets	$ 72	$ 73
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible Enumeration]	Other, net	Other, net
Finance Lease, Right-of-Use Asset, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]	Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $8,239 and $7,617	Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $8,239 and $7,617
Current
Operating	$ 20	$ 21
Finance	$ 1	$ 2
Operating Lease, Liability, Current, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]	Other	Other
Finance Lease, Liability, Current, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]	Current maturities of long-term debt	Current maturities of long-term debt
Noncurrent
Operating	$ 47	$ 58
Finance	3	2
Total lease liabilities	$ 71	$ 83
Operating Lease, Liability, Noncurrent, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]	Other	Other
Finance Lease, Liability, Noncurrent, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]	LONG-TERM DEBT	LONG-TERM DEBT
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years)
Operating leases	4 years 10 months 24 days	4 years 9 months 18 days
Finance leases	7 years 8 months 12 days	10 years
Weighted-average discount rate
Operating leases	4.83%	4.08%
Finance leases	5.89%	4.08%

v3.24.0.1

Leases - Supplemental Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows for operating leases	$ 35	$ 40
Operating cash flows for finance leases	0	0
Financing cash flows for finance leases	2	1
Operating lease right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities	15	23
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities	$ 3	$ 1

v3.24.0.1

Leases - Maturities of Lease Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Operating Leases
2024	$ 22
2025	16
2026	11
2027	9
2028	5
Thereafter	11
Total lease payments	74
Less: interest	(7)
Total	67
Less: current portion	(20)	$ (21)
Long-term portion	47	58
Finance Leases
2024	1
2025	1
2026	1
2027	1
2028	0
Thereafter	1
Total lease payments	5
Less: interest	(1)
Total	4
Less: current portion	(1)	(2)
Long-term portion	$ 3	$ 2

v3.24.0.1

Credit Losses on Financial Instruments - Finance Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss
Beginning balance	$ 36	$ 38	$ 61
Provision for expected losses	66	60	27
Write-offs charged against the allowance	(69)	(64)	(54)
Recoveries collected	1	2	4
Ending balance	34	36	38
Business
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss
Beginning balance	20	19	25
Provision for expected losses	20	13	10
Write-offs charged against the allowance	(26)	(14)	(19)
Recoveries collected	0	2	3
Ending balance	14	20	19
Mass Markets
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss
Beginning balance	16	19	36
Provision for expected losses	46	47	17
Write-offs charged against the allowance	(43)	(50)	(35)
Recoveries collected	1	0	1
Ending balance	$ 20	$ 16	$ 19

v3.24.0.1

Credit Losses on Financial Instruments - Finance Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss Footnote (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Jan. 01, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Line Items]
Reclassified allowance for credit losses	$ (34)	$ (36)	$ (38)		$ (61)
Business
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Line Items]
Reclassified allowance for credit losses	(14)	(20)	(19)		(25)
Mass Markets
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Line Items]
Reclassified allowance for credit losses	$ (20)	$ (16)	$ (19)		$ (36)
Revision of Prior Period, Reclassification, Adjustment | Business
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Line Items]
Reclassified allowance for credit losses				$ 32
Revision of Prior Period, Reclassification, Adjustment | Mass Markets
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Line Items]
Reclassified allowance for credit losses				$ 4

v3.24.0.1

Long-Term Debt and Note Payable - Affiliate - Schedule of Long-Term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		12 Months Ended
	Oct. 23, 2020	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Long-term debt
Long-term debt, gross		$ 2,205
Unamortized premiums, net		4	$ 5
Unamortized debt issuance costs		(52)	(52)
Total long-term debt		2,157	2,157
Less current maturities		(1)	(2)
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities		2,156	2,155
Affiliated entity
Long-term debt
Note payable - affiliate		0
Senior notes
Long-term debt
Long-term debt, gross		$ 1,986	1,986
Senior notes | Minimum
Long-term debt
Stated interest rate		6.50%
Senior notes | Maximum
Long-term debt
Stated interest rate		7.75%
Term loan
Long-term debt
Long-term debt, gross		$ 215	$ 215
Interest rate on term loan		7.97%	6.64%
Term loan | Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) Overnight Index Swap Rate
Long-term debt
Basis spread on variable rate		2.50%
Term loan | Minimum | Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) Overnight Index Swap Rate
Long-term debt
Basis spread on variable rate	1.50%
Term loan | Maximum | Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) Overnight Index Swap Rate
Long-term debt
Basis spread on variable rate	2.50%
Finance lease and other
Long-term debt
Long-term debt, gross		$ 4	$ 3
Note payable - affiliate | Affiliated entity
Long-term debt
Weighted average interest rate, revolving promissory note		6.21%

