Windstream 10-Q 7 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 30, 2015
Entity Registrant Name	Windstream Holdings, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	1282266
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		100,825,009
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Windstream Services, LLC
Entity Registrant Name	Windstream Services, LLC
Entity Central Index Key	1585644
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes

WINDSTREAM_HOLDINGS_INC_CONSOL

WINDSTREAM HOLDINGS, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Revenues and sales:
Total service revenues	$1,381.80	$1,419.70
Product sales	36.8	45.2
Total revenues and sales	1,418.60	1,464.90
Costs and expenses:
Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization included below)	680	657.9	2,773.30	2,541.20	2,735.70
Cost of products sold	31.9	41.1
Selling, general and administrative	225	238.9	929.8	874.3	923.8
Depreciation and amortization	340.7	338.9
Merger and integration costs	14.1	7.9
Restructuring charges	7	12.4
Total costs and expenses	1,298.70	1,297.10
Operating income	119.9	167.8
Other (expense) income, net	-1.2	0.9
Interest expense	-141.1	-141.9
(Loss) income before income taxes	-22.4	26.8
Income tax (benefit) expense	-27.7	10.8
Net income	5.3	16
Basic and diluted earnings per share:
Net income	$0.05	$0.15
Enterprise and small business
Revenues and sales:
Total service revenues	740.9	748.1
Consumer
Revenues and sales:
Total service revenues	312.2	313
Carrier
Revenues and sales:
Total service revenues	176.5	189.8
Wholesale
Revenues and sales:
Total service revenues	98.3	113.8
Other
Revenues and sales:
Total service revenues	$53.90	$55

WINDSTREAM_HOLDINGS_INC_CONSOL1

WINDSTREAM HOLDINGS, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Net income	$5.30	$16
Interest rate swaps:
Changes in designated interest rate swaps	-8.6	-6.9
Amortization of unrealized losses on de-designated interest rate swaps	3.4	4.2
Income tax benefit	2	1
Unrealized holding loss on interest rate swaps	-3.2	-1.7
Postretirement and pension plans:
Change in net actuarial gain for postretirement plan	0	-0.8
Plan curtailment	0	-9.5
Amounts included in net periodic benefit cost:
Amortization of net actuarial loss	0.2	0
Amortization of prior service credits	-1.3	-1.7
Income tax benefit	0.2	4.5
Change in postretirement and pension plans	-0.9	-7.5
Other comprehensive loss	-4.1	-9.2
Comprehensive income	$1.20	$6.80

WINDSTREAM_HOLDINGS_INC_CONSOL2

WINDSTREAM HOLDINGS, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$74	$27.80
Restricted cash	7.1	6.7
Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $42.3 and $43.4, respectively)	658.5	635.5
Inventories	63	63.7
Deferred income taxes	91.7	105.4
Prepaid expenses and other	171.6	164.6
Total current assets	1,065.90	1,003.70
Goodwill	4,352.80	4,352.80
Other intangibles, net	1,710.50	1,764
Net property, plant and equipment	5,315	5,412.30
Other assets	174.9	180.6
Total Assets	12,619.10	12,713.40
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	92.5	717.5
Current portion of interest rate swaps	28.5	28.5
Accounts payable	332	403.3
Advance payments and customer deposits	214.5	214.7
Accrued dividends	151.7	152.4
Accrued taxes	84.3	95.2
Accrued interest	170.4	102.5
Other current liabilities	282.4	328.9
Total current liabilities	1,356.30	2,043
Long-term debt	8,728.10	7,934.20
Deferred income taxes	1,828.80	1,878.60
Other liabilities	610.9	632.8
Total liabilities	12,524.10	12,488.60
Commitments and Contingencies (See Note 6)
Shareholders’ Equity:
Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 166.7 shares authorized, 100.8 and 100.5 shares issued and outstanding, respectively	0.1	0.1
Additional paid-in capital	86.9	212.6
Accumulated other comprehensive income	8	12.1
Retained earnings	0	0
Total shareholders’ equity	95	224.8
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	$12,619.10	$12,713.40

WINDSTREAM_HOLDINGS_INC_CONSOL3

WINDSTREAM HOLDINGS, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets:
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts	$42.30	$43.40
Shareholders’ Equity:
Common stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	166.7	166.7
Common stock, shares issued	100.8	100.5
Common stock, shares outstanding	100.8	100.5

WINDSTREAM_HOLDINGS_INC_CONSOL4

WINDSTREAM HOLDINGS, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash Provided from Operations:
Net income	$5.30	$16
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided from operations:
Depreciation and amortization	340.7	338.9
Provision for doubtful accounts	10.3	12.3
Share-based compensation expense	14.8	13.7
Deferred income taxes	-33.8	9.3
Amortization of unrealized losses on de-designated interest rate swaps	3.4	4.2
Plan curtailment and other, net	6.9	-4.9
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net
Accounts receivable	-33.3	-9.7
Prepaid income taxes	7.8	5.6
Prepaid expenses and other	-24.8	-20.1
Accounts payable	-64.2	-46.1
Accrued interest	67.4	66
Accrued taxes	-10.9	-15.2
Other current liabilities	-43.2	-32.4
Other liabilities	-2.6	-3.3
Other, net	0	-14.5
Net cash provided from operations	243.8	319.8
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-189.3	-153
Broadband network expansion funded by stimulus grants	0	-7.1
Changes in restricted cash	-0.4	-0.9
Grant funds received for broadband stimulus projects	7.4	11.4
Grant funds received from Connect America Fund - Phase I	0	26
Network expansion funded by Connect America Fund - Phase I	-8.3	0
Other, net	-2.1	0
Net cash used in investing activities	-192.7	-123.6
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Dividends paid to shareholders	-151.5	-150.2
Repayments of debt and swaps	-325.4	-331.6
Proceeds of debt issuance	490	325
Payments under capital lease obligations	-11.2	-7.8
Other, net	-6.8	-9.8
Net cash used in financing activities	-4.9	-174.4
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	46.2	21.8
Cash and Cash Equivalents:
Beginning of period	27.8	48.2
End of period	74	70
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures:
Interest paid	74.7	74.7
Income taxes refunded, net	($1.20)	($1)

WINDSTREAM_HOLDINGS_INC_CONSOL5

WINDSTREAM HOLDINGS, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (UNAUDITED) (USD $)	Total	Common Stock and Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Retained Earnings
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$224.80	$212.70	$12.10	$0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	5.3	0	0	5.3
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Change in postretirement and pension plans	-0.9	0	-0.9	0
Amortization of unrealized losses on de-designated interest rate swaps	2	0	2	0
Changes in designated interest rate swaps	-5.2	0	-5.2	0
Comprehensive (loss) income	1.2	0	-4.1	5.3
Share-based compensation expense (See Note 8)	5	5	0	0
Stock issued to employee savings plan (See Note 7)	21.6	21.6	0	0
Taxes withheld on vested restricted stock and other	-7.1	-7.1	0	0
Dividends of $1.50 per share declared to shareholders	-150.5	-145.2	0	-5.3
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2015	$95	$87	$8	$0

WINDSTREAM_HOLDINGS_INC_CONSOL6

WINDSTREAM HOLDINGS, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Dividends, per share declared to shareholders	$1.50

WINDSTREAM_SERVICES_LLC_CONSOL

WINDSTREAM SERVICES, LLC CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Revenues and sales:
Total service revenues	$1,381.80	$1,419.70
Product sales	36.8	45.2
Total revenues and sales	1,418.60	1,464.90
Costs and expenses:
Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization included below)	680	657.9
Cost of products sold	31.9	41.1
Selling, general and administrative	225	238.9
Depreciation and amortization	340.7	338.9
Merger and integration costs	14.1	7.9
Restructuring charges	7	12.4
Total costs and expenses	1,298.70	1,297.10
Operating income	119.9	167.8
Other (expense) income, net	-1.2	0.9
Interest expense	-141.1	-141.9
(Loss) income before income taxes	-22.4	26.8
Income tax (benefit) expense	-27.7	10.8
Net income	5.3	16
Enterprise and small business
Revenues and sales:
Total service revenues	740.9	748.1
Consumer
Revenues and sales:
Total service revenues	312.2	313
Carrier
Revenues and sales:
Total service revenues	176.5	189.8
Wholesale
Revenues and sales:
Total service revenues	98.3	113.8
Other
Revenues and sales:
Total service revenues	53.9	55
Windstream Services, LLC
Revenues and sales:
Total service revenues	1,381.80	1,419.70
Product sales	36.8	45.2
Total revenues and sales	1,418.60	1,464.90
Costs and expenses:
Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization included below)	680	657.9
Cost of products sold	31.9	41.1
Selling, general and administrative	224.4	238.4
Depreciation and amortization	340.7	338.9
Merger and integration costs	14.1	7.4
Restructuring charges	7	12.9
Total costs and expenses	1,298.10	1,296.60
Operating income	120.5	168.3
Other (expense) income, net	-1.2	0.9
Interest expense	-141.1	-141.9
(Loss) income before income taxes	-21.8	27.3
Income tax (benefit) expense	-27.4	11
Net income	5.6	16.3
Windstream Services, LLC | Enterprise and small business
Revenues and sales:
Total service revenues	740.9	748.1
Windstream Services, LLC | Consumer
Revenues and sales:
Total service revenues	312.2	313
Windstream Services, LLC | Carrier
Revenues and sales:
Total service revenues	176.5	189.8
Windstream Services, LLC | Wholesale
Revenues and sales:
Total service revenues	98.3	113.8
Windstream Services, LLC | Other
Revenues and sales:
Total service revenues	$53.90	$55

WINDSTREAM_SERVICES_LLC_CONSOL1

WINDSTREAM SERVICES, LLC CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Net income	$5.30	$16
Interest rate swaps:
Changes in designated interest rate swaps	-8.6	-6.9
Amortization of unrealized losses on de-designated interest rate swaps	3.4	4.2
Income tax benefit	2	1
Unrealized holding loss on interest rate swaps	-3.2	-1.7
Postretirement and pension plans:
Change in net actuarial gain for postretirement plan	0	-0.8
Plan curtailment	0	-9.5
Amounts included in net periodic benefit cost:
Amortization of net actuarial loss	0.2	0
Amortization of prior service credits	-1.3	-1.7
Income tax benefit	0.2	4.5
Change in postretirement and pension plans	-0.9	-7.5
Other comprehensive loss	-4.1	-9.2
Comprehensive income	1.2	6.8
Windstream Services, LLC
Net income	5.6	16.3
Interest rate swaps:
Changes in designated interest rate swaps	-8.6	-6.9
Amortization of unrealized losses on de-designated interest rate swaps	3.4	4.2
Income tax benefit	2	1
Unrealized holding loss on interest rate swaps	-3.2	-1.7
Postretirement and pension plans:
Change in net actuarial gain for postretirement plan	0	-0.8
Plan curtailment	0	-9.5
Amounts included in net periodic benefit cost:
Amortization of net actuarial loss	0.2	0
Amortization of prior service credits	-1.3	-1.7
Income tax benefit	0.2	4.5
Change in postretirement and pension plans	-0.9	-7.5
Other comprehensive loss	-4.1	-9.2
Comprehensive income	$1.50	$7.10

WINDSTREAM_SERVICES_LLC_CONSOL2

WINDSTREAM SERVICES, LLC CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$74	$27.80	$70	$48.20
Restricted cash	7.1	6.7
Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $42.3 and $43.4, respectively)	658.5	635.5
Inventories	63	63.7
Deferred income taxes	91.7	105.4
Prepaid expenses and other	171.6	164.6
Total current assets	1,065.90	1,003.70
Goodwill	4,352.80	4,352.80
Other intangibles, net	1,710.50	1,764
Net property, plant and equipment	5,315	5,412.30
Other assets	174.9	180.6
Total Assets	12,619.10	12,713.40
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	92.5	717.5
Current portion of interest rate swaps	28.5	28.5
Accounts payable	332	403.3
Advance payments and customer deposits	214.5	214.7
Accrued taxes	84.3	95.2
Accrued interest	170.4	102.5
Other current liabilities	282.4	328.9
Total current liabilities	1,356.30	2,043
Long-term debt	8,728.10	7,934.20
Deferred income taxes	1,828.80	1,878.60
Other liabilities	610.9	632.8
Total liabilities	12,524.10	12,488.60
Commitments and Contingencies (See Note 6)
Member Equity:
Additional paid-in capital	86.9	212.6
Accumulated other comprehensive income	8	12.1
Retained earnings	0	0
Total member equity	95	224.8
Total Liabilities and Member Equity	12,619.10	12,713.40
Windstream Services, LLC
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	74	27.8	70	48.2
Restricted cash	7.1	6.7
Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $42.3 and $43.4, respectively)	658.5	635.5
Inventories	63	63.7
Deferred income taxes	91.7	105.4
Prepaid expenses and other	171.6	164.6
Total current assets	1,065.90	1,003.70
Goodwill	4,352.80	4,352.80
Other intangibles, net	1,710.50	1,764
Net property, plant and equipment	5,315	5,412.30
Other assets	174.9	180.6
Total Assets	12,619.10	12,713.40
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	92.5	717.5
Current portion of interest rate swaps	28.5	28.5
Accounts payable	332	403.3
Advance payments and customer deposits	214.5	214.7
Payable to Windstream Holdings, Inc.	151.7	152.4
Accrued taxes	84.3	95.2
Accrued interest	170.4	102.5
Other current liabilities	282.4	328.9
Total current liabilities	1,356.30	2,043
Long-term debt	8,728.10	7,934.20
Deferred income taxes	1,828.80	1,878.60
Other liabilities	610.9	632.8
Total liabilities	12,524.10	12,488.60
Commitments and Contingencies (See Note 6)
Member Equity:
Additional paid-in capital	87	212.7
Accumulated other comprehensive income	8	12.1
Retained earnings	0	0
Total member equity	95	224.8
Total Liabilities and Member Equity	$12,619.10	$12,713.40

WINDSTREAM_SERVICES_LLC_CONSOL3

WINDSTREAM SERVICES, LLC CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts	$42.30	$43.40
Windstream Services, LLC
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts	$42.30	$43.40

WINDSTREAM_SERVICES_LLC_CONSOL4

WINDSTREAM SERVICES, LLC CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash Provided from Operations:
Net income	$5.30	$16
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided from operations:
Depreciation and amortization	340.7	338.9
Provision for doubtful accounts	10.3	12.3
Share-based compensation expense	14.8	13.7
Deferred income taxes	-33.8	9.3
Amortization of unrealized losses on de-designated interest rate swaps	3.4	4.2
Plan curtailment and other, net	6.9	-4.9
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net
Accounts receivable	-33.3	-9.7
Prepaid income taxes	7.8	5.6
Prepaid expenses and other	-24.8	-20.1
Accounts payable	-64.2	-46.1
Accrued interest	67.4	66
Accrued taxes	-10.9	-15.2
Other current liabilities	-43.2	-32.4
Other liabilities	-2.6	-3.3
Other, net	0	-14.5
Net cash provided from operations	243.8	319.8
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-189.3	-153
Broadband network expansion funded by stimulus grants	0	-7.1
Changes in restricted cash	-0.4	-0.9
Grant funds received for broadband stimulus projects	7.4	11.4
Grant funds received from Connect America Fund - Phase I	0	26
Network expansion funded by Connect America Fund - Phase I	-8.3	0
Other, net	-2.1	0
Net cash used in investing activities	-192.7	-123.6
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Repayments of debt and swaps	-325.4	-331.6
Proceeds of debt issuance	490	325
Payments under capital lease obligations	-11.2	-7.8
Other, net	-6.8	-9.8
Net cash used in financing activities	-4.9	-174.4
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	46.2	21.8
Cash and Cash Equivalents:
Beginning of period	27.8	48.2
End of period	74	70
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures:
Interest paid	74.7	74.7
Income taxes refunded, net	-1.2	-1
Windstream Services, LLC
Cash Provided from Operations:
Net income	5.6	16.3
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided from operations:
Depreciation and amortization	340.7	338.9
Provision for doubtful accounts	10.3	12.3
Share-based compensation expense	14.8	13.7
Deferred income taxes	-33.8	9.3
Amortization of unrealized losses on de-designated interest rate swaps	3.4	4.2
Plan curtailment and other, net	6.9	-4.9
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net
Accounts receivable	-33.3	-9.7
Prepaid income taxes	7.8	5.6
Prepaid expenses and other	-24.8	-20.1
Accounts payable	-64.2	-46.1
Accrued interest	67.4	66
Accrued taxes	-10.9	-15
Other current liabilities	-43.2	-32.4
Other liabilities	-2.6	-3.3
Other, net	0	-14.5
Net cash provided from operations	244.1	320.3
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-189.3	-153
Broadband network expansion funded by stimulus grants	0	-7.1
Changes in restricted cash	-0.4	-0.9
Grant funds received for broadband stimulus projects	7.4	11.4
Grant funds received from Connect America Fund - Phase I	0	26
Network expansion funded by Connect America Fund - Phase I	-8.3	0
Other, net	-2.1	0
Net cash used in investing activities	-192.7	-123.6
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Distributions to Windstream Holdings, Inc.	-151.8	-150.7
Repayments of debt and swaps	-325.4	-331.6
Proceeds of debt issuance	490	325
Payments under capital lease obligations	-11.2	-7.8
Other, net	-6.8	-9.8
Net cash used in financing activities	-5.2	-174.9
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	46.2	21.8
Cash and Cash Equivalents:
Beginning of period	27.8	48.2
End of period	74	70
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures:
Interest paid	74.7	74.7
Income taxes refunded, net	($1.20)	($1)

WINDSTREAM_SERVICES_LLC_CONSOL5

WINDSTREAM SERVICES, LLC CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF MEMBER EQUITY (UNAUDITED) Statement (USD $)	Total	Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Retained Earnings	Windstream Services, LLC	Windstream Services, LLC	Windstream Services, LLC	Windstream Services, LLC
In Millions, unless otherwise specified						Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Retained Earnings
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$224.80	$212.70	$12.10	$0	$224.80	$212.70	$12.10	$0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	5.3	0	0	5.3	5.6	0	0	5.6
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Change in postretirement and pension plans	-0.9	0	-0.9	0	-0.9	0	-0.9	0
Amortization of unrealized losses on de-designated interest rate swaps	2	0	2	0	2	0	2	0
Changes in designated interest rate swaps	-5.2	0	-5.2	0	-5.2	0	-5.2	0
Comprehensive (loss) income	1.2	0	-4.1	5.3	1.5	0	-4.1	5.6
Share-based compensation expense (See Note 8)	5	5	0	0	5	5	0	0
Stock issued to employee savings plan (See Note 7)	21.6	21.6	0	0	21.6	21.6	0	0
Taxes withheld on vested restricted stock and other	-7.1	-7.1	0	0	-7.1	-7.1	0	0
Distributions payable to Windstream Holdings, Inc.					-150.8	-145.2	0	-5.6
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2015	$95	$87	$8	$0	$95	$87	$8	$0

Background_and_Basis_for_Prese

Background and Basis for Presentation:	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Background, Basis of Presentation and Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements:	Preparation of Interim Financial Statements:
	In these consolidated financial statements, unless the context requires otherwise, the use of the terms “Windstream,” “we,” “us” or “our” shall refer to Windstream Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including Windstream Services, LLC, and the term “Windstream Services” shall refer to Windstream Services, LLC and its subsidiaries.
	Organizational Structure –Windstream Holdings, Inc. (“Windstream Holdings”) is a publicly traded holding company and the parent of Windstream Services, LLC (“Windstream Services”), formerly Windstream Corporation. Windstream Holdings common stock trades on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol “WIN”. Effective February 28, 2015, Windstream Corporation was converted to a limited liability company (“LLC”). As a result, all issued and outstanding common stock of Windstream Corporation held by Windstream Holdings was converted into a 100 percent interest in Windstream Services. The conversion of Windstream Services to a LLC has been accounted for as a change in reporting entity and accordingly, the historical equity presentation of Windstream Services reflect the effect of the LLC conversion for all periods presented. Windstream Services and its guarantor subsidiaries are the sole obligors of all outstanding debt obligations and, as a result also file periodic reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Windstream Holdings is not a guarantor of nor subject to the restrictive covenants included in any of Windstream Services’ debt agreements. The Windstream Holdings board of directors and officers oversee both companies.
	As further discussed in Note 13, on April 24, 2015, we completed the spin-off certain telecommunications network assets, including our fiber and copper networks and other real estate into an independent, publicly traded real estate investment trust (“REIT”). Upon completion of the spin-off, we amended our certificate of incorporation to decrease the number of authorized shares of common stock from 1.0 billion to 166.7 million and enacted a one-for-six reverse stock split with respect to all of our outstanding shares of common stock which became effective on April 26, 2015. All share data of Windstream Holdings presented has been retrospectively adjusted to reflect the effects of the decrease in its authorized shares and the reverse stock split, as appropriate.
	Description of Business – We are a leading provider of advanced communications and technology solutions, including managed services and cloud computing, to businesses nationwide. In addition to business services, we offer broadband, voice and video services to consumers primarily in rural markets. We have operations in 48 states and the District of Columbia, a local and long-haul fiber network spanning approximately 121,000 miles, a robust business sales division and 27 data centers offering managed services and cloud computing.
	Enterprise and small business service revenues include revenues from integrated voice and data services, advanced data, traditional voice and long-distance services to enterprise and small business customers. Carrier revenues include revenues from other carriers for special access circuits and fiber connections as well as voice and data services sold on a wholesale basis. Consumer service revenues are generated from the provision of high-speed Internet, voice and video services to consumers. Wholesale service revenues include switched access revenues and Universal Service Fund (“USF”) revenues. Other service revenues include USF surcharge revenues, other miscellaneous services and consumer revenues generated in markets where we lease the connection to the customer premise. We no longer offer new consumer service in those areas.
	Basis of Presentation – The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared based upon SEC rules that permit reduced disclosure for interim periods. Certain information and footnote disclosures have been condensed or omitted in accordance with those rules and regulations. The accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2014, was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. In our opinion, these financial statements reflect all adjustments that are necessary for a fair presentation of results of operations and financial condition for the interim periods shown including normal recurring accruals and other items. The results for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year. For a more complete discussion of significant accounting policies and certain other information, this report should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, which was filed with the SEC on February 24, 2015.
	1. Preparation of Interim Financial Statements, Continued:
	Windstream Holdings and its domestic subsidiaries, including Windstream Services, file a consolidated federal income tax return. As such, Windstream Services and its subsidiaries are not separate taxable entities for federal and certain state income tax purposes. In instances when Windstream Services does not file a separate return, income taxes as presented within the accompanying consolidated financial statements attribute current and deferred income taxes of Windstream Holdings to Windstream Services and its subsidiaries in a manner that is systematic, rational and consistent with the asset and liability method. Income tax provisions presented for Windstream Services and its subsidiaries are prepared under the “separate return method.” The separate return method represents a hypothetical computation assuming that the reported revenue and expenses of Windstream Services and its subsidiaries were incurred by separate taxable entities.
	The preparation of financial statements, in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”), requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. The estimates and assumptions used in the accompanying consolidated financial statements are based upon management’s evaluation of the relevant facts and circumstances as of the date of the consolidated financial statements. Actual results may differ from the estimates and assumptions used in preparing the accompanying consolidated financial statements, and such differences could be material.
	There are no significant differences between the consolidated results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows of Windstream Holdings and those of Windstream Services other than for certain expenses incurred directly by Windstream Holdings principally consisting of audit, legal and board of director fees, Nasdaq listing fees, other shareholder-related costs, income taxes, common stock activity, and payables from Windstream Services to Windstream Holdings. Earnings per share data has not been presented for Windstream Services, because that entity has not issued publicly held common stock as defined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Unless otherwise indicated, the note disclosures included herein pertain to both Windstream Holdings and Windstream Services.
	Revision to Prior Period Financial Statements
	During the first quarter of 2015, as a result of the recent change in our executive management team, we have begun to reorganize the way in which we will manage our business for purposes of operating decisions and assessing profitability. In undertaking this reorganizational effort, which has yet to be completed, management became aware of and corrected for the immaterial misclassification of certain operating expenses. The previously reported amounts included certain costs related to customer service delivery, customer care and field operations that had been classified as selling, general and administrative expense and should have been reported as cost of services. These revisions did not impact previously reported operating income, net income or comprehensive income.
	The following tables present the effect of the revisions to Windstream Holdings’ consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and the annual periods ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.
		Three Months Ended							Year Ended
		31-Mar-14							31-Dec-14
	(Millions)	As Previously Reported		Effect of			As Revised		As Previously Reported		Effect of			As Revised
				Revision							Revision
	Cost of services	$	644.6	$	13.3		$	657.9	$	2,719.30	$	54		$	2,773.30
	Selling, general and administrative	252.2		(13.3		)	238.9		983.8		(54.0		)	929.8
		Year Ended							Year Ended
		31-Dec-13							31-Dec-12
	(Millions)	As Previously Reported		Effect of			As Revised		As Previously Reported		Effect of			As Revised
				Revision							Revision
	Cost of services	$	2,492.10	$	49.1		$	2,541.20	$	2,692.20	$	43.5		$	2,735.70
	Selling, general and administrative	923.4		(49.1		)	874.3		967.3		(43.5		)	923.8
	The effect of the revisions to Windstream Services’ consolidated statements of operations would be the same for all periods presented. We evaluated the materiality of these revisions and have determined they were not material to any prior period. Upon completion of our reorganizational efforts, we will reassess our segment reporting during the second quarter of 2015.
	1. Preparation of Interim Financial Statements, Continued:
	Recently Issued Authoritative Guidance
	Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs – In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-03, Interest – Imputation of Interest: Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs (“ASU 2015-03”). The standard outlines a simplified presentation of debt issuance costs and requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. ASU 2015-03 does not affect the recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs. ASU 2015-03 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. Debt issuance costs totaling $84.0 million and $87.7 million were included in other assets in our accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. In connection with the debt-for-debt exchange and redemption of long-term debt further discussed in Note 13, we expect to write off approximately $13.0 million of unamortized debt issuance costs. Upon adoption of ASU 2015-03, the remaining unamortized debt issuance costs will be reflected as a reduction of long-term debt.
	Revenue Recognition – In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”). The standard outlines a single comprehensive revenue recognition model for entities to follow in accounting for revenue from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The core principle of the revenue model is that an entity should recognize revenue for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to receive for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 also includes new accounting principles related to the deferral and amortization of contract acquisition and fulfillment costs. ASU 2014-09 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is not permitted. ASU 2014-09 may be adopted by applying the provisions of the new standard on a retrospective basis to all periods presented in the financial statements or on a modified retrospective basis which would result in the recognition of a cumulative effect adjustment in the year of adoption. On April 29, 2015, the FASB proposed deferring the effective date by one year to December 15, 2017 for annual reporting periods beginning after that date. The FASB also proposed permitting early adoption of the standard, but not before the original effective date of December 15, 2016. We are in the process of determining the method of adoption and assessing the impact the new standard will have on our consolidated financial statements.

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets:	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets:	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets:
	Goodwill represents the excess of cost over the fair value of net identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired through various business combinations. The cost of acquired entities at the date of the acquisition is allocated to identifiable assets, and the excess of the total purchase price over the amounts assigned to identifiable assets has been recorded as goodwill. In accordance with authoritative guidance, goodwill is to be assigned to a company’s reporting units and tested for impairment at least annually using a consistent measurement date, which for us is January 1st of each year. Goodwill is tested at the reporting unit level. A reporting unit is an operating segment or one level below an operating segment, referred to as a component. A component of an operating segment is a reporting unit for which discrete financial information is available and our executive management team regularly reviews the operating results of that component. Additionally, components of an operating segment can be combined as a single reporting unit if the components have similar economic characteristics. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, goodwill is not impaired and no further testing is performed. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, then a second step must be performed, and the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill must be determined and compared to the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill. If the carrying value of a reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, then an impairment loss equal to the difference will be recorded. Prior to performing the two step evaluation, an entity has the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds the carrying value. Under the qualitative assessment, if an entity determines that it is more likely than not that a reporting unit’s fair value exceeds its carrying value, then the entity is not required to complete the two step goodwill impairment evaluation.
	As of January 1, 2015, we have three reporting units, excluding corporate level activities. In performing our annual goodwill impairment assessment, we estimated the fair value of each of our three reporting units utilizing both an income approach and a market approach. The income approach is based on the present value of projected cash flows and a terminal value, which represents the expected normalized cash flows of the reporting unit beyond the cash flows from the discrete projection period of five years. We discounted the estimated cash flows for each of the reporting units using a rate that represents a market participant’s weighted average cost of capital commensurate with the reporting unit’s underlying business operations. The market approach included the use of comparable multiples of publicly traded companies operating in businesses similar to ours. We also reconciled the estimated fair value of our reporting units to our total market capitalization.
	2. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, Continued:
	As of January 1, 2015, based on our assessment performed with respect to our three reporting units as described above, we concluded that goodwill for all of our reporting units was not impaired as of that date, and accordingly, no further analysis was required.
	As previously discussed, as a result of recent changes in our executive management team, we have begun to reorganize the way in which we manage our business and will reassess our reporting unit structure during the second quarter of 2015.
	Other intangible assets arising from business combinations are initially recorded at estimated fair value and amortized over the estimated useful lives.
	Other intangible assets were as follows at:
			March 31, 2015								December 31, 2014
	(Millions)		Gross			Accumulated			Net Carrying		Gross		Accumulated			Net Carrying
			Cost			Amortization			Value		Cost		Amortization			Value
	Franchise rights		$	1,285.10		$	(254.0	)	$	1,031.10	$	1,285.10	$	(243.3	)	$	1,041.80
	Customer lists		1,914.00			(1,249.8		)	664.2		1,914.00		(1,203.4		)	710.6
	Cable franchise rights		39.8			(28.5		)	11.3		39.8		(28.2		)	11.6
	Other (a)		42			(38.1		)	3.9		37.9		(37.9		)	—
	Balance		$	3,280.90		$	(1,570.4	)	$	1,710.50	$	3,276.80	$	(1,512.8	)	$	1,764.00
	(a)	During the first quarter of 2015, we acquired for cash non-exclusive licenses to various patents, which are being amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of 3 years.
	Intangible asset amortization methodology and useful lives were as follows as of March 31, 2015:
	Intangible Assets		Amortization Methodology		Estimated Useful Life
	Franchise rights		straight-line		30 years
	Customer lists		sum-of-years-digits		9 - 15 years
	Cable franchise rights		straight-line		15 years
	Other		straight-line		1 - 3 years
	Amortization expense for intangible assets subject to amortization was $57.6 million for the three month period ended March 31, 2015, as compared to $65.6 million for the same period in 2014. Amortization expense for intangible assets subject to amortization was estimated to be as follows for each of the twelve month periods ended March 31:
	Year	(Millions)
	2016	$	215.2
	2017	187.1
	2018	159.1
	2019	131.3
	2020	106.2
	Thereafter	911.6
	Total	$	1,710.50

Longterm_Debt_and_Lease_Obliga

Long-term Debt and Lease Obligations: Long-term Debt and Lease Obligations: (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt Disclosure [Text Block]	Long-term Debt and Lease Obligations:
	Windstream Holdings has no debt obligations. All debt, including the senior secured credit facility described below, have been incurred by Windstream Services and its subsidiaries. Windstream Holdings is neither a guarantor of nor subject to the restrictive covenants imposed by such debt.
	Long-term debt was as follows at:
	(Millions)		March 31,				December 31,
			2015				2014
	Issued by Windstream Services:
	Senior secured credit facility, Tranche A3 – variable rates, due December 30, 2016 (a)		$	333.5			$	344.3
	Senior secured credit facility, Tranche A4 – variable rates, due August 8, 2017 (a)		247.5				255
	Senior secured credit facility, Tranche B4 – variable rates, due January 23, 2020 (a)		1,314.70				1,318.10
	Senior secured credit facility, Tranche B5 – variable rates, due August 8, 2019		582.6				584.1
	Senior secured credit facility, Revolving line of credit – variable rates, due		820				625
	December 17, 2015 (b)
	Debentures and notes, without collateral:
	2017 Notes – 7.875%, due November 1, 2017		1,100.00				1,100.00
	2018 Notes – 8.125%, due September 1, 2018 (c)		400				400
	2020 Notes – 7.750%, due October 15, 2020		700				700
	2021 Notes – 7.750%, due October 1, 2021		950				950
	2022 Notes – 7.500%, due June 1, 2022		500				500
	2023 Notes – 7.500%, due April 1, 2023		600				600
	2023 Notes – 6.375%, due August 1, 2023		700				700
	Issued by subsidiaries of Windstream Services:
	Windstream Holdings of the Midwest, Inc. – 6.75%, due April 1, 2028		100				100
	Cinergy Communications Company – 6.58%, due January 1, 2022 (d)		1.9				1.9
	Debentures and notes, without collateral:
	PAETEC 2018 Notes – 9.875%, due December 1, 2018 (c)		450				450
	Premium on long-term debt, net		20.4				23.3
			8,820.60				8,651.70
	Less current maturities		(92.5		)		(717.5		)
	Total long-term debt		$	8,728.10			$	7,934.20
	(a)	Subsequent to March 31, 2015, the debt obligation was retired in connection with completion of the debt-for-debt exchange (see Note 13).
	(b)	On April 24, 2015, Windstream Services amended the revolving line of credit and extended its maturity to April 24, 2020. In connection with the debt-for-debt exchange, Windstream Services retired $752.2 million of borrowings outstanding under the revolving line of credit. Immediately following the completion of the spin-off, Windstream Services had borrowings outstanding under the amended revolving line of credit of approximately $277.8 million (see Note 13).
	(c)	On April, 24, 2015, Windstream Services called for the redemption of these notes on May 27, 2015 (see Note 13).
	(d)	Note was repaid on April 24, 2015 utilizing available borrowings under the amended revolving line of credit.
	3. Long-term Debt and Lease Obligations, Continued:
	Senior Secured Credit Facility
	Revolving Line of Credit - During the first three months of 2015, Windstream Services borrowed $490.0 million under the revolving line of credit in its senior secured credit facility and repaid $295.0 million of these borrowings through March 31, 2015. Letters of credit are deducted in determining the total amount available for borrowing under the revolving line of credit. Accordingly, the total amount outstanding under the letters of credit and the indebtedness incurred under the revolving line of credit may not exceed $1,250.0 million. Considering letters of credit of $20.8 million, the amount available for borrowing under the revolving line of credit was $409.2 million at March 31, 2015.
	During the first quarter of 2015, the variable interest rate on the revolving line of credit ranged from 2.41 percent to 4.50 percent, and the weighted average rate on amounts outstanding was 2.52 percent during the period. Comparatively, the variable interest rate ranged from 2.41 percent to 4.50 percent during the first three months of 2014, with a weighted average rate on amounts outstanding during the period of 2.53 percent.
	Debt Compliance
	The terms of Windstream Services’ credit facility and indentures include customary covenants that, among other things, require maintenance of certain financial ratios and restrict Windstream Services’ ability to incur additional indebtedness. These financial ratios include a maximum leverage ratio of 4.5 to 1.0 and a minimum interest coverage ratio of 2.75 to 1.0. In addition, the covenants include restrictions on dividend and certain other types of payments. The terms of the indentures assumed in connection with the acquisition of PAETEC Holding Corp. (“PAETEC”) include restrictions on the ability of the subsidiary to incur additional indebtedness, including a maximum leverage ratio, with the most restrictive being 4.75 to 1.0. As of March 31, 2015, Windstream Services was in compliance with all of these covenants.
	In addition, certain of Windstream Services’ debt agreements contain various covenants and restrictions specific to the subsidiary that is the legal counterparty to the agreement. Under Windstream Services’ long-term debt agreements, acceleration of principal payments would occur upon payment default, violation of debt covenants not cured within 30 days, a change in control including a person or group obtaining 50 percent or more interest in Windstream Services, or breach of certain other conditions set forth in the borrowing agreements. Windstream Services and its subsidiaries were in compliance with these covenants as of March 31, 2015.
	Maturities for long-term debt outstanding as of March 31, 2015, excluding $20.4 million of unamortized net premium, were as follows for each of the twelve month periods ended March 31:
	Year	(Millions)
	2016	$	912.5
	2017	339.9
	2018	1,306.90
	2019	869.5
	2020	1,820.10
	Thereafter	3,551.30
	Total	$	8,800.20
	Capital Lease Obligations
	We lease facilities, equipment and software for use in our operations. These facilities and equipment are included in outside communications plant in property, plant and equipment in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Lease agreements that include a bargain purchase option, transfer of ownership, contractual lease term equal to or greater than 75 percent of the remaining estimated economic life of the leased facilities or equipment or minimum lease payments equal to or greater than 90 percent of the fair value of the leased facilities or equipment are accounted for as capital leases in accordance with authoritative guidance for capital leases. These capital lease obligations are included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets within other current liabilities and other liabilities. During the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, we acquired assets under capital leases of $4.2 million and $5.1 million, respectively.
	3. Long-term Debt and Lease Obligations, Continued:
	Future minimum lease payments under capital lease obligations were as follows for each of the twelve month periods ended March 31:
	Year				(Millions)
	2016				$	31.9
	2017				17
	2018				2.1
	2019				0.6
	2020				0.6
	Thereafter				1.7
	Total future payments				53.9
	Less: Amounts representing interest				3.8
	Present value of minimum lease payments				$	50.1
	Other Lease Obligations
During the third quarter of 2014, we contributed certain of our owned real property to the Windstream Pension Plan and then entered into agreements to leaseback the properties for continued use by our operating subsidiaries. Independent appraisals of the properties contributed were obtained and at the dates of contribution the properties’ aggregate fair value was $80.9 million. The lease agreements include initial lease terms of 10 years for certain properties and 20 years for the remaining properties at an aggregate annual rent of approximately $6.3 million. The lease agreements provide for annual rent increases ranging from 2.0 percent to 3.0 percent over the initial lease term and may be renewed for up to three additional five-year terms. The properties are managed on behalf of the Windstream Pension Plan by an independent fiduciary and terms of the lease agreements were negotiated with the fiduciary on an arm’s-length basis.
Due to various forms of continuing involvement, including Windstream Services’ benefit from the future appreciation of the property, the transaction has been accounted for as a failed contribution-leaseback. Accordingly, the properties continue to be reported as assets of Windstream and depreciated over their remaining useful lives until termination of the lease agreement. We recorded a long-term lease obligation equal to the fair value of the properties at the date of contribution. No gain or loss was recognized on the contribution. As lease payments are made to the Windstream Pension Plan, a portion of the payment will be applied to the long-term lease obligation with the balance of the payment charged to interest expense using the effective interest method. At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the total lease obligation was $81.1 million and $81.0 million, respectively, and was included within other current liabilities and other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.
Future minimum payments during the initial terms of the leases were as follows for each of the twelve month periods ended March 31:
Year	(Millions)
2016	$	6.4
2017	6.6
2018	6.8
2019	6.9
2020	7.1
Thereafter	90.2
Total	$	124
3. Long-term Debt and Lease Obligations, Continued:
Interest Expense
Interest expense was as follows for the three month periods ended March 31:
							Three Months Ended
(Millions)							2015			2014
Interest expense related to long-term debt							$	133.6		$	134.5
Impact of interest rate swaps							6.6			7.4
Interest on capital and other lease obligations							2.4			1.1
Less capitalized interest expense							(1.5		)	(1.1		)
Total interest expense							$	141.1		$	141.9