v3.24.0.1

Long-Term Debt and Note Payable - Affiliate - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions				12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2022	Oct. 23, 2020	Dec. 31, 2023
Term loan
Long-term debt
Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt			$ 215
Term loan | Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) Overnight Index Swap Rate
Long-term debt
Basis spread on variable rate				2.50%
Term loan | Minimum | Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) Overnight Index Swap Rate
Long-term debt
Basis spread on variable rate			1.50%
Term loan | Minimum | Base Rate
Long-term debt
Basis spread on variable rate			0.50%
Term loan | Maximum | Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) Overnight Index Swap Rate
Long-term debt
Basis spread on variable rate			2.50%
Term loan | Maximum | Base Rate
Long-term debt
Basis spread on variable rate			1.50%
Term loan | Qwest Corporation
Long-term debt
Term Loan covenant Debt to EBITDA Ratio				2.85
Note payable - affiliate | Affiliated entity | Qwest Corporation
Long-term debt
Maximum borrowing capacity		$ 2,000
Note Payable - Affiliate, term subject to automatic renewal		12 months
Note Payable - Affiliate, period to provide notice of intent not to renew		30 days
Note Payable - Affiliate, period to pay interest from end of Interest Period		30 days
Note Payable - Affiliate, outstanding principal repaid	$ 1,200
Note Payable - Affiliate, interest repaid	$ 43

v3.24.0.1

Long-Term Debt and Note Payable - Affiliate - Schedule of Debt Maturity (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($)
Maturities of long-term debt (excluding unamortized premiums and discounts and unamortized debt issuance costs and other and excluding note payable-affiliate)
2024	$ 1
2025	250
2026	1
2027	216
2028	0
2029 and thereafter	1,737
Total long-term debt	$ 2,205

v3.24.0.1

Long-Term Debt and Note Payable - Affiliate - Interest Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Amount of gross interest expense, net of capitalized interest and interest expense - affiliates
Gross interest expense	$ 149	$ 141	$ 200
Capitalized interest	(54)	(29)	(19)
Total interest expense	95	112	181
Affiliated Entity
Long-term debt
Interest and Other Income	$ (15)
Interest income (expense) - affiliate, net		$ 60	$ 105

v3.24.0.1

Accounts Receivable - Schedule of Accounts Receivable (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Accounts receivable
Other	$ 23	$ 40
Total accounts receivable	295	383
Less: allowance for credit losses	(34)	(36)
Accounts receivable, less allowance	261	347
Earned and unbilled (credits) receivables
Accounts receivable
Total accounts receivable	(15)	23
Trade and purchased receivables
Accounts receivable
Total accounts receivable	$ 287	$ 320

v3.24.0.1

Accounts Receivable - Allowance for Credit Losses (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Line Items]
Cumulative effect of new accounting principle in period of adoption, net of tax	$ 10,756	$ 13,567	$ 11,648
Tax effect	561	671	709
RETAINED EARNINGS
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Line Items]
Cumulative effect of new accounting principle in period of adoption, net of tax	$ 706	$ 3,517	$ 1,598	$ 61

v3.24.0.1

Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Gross property, plant and equipment	$ 16,939	$ 15,890
Accumulated depreciation	(8,239)	(7,617)
Net property, plant and equipment	8,700	8,273
Depreciation expense	756	781	$ 833
Land
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Gross property, plant and equipment	334	339
Fiber, conduit and other outside plant
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Gross property, plant and equipment	$ 7,126	6,755
Fiber, conduit and other outside plant | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable lives	15 years
Fiber, conduit and other outside plant | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable lives	45 years
Central office and other network electronics
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Gross property, plant and equipment	$ 5,488	5,283
Central office and other network electronics | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable lives	7 years
Central office and other network electronics | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable lives	10 years
Support assets
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Gross property, plant and equipment	$ 2,845	2,766
Support assets | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable lives	3 years
Support assets | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable lives	30 years
Construction in progress
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Gross property, plant and equipment	$ 1,146	$ 747