Derivatives

Derivatives	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Derivatives [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block]	Derivatives:
	Windstream Services has entered into the following interest rate swap agreements to mitigate the interest rate risk inherent in its variable rate senior secured credit facility. Derivative instruments are accounted for in accordance with authoritative guidance for recognition, measurement and disclosures about derivative instruments and hedging activities, including when a derivative or other financial instrument can be designated as a hedge. This guidance requires recognition of all derivative instruments at fair value, and accounting for the changes in fair value depends on whether the derivative has been designated as, qualifies as and is effective as a hedge. Changes in fair value of the effective portions of cash flow hedges are recorded as a component of other comprehensive income (loss) in the current period. Any ineffective portion of the hedges is recognized in earnings in the current period.
	In 2006, Windstream Services entered into four pay fixed, receive variable interest rate swap agreements to serve as cash flow hedges of the interest rate risk inherent in its senior secured credit facility. Windstream Services renegotiated the four interest rate swap agreements in December 2010, and again in August 2012, each time lowering the fixed interest rate paid and extending the maturity. As a result of the August 2012 transaction, Windstream Services reduced its fixed interest rate paid from 4.553 percent to 3.391 percent. The fixed interest rate paid includes a component which serves to settle the liability existing on Windstream Services swaps at the time of the transaction. The variable rate received resets on the seventeenth day of each month to the one-month London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). The swaps had a notional value of $900.0 million as of March 31, 2015, which will remain unchanged until maturity on October 17, 2019.
	In May 2013, Windstream Services entered into six new pay fixed, receive variable interest rate swap agreements, designated as cash flow hedges of the previously unhedged interest rate risk inherent in its senior secured credit facility. These swaps have a fixed notional value of $750.0 million and mature on June 17, 2016. The fixed rate paid ranges from 1.026 to 1.040 percent plus a fixed spread of 2.750 percent. The variable rate received resets on the seventeenth day of each month to the one-month LIBOR subject to a minimum rate of 0.750 percent.
	The current swaps are designated as cash flow hedges of the benchmark LIBOR interest rate risk created by the variable rate cash flows paid on Windstream Services’ senior secured credit facility, which have varying maturity dates from December 30, 2016 to January 23, 2020. The swaps are hedging probable variable cash flows which extend up to four years beyond the maturity of certain components of the variable rate debt. Consistent with past practice, Windstream Services expects to extend or otherwise replace these components of its debt with variable rate debt.
	4. Derivatives, Continued:
	All derivative instruments are recognized at fair value in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as either assets or liabilities, depending on the rights or obligations under the related contracts.
	Set forth below is information related to the interest rate swap agreements:
	(Millions, except for percentages)		March 31,				December 31,
			2015				2014
	Designated portion, measured at fair value:
	Other assets		$	—			$	0.4
	Other current liabilities		$	28.5			$	28.5
	Other non-current liabilities		$	54.7			$	48.7
	Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income		$	(3.7	)		$	4.9
	De-designated portion, unamortized value:
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss		$	(5.5	)		$	(8.8	)
	Weighted average fixed rate paid		3.57		%		3.57		%
	Variable rate received		0.17		%		0.16		%
	Derivatives are assessed for effectiveness each quarter and any ineffectiveness is recognized in other (expense) income, net in our consolidated statements of operations. Ineffectiveness recognized on the cash flow hedges was $(2.3) million for the three month period ended March 31, 2015. Comparatively, there was no ineffectiveness recognized for the three month period ended March 31, 2014.
	Windstream Services’ original four swaps are off-market swaps, meaning they contain an embedded financing element, which the swap counterparties recover through an incremental charge in the fixed rate over what would be charged for an on-market swap. As such, a portion of the cash payment on the swaps represents the rate that Windstream Services would pay on a hypothetical on- market interest rate swap and is recognized in interest expense. The remaining portion represents the repayment of the embedded financing element and reduces the swap liability.
	All or a portion of the change in fair value of Windstream Services’ interest rate swap agreements recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income may be recognized in earnings in certain situations. If Windstream Services extinguishes all of its variable rate debt, or a portion of its variable rate debt such that the variable rate interest received on the swaps exceeds the variable rate interest paid on its debt, all or a portion of the change in fair value of the swaps would be recognized in earnings. In addition, the change in fair value of the swaps may be recognized in earnings if Windstream Services determines it is no longer probable that it will have future variable rate cash flows to hedge against or if a swap agreement is terminated prior to maturity. Windstream Services has assessed the counterparty risk and determined that no substantial risk of default exists as of March 31, 2015. Each counterparty is a bank with a current credit rating at or above A.
	Windstream Services expects to recognize losses of $5.0 million, net of taxes, in interest expense in the next twelve months related to the unamortized value of the de-designated portion of interest rate swap agreements at March 31, 2015. Payments on the swaps are presented in the financing activities section of the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows due to the embedded financing element discussed above.
	Changes in the value of these derivative instruments were as follows for the three month periods ended March 31:
	(Millions)		2015				2014
	Changes in fair value of effective portion, net of tax (a)		$	(5.2	)		$	(4.3	)
	Amortization of unrealized losses on de-designated interest rate swaps, net of tax (a)		$	2			$	2.6
	(a)	Included as a component of other comprehensive loss and will be reclassified into earnings as the hedged transaction affects earnings.
	4. Derivatives, Continued:
	The agreements with each of the derivative counterparties contain cross-default provisions, whereby if Windstream Services were to default on certain indebtedness, it could also be declared in default on its derivative obligations and may be required to net settle any outstanding derivative liability positions with its counterparties. In addition, certain of the agreements with the counterparties contain provisions where if a specified event or condition, such as a merger, occurs that materially changes Windstream Services’ creditworthiness in an adverse manner, Windstream Services may be required to fully collateralize its derivative obligations. At March 31, 2015, Windstream Services had not posted any collateral related to its interest rate swap agreements.
	Balance Sheet Offsetting
	Windstream Services is party to master netting arrangements, which are designed to reduce credit risk by permitting net settlement of transactions with counterparties. For financial statement presentation purposes, Windstream Services does not offset assets and liabilities under these arrangements.
	The following table presents the assets and liabilities subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. As of March 31, 2015, all swap agreements with counterparties were in a liability position and, accordingly, there were no assets to be recognized in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of that date.
	Information pertaining to derivative assets was as follows:
										Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated
										Balance Sheets
	(Millions)	Gross Amount of Recognized				Net Amount of Assets presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets				Financial Instruments			Cash Collateral Received		Net Amount
		Assets
	December 31, 2014:
	Interest rate swaps	$	0.4			$	0.4			$	(0.3	)	$	—	$	0.1
	Information pertaining to derivative liabilities was as follows:
										Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated
										Balance Sheets
	(Millions)	Gross Amount of Recognized Liabilities				Net Amount of Liabilities presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets				Financial Instruments			Cash Collateral Received		Net Amount
	March 31, 2015:
	Interest rate swaps	$	83.2			$	83.2			$	—		$	—	$	83.2
	December 31, 2014:
	Interest rate swaps	$	77.2			$	77.2			$	(0.3	)	$	—	$	76.9
	As further discussed in Note 13, in conjunction with the spin-off, Windstream Services terminated seven of its interest rate swaps.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements:	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements:	Fair Value Measurements:
	Fair value of financial and non-financial assets and liabilities is defined as an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Authoritative guidance defines the following three tier hierarchy for assessing the inputs used in fair value measurements:
	Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
	Level 2 – Observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
	Level 3 – Unobservable inputs
	The highest priority is given to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurement) and the lowest priority is given to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurement). Assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect the valuation of fair value assets and liabilities and their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.
	Our non-financial assets and liabilities, including property, plant and equipment, goodwill, intangible assets and asset retirement obligations, are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis. No event occurred during the three month period ended March 31, 2015 requiring these non-financial assets and liabilities to be subsequently recognized at fair value. Our financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, long-term debt and interest rate swaps. The carrying amount of cash, restricted cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable was estimated by management to approximate fair value due to the relatively short period of time to maturity for those instruments. Cash equivalents, long-term debt and interest rate swaps are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Cash equivalents were not significant as of December 31, 2014.
	The fair values of interest rate swaps and long-term debt were determined using the following inputs at:
	(Millions)		March 31,		December 31,
			2015		2014
	Recorded at Fair Value in the Financial Statements:
	Cash equivalents - Level 1		$	50.1	$	—
	Derivatives:
	Interest rate swap assets - Level 2		$	—	$	0.4
	Interest rate swap liabilities - Level 2		$	83.2	$	77.2
	Not Recorded at Fair Value in the Financial Statements: (a)
	Long-term debt, including current maturities - Level 2		$	8,835.90	$	8,777.50
	(a)	Recognized at carrying value of $8,820.6 million and $8,651.7 million in long-term debt, including current maturities, in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
	The fair values of interest rate swaps are determined based on the present value of expected future cash flows using observable, quoted LIBOR swap rates for the full term of the swaps and also incorporate credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect both Windstream Services’ own non-performance risk and non-performance risk of the respective counterparties. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the fair values of the interest rate swaps were reduced by $4.1 million and $3.3 million, respectively, to reflect non-performance risk.
	In calculating the fair value of Windstream Services’ long-term debt, the fair value of the debentures and notes was calculated based on quoted market prices of the specific issuances in an active market when available. The fair value of the other debt obligations was estimated based on appropriate market interest rates applied to the debt instruments. In calculating the fair value of the Windstream Holdings of the Midwest, Inc. notes, an appropriate market price of similar instruments in an active market considering credit quality, nonperformance risk and maturity of the instrument was used.
	We do not have any assets or liabilities measured for purposes of the fair value hierarchy at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3). We recognize transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy as of the end of the reporting period. There were no transfers within the fair value hierarchy during the three month period ended March 31, 2015.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies:	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies:	Commitments and Contingencies:
	We are party to various legal proceedings, including certain lawsuits claiming infringement of patents relating to various aspects of our business. In certain of the patent matters, other industry participants are also parties, and we may have claims of indemnification against vendors/suppliers. The ultimate resolution of these legal proceedings cannot be determined at this time. However, based on current circumstances, management does not believe such proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on the future consolidated results of our income, cash flows or financial condition.
	In addition, management is currently not aware of any environmental matters that, individually or in the aggregate, would have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition or our results of operations.

Employee_Benefit_Plans_and_Pos

Employee Benefit Plans and Postretirement Benefits:	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]
Employee Benefit Plans and Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions:	Employee Benefit Plans and Postretirement Benefits:
	We maintain a non-contributory qualified defined benefit pension plan. Future benefit accruals for all eligible nonbargaining employees covered by the pension plan have ceased. We also maintain supplemental executive retirement plans that provide unfunded, non-qualified supplemental retirement benefits to a select group of management employees. Additionally, we provide postretirement healthcare and life insurance benefits for eligible employees. Employees share in, and we fund, the costs of these plans as benefits are paid.
	The components of pension benefit income (including provision for executive retirement agreements) were as follows for the three month periods ended March 31:
		Three Months Ended
	(Millions)	2015			2014
	Benefits earned during the period	$	2.4		$	2.2
	Interest cost on benefit obligation	13.4			14.7
	Expected return on plan assets	(17.6		)	(17.2		)
	Net periodic benefit income	$	(1.8	)	$	(0.3	)
	The components of postretirement benefits income were as follows for the three month periods ended March 31:
		Three Months Ended
	(Millions)	2015			2014
	Interest cost on benefit obligation	$	0.3		$	0.4
	Amortization of net actuarial loss	0.2			—
	Amortization of prior service credit	(1.3		)	(1.7		)
	Plan curtailments	—			(9.5		)
	Net periodic benefit income	$	(0.8	)	$	(10.8	)
	During the first quarter of 2014, we made changes to our postretirement medical plan, eliminating medical and prescription drug subsidies primarily for certain active participants effective April 1, 2014. As a result, we remeasured the plan and recognized curtailment gains totaling $9.5 million, of which $5.1 million was recognized in cost of services expenses and $4.4 million was recognized in selling, general and administrative expenses, with the offsetting effect recorded as a reduction in accumulated other comprehensive income of $9.5 million.
	We contributed $0.5 million to the postretirement plan during the three month period ended March 31, 2015, and expect to contribute an additional $1.8 million for postretirement benefits throughout the remainder of 2015, excluding amounts that will be funded by participant contributions to the plan. In 2015, we expect to make in cash employer contributions for pension benefits of $0.8 million necessary to fund the expected benefit payments related to the unfunded supplemental executive retirement plans. We do not expect to make a contribution to the Windstream Pension Plan during 2015. The amount and timing of future contributions to our qualified pension plan are based on a myriad of factors including investment performance, changes in future discount rates and changes in the demographics of the population participating in the plan.
	7. Employee Benefit Plans and Postretirement Benefits, Continued:
	We also sponsor an employee savings plan under section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code, which covers substantially all salaried employees and certain bargaining unit employees. Windstream matches on an annual basis up to a maximum of 4.0 percent of employee pre-tax contributions to the plan for employees contributing up to 5.0 percent of their eligible pre-tax compensation. We recorded expenses of $5.6 million in the three month period ended March 31, 2015, as compared to $7.2 million for the same period in 2014 related to our matching contribution under the employee savings plan, which was included in cost of services and selling, general and administrative in our consolidated statements of operations. Expense related to our 2015 matching contribution expected to be made in Windstream stock is included in share-based compensation expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flow. Additionally, we contributed 2.7 million shares of our common stock to the plan for the 2014 annual matching contribution during the three month period ended March 31, 2015. At the time of our contribution, the shares had a value of approximately $21.6 million as determined by the plan trustee.

ShareBased_Compensation_Plans_

Share-Based Compensation Plans: Share-Based Compensation Plans: (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]	Share-Based Compensation Plans:
	All share-based compensation award information presented has been retrospectively adjusted to reflect the effects of the one-for-six reverse stock split which became effective on April 26, 2015 and for the spin-off of the REIT completed on April 24, 2015 (see Note 13).
	Under the Amended and Restated 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Incentive Plan”), we may issue a maximum of 35.0 million equity stock awards in the form of restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights or stock options. As of March 31, 2015, the Incentive Plan had remaining capacity of approximately 13.3 million awards. As of March 31, 2015, we had additional remaining capacity of approximately 1.5 million awards from a similar equity incentive plan acquired in the PAETEC acquisition.
	Our Board of Directors approves grants of restricted stock and restricted stock units to officers, executives, non-employee directors and certain management employees. These grants include the standard annual grants to these employee and director groups as a key component of their annual incentive compensation plan and one-time grants may include time-based and performance-based awards. Time-based awards generally vest ratably over a service period of two or three years. Each recipient of the performance-based restricted stock units may vest in a number of shares from zero to 150.0 percent of their award based on attainment of certain operating targets, some of which are indexed to the performance of Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index, over a three-year period. The 2015 operating targets for these performance based restricted stock units were approved by the Board of Directors in February 2015. Due to the pending spin-off, there were no grants of restricted stock and restricted stock units in the three month period ended March 31, 2015. The standard annual grants to employees and directors will be made in the second quarter of 2015.
	Restricted stock and restricted stock unit activity for the three month period ended March 31, 2015 was as follows:
		(Thousands)		Weighted
		Underlying Number of		Average Fair
		Shares		Value
	Non-vested at December 31, 2014	978		$	8.95
	Granted	—		$	—
	Vested	(354.6	)	$	9.3
	Forfeited	(98.1	)	$	8.38
	Non-vested at March 31, 2015	525.3		$	8.81
	At March 31, 2015, unrecognized compensation expense totaled $22.6 million and is expected to be recognized over the weighted average vesting period of 1.7 years. Unrecognized compensation expense is included in additional paid-in capital in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and statements of shareholders’ and member equity. Share-based compensation expense for restricted stock and restricted stock units was $5.0 million for the three month period ended March 31, 2015, as compared to $6.5 million for the same period in 2014.
	8. Share-Based Compensation Plans, Continued:
	In addition to including amounts related to restricted stock and restricted units, share-based compensation expense presented in the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flow also includes amounts related to certain executive and management incentive compensation plans and the matching contribution to the employee savings plan for which payments to eligible participants are expected to be made in Windstream stock. A summary of share-based compensation expense was as follows for the three month period ended March 31:
					Three Months Ended
	(Millions)				2015		2014
	Restricted stock and restricted units				$	5	$	6.5
	Employee savings plan (See Note 7)				5.6		7.2
	Executive and management incentive compensation plans				4.2		—
	Share-based compensation expense				$	14.8	$	13.7

Merger_Integration_and_Restruc

Merger, Integration and Restructuring Charges:	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Merger Integration and Restructuring Charges [Abstract]
Merger, Integration and Restructuring Charges:	Merger, Integration and Restructuring Charges:
	We incur a significant amount of costs to complete a merger or acquisition and integrate its operations into our business, which are presented as merger and integration expense in our consolidated results of operations. These costs include transaction costs, such as accounting, legal and broker fees; severance and related costs; IT and network conversion; rebranding; and consulting fees. Our 2011 acquisition of PAETEC and fees related to the spin-off of certain network and real estate assets account for the merger and integration costs incurred for the periods presented.
	Restructuring charges are primarily incurred as a result of evaluations of our operating structure. Among other things, these evaluations explore opportunities to provide greater flexibility in managing and financing existing and future strategic operations, for task automation, network efficiency and the balancing of our workforce based on the current needs of our customers. Severance, lease exit costs and other related charges are included in restructuring charges.
	During the first quarter of 2015, we incurred restructuring charges of $3.3 million related to the completion of several small workforce reductions. Additionally, we incurred charges of $3.1 million related to the special shareholder meeting held on February 20, 2015 to approve the one-for-six reverse stock split and the conversion of Windstream Corporation to Windstream Services.
	On February 21, 2014, we announced a reduction in our workforce to increase operational efficiency. As a result, we eliminated approximately 400 positions on or before March 3, 2014, with about 175 of the eliminated positions resulting from a voluntary separation initiative. In connection with this workforce reduction, we incurred pre-tax restructuring charges of $12.1 million for the three month period ended March 31, 2014, primarily consisting of severance and other employee benefit costs.
	The following is a summary of the merger, integration and restructuring charges recorded for the three month periods ended March 31:
					Three Months Ended
	(Millions)				2015		2014
	Merger and integration costs:
	Information technology conversion costs				$	3.5	$	7.1
	Consulting and other costs				10.6		0.8
	Total merger and integration costs				14.1		7.9
	Restructuring charges				7		12.4
	Total merger, integration and restructuring charges				$	21.1	$	20.3
	9. Merger, Integration and Restructuring Charges, Continued:
	After giving consideration to tax benefits on deductible items, merger, integration and restructuring charges decreased net income $13.0 million for the three month period ended March 31, 2015, as compared to $14.0 million for the same period in 2014.
	The following is a summary of the activity related to the liabilities associated with merger, integration and restructuring charges at March 31:
	(Millions)	2015
	Balance, beginning of period	$	11.2
	Merger, integration and restructuring charges	21.1
	Cash outlays during the period	(19.8		)
	Balance, end of period	$	12.5
	As of March 31, 2015, unpaid merger, integration and restructuring liabilities consisted of $1.2 million primarily associated with the restructuring initiatives and $11.3 million related to merger and integration activities. Payments of these liabilities will be funded through operating cash flows.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income:	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income:
	Accumulated other comprehensive income balances, net of tax, were as follows:
	(Millions)		March 31,				December 31,
			2015				2014
	Pension and postretirement plans		$	13.6			$	14.5
	Unrealized holding (losses) gains on interest rate swaps:
	Designated portion		(2.2		)		3.1
	De-designated portion		(3.4		)		(5.5		)
	Accumulated other comprehensive income		$	8			$	12.1
	Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income balances, net of tax, were as follows:
	(Millions)		(Losses) Gains on Interest				Pension and				Total
			Rate Swaps				Postretirement
							Plans
	Balance at December 31, 2014		$	(2.4	)		$	14.5			$	12.1
	Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications		(5.2		)		—				(5.2		)
	Amounts reclassified from other accumulated comprehensive income (a)		2				(0.9		)		1.1
	Balance at March 31, 2015		$	(5.6	)		$	13.6			$	8
	(a)	See separate table below for details about these reclassifications.
	10. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Continued:
	Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income were as follows for the three month periods ended March 31:
						(Millions)
						Amount Reclassified from Accumulated
						Other Comprehensive Income
	Details about Accumulated Other					Three Months Ended								Affected Line Item in the
	Comprehensive Income Components													Consolidated Statements
						2015				2014				of Income
	Losses on interest rate swaps:
	Amortization of unrealized losses on					$	3.4			$	4.2			Interest expense
	de-designated interest rate swaps
						3.4				4.2				Income from continuing
														operations before income taxes
						(1.4		)		(1.6		)		Income taxes
						2				2.6				Net income
	Pension and postretirement plans:
	Plan curtailments					—				(9.5		)	(a)
	Amortization of net actuarial loss					0.2				—			(a)
	Amortization of prior service credits					(1.3		)		(1.7		)	(a)
						(1.1		)		(11.2		)		Income from continuing
														operations before income taxes
						0.2				4.2				Income taxes
						(0.9		)		(7.0		)		Net income
	Total reclassifications for the period,					$	1.1			$	(4.4	)		Net income
	net of tax
	(a)	These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic benefit income. See Note 7 for additional details.