v3.24.0.1

Employee Benefits - Pension and Post-Retirement Benefits (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
CenturyLink, Inc.
Employee Benefits
Allocated expenses by parent entities (as a percent)	87.00%	72.00%	69.00%
Pension Plan
Employee Benefits
Defined benefit plan, service cost	$ 22,000,000	$ 31,000,000	$ 38,000,000
Pension Plan | CenturyLink, Inc.
Employee Benefits
Employer contributions to benefit plan	0	0
Pension Plan | CenturyLink, Inc.
Employee Benefits
Unfunded status	769,000,000	615,000,000
Post-Retirement Benefit Plan
Employee Benefits
Defined benefit plan, service cost	4,000,000	7,000,000	$ 10,000,000
Post-Retirement Benefit Plan | CenturyLink, Inc.
Employee Benefits
Unfunded status	$ 1,900,000,000	2,000,000,000
Pension, Supplemental and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans | Affiliated Entity
Employee Benefits
Pension settlement term	30 years
Revenue from affiliate	$ 57,000,000	$ 61,000,000

v3.24.0.1

Employee Benefits - Health Care and Life Insurance (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Health Care and Life Insurance [Abstract]
Health care benefit expenses	$ 101	$ 99	$ 110

v3.24.0.1

Employee Benefits - 401(k) Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Costs recognized for 401(k) Plan	$ 27	$ 27	$ 29

v3.24.0.1

Share-Based Compensation (Details) - Stock compensation plan - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Share-based compensation
Share based compensation expense	$ 9	$ 13	$ 15
Income tax benefit recognized, associated with share-based compensation expense	$ 2	$ 3	$ 4

v3.24.0.1

Fair Value Disclosure (Details) - Fair value, measurements, nonrecurring - Fair value inputs, Level 2 - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Carrying Amount
Liabilities
Liabilities-Long-term debt (excluding finance lease and other obligations)	$ 2,153	$ 2,154
Fair Value
Liabilities
Liabilities-Long-term debt (excluding finance lease and other obligations)	$ 1,162	$ 1,691

v3.24.0.1

Income Taxes - Income Tax Expense (Benefit) by Current and Deferred (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Federal and foreign
Current	$ 432	$ 514	$ 553
Deferred	19	6	17
State and local
Current	107	137	129
Deferred	3	14	10
Income tax expense	$ 561	$ 671	$ 709

v3.24.0.1

Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Effective to Statutory Tax Rates (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Effective income tax rate:
Federal statutory income tax rate	21.00%	21.00%	21.00%
State income taxes-net of federal effect	(31.30%)	4.30%	3.70%
Goodwill impairment	(187.20%)	0.00%	0.00%
Change in liability for unrecognized tax position	(8.90%)	0.60%	0.40%
Other	(1.40%)	0.00%	0.10%
Effective income tax rate	(207.80%)	25.90%	25.20%

v3.24.0.1

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Valuation allowance	$ 0	$ 0
Net deferred tax liabilities	1,317,000,000	1,280,000,000
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective income tax rate	0
Liabilities recorded for interest related to uncertain tax positions	125,000,000	95,000,000
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Income taxes paid (received)	509,000,000	673,000,000	$ 697,000,000
Unfavorable impact of non-deductible goodwill impairments	505,000,000
Qwest Services Corporation
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Income taxes paid (received)	$ 509,000,000	$ 673,000,000	$ 697,000,000

v3.24.0.1

Income Taxes - Deferred Tax Assets (Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, plant and equipment	$ (1,464,000,000)	$ (1,414,000,000)
Intangible assets	(95,000,000)	(114,000,000)
Other	(50,000,000)	(54,000,000)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(1,609,000,000)	(1,582,000,000)
Deferred tax assets:
Payable to affiliate due to post-retirement benefit plan participation	292,000,000	302,000,000
Gross deferred tax assets	292,000,000	302,000,000
Less valuation allowance on deferred tax assets	0	0
Net deferred tax assets	292,000,000	302,000,000
Net deferred tax liabilities	$ (1,317,000,000)	$ (1,280,000,000)