Earnings_Per_Share_Earnings_Pe

Earnings Per Share: Earnings Per Share Text Block (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]	Earnings per Share:
	All per share information presented has been retrospectively adjusted to reflect the effects of the one-for-six reverse stock split which became effective on April 26, 2015 (see Note 13).
	We compute basic earnings per share by dividing net income applicable to common shares by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Our non-vested restricted shares containing a non-forfeitable right to receive dividends on a one-to-one per share ratio to common shares are considered participating securities, and the impact is included in the computation of earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method. Calculations of earnings per share under the two-class method exclude from the numerator any dividends paid or owed on participating securities and any undistributed earnings considered to be attributable to participating securities. The related participating securities are similarly excluded from the denominator.
	Diluted earnings per share are computed by dividing net income applicable to common shares by the weighted average number of common shares adjusted to include the effect of potentially dilutive securities. Potentially dilutive securities include incremental shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options and warrants. Diluted earnings per share exclude all potentially dilutive securities if their effect is anti-dilutive.
	11. Earnings per Share, Continued:
	We also issue performance-based restricted stock units as part of our share-based compensation plan. These restricted stock units contain a forfeitable right to receive dividends. Because dividends attributable to these shares are forfeited if the vesting provisions are not met, they are considered non-participating restricted shares and are not dilutive under the two-class method until the performance conditions have been satisfied. As of March 31, 2015, the performance conditions for the outstanding restricted stock units have not yet been satisfied. Options and warrants granted in conjunction with the acquisition of PAETEC are included in the computation of dilutive earnings per share using the treasury stock method.
	A reconciliation of net income and number of shares used in computing basic and diluted earnings per share was as follows for the three month periods ended March 31:
		Three Months Ended
	(Millions, except per share amounts)	2015			2014
	Basic and diluted earnings per share:
	Numerator:
	Income from continuing operations	$	5.3		$	16
	Income from continuing operations allocable to participating	(0.7		)	(1.3		)
	securities
	Net income attributable to common shares	$	4.6		$	14.7
	Denominator:
	Basic shares outstanding
	Weighted average basic shares outstanding	100.8			99.6
	Weighted average participating securities	(0.9		)	(0.6		)
	Weighted average shares outstanding for basic earnings	99.9			99
	per share
	Diluted shares outstanding
	Weighted average shares outstanding for basic earnings per share	99.9			99
	Effect of dilutive stock options	0.1			0.1
	Weighted average shares outstanding for diluted earnings	100			99.1
	per share
	Basic and diluted earnings per share:
	Net income		$0.05			$0.15
	Options to purchase shares of stock issuable under stock-based compensation plans that were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because the exercise prices were greater than the average market price of our common stock and, therefore, the effect would be anti-dilutive, totaled 0.1 million shares for both the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.

Supplemental_Guarantor_Informa

Supplemental Guarantor Information:	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Condensed Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Supplemental Guarantor Information:	Supplemental Guarantor Information:
	Debentures and notes, without collateral, issued by Windstream Services, LLC
	In connection with the issuance of the 7.875 percent senior notes due November 1, 2017, the 8.125 percent senior notes due September 1, 2018, the 7.750 percent senior notes due October 15, 2020, the 7.750 percent senior notes due October 1, 2021, the 7.500 percent senior notes due June 1, 2022, the 7.500 percent senior notes due April 1, 2023 and the 6.375 percent senior notes due August 1, 2023 (“the guaranteed notes”), certain of Windstream Services’ wholly-owned subsidiaries (the “Guarantors”), provide guarantees of those debentures. These guarantees are full and unconditional, subject to certain customary release provisions, as well as joint and several. All personal property assets and related operations of the Guarantors are pledged as collateral on the senior secured credit facility of Windstream Services. Certain Guarantors may be subject to restrictions on their ability to distribute earnings to Windstream Services. The remaining subsidiaries of Windstream Services (the “Non-Guarantors”) are not guarantors of the guaranteed notes. Following the acquisitions of acquired businesses, the guaranteed notes were amended to include certain subsidiaries of the acquired businesses as guarantors. Windstream Holdings is not a guarantor of any Windstream Services debt instruments.
	The following information presents condensed consolidating and combined statements of comprehensive income for the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, condensed consolidating balance sheets as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, and condensed consolidating and combined statements of cash flows for the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 of Windstream Services, the Guarantors and the Non-Guarantors. Investments consist of investments in net assets of subsidiaries held by Windstream Services and other subsidiaries, and have been presented using the equity method of accounting.
		Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended
		31-Mar-15
	(Millions)	Windstream Services			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Consolidated
								Guarantors
	Revenues and sales:
	Service revenues	$	—		$	248.1		$	1,139.50		$	(5.8	)	$	1,381.80
	Product sales	—			9.2			27.6			—			36.8
	Total revenues and sales	—			257.3			1,167.10			(5.8		)	1,418.60
	Costs and expenses:
	Cost of services	—			90.5			595.3			(5.8		)	680
	Cost of products sold	—			9.3			22.6			—			31.9
	Selling, general and administrative	—			22.1			202.3			—			224.4
	Depreciation and amortization	4.9			74.4			261.4			—			340.7
	Merger and integration costs	—			—			14.1			—			14.1
	Restructuring charges	—			1.2			5.8			—			7
	Total costs and expenses	4.9			197.5			1,101.50			(5.8		)	1,298.10
	Operating (loss) income	(4.9		)	59.8			65.6			—			120.5
	Earnings from consolidated subsidiaries	46.5			15.1			0.6			(62.2		)	—
	Other (expense) income, net	(1.4		)	0.2			—			—			(1.2		)
	Intercompany interest income (expense)	32.4			(13.1		)	(19.3		)	—			—
	Interest expense	(128.9		)	(1.5		)	(10.7		)	—			(141.1		)
	(Loss) income before income taxes	(56.3		)	60.5			36.2			(62.2		)	(21.8		)
	Income tax (benefit) expense	(61.9		)	20.8			13.7			—			(27.4		)
	Net income	$	5.6		$	39.7		$	22.5		$	(62.2	)	$	5.6
	Comprehensive income	$	1.5		$	39.7		$	22.5		$	(62.2	)	$	1.5
	12. Supplemental Guarantor Information, Continued:
		Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended
		31-Mar-14
	(Millions)	Windstream Services			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Consolidated
								Guarantors
	Revenues and sales:
	Service revenues	$	—		$	259.6		$	1,164.30		$	(4.2	)	$	1,419.70
	Product sales	—			10			35.2			—			45.2
	Total revenues and sales	—			269.6			1,199.50			(4.2		)	1,464.90
	Costs and expenses:
	Cost of services	—			88.8			572.3			(3.2		)	657.9
	Cost of products sold	—			9.5			31.6			—			41.1
	Selling, general and administrative	—			22.7			216.7			(1.0		)	238.4
	Depreciation and amortization	5.6			74.2			259.1			—			338.9
	Merger and integration costs	—			—			7.4			—			7.4
	Restructuring charges	—			2.2			10.7			—			12.9
	Total costs and expenses	5.6			197.4			1,097.80			(4.2		)	1,296.60
	Operating (loss) income	(5.6		)	72.2			101.7			—			168.3
	Earnings from consolidated subsidiaries	80.1			12.3			0.6			(93.0		)	—
	Other income (expense), net	0.5			41.4			(41.0		)	—			0.9
	Intercompany interest income (expense)	31.6			(13.8		)	(17.8		)	—			—
	Interest expense	(130.7		)	(1.5		)	(9.7		)	—			(141.9		)
	(Loss) income before income taxes	(24.1		)	110.6			33.8			(93.0		)	27.3
	Income tax (benefit) expense	(40.4		)	38			13.4			—			11
	Net income	$	16.3		$	72.6		$	20.4		$	(93.0	)	$	16.3
	Comprehensive income	$	7.1		$	72.6		$	20.4		$	(93.0	)	$	7.1
	12. Supplemental Guarantor Information, Continued:
		Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet (Unaudited)
		As of March 31, 2015
	(Millions)	Windstream Services			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Consolidated
								Guarantors
	Assets
	Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	16.7		$	1		$	56.3		$	—		$	74
Restricted cash	7.1			—			—			—			7.1
Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful	—			140.6			517.9			—			658.5
accounts of $42.3)
Notes receivable - affiliate	—			4.8			—			(4.8		)	—
Affiliates receivable, net	—			1,052.30			1,997.90			(3,050.2		)	—
Inventories	—			38.4			24.6			—			63
Deferred income taxes	57.6			9.2			24.9			—			91.7
Prepaid expenses and other	28.6			20			123			—			171.6
Total current assets	110			1,266.30			2,744.60			(3,055.0		)	1,065.90
Investments in consolidated subsidiaries	10,056.10			980.8			278.5			(11,315.4		)	—
Notes receivable - affiliate	—			316.8			—			(316.8		)	—
Goodwill	1,649.50			825.6			1,877.70			—			4,352.80
Other intangibles, net	582.6			345.4			782.5			—			1,710.50
Net property, plant and equipment	9.5			1,243.50			4,062.00			—			5,315.00
Other assets	99.6			18			57.3			—			174.9
Total Assets	$	12,507.30		$	4,996.40		$	9,802.60		$	(14,687.2	)	$	12,619.10
Liabilities and Equity
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	$	92.4		$	—		$	0.1		$	—		$	92.5
Current portion of interest rate swaps	28.5			—			—			—			28.5
Accounts payable	1.1			43.6			287.3			—			332
Affiliates payable, net	3,201.90			—			—			(3,050.2		)	151.7
Notes payable - affiliate	—			—			4.8			(4.8		)	—
Advance payments and customer deposits	—			15.6			198.9			—			214.5
Accrued taxes	0.1			19.9			64.3			—			84.3
Accrued interest	149.5			3.9			17			—			170.4
Other current liabilities	38.7			13.8			229.9			—			282.4
Total current liabilities	3,512.20			96.8			802.3			(3,055.0		)	1,356.30
Long-term debt	8,158.80			99.6			469.7			—			8,728.10
Notes payable - affiliate	—			—			316.8			(316.8		)	—
Deferred income taxes	669.7			409.2			749.9			—			1,828.80
Other liabilities	71.6			46.1			493.2			—			610.9
Total liabilities	12,412.30			651.7			2,831.90			(3,371.8		)	12,524.10
Commitments and Contingencies (See Note 6)
Equity:
Common stock	—			39.4			81.9			(121.3		)	—
Additional paid-in capital	87			3,794.90			4,002.00			(7,796.9		)	87
Accumulated other comprehensive income	8			—			13.6			(13.6		)	8
Retained earnings	—			510.4			2,873.20			(3,383.6		)	—
Total equity	95			4,344.70			6,970.70			(11,315.4		)	95
Total Liabilities and Equity	$	12,507.30		$	4,996.40		$	9,802.60		$	(14,687.2	)	$	12,619.10
12. Supplemental Guarantor Information, Continued:
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet (Unaudited)
	As of December 31, 2014
(Millions)	Windstream Services			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Consolidated
							Guarantors
Assets
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	—		$	2.1		$	51.7		$	(26.0	)	$	27.8
Restricted cash	6.7			—			—			—			6.7
Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful	—			136.5			499			—			635.5
accounts of $43.4)
Notes receivable - affiliate	—			4.8			—			(4.8		)	—
Affiliates receivable, net	—			1,057.70			2,066.90			(3,124.6		)	—
Inventories	—			36.9			26.8			—			63.7
Deferred income taxes	67.4			10.5			27.5			—			105.4
Prepaid expenses and other	35.5			20.4			108.7			—			164.6
Total current assets	109.6			1,268.90			2,780.60			(3,155.4		)	1,003.70
Investments in consolidated subsidiaries	10,001.30			965.6			255.6			(11,222.5		)	—
Notes receivable - affiliate	—			317.7			—			(317.7		)	—
Goodwill	1,649.50			825.6			1,877.70			—			4,352.80
Other intangibles, net	590.7			355.2			818.1			—			1,764.00
Net property, plant and equipment	9.8			1,269.40			4,133.10			—			5,412.30
Other assets	104.2			17.1			59.3			—			180.6
Total Assets	$	12,465.10		$	5,019.50		$	9,924.40		$	(14,695.6	)	$	12,713.40
Liabilities and Equity
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	$	717.4		$	—		$	0.1		$	—		$	717.5
Current portion of interest rate swaps	28.5			—			—			—			28.5
Accounts payable	2.1			86.9			314.3			—			403.3
Affiliates payable, net	3,277.00			—			—			(3,124.6		)	152.4
Notes payable - affiliate	—			—			4.8			(4.8		)	—
Advance payments and customer deposits	—			16.6			198.1			—			214.7
Accrued taxes	0.2			23.8			71.2			—			95.2
Accrued interest	94.3			2.1			6.1			—			102.5
Other current liabilities	32.3			18			278.6			—			328.9
Total current liabilities	4,151.80			147.4			873.2			(3,129.4		)	2,043.00
Long-term debt	7,363.40			99.6			471.2			—			7,934.20
Notes payable - affiliate	—			—			317.7			(317.7		)	—
Deferred income taxes	658.6			418.8			801.2			—			1,878.60
Other liabilities	66.5			45.7			520.6			—			632.8
Total liabilities	12,240.30			711.5			2,983.90			(3,447.1		)	12,488.60
Commitments and Contingencies (See Note 6)
Equity:
Common stock	—			39.4			81.9			(121.3		)	—
Additional paid-in capital	212.7			3,794.90			4,002.00			(7,796.9		)	212.7
Accumulated other comprehensive income	12.1			—			14.5			(14.5		)	12.1
Retained earnings	—			473.7			2,842.10			(3,315.8		)	—
Total equity	224.8			4,308.00			6,940.50			(11,248.5		)	224.8
Total Liabilities and Equity	$	12,465.10		$	5,019.50		$	9,924.40		$	(14,695.6	)	$	12,713.40
12. Supplemental Guarantor Information, Continued:
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended
	31-Mar-15
(Millions)	Windstream Services			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Consolidated
							Guarantors
Cash Provided from Operations:
Net cash provided from operations	$	64.7		$	38.1		$	141.3		$	—		$	244.1
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(0.3		)	(29.5		)	(159.5		)	—			(189.3		)
Changes in restricted cash	(0.4		)	—			—			—			(0.4		)
Grant funds received for broadband	7.4			—			—			—			7.4
stimulus projects
Network expansion funded by Connect America	—			(1.4		)	(6.9		)	—			(8.3		)
Fund - Phase I
Other, net	(4.1		)	0.1			1.9			—			(2.1		)
Net cash provided from (used in)	2.6			(30.8		)	(164.5		)	—			(192.7		)
investing activities
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Distributions to Windstream Holdings, Inc.	(151.8		)	—			—			—			(151.8		)
Repayments of debt and swaps	(325.4		)	—			—			—			(325.4		)
Proceeds of debt issuance	490			—			—			—			490
Intercompany transactions, net	(56.6		)	(5.1		)	35.7			26			—
Payments under capital lease obligations	—			(4.2		)	(7.0		)	—			(11.2		)
Other, net	(6.8		)	0.9			(0.9		)	—			(6.8		)
Net cash (used in) provided from	(50.6		)	(8.4		)	27.8			26			(5.2		)
financing activities
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	16.7			(1.1		)	4.6			26			46.2
Cash and Cash Equivalents:
Beginning of period	—			2.1			51.7			(26.0		)	27.8
End of period	$	16.7		$	1		$	56.3		$	—		$	74
12. Supplemental Guarantor Information, Continued:
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended
	31-Mar-14
(Millions)	Windstream Services			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Consolidated
							Guarantors
Cash Provided from Operations:
Net cash provided from operations	$	66.7		$	103.5		$	150.1		$	—		$	320.3
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(0.4		)	(10.1		)	(142.5		)	—			(153.0		)
Broadband network expansion funded by	—			(0.3		)	(6.8		)	—			(7.1		)
stimulus grants
Changes in restricted cash	(0.9		)	—			—			—			(0.9		)
Grant funds received for broadband	11.4			—			—			—			11.4
stimulus projects
Grant funds received from Connect America Fund	—			9.4			16.6			—			26
- Phase I
Net cash provided from (used in)	10.1			(1.0		)	(132.7		)	—			(123.6		)
investing activities
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Distributions to Windstream Holdings, Inc.	(150.7		)	—			—			—			(150.7		)
Repayments of debt and swaps	(331.6		)	—			—			—			(331.6		)
Proceeds of debt issuance	325			—			—			—			325
Intercompany transactions, net	97.4			(102.1		)	4.7			—			—
Payments under capital lease obligations	—			—			(7.8		)	—			(7.8		)
Other, net	(9.8		)	0.9			(0.9		)	—			(9.8		)
Net cash used in financing activities	(69.7		)	(101.2		)	(4.0		)	—			(174.9		)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	7.1			1.3			13.4			—			21.8
Cash and Cash Equivalents:
Beginning of period	13.7			0.7			33.8			—			48.2
End of period	$	20.8		$	2		$	47.2		$	—		$	70
12. Supplemental Guarantor Information, Continued:
Debentures and notes, issued by PAETEC Holding Corporation
In connection with the acquisition of PAETEC on November 30, 2011, Windstream Services acquired the PAETEC 2018 Notes (“the guaranteed notes”). Windstream Services and all former wholly-owned subsidiaries of PAETEC (the “Guarantors”) provide guarantees of those debentures. These guarantees are full and unconditional, subject to certain customary release provisions, as well as joint and several. Certain Guarantors may be subject to restrictions on their ability to distribute earnings to Windstream Services. The remaining subsidiaries (the “Non-Guarantors”) of Windstream Services are not guarantors of these guaranteed notes.
The following information presents condensed consolidating and combined statements of comprehensive income for the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, condensed consolidating balance sheets as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, condensed consolidating and combined statements of cash flows for the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 of Windstream Services, the Guarantors and the Non-Guarantors. Investments consist of investments in net assets of subsidiaries held by Windstream Services and other subsidiaries, and have been presented using the equity method of accounting.
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended
	31-Mar-15
(Millions)	Windstream Services			PAETEC Issuer			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Consolidated
										Guarantors
Revenues and sales:
Service revenues	$	—		$	—		$	485.1		$	897.5		$	(0.8	)	$	1,381.80
Product sales	—			—			26.2			10.8			(0.2		)	36.8
Total revenues and sales	—			—			511.3			908.3			(1.0		)	1,418.60
Costs and expenses:
Cost of services	—			—			336.2			344.4			(0.6		)	680
Cost of products sold	—			—			21			11.2			(0.3		)	31.9
Selling, general and administrative	—			—			123.8			100.7			(0.1		)	224.4
Depreciation and amortization	4.9			—			102.8			233			—			340.7
Merger and integration costs	—			—			—			14.1			—			14.1
Restructuring charges	—			—			2.3			4.7			—			7
Total costs and expenses	4.9			—			586.1			708.1			(1.0		)	1,298.10
Operating (loss) income	(4.9		)	—			(74.8		)	200.2			—			120.5
Earnings (losses) from consolidated	46.5			(40.6		)	(0.3		)	—			(5.6		)	—
subsidiaries
Other (expense) income, net	(1.4		)	—			0.1			0.1			—			(1.2		)
Intercompany interest income (expense)	32.4			—			—			(32.4		)	—			—
Interest (expense) income	(128.9		)	(9.7		)	0.2			(2.7		)	—			(141.1		)
(Loss) income before income taxes	(56.3		)	(50.3		)	(74.8		)	165.2			(5.6		)	(21.8		)
Income tax (benefit) expense	(61.9		)	(3.7		)	(28.7		)	66.9			—			(27.4		)
Net income (loss)	$	5.6		$	(46.6	)	$	(46.1	)	$	98.3		$	(5.6	)	$	5.6
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	1.5		$	(46.6	)	$	(46.1	)	$	98.3		$	(5.6	)	$	1.5
12. Supplemental Guarantor Information, Continued:
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended
	31-Mar-14
(Millions)	Windstream Services			PAETEC Issuer			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Consolidated
										Guarantors
Revenues and sales:
Service revenues	$	—		$	—		$	486.5		$	934.4		$	(1.2	)	$	1,419.70
Product sales	—			—			30.5			14.4			0.3			45.2
Total revenues and sales	—			—			517			948.8			(0.9		)	1,464.90
Costs and expenses:
Cost of services	—			—			305.3			353.4			(0.8		)	657.9
Cost of products sold	—			—			27.8			13			0.3			41.1
Selling, general and administrative	—			—			125.8			113			(0.4		)	238.4
Depreciation and amortization	5.6			—			101.8			231.5			—			338.9
Merger and integration costs	—			—			—			7.4			—			7.4
Restructuring charges	—			—			4.4			8.5			—			12.9
Total costs and expenses	5.6			—			565.1			726.8			(0.9		)	1,296.60
Operating (loss) income	(5.6		)	—			(48.1		)	222			—			168.3
Earnings (losses) from consolidated	80.1			(25.7		)	(0.1		)	0.1			(54.4		)	—
subsidiaries
Other income, net	0.5			—			0.3			0.1			—			0.9
Intercompany interest income (expense)	31.6			—			—			(31.6		)	—			—
Interest (expense) income	(130.7		)	(9.6		)	0.1			(1.7		)	—			(141.9		)
(Loss) income before income taxes	(24.1		)	(35.3		)	(47.8		)	188.9			(54.4		)	27.3
Income tax (benefit) expense	(40.4		)	(3.7		)	(18.4		)	73.5			—			11
Net income (loss)	$	16.3		$	(31.6	)	$	(29.4	)	$	115.4		$	(54.4	)	$	16.3
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	7.1		$	(31.6	)	$	(29.4	)	$	115.4		$	(54.4	)	$	7.1
12. Supplemental Guarantor Information, Continued:
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet (Unaudited)
	As of March 31, 2015
(Millions)	Windstream Services			PAETEC Issuer			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Consolidated
										Guarantors
Assets
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	16.7		$	—		$	2.6		$	54.7		$	—		$	74
Restricted cash	7.1			—			—			—			—			7.1
Accounts receivable (less allowance for	—			—			304.6			355			(1.1		)	658.5
doubtful accounts of $42.3)
Affiliates receivable, net	—			351			—			4,180.70			(4,531.7		)	—
Inventories	—			—			16.8			46.2			—			63
Deferred income taxes	57.6			—			—			75.2			(41.1		)	91.7
Prepaid expenses and other	28.6			—			34.9			106.1			2			171.6
Total current assets	110			351			358.9			4,817.90			(4,571.9		)	1,065.90
Investments in consolidated subsidiaries	10,056.10			—			0.6			—			(10,056.7		)	—
Goodwill	1,649.50			643.8			—			2,059.50			—			4,352.80
Other intangibles, net	582.6			—			387.2			740.7			—			1,710.50
Net property, plant and equipment	9.5			—			669			4,636.50			—			5,315.00
Deferred income taxes	—			218.1			83.3			—			(301.4		)	—
Other assets	99.6			—			16.6			58.7			—			174.9
Total Assets	$	12,507.30		$	1,212.90		$	1,515.60		$	12,313.30		$	(14,930.0	)	$	12,619.10
Liabilities and Equity
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	$	92.4		$	—		$	—		$	0.1		$	—		$	92.5
Current portion of interest rate swaps	28.5			—			—			—			—			28.5
Accounts payable	1.1			—			95.5			235.4			—			332
Affiliates payable, net	3,201.90			—			1,475.90			—			(4,526.1		)	151.7
Advance payments and customer deposits	—			—			80.7			133.8			—			214.5
Accrued taxes	0.1			—			22.6			61.1			0.5			84.3
Accrued interest	149.5			14.8			1.7			4.4			—			170.4
Other current liabilities	38.7			4.9			73			208.1			(42.3		)	282.4
Total current liabilities	3,512.20			19.7			1,749.40			642.9			(4,567.9		)	1,356.30
Long-term debt	8,158.80			467.9			—			101.4			—			8,728.10
Deferred income taxes	669.7			—			—			1,460.50			(301.4		)	1,828.80
Accumulated losses in excess of investments	—			250.9			—			—			(250.9		)	—
in consolidated subsidiaries
Other liabilities	71.6			1.6			53.1			484.6			—			610.9
Total liabilities	12,412.30			740.1			1,802.50			2,689.40			(5,120.2		)	12,524.10
Commitments and Contingencies
(See Note 6)
Equity:
Common stock	—			—			—			67.7			(67.7		)	—
Additional paid-in capital	87			842			0.7			6,017.10			(6,859.8		)	87
Accumulated other comprehensive income	8			—			—			19.6			(19.6		)	8
Accumulated (deficit) retained earnings	—			(369.2		)	(287.6		)	3,519.50			(2,862.7		)	—
Total equity	95			472.8			(286.9		)	9,623.90			(9,809.8		)	95
Total Liabilities and Equity	$	12,507.30		$	1,212.90		$	1,515.60		$	12,313.30		$	(14,930.0	)	$	12,619.10
12. Supplemental Guarantor Information, Continued:
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet (Unaudited)
	As of December 31, 2014
(Millions)	Windstream Services			PAETEC Issuer			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Consolidated
										Guarantors
Assets
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	—		$	—		$	4.6		$	49.2		$	(26.0	)	$	27.8
Restricted cash	6.7			—			—			—			—			6.7
Accounts receivable (less allowance for	—			—			286.1			350.5			(1.1		)	635.5
doubtful accounts of $43.4)
Affiliates receivable, net	—			346.6			—			4,187.70			(4,534.3		)	—
Inventories	—			—			19.4			44.3			—			63.7
Deferred income taxes	67.4			—			—			76.5			(38.5		)	105.4
Prepaid expenses and other	35.5			—			30.9			96.5			1.7			164.6
Total current assets	109.6			346.6			341			4,804.70			(4,598.2		)	1,003.70
Investments in consolidated subsidiaries	10,001.30			—			0.9			—			(10,002.2		)	—
Goodwill	1,649.50			643.8			—			2,059.50			—			4,352.80
Other intangibles, net	590.7			—			413.6			759.7			—			1,764.00
Net property, plant and equipment	9.8			—			697.1			4,705.40			—			5,412.30
Deferred income taxes	—			219			63.7			—			(282.7		)	—
Other assets	104.2			—			16.8			59.6			—			180.6
Total Assets	$	12,465.10		$	1,209.40		$	1,533.10		$	12,388.90		$	(14,883.1	)	$	12,713.40
Liabilities and Equity
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	$	717.4		$	—		$	—		$	0.1		$	—		$	717.5
Current portion of interest rate swaps	28.5			—			—			—			—			28.5
Accounts payable	2.1			—			101.9			299.3			—			403.3
Affiliates payable, net	3,277.00			—			1,430.40			—			(4,555.0		)	152.4
Advance payments and customer deposits	—			—			78.5			136.2			—			214.7
Accrued taxes	0.2			—			25.2			69.4			0.4			95.2
Accrued interest	94.3			3.7			1.8			2.7			—			102.5
Other current liabilities	32.3			4.9			83			248.3			(39.6		)	328.9
Total current liabilities	4,151.80			8.6			1,720.80			756			(4,594.2		)	2,043.00
Long-term debt	7,363.40			469.4			—			101.4			—			7,934.20
Deferred income taxes	658.6			—			—			1,502.70			(282.7		)	1,878.60
Accumulated losses in excess of investments	—			210.4			—			—			(210.4		)	—
in consolidated subsidiaries
Other liabilities	66.5			1.7			53			511.6			—			632.8
Total liabilities	12,240.30			690.1			1,773.80			2,871.70			(5,087.3		)	12,488.60
Commitments and Contingencies
(See Note 6)
Equity:
Common stock	—			—			—			67.7			(67.7		)	—
Additional paid-in capital	212.7			842			0.7			6,017.10			(6,859.8		)	212.7
Accumulated other comprehensive income	12.1			—			—			20.5			(20.5		)	12.1
Accumulated (deficit) retained earnings	—			(322.7		)	(241.4		)	3,411.90			(2,847.8		)	—
Total equity	224.8			519.3			(240.7		)	9,517.20			(9,795.8		)	224.8
Total Liabilities and Equity	$	12,465.10		$	1,209.40		$	1,533.10		$	12,388.90		$	(14,883.1	)	$	12,713.40
12. Supplemental Guarantor Information, Continued:
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended
	31-Mar-15
(Millions)	Windstream Services			PAETEC			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Consolidated
				Issuer						Guarantors
Cash Provided from Operations:
Net cash provided from operations	$	64.7		$	4.4		$	11.7		$	163.5		$	(0.2	)	$	244.1
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(0.3		)	—			(42.4		)	(146.6		)	—			(189.3		)
Changes in restricted cash	(0.4		)	—			—			—			—			(0.4		)
Grant funds received for broadband	7.4			—			—			—			—			7.4
stimulus projects
Network expansion funded by Connect	—			—			—			(8.3		)	—			(8.3		)
America Fund - Phase I
Other, net	(4.1		)	—			—			2			—			(2.1		)
Net cash provided from (used in)	2.6			—			(42.4		)	(152.9		)	—			(192.7		)
investing activities
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Distributions to Windstream Holdings, Inc.	(151.8		)	—			—			—			—			(151.8		)
Repayments of debt and swaps	(325.4		)	—			—			—			—			(325.4		)
Proceeds of debt issuance	490			—			—			—			—			490
Intercompany transactions, net	(56.6		)	(4.4		)	29.8			5			26.2			—
Payments under capital lease obligations	—			—			(1.1		)	(10.1		)	—			(11.2		)
Other, net	(6.8		)	—			—			—			—			(6.8		)
Net cash (used in) provided from	(50.6		)	(4.4		)	28.7			(5.1		)	26.2			(5.2		)
financing activities
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash	16.7			—			(2.0		)	5.5			26			46.2
equivalents
Cash and Cash Equivalents:
Beginning of period	—			—			4.6			49.2			(26.0		)	27.8
End of period	$	16.7		$	—		$	2.6		$	54.7		$	—		$	74
12. Supplemental Guarantor Information, Continued:
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended
	31-Mar-14
(Millions)	Windstream Services			PAETEC			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Consolidated
				Issuer						Guarantors
Cash Provided from Operations:
Net cash provided from operations	$	66.7		$	5.1		$	2.8		$	245.7		$	—		$	320.3
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(0.4		)	—			(36.2		)	(116.4		)	—			(153.0		)
Broadband network expansion funded by	—			—			—			(7.1		)	—			(7.1		)
stimulus grants
Changes in restricted cash	(0.9		)	—			—			—			—			(0.9		)
Grant funds received for broadband	11.4			—			—			—			—			11.4
stimulus projects
Grant funds received from Connect America	—			—			—			26			—			26
Fund - Phase I
Net cash provided from (used in)	10.1			—			(36.2		)	(97.5		)	—			(123.6		)
investing activities
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Distributions to Windstream Holdings, Inc.	(150.7		)	—			—			—			—			(150.7		)
Repayments of debt and swaps	(331.6		)	—			—			—			—			(331.6		)
Proceeds of debt issuance	325			—			—			—			—			325
Intercompany transactions, net	97.4			(5.1		)	32.2			(124.5		)	—			—
Payments under capital lease obligations	—			—			(2.0		)	(5.8		)	—			(7.8		)
Other, net	(9.8		)	—			—			—			—			(9.8		)
Net cash (used in) provided from	(69.7		)	(5.1		)	30.2			(130.3		)	—			(174.9		)
financing activities
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash	7.1			—			(3.2		)	17.9			—			21.8
equivalents
Cash and Cash Equivalents:
Beginning of period	13.7			—			7.8			26.7			—			48.2
End of period	$	20.8		$	—		$	4.6		$	44.6		$	—		$	70

Subsequent_Event_Notes

Subsequent Event (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events:	Subsequent Events:
	Spin-off of Certain Network and Real Estate Assets - On April 24, 2015, we completed the spin-off of certain telecommunications network assets, including our fiber and copper networks and other real estate, into an independent, publicly traded REIT. The spin-off also included substantially all of our consumer competitive local exchange carrier (“CLEC”) business, which will continue to be operated by the REIT. Pursuant to the plan of distribution and immediately prior to the effective time of the spin-off, we contributed the network assets and the consumer CLEC business to Communications Sales & Leasing, Inc. (“CS&L”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Windstream, in exchange for: (i) the issuance to Windstream of CS&L common stock of which 80.4 percent of the shares were distributed on a pro rata basis to Windstream’s stockholders, (ii) cash payment to Windstream in the amount of $1.035 billion and (iii) the distribution by CS&L to Windstream of approximately $2.5 billion of CS&L debt securities. After giving effect to the interest in the REIT retained by Windstream, each Windstream Holdings shareholder received one share of CS&L for every five shares of Windstream Holdings common stock held as of the record date of April 10, 2015 in the form of a tax-free dividend. An ex-date of April 27, 2015 was established by NASDAQ, and all trades through the close of business on April 24, 2015 carry the right to receive the distribution. No fractional shares were distributed in connection with the spin-off, with a cash payment being made in lieu of any fractional shares. In connection with the distribution, CS&L borrowed approximately $2.14 billion through a new senior credit agreement. CS&L also issued debt securities in the private placement market to fund the cash payment and to issue its debt securities to Windstream, consisting of $1,110.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8.25 percent senior notes due April 15, 2023 and $400.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.00 percent senior secured notes due October 15, 2023. The CS&L unsecured notes and the borrowings under CS&L’s new senior credit agreement were issued at a discount, and accordingly, at the date of distribution, CS&L issued to Windstream approximately $2.5 billion of its debt securities consisting of $970.2 million in term loans, $400.0 million in secured and $1,077.3 million in unsecured notes (the “CS&L Securities”).
	In connection with the spin-off transaction, Windstream entered into an exchange agreement (the “Exchange Agreement”), with J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc. (together, the “Investment Banks”), and CS&L. Pursuant to the terms of the Exchange Agreement, Windstream agreed to transfer the CS&L Securities and cash to the Investment Banks, in exchange for the transfer by the Investment Banks to Windstream of certain debt securities of Windstream Services consisting of $1.7 billion aggregate principal amount of borrowings outstanding under Tranches A3, A4 and B4 of Windstream Services’ senior credit facility and $752.2 million aggregate principal amount of borrowings outstanding under the revolving line of credit held by the Investment Banks. On April 24, 2015, following the completion of the spin-off transaction, Windstream and the Investment Banks completed the exchange of debt securities pursuant to the terms of the Exchange Agreement. As part of the Exchange Agreement with the Investment Banks, Windstream incurred approximately $35.4 million of costs related to the exchange of the Windstream Services’ debt securities.
	The debt-for-debt exchange was accounted for under the extinguishment method of accounting and, as a result, Windstream Services recognized a loss due to the extinguishment of the aforementioned debt obligations of $21.5 million. In conjunction with the retirement of debt, Windstream Services terminated seven of its ten interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges of the variable cash flows paid on its senior secured credit facility. Windstream Services paid $22.7 million to terminate the interest rate swaps.
	As of the spin-off date, excluding restricted shares held by Windstream employees and directors, Windstream retained a passive ownership interest in approximately 19.6 percent of the common stock of CS&L. Windstream intends to use all of its shares of CS&L opportunistically during a twelve month period following the spin-off, subject to market conditions, to retire additional Windstream Services debt.
	The number of Windstream Holdings’ common shares outstanding did not change as a result of the spin-off. For employees and directors remaining with Windstream, restricted stock awarded pursuant to Windstream’s equity incentive plans and held by employees and directors at the time of the distribution continue to represent the right to receive shares of Windstream Holdings’ common stock. In addition, the holders of these restricted shares received restricted shares of CS&L common stock equivalent to the number of shares of CS&L common stock that was received with respect to each share of unrestricted Windstream Holdings’ common stock at the time of the distribution. The existing Windstream Holdings’ restricted stock and newly issued CS&L restricted stock will remain subject to vesting and other terms and conditions as prescribed by Windstream’s equity incentive plans. The number of Windstream Holdings’ shares underlying any outstanding stock options and the related per share exercise price were adjusted to maintain both the aggregate fair market value of stock underlying the stock options and the relationship between the per share exercise price and the related per share market value, pursuant to the terms of the applicable Windstream Holdings’ equity incentive plans and taking into account the change in the market value of Windstream Holdings’ common stock as a result of the distribution.
	13. Subsequent Events, Continued:
	Amendment to Senior Secured Credit Facility - In connection with the spin-off, on April 24, 2015, Windstream Services amended its senior secured credit facility to extend the maturity of its revolving credit facility to April 20, 2020. Otherwise, the borrowing capacity under the amended revolving credit agreement was unchanged and provides for borrowings up to an aggregate principal amount of $1,250.0 million.
	Redemption of Long-Term Debt - On April 24, 2015, Windstream Services called for redemption on May 27, 2015, all of its $400.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8.125 percent senior unsecured notes due September 1, 2018 (the “2018 Notes”), at a redemption price payable in cash equal to$1,040.63 per $1,000 principal amount of the notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to the redemption date. A notice of redemption was sent to all currently registered holders of the 2018 Notes by the trustee under the indenture governing the notes. Also on April 24, 2015, PAETEC Holding, LLC, a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Windstream Services, called for redemption on May 27, 2015, all $450.0 million of the outstanding aggregate principal amount of 9.875 percent notes due 2018 (the “PAETEC 2018 Notes”), at a redemption price payable in cash equal to $1,049.38 per $1,000 principal amount of the notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to the redemption date. A notice of redemption was sent to all currently registered holders of the 2018 PAETEC Notes. Windstream expects to use a portion of the $1.035 billion cash payment received from CS&L to redeem these two debt obligations.
	Master Lease Agreement - On April 24, 2015, Windstream Holdings entered into a long-term triple-net master lease with CS&L to lease back the telecommunications network assets. Under terms of the master lease, Windstream Holdings has the exclusive right to use the telecommunications network assets for an initial term of 15 years with up to four, five-year renewal options. CS&L has the right, but not the obligation, upon Windstream’ s request, to fund capital expenditures of Windstream in an aggregate amount of up to $250.0 million for a maximum period of five years. If CS&L exercises this right, the lease payments under the master lease will be adjusted at a rate of 8.125 percent of the capital expenditures funded by CS&L during the first two years and at a floating rate based on CS&L’s cost of capital thereafter. Additionally, if CS&L agrees to fund the entire $250.0 million, the initial term of the master lease will be increased from 15 years to 20 years and the number of renewal terms will be reduced from four renewal terms of five years each to three renewal terms of five years each. Windstream Holdings is required to pay all property taxes, insurance, and repair or maintenance costs associated with the leased property. The master lease provides for an annual rent of $650.0 million paid in equal monthly installments in advance and is fixed for the first three years. The effective interest rate on the long-term lease obligation is 10.15 percent. Thereafter, rent will increase on an annual basis at a base rent escalator of 0.5 percent. Future lease payments due under the agreement reset to fair market rental rates upon Windstream Holdings’ execution of the renewal options. Due to various forms of continuing involvement, including Windstream Services or its subsidiaries, remaining the legal counterparty to the various easements, permits and pole attachments related to the telecommunications network assets, we will account for the transaction as a failed sale-leaseback for financial reporting purposes. As a result, the net book value of the network assets transferred to CS&L will continue to be reported in our consolidated balance sheet and will be fully depreciated over the initial lease term of 15 years. We will record a long-term lease obligation of approximately $5.1 billion equal to the sum of the minimum future annual lease payments over the 15-year lease term discounted to the present value based on Windstream Services’ incremental borrowing rate. As annual lease payments are made, a portion of the payment will decrease the long-term lease obligation with the balance of the payment charged to interest expense using the effective interest method.
	Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation and Reverse Stock Split - On April 24, 2015, Windstream Holdings filed a certificate of amendment to its restated certificate of incorporation with the secretary of state of the State of Delaware. The certificate of amendment effected the previously approved reverse stock split of Windstream Holdings outstanding common stock at a ratio of one-for-six (the “reverse stock split”). As a result of the reverse stock split, effective April 26, 2015, Windstream Holdings’ authorized share capital was reduced to 200,000,000 shares, consisting of 33,333,333 shares of preferred stock, par value $.0001 per share, and 166,666,667 shares of common stock, par value $.0001 per share. At the time of the reverse stock split, the number of issued and outstanding shares of common stock of Windstream Holdings was reduced to approximately 100,900,000 shares. Following the completion of the reverse stock split, Windstream expects to pay an annual dividend of $.60 per share.
	Pre-Spin-off/Pre-Reverse Stock Split Pro Rata Dividend - On April 24, 2015, we made a cash distribution of $.0659 per share to our stockholders of record on April 10, 2015, which was equivalent to a pro-rated $.25 per share quarterly dividend.
	Initial Post Spin-off Dividend - On May 5, 2015, we declared a cash dividend of $.1104 per share on our common stock, which is equivalent of a prorated per share quarterly dividend for the period beginning April 25, 2015 and ending June 30, 2015, which is payable on July 15, 2015 to shareholders of record on June 30, 2015.