v3.24.0.1

Income Taxes Income Taxes - Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Unrecognized Tax Benefits [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 332	$ 360
Decrease due to tax positions taken in a current year	(1)	(28)
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decrease Resulting from Current Period Tax Positions	(14)	0
Ending balance	$ 317	$ 332

v3.24.0.1

Affiliate Transactions (Details) - Affiliated Entity - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Direct Revenue From Related Party
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue from affiliate	$ 1,600	$ 1,700	$ 1,700
Allocated Revenue
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue from affiliate	$ 537	$ 597	$ 661

v3.24.0.1

Commitments, Contingencies and Other Items - Additional Information (Details)		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 30, 2021 lawsuit People	Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($) patent lawsuit	Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($)
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Estimate of possible loss		$ 15,000,000	$ 19,000,000
Number of patents allegedly Infringed, minimum | patent		1
Loss Contingency, Number Of People Killed | People	2
Purchase Obligations
Total purchase commitments		$ 114,000,000
Purchase Obligation, to be Paid, Year One		22,000,000
Purchase Obligation, to be Paid, Year Two and Three		24,000,000
Purchase Obligation, to be Paid, Year Four and Five		18,000,000
Purchase Obligation, to be Paid, after Year Five		$ 50,000,000
Marshall Fire Litigation | Pending Litigation
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of lawsuits (approximately) | lawsuit		3
New claims filed | lawsuit	300
Marshall Fire Litigation | Pending Litigation | Minimum
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Estimate of possible loss		$ 2,000,000,000
Unfavorable regulatory action
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Estimate of possible loss		$ 300,000

v3.24.0.1

Commitments, Contingencies and Other Items - Right-of-Way (Details) - Future Rental Commitments and ROW Agreements $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($)
Right-of-Way:
2024	$ 26
2025	2
2026	2
2027	2
2028	2
2029 and thereafter	25
Total future minimum payments	$ 59

v3.24.0.1

Other Financial Information - Other Current Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current [Abstract]
Prepaid expenses	$ 48	$ 46
Contract acquisition costs	34	38
Contract fulfillment costs	28	30
Asset, Held-for-Sale, Not Part of Disposal Group, Other	29	0
Other	5	6
Total other current assets	144	120
Other	$ 679	$ 654

v3.24.0.1

Other Financial Information - Other Current Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Text Block [Abstract]
Affiliate obligations	$ 52	$ 57
Current operating lease liability	20	21
Other	49	52
Total other current liabilities	$ 121	$ 130

v3.24.0.1

Other Financial Information - Other Noncurrent Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities [Abstract]
Unrecognized tax benefits	$ 442	$ 427
Noncurrent operating lease liability	47	58
Other	190	169
Total other noncurrent liabilities	$ 679	$ 654

v3.24.0.1

Labor Union Contracts - Additional Information (Details) - Unionized employees concentration risk	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023
Employees represented by CWA or IBEW
Labor Union Contracts
Concentration risk percentage	43.00%
Workforce Subject to Collective-Bargaining Arrangements
Labor Union Contracts
Concentration risk percentage	0.00%

v3.24.0.1

Stockholder's Equity - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Stockholder's Equity (Deficit)
Common stock, share issued (shares)	1	1
Common stock, share outstanding (shares)	1	1
Dividends
Cash dividend declared to QSC	$ 1,980	$ 0	$ 570
Cash dividend paid to QSC(1)	$ 1,980	$ 0	$ 570
COMMON STOCK
Stockholder's Equity (Deficit)
Common stock, share issued (shares)	1
Common stock, share outstanding (shares)	1

v3.24.0.1

Subsequent Events (Details) - Subsequent Event - Transaction Support Agreement	Jan. 22, 2024 USD ($)
Revolving Credit Facility
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 1,000,000,000
Senior Secured First Lien Debt | Level 3 Financing, Inc.
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount	$ 1,325,000,000

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