Background_and_Basis_for_Prese1

Background and Basis for Presentation: Revision to Prior Period Financial Statements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Revision to Prior Period Financial Statements [Abstract]
Quantifying Prior Year Misstatements Corrected in Current Year Financial Statements [Abstract]	The following tables present the effect of the revisions to Windstream Holdings’ consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and the annual periods ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.
		Three Months Ended							Year Ended
		31-Mar-14							31-Dec-14
	(Millions)	As Previously Reported		Effect of			As Revised		As Previously Reported		Effect of			As Revised
				Revision							Revision
	Cost of services	$	644.6	$	13.3		$	657.9	$	2,719.30	$	54		$	2,773.30
	Selling, general and administrative	252.2		(13.3		)	238.9		983.8		(54.0		)	929.8
		Year Ended							Year Ended
		31-Dec-13							31-Dec-12
	(Millions)	As Previously Reported		Effect of			As Revised		As Previously Reported		Effect of			As Revised
				Revision							Revision
	Cost of services	$	2,492.10	$	49.1		$	2,541.20	$	2,692.20	$	43.5		$	2,735.70
	Selling, general and administrative	923.4		(49.1		)	874.3		967.3		(43.5		)	923.8

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets: Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]	Other intangible assets were as follows at:
			March 31, 2015								December 31, 2014
	(Millions)		Gross			Accumulated			Net Carrying		Gross		Accumulated			Net Carrying
			Cost			Amortization			Value		Cost		Amortization			Value
	Franchise rights		$	1,285.10		$	(254.0	)	$	1,031.10	$	1,285.10	$	(243.3	)	$	1,041.80
	Customer lists		1,914.00			(1,249.8		)	664.2		1,914.00		(1,203.4		)	710.6
	Cable franchise rights		39.8			(28.5		)	11.3		39.8		(28.2		)	11.6
	Other (a)		42			(38.1		)	3.9		37.9		(37.9		)	—
	Balance		$	3,280.90		$	(1,570.4	)	$	1,710.50	$	3,276.80	$	(1,512.8	)	$	1,764.00
	(a)	During the first quarter of 2015, we acquired for cash non-exclusive licenses to various patents, which are being amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of 3 years.
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Methodology and Estimated Useful Life [Table Text Block]	Intangible asset amortization methodology and useful lives were as follows as of March 31, 2015:
	Intangible Assets		Amortization Methodology		Estimated Useful Life
	Franchise rights		straight-line		30 years
	Customer lists		sum-of-years-digits		9 - 15 years
	Cable franchise rights		straight-line		15 years
	Other		straight-line		1 - 3 years
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]	Amortization expense for intangible assets subject to amortization was $57.6 million for the three month period ended March 31, 2015, as compared to $65.6 million for the same period in 2014. Amortization expense for intangible assets subject to amortization was estimated to be as follows for each of the twelve month periods ended March 31:
	Year	(Millions)
	2016	$	215.2
	2017	187.1
	2018	159.1
	2019	131.3
	2020	106.2
	Thereafter	911.6
	Total	$	1,710.50

Longterm_Debt_and_Lease_Obliga1

Long-term Debt and Lease Obligations: (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Instruments [Abstract]
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments	Long-term debt was as follows at:
	(Millions)		March 31,				December 31,
			2015				2014
	Issued by Windstream Services:
	Senior secured credit facility, Tranche A3 – variable rates, due December 30, 2016 (a)		$	333.5			$	344.3
	Senior secured credit facility, Tranche A4 – variable rates, due August 8, 2017 (a)		247.5				255
	Senior secured credit facility, Tranche B4 – variable rates, due January 23, 2020 (a)		1,314.70				1,318.10
	Senior secured credit facility, Tranche B5 – variable rates, due August 8, 2019		582.6				584.1
	Senior secured credit facility, Revolving line of credit – variable rates, due		820				625
	December 17, 2015 (b)
	Debentures and notes, without collateral:
	2017 Notes – 7.875%, due November 1, 2017		1,100.00				1,100.00
	2018 Notes – 8.125%, due September 1, 2018 (c)		400				400
	2020 Notes – 7.750%, due October 15, 2020		700				700
	2021 Notes – 7.750%, due October 1, 2021		950				950
	2022 Notes – 7.500%, due June 1, 2022		500				500
	2023 Notes – 7.500%, due April 1, 2023		600				600
	2023 Notes – 6.375%, due August 1, 2023		700				700
	Issued by subsidiaries of Windstream Services:
	Windstream Holdings of the Midwest, Inc. – 6.75%, due April 1, 2028		100				100
	Cinergy Communications Company – 6.58%, due January 1, 2022 (d)		1.9				1.9
	Debentures and notes, without collateral:
	PAETEC 2018 Notes – 9.875%, due December 1, 2018 (c)		450				450
	Premium on long-term debt, net		20.4				23.3
			8,820.60				8,651.70
	Less current maturities		(92.5		)		(717.5		)
	Total long-term debt		$	8,728.10			$	7,934.20
	(a)	Subsequent to March 31, 2015, the debt obligation was retired in connection with completion of the debt-for-debt exchange (see Note 13).
	(b)	On April 24, 2015, Windstream Services amended the revolving line of credit and extended its maturity to April 24, 2020. In connection with the debt-for-debt exchange, Windstream Services retired $752.2 million of borrowings outstanding under the revolving line of credit. Immediately following the completion of the spin-off, Windstream Services had borrowings outstanding under the amended revolving line of credit of approximately $277.8 million (see Note 13).
	(c)	On April, 24, 2015, Windstream Services called for the redemption of these notes on May 27, 2015 (see Note 13).
	(d)	Note was repaid on April 24, 2015 utilizing available borrowings under the amended revolving line of credit.
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt [Table Text Block]	Maturities for long-term debt outstanding as of March 31, 2015, excluding $20.4 million of unamortized net premium, were as follows for each of the twelve month periods ended March 31:
	Year	(Millions)
	2016	$	912.5
	2017	339.9
	2018	1,306.90
	2019	869.5
	2020	1,820.10
	Thereafter	3,551.30
	Total	$	8,800.20
Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments for Capital Leases [Table Text Block]	Future minimum lease payments under capital lease obligations were as follows for each of the twelve month periods ended March 31:
	Year				(Millions)
	2016				$	31.9
	2017				17
	2018				2.1
	2019				0.6
	2020				0.6
	Thereafter				1.7
	Total future payments				53.9
	Less: Amounts representing interest				3.8
	Present value of minimum lease payments				$	50.1
Other Lease Obligations [Table Text Block]	Future minimum payments during the initial terms of the leases were as follows for each of the twelve month periods ended March 31:
	Year	(Millions)
	2016	$	6.4
	2017	6.6
	2018	6.8
	2019	6.9
	2020	7.1
	Thereafter	90.2
	Total	$	124
Interest Expense, Net Disclosure	Interest expense was as follows for the three month periods ended March 31:
								Three Months Ended
	(Millions)							2015			2014
	Interest expense related to long-term debt							$	133.6		$	134.5
	Impact of interest rate swaps							6.6			7.4
	Interest on capital and other lease obligations							2.4			1.1
	Less capitalized interest expense							(1.5		)	(1.1		)
	Total interest expense							$	141.1		$	141.9

Derivatives_Schedule_of_Deriva

Derivatives Schedule of Derivatives (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Derivative Instruments	Set forth below is information related to the interest rate swap agreements:
	(Millions, except for percentages)		March 31,				December 31,
			2015				2014
	Designated portion, measured at fair value:
	Other assets		$	—			$	0.4
	Other current liabilities		$	28.5			$	28.5
	Other non-current liabilities		$	54.7			$	48.7
	Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income		$	(3.7	)		$	4.9
	De-designated portion, unamortized value:
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss		$	(5.5	)		$	(8.8	)
	Weighted average fixed rate paid		3.57		%		3.57		%
	Variable rate received		0.17		%		0.16		%
Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) in Statement of Financial Performance	Changes in the value of these derivative instruments were as follows for the three month periods ended March 31:
	(Millions)		2015				2014
	Changes in fair value of effective portion, net of tax (a)		$	(5.2	)		$	(4.3	)
	Amortization of unrealized losses on de-designated interest rate swaps, net of tax (a)		$	2			$	2.6
	(a)	Included as a component of other comprehensive loss and will be reclassified into earnings as the hedged transaction affects earnings.
Offsetting Assets	Information pertaining to derivative assets was as follows:
										Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated
										Balance Sheets
	(Millions)	Gross Amount of Recognized				Net Amount of Assets presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets				Financial Instruments			Cash Collateral Received		Net Amount
		Assets
	December 31, 2014:
	Interest rate swaps	$	0.4			$	0.4			$	(0.3	)	$	—	$	0.1
Offsetting Liabilities	Information pertaining to derivative liabilities was as follows:
										Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated
										Balance Sheets
	(Millions)	Gross Amount of Recognized Liabilities				Net Amount of Liabilities presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets				Financial Instruments			Cash Collateral Received		Net Amount
	March 31, 2015:
	Interest rate swaps	$	83.2			$	83.2			$	—		$	—	$	83.2
	December 31, 2014:
	Interest rate swaps	$	77.2			$	77.2			$	(0.3	)	$	—	$	76.9

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements: (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair value of cash equivalents and interest rate swaps	The fair values of interest rate swaps and long-term debt were determined using the following inputs at:
	(Millions)		March 31,		December 31,
			2015		2014
	Recorded at Fair Value in the Financial Statements:
	Cash equivalents - Level 1		$	50.1	$	—
	Derivatives:
	Interest rate swap assets - Level 2		$	—	$	0.4
	Interest rate swap liabilities - Level 2		$	83.2	$	77.2
	Not Recorded at Fair Value in the Financial Statements: (a)
	Long-term debt, including current maturities - Level 2		$	8,835.90	$	8,777.50
	(a)	Recognized at carrying value of $8,820.6 million and $8,651.7 million in long-term debt, including current maturities, in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

Employee_Benefit_Plans_and_Pos1

Employee Benefit Plans and Postretirement Benefits: (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]
Pension And Other Postretirement Benefits, Net Periodic Benefit Costs, Disclosure	The components of pension benefit income (including provision for executive retirement agreements) were as follows for the three month periods ended March 31:
		Three Months Ended
	(Millions)	2015			2014
	Benefits earned during the period	$	2.4		$	2.2
	Interest cost on benefit obligation	13.4			14.7
	Expected return on plan assets	(17.6		)	(17.2		)
	Net periodic benefit income	$	(1.8	)	$	(0.3	)
	The components of postretirement benefits income were as follows for the three month periods ended March 31:
		Three Months Ended
	(Millions)	2015			2014
	Interest cost on benefit obligation	$	0.3		$	0.4
	Amortization of net actuarial loss	0.2			—
	Amortization of prior service credit	(1.3		)	(1.7		)
	Plan curtailments	—			(9.5		)
	Net periodic benefit income	$	(0.8	)	$	(10.8	)

ShareBased_Compensation_Plans_1

Share-Based Compensation Plans: (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit Activity	Restricted stock and restricted stock unit activity for the three month period ended March 31, 2015 was as follows:
		(Thousands)		Weighted
		Underlying Number of		Average Fair
		Shares		Value
	Non-vested at December 31, 2014	978		$	8.95
	Granted	—		$	—
	Vested	(354.6	)	$	9.3
	Forfeited	(98.1	)	$	8.38
	Non-vested at March 31, 2015	525.3		$	8.81
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Table Text Block]	A summary of share-based compensation expense was as follows for the three month period ended March 31:
					Three Months Ended
	(Millions)				2015		2014
	Restricted stock and restricted units				$	5	$	6.5
	Employee savings plan (See Note 7)				5.6		7.2
	Executive and management incentive compensation plans				4.2		—
	Share-based compensation expense				$	14.8	$	13.7

Merger_Integration_and_Restruc1

Merger, Integration and Restructuring Charges: (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Merger Integration and Restructuring Charges [Abstract]
Schedule of Merger, Integration and Restructuring Activities	The following is a summary of the merger, integration and restructuring charges recorded for the three month periods ended March 31:
					Three Months Ended
	(Millions)				2015		2014
	Merger and integration costs:
	Information technology conversion costs				$	3.5	$	7.1
	Consulting and other costs				10.6		0.8
	Total merger and integration costs				14.1		7.9
	Restructuring charges				7		12.4
	Total merger, integration and restructuring charges				$	21.1	$	20.3
Schedule of Restructuring and Reorganization Costs (Benefits), Net	The following is a summary of the activity related to the liabilities associated with merger, integration and restructuring charges at March 31:
	(Millions)	2015
	Balance, beginning of period	$	11.2
	Merger, integration and restructuring charges	21.1
	Cash outlays during the period	(19.8		)
	Balance, end of period	$	12.5

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income: (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Accumulated other comprehensive income balances, net of tax, were as follows:
	(Millions)		March 31,				December 31,
			2015				2014
	Pension and postretirement plans		$	13.6			$	14.5
	Unrealized holding (losses) gains on interest rate swaps:
	Designated portion		(2.2		)		3.1
	De-designated portion		(3.4		)		(5.5		)
	Accumulated other comprehensive income		$	8			$	12.1
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax [Table Text Block]	Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income balances, net of tax, were as follows:
	(Millions)		(Losses) Gains on Interest				Pension and				Total
			Rate Swaps				Postretirement
							Plans
	Balance at December 31, 2014		$	(2.4	)		$	14.5			$	12.1
	Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications		(5.2		)		—				(5.2		)
	Amounts reclassified from other accumulated comprehensive income (a)		2				(0.9		)		1.1
	Balance at March 31, 2015		$	(5.6	)		$	13.6			$	8
	(a)	See separate table below for details about these reclassifications.
Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income [Table Text Block]	Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income were as follows for the three month periods ended March 31:
						(Millions)
						Amount Reclassified from Accumulated
						Other Comprehensive Income
	Details about Accumulated Other					Three Months Ended								Affected Line Item in the
	Comprehensive Income Components													Consolidated Statements
						2015				2014				of Income
	Losses on interest rate swaps:
	Amortization of unrealized losses on					$	3.4			$	4.2			Interest expense
	de-designated interest rate swaps
						3.4				4.2				Income from continuing
														operations before income taxes
						(1.4		)		(1.6		)		Income taxes
						2				2.6				Net income
	Pension and postretirement plans:
	Plan curtailments					—				(9.5		)	(a)
	Amortization of net actuarial loss					0.2				—			(a)
	Amortization of prior service credits					(1.3		)		(1.7		)	(a)
						(1.1		)		(11.2		)		Income from continuing
														operations before income taxes
						0.2				4.2				Income taxes
						(0.9		)		(7.0		)		Net income
	Total reclassifications for the period,					$	1.1			$	(4.4	)		Net income
	net of tax
	(a)	These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic benefit income. See Note 7 for additional details.

Earnings_Per_Share_Schedule_of

Earnings Per Share: Schedule of Earnings per Share, Basic and Diluted (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]	A reconciliation of net income and number of shares used in computing basic and diluted earnings per share was as follows for the three month periods ended March 31:
		Three Months Ended
	(Millions, except per share amounts)	2015			2014
	Basic and diluted earnings per share:
	Numerator:
	Income from continuing operations	$	5.3		$	16
	Income from continuing operations allocable to participating	(0.7		)	(1.3		)
	securities
	Net income attributable to common shares	$	4.6		$	14.7
	Denominator:
	Basic shares outstanding
	Weighted average basic shares outstanding	100.8			99.6
	Weighted average participating securities	(0.9		)	(0.6		)
	Weighted average shares outstanding for basic earnings	99.9			99
	per share
	Diluted shares outstanding
	Weighted average shares outstanding for basic earnings per share	99.9			99
	Effect of dilutive stock options	0.1			0.1
	Weighted average shares outstanding for diluted earnings	100			99.1
	per share
	Basic and diluted earnings per share:
	Net income		$0.05			$0.15

Supplemental_Guarantor_Informa1

Supplemental Guarantor Information: (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Condensed Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income [Table Text Block]
		Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended
		31-Mar-15
	(Millions)	Windstream Services			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Consolidated
								Guarantors
	Revenues and sales:
	Service revenues	$	—		$	248.1		$	1,139.50		$	(5.8	)	$	1,381.80
	Product sales	—			9.2			27.6			—			36.8
	Total revenues and sales	—			257.3			1,167.10			(5.8		)	1,418.60
	Costs and expenses:
	Cost of services	—			90.5			595.3			(5.8		)	680
	Cost of products sold	—			9.3			22.6			—			31.9
	Selling, general and administrative	—			22.1			202.3			—			224.4
	Depreciation and amortization	4.9			74.4			261.4			—			340.7
	Merger and integration costs	—			—			14.1			—			14.1
	Restructuring charges	—			1.2			5.8			—			7
	Total costs and expenses	4.9			197.5			1,101.50			(5.8		)	1,298.10
	Operating (loss) income	(4.9		)	59.8			65.6			—			120.5
	Earnings from consolidated subsidiaries	46.5			15.1			0.6			(62.2		)	—
	Other (expense) income, net	(1.4		)	0.2			—			—			(1.2		)
	Intercompany interest income (expense)	32.4			(13.1		)	(19.3		)	—			—
	Interest expense	(128.9		)	(1.5		)	(10.7		)	—			(141.1		)
	(Loss) income before income taxes	(56.3		)	60.5			36.2			(62.2		)	(21.8		)
	Income tax (benefit) expense	(61.9		)	20.8			13.7			—			(27.4		)
	Net income	$	5.6		$	39.7		$	22.5		$	(62.2	)	$	5.6
	Comprehensive income	$	1.5		$	39.7		$	22.5		$	(62.2	)	$	1.5
	12. Supplemental Guarantor Information, Continued:
		Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended
		31-Mar-14
	(Millions)	Windstream Services			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Consolidated
								Guarantors
	Revenues and sales:
	Service revenues	$	—		$	259.6		$	1,164.30		$	(4.2	)	$	1,419.70
	Product sales	—			10			35.2			—			45.2
	Total revenues and sales	—			269.6			1,199.50			(4.2		)	1,464.90
	Costs and expenses:
	Cost of services	—			88.8			572.3			(3.2		)	657.9
	Cost of products sold	—			9.5			31.6			—			41.1
	Selling, general and administrative	—			22.7			216.7			(1.0		)	238.4
	Depreciation and amortization	5.6			74.2			259.1			—			338.9
	Merger and integration costs	—			—			7.4			—			7.4
	Restructuring charges	—			2.2			10.7			—			12.9
	Total costs and expenses	5.6			197.4			1,097.80			(4.2		)	1,296.60
	Operating (loss) income	(5.6		)	72.2			101.7			—			168.3
	Earnings from consolidated subsidiaries	80.1			12.3			0.6			(93.0		)	—
	Other income (expense), net	0.5			41.4			(41.0		)	—			0.9
	Intercompany interest income (expense)	31.6			(13.8		)	(17.8		)	—			—
	Interest expense	(130.7		)	(1.5		)	(9.7		)	—			(141.9		)
	(Loss) income before income taxes	(24.1		)	110.6			33.8			(93.0		)	27.3
	Income tax (benefit) expense	(40.4		)	38			13.4			—			11
	Net income	$	16.3		$	72.6		$	20.4		$	(93.0	)	$	16.3
	Comprehensive income	$	7.1		$	72.6		$	20.4		$	(93.0	)	$	7.1
		Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended
		31-Mar-15
	(Millions)	Windstream Services			PAETEC Issuer			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Consolidated
											Guarantors
	Revenues and sales:
	Service revenues	$	—		$	—		$	485.1		$	897.5		$	(0.8	)	$	1,381.80
	Product sales	—			—			26.2			10.8			(0.2		)	36.8
	Total revenues and sales	—			—			511.3			908.3			(1.0		)	1,418.60
	Costs and expenses:
Cost of services	—			—			336.2			344.4			(0.6		)	680
Cost of products sold	—			—			21			11.2			(0.3		)	31.9
Selling, general and administrative	—			—			123.8			100.7			(0.1		)	224.4
Depreciation and amortization	4.9			—			102.8			233			—			340.7
Merger and integration costs	—			—			—			14.1			—			14.1
Restructuring charges	—			—			2.3			4.7			—			7
Total costs and expenses	4.9			—			586.1			708.1			(1.0		)	1,298.10
Operating (loss) income	(4.9		)	—			(74.8		)	200.2			—			120.5
Earnings (losses) from consolidated	46.5			(40.6		)	(0.3		)	—			(5.6		)	—
subsidiaries
Other (expense) income, net	(1.4		)	—			0.1			0.1			—			(1.2		)
Intercompany interest income (expense)	32.4			—			—			(32.4		)	—			—
Interest (expense) income	(128.9		)	(9.7		)	0.2			(2.7		)	—			(141.1		)
(Loss) income before income taxes	(56.3		)	(50.3		)	(74.8		)	165.2			(5.6		)	(21.8		)
Income tax (benefit) expense	(61.9		)	(3.7		)	(28.7		)	66.9			—			(27.4		)
Net income (loss)	$	5.6		$	(46.6	)	$	(46.1	)	$	98.3		$	(5.6	)	$	5.6
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	1.5		$	(46.6	)	$	(46.1	)	$	98.3		$	(5.6	)	$	1.5
12. Supplemental Guarantor Information, Continued:
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended
	31-Mar-14
(Millions)	Windstream Services			PAETEC Issuer			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Consolidated
										Guarantors
Revenues and sales:
Service revenues	$	—		$	—		$	486.5		$	934.4		$	(1.2	)	$	1,419.70
Product sales	—			—			30.5			14.4			0.3			45.2
Total revenues and sales	—			—			517			948.8			(0.9		)	1,464.90
Costs and expenses:
Cost of services	—			—			305.3			353.4			(0.8		)	657.9
Cost of products sold	—			—			27.8			13			0.3			41.1
Selling, general and administrative	—			—			125.8			113			(0.4		)	238.4
Depreciation and amortization	5.6			—			101.8			231.5			—			338.9
Merger and integration costs	—			—			—			7.4			—			7.4
Restructuring charges	—			—			4.4			8.5			—			12.9
Total costs and expenses	5.6			—			565.1			726.8			(0.9		)	1,296.60
Operating (loss) income	(5.6		)	—			(48.1		)	222			—			168.3
Earnings (losses) from consolidated	80.1			(25.7		)	(0.1		)	0.1			(54.4		)	—
subsidiaries
Other income, net	0.5			—			0.3			0.1			—			0.9
Intercompany interest income (expense)	31.6			—			—			(31.6		)	—			—
Interest (expense) income	(130.7		)	(9.6		)	0.1			(1.7		)	—			(141.9		)
(Loss) income before income taxes	(24.1		)	(35.3		)	(47.8		)	188.9			(54.4		)	27.3
Income tax (benefit) expense	(40.4		)	(3.7		)	(18.4		)	73.5			—			11
Net income (loss)	$	16.3		$	(31.6	)	$	(29.4	)	$	115.4		$	(54.4	)	$	16.3
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	7.1		$	(31.6	)	$	(29.4	)	$	115.4		$	(54.4	)	$	7.1
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet [Table Text Block]
		Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet (Unaudited)
		As of March 31, 2015
	(Millions)	Windstream Services			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Consolidated
								Guarantors
	Assets
	Current Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	16.7		$	1		$	56.3		$	—		$	74
	Restricted cash	7.1			—			—			—			7.1
	Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful	—			140.6			517.9			—			658.5
	accounts of $42.3)
	Notes receivable - affiliate	—			4.8			—			(4.8		)	—
	Affiliates receivable, net	—			1,052.30			1,997.90			(3,050.2		)	—
	Inventories	—			38.4			24.6			—			63
	Deferred income taxes	57.6			9.2			24.9			—			91.7
	Prepaid expenses and other	28.6			20			123			—			171.6
	Total current assets	110			1,266.30			2,744.60			(3,055.0		)	1,065.90
	Investments in consolidated subsidiaries	10,056.10			980.8			278.5			(11,315.4		)	—
	Notes receivable - affiliate	—			316.8			—			(316.8		)	—
	Goodwill	1,649.50			825.6			1,877.70			—			4,352.80
	Other intangibles, net	582.6			345.4			782.5			—			1,710.50
	Net property, plant and equipment	9.5			1,243.50			4,062.00			—			5,315.00
	Other assets	99.6			18			57.3			—			174.9
	Total Assets	$	12,507.30		$	4,996.40		$	9,802.60		$	(14,687.2	)	$	12,619.10
	Liabilities and Equity
	Current Liabilities:
	Current maturities of long-term debt	$	92.4		$	—		$	0.1		$	—		$	92.5
	Current portion of interest rate swaps	28.5			—			—			—			28.5
	Accounts payable	1.1			43.6			287.3			—			332
	Affiliates payable, net	3,201.90			—			—			(3,050.2		)	151.7
	Notes payable - affiliate	—			—			4.8			(4.8		)	—
	Advance payments and customer deposits	—			15.6			198.9			—			214.5
	Accrued taxes	0.1			19.9			64.3			—			84.3
	Accrued interest	149.5			3.9			17			—			170.4
	Other current liabilities	38.7			13.8			229.9			—			282.4
	Total current liabilities	3,512.20			96.8			802.3			(3,055.0		)	1,356.30
	Long-term debt	8,158.80			99.6			469.7			—			8,728.10
	Notes payable - affiliate	—			—			316.8			(316.8		)	—
	Deferred income taxes	669.7			409.2			749.9			—			1,828.80
	Other liabilities	71.6			46.1			493.2			—			610.9
	Total liabilities	12,412.30			651.7			2,831.90			(3,371.8		)	12,524.10
	Commitments and Contingencies (See Note 6)
	Equity:
	Common stock	—			39.4			81.9			(121.3		)	—
	Additional paid-in capital	87			3,794.90			4,002.00			(7,796.9		)	87
	Accumulated other comprehensive income	8			—			13.6			(13.6		)	8
	Retained earnings	—			510.4			2,873.20			(3,383.6		)	—
	Total equity	95			4,344.70			6,970.70			(11,315.4		)	95
	Total Liabilities and Equity	$	12,507.30		$	4,996.40		$	9,802.60		$	(14,687.2	)	$	12,619.10
	12. Supplemental Guarantor Information, Continued:
		Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet (Unaudited)
		As of December 31, 2014
	(Millions)	Windstream Services			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Consolidated
								Guarantors
	Assets
	Current Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	—		$	2.1		$	51.7		$	(26.0	)	$	27.8
	Restricted cash	6.7			—			—			—			6.7
	Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful	—			136.5			499			—			635.5
	accounts of $43.4)
	Notes receivable - affiliate	—			4.8			—			(4.8		)	—
	Affiliates receivable, net	—			1,057.70			2,066.90			(3,124.6		)	—
	Inventories	—			36.9			26.8			—			63.7
	Deferred income taxes	67.4			10.5			27.5			—			105.4
Prepaid expenses and other	35.5			20.4			108.7			—			164.6
Total current assets	109.6			1,268.90			2,780.60			(3,155.4		)	1,003.70
Investments in consolidated subsidiaries	10,001.30			965.6			255.6			(11,222.5		)	—
Notes receivable - affiliate	—			317.7			—			(317.7		)	—
Goodwill	1,649.50			825.6			1,877.70			—			4,352.80
Other intangibles, net	590.7			355.2			818.1			—			1,764.00
Net property, plant and equipment	9.8			1,269.40			4,133.10			—			5,412.30
Other assets	104.2			17.1			59.3			—			180.6
Total Assets	$	12,465.10		$	5,019.50		$	9,924.40		$	(14,695.6	)	$	12,713.40
Liabilities and Equity
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	$	717.4		$	—		$	0.1		$	—		$	717.5
Current portion of interest rate swaps	28.5			—			—			—			28.5
Accounts payable	2.1			86.9			314.3			—			403.3
Affiliates payable, net	3,277.00			—			—			(3,124.6		)	152.4
Notes payable - affiliate	—			—			4.8			(4.8		)	—
Advance payments and customer deposits	—			16.6			198.1			—			214.7
Accrued taxes	0.2			23.8			71.2			—			95.2
Accrued interest	94.3			2.1			6.1			—			102.5
Other current liabilities	32.3			18			278.6			—			328.9
Total current liabilities	4,151.80			147.4			873.2			(3,129.4		)	2,043.00
Long-term debt	7,363.40			99.6			471.2			—			7,934.20
Notes payable - affiliate	—			—			317.7			(317.7		)	—
Deferred income taxes	658.6			418.8			801.2			—			1,878.60
Other liabilities	66.5			45.7			520.6			—			632.8
Total liabilities	12,240.30			711.5			2,983.90			(3,447.1		)	12,488.60
Commitments and Contingencies (See Note 6)
Equity:
Common stock	—			39.4			81.9			(121.3		)	—
Additional paid-in capital	212.7			3,794.90			4,002.00			(7,796.9		)	212.7
Accumulated other comprehensive income	12.1			—			14.5			(14.5		)	12.1
Retained earnings	—			473.7			2,842.10			(3,315.8		)	—
Total equity	224.8			4,308.00			6,940.50			(11,248.5		)	224.8
Total Liabilities and Equity	$	12,465.10		$	5,019.50		$	9,924.40		$	(14,695.6	)	$	12,713.40
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet (Unaudited)
	As of March 31, 2015
(Millions)	Windstream Services			PAETEC Issuer			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Consolidated
										Guarantors
Assets
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	16.7		$	—		$	2.6		$	54.7		$	—		$	74
Restricted cash	7.1			—			—			—			—			7.1
Accounts receivable (less allowance for	—			—			304.6			355			(1.1		)	658.5
doubtful accounts of $42.3)
Affiliates receivable, net	—			351			—			4,180.70			(4,531.7		)	—
Inventories	—			—			16.8			46.2			—			63
Deferred income taxes	57.6			—			—			75.2			(41.1		)	91.7
Prepaid expenses and other	28.6			—			34.9			106.1			2			171.6
Total current assets	110			351			358.9			4,817.90			(4,571.9		)	1,065.90
Investments in consolidated subsidiaries	10,056.10			—			0.6			—			(10,056.7		)	—
Goodwill	1,649.50			643.8			—			2,059.50			—			4,352.80
Other intangibles, net	582.6			—			387.2			740.7			—			1,710.50
Net property, plant and equipment	9.5			—			669			4,636.50			—			5,315.00
Deferred income taxes	—			218.1			83.3			—			(301.4		)	—
Other assets	99.6			—			16.6			58.7			—			174.9
Total Assets	$	12,507.30		$	1,212.90		$	1,515.60		$	12,313.30		$	(14,930.0	)	$	12,619.10
Liabilities and Equity
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	$	92.4		$	—		$	—		$	0.1		$	—		$	92.5
Current portion of interest rate swaps	28.5			—			—			—			—			28.5
Accounts payable	1.1			—			95.5			235.4			—			332
Affiliates payable, net	3,201.90			—			1,475.90			—			(4,526.1		)	151.7
Advance payments and customer deposits	—			—			80.7			133.8			—			214.5
Accrued taxes	0.1			—			22.6			61.1			0.5			84.3
Accrued interest	149.5			14.8			1.7			4.4			—			170.4
Other current liabilities	38.7			4.9			73			208.1			(42.3		)	282.4
Total current liabilities	3,512.20			19.7			1,749.40			642.9			(4,567.9		)	1,356.30
Long-term debt	8,158.80			467.9			—			101.4			—			8,728.10
Deferred income taxes	669.7			—			—			1,460.50			(301.4		)	1,828.80
Accumulated losses in excess of investments	—			250.9			—			—			(250.9		)	—
in consolidated subsidiaries
Other liabilities	71.6			1.6			53.1			484.6			—			610.9
Total liabilities	12,412.30			740.1			1,802.50			2,689.40			(5,120.2		)	12,524.10
Commitments and Contingencies
(See Note 6)
Equity:
Common stock	—			—			—			67.7			(67.7		)	—
Additional paid-in capital	87			842			0.7			6,017.10			(6,859.8		)	87
Accumulated other comprehensive income	8			—			—			19.6			(19.6		)	8
Accumulated (deficit) retained earnings	—			(369.2		)	(287.6		)	3,519.50			(2,862.7		)	—
Total equity	95			472.8			(286.9		)	9,623.90			(9,809.8		)	95
Total Liabilities and Equity	$	12,507.30		$	1,212.90		$	1,515.60		$	12,313.30		$	(14,930.0	)	$	12,619.10
12. Supplemental Guarantor Information, Continued:
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet (Unaudited)
	As of December 31, 2014
(Millions)	Windstream Services			PAETEC Issuer			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Consolidated
										Guarantors
Assets
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	—		$	—		$	4.6		$	49.2		$	(26.0	)	$	27.8
Restricted cash	6.7			—			—			—			—			6.7
Accounts receivable (less allowance for	—			—			286.1			350.5			(1.1		)	635.5
doubtful accounts of $43.4)
Affiliates receivable, net	—			346.6			—			4,187.70			(4,534.3		)	—
Inventories	—			—			19.4			44.3			—			63.7
Deferred income taxes	67.4			—			—			76.5			(38.5		)	105.4
Prepaid expenses and other	35.5			—			30.9			96.5			1.7			164.6
Total current assets	109.6			346.6			341			4,804.70			(4,598.2		)	1,003.70
Investments in consolidated subsidiaries	10,001.30			—			0.9			—			(10,002.2		)	—
Goodwill	1,649.50			643.8			—			2,059.50			—			4,352.80
Other intangibles, net	590.7			—			413.6			759.7			—			1,764.00
Net property, plant and equipment	9.8			—			697.1			4,705.40			—			5,412.30
Deferred income taxes	—			219			63.7			—			(282.7		)	—
Other assets	104.2			—			16.8			59.6			—			180.6
Total Assets	$	12,465.10		$	1,209.40		$	1,533.10		$	12,388.90		$	(14,883.1	)	$	12,713.40
Liabilities and Equity
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	$	717.4		$	—		$	—		$	0.1		$	—		$	717.5
Current portion of interest rate swaps	28.5			—			—			—			—			28.5
Accounts payable	2.1			—			101.9			299.3			—			403.3
Affiliates payable, net	3,277.00			—			1,430.40			—			(4,555.0		)	152.4
Advance payments and customer deposits	—			—			78.5			136.2			—			214.7
Accrued taxes	0.2			—			25.2			69.4			0.4			95.2
Accrued interest	94.3			3.7			1.8			2.7			—			102.5
Other current liabilities	32.3			4.9			83			248.3			(39.6		)	328.9
Total current liabilities	4,151.80			8.6			1,720.80			756			(4,594.2		)	2,043.00
Long-term debt	7,363.40			469.4			—			101.4			—			7,934.20
Deferred income taxes	658.6			—			—			1,502.70			(282.7		)	1,878.60
Accumulated losses in excess of investments	—			210.4			—			—			(210.4		)	—
in consolidated subsidiaries
Other liabilities	66.5			1.7			53			511.6			—			632.8
Total liabilities	12,240.30			690.1			1,773.80			2,871.70			(5,087.3		)	12,488.60
Commitments and Contingencies
(See Note 6)
Equity:
Common stock	—			—			—			67.7			(67.7		)	—
Additional paid-in capital	212.7			842			0.7			6,017.10			(6,859.8		)	212.7
Accumulated other comprehensive income	12.1			—			—			20.5			(20.5		)	12.1
Accumulated (deficit) retained earnings	—			(322.7		)	(241.4		)	3,411.90			(2,847.8		)	—
Total equity	224.8			519.3			(240.7		)	9,517.20			(9,795.8		)	224.8
Total Liabilities and Equity	$	12,465.10		$	1,209.40		$	1,533.10		$	12,388.90		$	(14,883.1	)	$	12,713.40
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows [Table Text Block]
		Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended
		31-Mar-15
	(Millions)	Windstream Services			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Consolidated
								Guarantors
	Cash Provided from Operations:
	Net cash provided from operations	$	64.7		$	38.1		$	141.3		$	—		$	244.1
	Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
	Additions to property, plant and equipment	(0.3		)	(29.5		)	(159.5		)	—			(189.3		)
	Changes in restricted cash	(0.4		)	—			—			—			(0.4		)
	Grant funds received for broadband	7.4			—			—			—			7.4
	stimulus projects
	Network expansion funded by Connect America	—			(1.4		)	(6.9		)	—			(8.3		)
	Fund - Phase I
	Other, net	(4.1		)	0.1			1.9			—			(2.1		)
	Net cash provided from (used in)	2.6			(30.8		)	(164.5		)	—			(192.7		)
	investing activities
	Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
	Distributions to Windstream Holdings, Inc.	(151.8		)	—			—			—			(151.8		)
	Repayments of debt and swaps	(325.4		)	—			—			—			(325.4		)
	Proceeds of debt issuance	490			—			—			—			490
	Intercompany transactions, net	(56.6		)	(5.1		)	35.7			26			—
	Payments under capital lease obligations	—			(4.2		)	(7.0		)	—			(11.2		)
	Other, net	(6.8		)	0.9			(0.9		)	—			(6.8		)
	Net cash (used in) provided from	(50.6		)	(8.4		)	27.8			26			(5.2		)
	financing activities
	Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	16.7			(1.1		)	4.6			26			46.2
	Cash and Cash Equivalents:
	Beginning of period	—			2.1			51.7			(26.0		)	27.8
	End of period	$	16.7		$	1		$	56.3		$	—		$	74
	12. Supplemental Guarantor Information, Continued:
		Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended
		31-Mar-14
	(Millions)	Windstream Services			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Consolidated
								Guarantors
	Cash Provided from Operations:
	Net cash provided from operations	$	66.7		$	103.5		$	150.1		$	—		$	320.3
	Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
	Additions to property, plant and equipment	(0.4		)	(10.1		)	(142.5		)	—			(153.0		)
	Broadband network expansion funded by	—			(0.3		)	(6.8		)	—			(7.1		)
	stimulus grants
	Changes in restricted cash	(0.9		)	—			—			—			(0.9		)
	Grant funds received for broadband	11.4			—			—			—			11.4
	stimulus projects
	Grant funds received from Connect America Fund	—			9.4			16.6			—			26
	- Phase I
	Net cash provided from (used in)	10.1			(1.0		)	(132.7		)	—			(123.6		)
	investing activities
	Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
	Distributions to Windstream Holdings, Inc.	(150.7		)	—			—			—			(150.7		)
	Repayments of debt and swaps	(331.6		)	—			—			—			(331.6		)
	Proceeds of debt issuance	325			—			—			—			325
	Intercompany transactions, net	97.4			(102.1		)	4.7			—			—
	Payments under capital lease obligations	—			—			(7.8		)	—			(7.8		)
	Other, net	(9.8		)	0.9			(0.9		)	—			(9.8		)
	Net cash used in financing activities	(69.7		)	(101.2		)	(4.0		)	—			(174.9		)
	Increase in cash and cash equivalents	7.1			1.3			13.4			—			21.8
	Cash and Cash Equivalents:
	Beginning of period	13.7			0.7			33.8			—			48.2
	End of period	$	20.8		$	2		$	47.2		$	—		$	70
		Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended
31-Mar-15
(Millions)	Windstream Services			PAETEC			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Consolidated
				Issuer						Guarantors
Cash Provided from Operations:
Net cash provided from operations	$	64.7		$	4.4		$	11.7		$	163.5		$	(0.2	)	$	244.1
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(0.3		)	—			(42.4		)	(146.6		)	—			(189.3		)
Changes in restricted cash	(0.4		)	—			—			—			—			(0.4		)
Grant funds received for broadband	7.4			—			—			—			—			7.4
stimulus projects
Network expansion funded by Connect	—			—			—			(8.3		)	—			(8.3		)
America Fund - Phase I
Other, net	(4.1		)	—			—			2			—			(2.1		)
Net cash provided from (used in)	2.6			—			(42.4		)	(152.9		)	—			(192.7		)
investing activities
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Distributions to Windstream Holdings, Inc.	(151.8		)	—			—			—			—			(151.8		)
Repayments of debt and swaps	(325.4		)	—			—			—			—			(325.4		)
Proceeds of debt issuance	490			—			—			—			—			490
Intercompany transactions, net	(56.6		)	(4.4		)	29.8			5			26.2			—
Payments under capital lease obligations	—			—			(1.1		)	(10.1		)	—			(11.2		)
Other, net	(6.8		)	—			—			—			—			(6.8		)
Net cash (used in) provided from	(50.6		)	(4.4		)	28.7			(5.1		)	26.2			(5.2		)
financing activities
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash	16.7			—			(2.0		)	5.5			26			46.2
equivalents
Cash and Cash Equivalents:
Beginning of period	—			—			4.6			49.2			(26.0		)	27.8
End of period	$	16.7		$	—		$	2.6		$	54.7		$	—		$	74
12. Supplemental Guarantor Information, Continued:
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended
	31-Mar-14
(Millions)	Windstream Services			PAETEC			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Consolidated
				Issuer						Guarantors
Cash Provided from Operations:
Net cash provided from operations	$	66.7		$	5.1		$	2.8		$	245.7		$	—		$	320.3
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(0.4		)	—			(36.2		)	(116.4		)	—			(153.0		)
Broadband network expansion funded by	—			—			—			(7.1		)	—			(7.1		)
stimulus grants
Changes in restricted cash	(0.9		)	—			—			—			—			(0.9		)
Grant funds received for broadband	11.4			—			—			—			—			11.4
stimulus projects
Grant funds received from Connect America	—			—			—			26			—			26
Fund - Phase I
Net cash provided from (used in)	10.1			—			(36.2		)	(97.5		)	—			(123.6		)
investing activities
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Distributions to Windstream Holdings, Inc.	(150.7		)	—			—			—			—			(150.7		)
Repayments of debt and swaps	(331.6		)	—			—			—			—			(331.6		)
Proceeds of debt issuance	325			—			—			—			—			325
Intercompany transactions, net	97.4			(5.1		)	32.2			(124.5		)	—			—
Payments under capital lease obligations	—			—			(2.0		)	(5.8		)	—			(7.8		)
Other, net	(9.8		)	—			—			—			—			(9.8		)
Net cash (used in) provided from	(69.7		)	(5.1		)	30.2			(130.3		)	—			(174.9		)
financing activities
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash	7.1			—			(3.2		)	17.9			—			21.8
equivalents
Cash and Cash Equivalents:
Beginning of period	13.7			—			7.8			26.7			—			48.2
End of period	$	20.8		$	—		$	4.6		$	44.6		$	—		$	70

Background_and_Basis_for_Prese2

Background and Basis for Presentation: (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Apr. 26, 2015
	data_centers
	Mi
	states
Limited Liability Company (LLC) or Limited Partnership (LP), Members or Limited Partners, Ownership Interest	100.00%
Common stock, shares authorized	166,700,000	166,700,000
Number of states of operation	48
Local and long-haul fiber network	121,000
Number of data centers	27
Debt Issuance Cost	$84	$87.70
Write off of Deferred Debt Issuance Cost	$13
Windstream Holdings, Inc.
Common stock, shares authorized, Pre-Reverse Stock Split	1,000,000,000
Common stock, shares authorized	166,700,000
Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation and Reverse Stock Split | Windstream Holdings, Inc.
Share conversion factor - post stock split			1
Share conversion factor - pre stock split			6

Background_and_Basis_for_Prese3

Background and Basis for Presentation: Revision of Prior Period Financial Statements (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Quantifying Misstatement in Current Year Financial Statements [Line Items]
Cost of services	$680	$657.90	$2,773.30	$2,541.20	$2,735.70
Selling, general and administrative	225	238.9	929.8	874.3	923.8
Cost of services | Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]
Quantifying Misstatement in Current Year Financial Statements [Line Items]
Immaterial Error Correction		644.6	2,719.30	2,492.10	2,692.20
Cost of services | Restatement Adjustment [Member]
Quantifying Misstatement in Current Year Financial Statements [Line Items]
Immaterial Error Correction		13.3	54	49.1	43.5
Selling, general and administrative | Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]
Quantifying Misstatement in Current Year Financial Statements [Line Items]
Immaterial Error Correction		252.2	983.8	923.4	967.3
Selling, general and administrative | Restatement Adjustment [Member]
Quantifying Misstatement in Current Year Financial Statements [Line Items]
Immaterial Error Correction		($13.30)	($54)	($49.10)	($43.50)

Intangible_Assets_Details

Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
	units
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Amortization expense for intangible assets subject to amortization	$57.60		$65.60
Reporting Units	3
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Cost	3,280.90			3,276.80
Accumulated Amortization	-1,570.40			-1,512.80
Net Carrying Value	1,710.50			1,764
Franchise rights
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Cost	1,285.10			1,285.10
Accumulated Amortization	-254			-243.3
Net Carrying Value	1,031.10			1,041.80
Customer lists
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Cost	1,914			1,914
Accumulated Amortization	-1,249.80			-1,203.40
Net Carrying Value	664.2			710.6
Cable franchise rights
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Cost	39.8			39.8
Accumulated Amortization	-28.5			-28.2
Net Carrying Value	11.3			11.6
Other (a)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Cost	42	[1]		37.9
Accumulated Amortization	-38.1	[1]		-37.9
Net Carrying Value	$3.90	[1]		$0
[1]	During the first quarter of 2015, we acquired for cash non-exclusive licenses to various patents, which are being amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of 3 years.

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets: Intangible Asset Amortization Methodology and Useful Lives (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Franchise rights
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Method	straight-line
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	30 years
Customer lists
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Method	sum-of-years-digits
Customer lists | Minimum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	9 years
Customer lists | Maximum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	15 years
Cable franchise rights
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Method	straight-line
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	15 years
Other (a)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Method	straight-line
Other (a) | Minimum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	1 year
Other (a) | Maximum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	3 years

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_3

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets: Schedule of Intangibles Assets, Future Amortization (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Amortization Expense, Rolling Maturity [Abstract]
2016	$215.20
2017	187.1
2018	159.1
2019	131.3
2020	106.2
Thereafter	911.6
Net Carrying Value	$1,710.50	$1,764

LongTerm_Debt_Details

Long-Term Debt (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Premium on long-term debt, net	$20.40		$23.30
Carrying value	8,820.60		8,651.70
Less current maturities	-92.5		-717.5
Total long-term debt	8,728.10		7,934.20
Senior secured credit facility, Tranche A3 - variable rates, due December 30, 2016 | Secured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior secured credit facility	333.5	[1]	344.3
Senior secured credit facility, Tranche A4 - variable rates, due August 8, 2017 | Secured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior secured credit facility	247.5	[1]	255
Senior secured credit facility, Tranche B4 - variable rates, due January 23, 2020 | Secured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior secured credit facility	1,314.70	[1]	1,318.10
Senior secured credit facility, Tranche B5 - variable rates, due August 8, 2019 | Secured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior secured credit facility	582.6		584.1
Senior secured credit facility, Revolving line of credit - variable rates, due 2020 | Line of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Line of Credit	820	[2]	625
2017 Notes - 7.875%, due November 1, 2017 | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debentures and notes, without collateral	1,100		1,100
2018 Notes - 8.125%, due September 1, 2018 | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debentures and notes, without collateral	400	[3]	400
2020 Notes - 7.750%, due October 15, 2020 | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debentures and notes, without collateral	700		700
2021 Notes - 7.750% due October 1, 2021 | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debentures and notes, without collateral	950		950
2022 Notes - 7.500% due June 1, 2022 | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debentures and notes, without collateral	500		500
2023 Notes - 7.500% due April 1, 2023 | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debentures and notes, without collateral	600		600
2023 Notes - 6.375%, due August 1, 2023 | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debentures and notes, without collateral	700		700
Windstream Holdings of the Midwest, Inc. | 6.75%, due April 1, 2028 | Secured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debentures and notes issued by subsidiaries	100		100
Cinergy Communications Company | 6.58%, due January 1, 2022 | Secured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debentures and notes issued by subsidiaries	1.9	[4]	1.9
PAETEC Holding Corp. | 2018 Notes - 9.875% due December 1, 2018 | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Debt Assumed	$450	[3]	$450
[1]	Subsequent to March 31, 2015, the debt obligation was retired in connection with completion of the debt-for-debt exchange (see Note 13).
[2]	On April 24, 2015, Windstream Services amended the revolving line of credit and extended its maturity to April 24, 2020. In connection with the debt-for-debt exchange, Windstream Services retired $752.2 million of borrowings outstanding under the revolving line of credit. Immediately following the completion of the spin-off, Windstream Services had borrowings outstanding under the amended revolving line of credit of approximately $277.8 million (see Note 13).
[3]	On April, 24, 2015, Windstream Services called for the redemption of these notes on May 27, 2015 (see Note 13).
[4]	Note was repaid on April 24, 2015 utilizing available borrowings under the amended revolving line of credit.

LongTerm_Debt_Interest_Rate_De

Long-Term Debt Interest Rate (Details)	Mar. 31, 2015
Unsecured Debt | 2017 Notes - 7.875%, due November 1, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	7.88%
Unsecured Debt | 2018 Notes - 8.125%, due September 1, 2018
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	8.13%
Unsecured Debt | 2020 Notes - 7.750%, due October 15, 2020
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	7.75%
Unsecured Debt | 2021 Notes - 7.750% due October 1, 2021
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	7.75%
Unsecured Debt | 2022 Notes - 7.500% due June 1, 2022
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	7.50%
Unsecured Debt | 2023 Notes - 7.500% due April 1, 2023
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	7.50%
Unsecured Debt | 2023 Notes - 6.375%, due August 1, 2023
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	6.38%
Windstream Holdings of the Midwest, Inc. | Secured Debt | 6.75%, due April 1, 2028
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	6.75%
Cinergy Communications Company | Secured Debt | 6.58%, due January 1, 2022
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	6.58%
PAETEC Holding Corp. | Unsecured Debt | 2018 Notes - 9.875% due December 1, 2018
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	9.88%

Debt_Additional_Information_De

Debt - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014	Apr. 24, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Leverage ration under covenant	4.5
Interest coverage ratio under covenant	2.75
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount (Premium), Net	($20.40)				($23.30)
Fair Value of Assets Acquired	4.2		5.1
Line of Credit | Senior secured credit facility, Revolving line of credit - variable rates, due 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Increase, Additional Borrowings	490
Line of Credit Facility, Decrease, Repayments	295
Long-term Line of Credit	820	[1]			625
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	1,250
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	20.8
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity	409.2
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum	2.41%		2.41%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Maximum	4.50%		4.50%
Long-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate	2.52%		2.53%
PAETEC Holding Corp.
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Leverage ration under covenant	4.75
Spin-off of Certain Network and Real Estate Assets | Line of Credit | Senior secured credit facility, Revolving line of credit - variable rates, due 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Decrease, Repayments				752.2
Long-term Line of Credit				$277.80
[1]	On April 24, 2015, Windstream Services amended the revolving line of credit and extended its maturity to April 24, 2020. In connection with the debt-for-debt exchange, Windstream Services retired $752.2 million of borrowings outstanding under the revolving line of credit. Immediately following the completion of the spin-off, Windstream Services had borrowings outstanding under the amended revolving line of credit of approximately $277.8 million (see Note 13).

Longterm_Debt_and_Lease_Obliga2

Long-term Debt and Lease Obligations: Maturity of Long-term Debt (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Long-term Debt, Rolling Maturity [Abstract]
2016	$912.50
2017	339.9
2018	1,306.90
2019	869.5
2020	1,820.10
Thereafter	3,551.30
Total	$8,800.20

Longterm_Debt_and_Lease_Obliga3

Long-term Debt and Lease Obligations: Capital Lease Obligations (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Capital Lease Obligations [Abstract]
2016	$31.90
2017	17
2018	2.1
2019	0.6
2020	0.6
Thereafter	1.7
Total future payments	53.9
Less: Amounts representing interest	3.8
Present value of minimum lease payments	$50.10

Longterm_Debt_and_Lease_Obliga4

Long-term Debt and Lease Obligations: Other Lease Obligations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Other Lease Obligations [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Employer, Non Cash, Value	$80.90
Other Lease Obligation, Lease Terms	10 years
Total Other Lease Obligation		81.1	81
2016		6.4
2017		6.6
2018		6.8
2019		6.9
2020		7.1
Thereafter		90.2
Total		124
Pension Plan [Member]
Other Lease Obligations [Line Items]
Other Lease Obligation, Lease Terms	20 years
Other Lease Obligation, Annual Rental Payments	$6.30
Number of Renewal Options	3
Lease Term of Renewal Options	5 years
Minimum | Pension Plan [Member]
Other Lease Obligations [Line Items]
Annual Rent Escalations	2.00%
Maximum | Pension Plan [Member]
Other Lease Obligations [Line Items]
Annual Rent Escalations	3.00%

Interest_Expense_Details

Interest Expense (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Interest Expense [Abstract]
Interest expense related to long-term debt	$133.60	$134.50
Impact of interest rate swaps	6.6	7.4
Interest on capital and other lease obligations	2.4	1.1
Less capitalized interest expense	-1.5	-1.1
Total interest expense	$141.10	$141.90

Derivatives_Additional_informa

Derivatives Additional information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014		Oct. 17, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	31-May-13	Jan. 17, 2011
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative, Number of Instruments Held	10				4
Other Expense
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedge Ineffectiveness, Net	($2.30)		$0
Interest Rate Swap
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative, Number of Instruments Held							6
Weighted average fixed rate paid	3.57%				3.39%	3.57%		4.55%
Derivative, Lower Fixed Interest Rate Range							1.03%
Derivative, Higher Fixed Interest Rate Range							1.04%
Derivative, Basis Spread on Fixed Rate							2.75%
Derivative, Basis Spread on Variable Rate							0.75%
Variable rate received	0.17%					0.16%
Debt Instrument, Credit Rating	A
August 21, 2012 Transaction Date [Domain]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Notional Amount of Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Derivatives	900
May 31, 2013 Transaction Date [Domain]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Notional Amount of Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Derivatives	750
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Interest Rate Swap | Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Changes in fair value of effective portion, net of tax (a)	-5.2	[1]	-4.3	[1]
De-Designated Hedging Instrument [Member] | Interest Rate Swap
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) to be Reclassified During Next 12 Months, Net	-5
De-Designated Hedging Instrument [Member] | Interest Rate Swap | Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Amortization of unrealized losses on de-designated interest rate swaps, net of tax (a)	2	[1]	2.6	[1]
Other Assets [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Interest Rate Swap
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Derivative at Fair Value, Net	0					0.4
Other current liabilities | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Interest Rate Swap
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Derivative at Fair Value, Net	28.5					28.5
Other noncurrent liabilities | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Interest Rate Swap
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Derivative at Fair Value, Net	54.7					48.7
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Interest Rate Swap
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Derivative at Fair Value, Net	-3.7					4.9
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | De-Designated Hedging Instrument [Member] | Interest Rate Swap
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Derivative at Fair Value, Net	($5.50)					-8.8
[1]	Included as a component of other comprehensive loss and will be reclassified into earnings as the hedged transaction affects earnings.

Derivatives_Offsetting_Details

Derivatives Offsetting (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Gross Amount of Recognized Assets		$0.40
Net Amount of Assets presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets		0.4
Financial Instruments, Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, Derivative Assets		-0.3
Cash Collateral Received, Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, Derivative Asset		0
Net Amount, Derivative Asset		0.1
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Gross Amount of Recognized Liabilities, Derivatives	83.2	77.2
Net Amount of Liabilities, Derivatives, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	83.2	77.2
Financial Instruments, Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, Derivative Liabilities	0	-0.3
Cash Collateral Received, Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, Derivative Liabilities	0	0
Net Amount, Derivative Liabilities	$83.20	$76.90

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements: (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Item]
Interest rate swap liabilities - Level 2	$83.20		$77.20
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 measurements:
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Item]
Cash Equivalents - Level 1	50.1		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 measurements:
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Item]
Long-term debt, including current maturities	8,835.90	[1]	8,777.50	[1]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 measurements: | Other liabilities | Interest Rate Swap
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Item]
Interest rate swap assets - Level 2	0		0.4
Interest rate swap liabilities - Level 2	$83.20		$77.20
[1]	Recognized at carrying value of $8,820.6 million and $8,651.7 million in long-term debt, including current maturities, in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

Fair_Value_Measurements_Fair_V

Fair Value Measurements: Fair Value (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Reported Value Measurement [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term debt, including current maturities	$8,820.60	$8,651.70
Other liabilities | Interest Rate Swap
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Decrease in fair value of interest rate swaps to reflect non-performance risk	$4.10	$3.30

Employee_Benefit_Plans_and_Pos2

Employee Benefit Plans and Postretirement Benefits: Components of Pension Expense and Postretirement Expense (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Pension Benefits
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Benefits earned during the year	$2.40	$2.20
Interest cost on benefit obligation	13.4	14.7
Expected return on plan assets	-17.6	-17.2
Net periodic benefit expense (income)	-1.8	-0.3
Postretirement Benefits
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Interest cost on benefit obligation	0.3	0.4
Amortization of net actuarial loss	0.2	0
Amortization of prior service credit	-1.3	-1.7
Plan curtailments	0	-9.5
Net periodic benefit expense (income)	($0.80)	($10.80)

Employee_Benefit_Plans_and_Pos3

Employee Benefit Plans and Postretirement Benefits: (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percent of Match	4.00%
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percent of Employees' Gross Pay	5.00%
Company's 401(k) Employer Match Expense	$5.60	$7.20
Annual matching contribution to defined contribution plan, Common Stock	2.7
Defined Contribution Plan, Contributions by Employer, Common Stock, Value	21.6
Pension Benefits
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Next Fiscal Year	0.8
Postretirement Benefits
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Plan curtailments	0	9.5
Postretirement Benefit Contributions	0.5
Defined Benefit Plan, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Next Fiscal Year	1.8
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Postretirement Benefits
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Plan curtailments		9.5
Cost of services | Postretirement Benefits
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Plan curtailments		5.1
Selling, general and administrative | Postretirement Benefits
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Plan curtailments		$4.40

ShareBased_Compensation_Plans_2

Share-Based Compensation Plans: Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit Activity (Details) (Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units [Member]
(Thousands) Underlying Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance, Number of Shares	978,000
Granted	0
Vested	-354,600
Forfeited	-98,100
Ending balance, Number of Shares	525,300
Weighted Average Fair Value
Beginning balance, Weighted Average Fair Value	$8.95
Granted	$0
Vested	$9.30
Forfeited	$8.38
Ending balance, Weighted Average Fair Value	$8.81

ShareBased_Compensation_Plans_3

Share-Based Compensation Plans: Schedule of Share-Based Compensation Expense (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Employee savings plan (See Note 7)	$5.60	$7.20
Executive and management incentive compensation plans	4.2	0
Share-based compensation expense	14.8	13.7
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units [Member] | Common Stock and Additional Paid-In Capital
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Restricted stock and restricted units	$5	$6.50

ShareBased_Compensation_Plans_4

Share-Based Compensation Plans - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Apr. 26, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Operating Target Consideration Period	3 years
Unrecognized compensation expense	$22.60
Unrecognized compensation expense, weighted average vesting period (in years)	1 year 8 months
Share-based compensation expense (See Note 8)	5
Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Performance-based restricted stock units, as a percentage of the award	0.00%
Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Performance-based restricted stock units, as a percentage of the award	150.00%
Restricted Stock Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Maximum number of shares available for issuance under the Windstream 2006 Equity Incentive Plan	35,000,000
Available shares for grant	13,300,000
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross	0
Common Stock and Additional Paid-In Capital
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense (See Note 8)	5
Common Stock and Additional Paid-In Capital | Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense (See Note 8)	$5	$6.50
PAETEC Holding Corp. | Restricted Stock Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Available shares for grant	1,500,000
Windstream Holdings, Inc. | Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation and Reverse Stock Split
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share conversion factor - post stock split			1
Share conversion factor - pre stock split			6

Merger_Integration_and_Restruc2

Merger, Integration and Restructuring Charges: (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 21, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Apr. 26, 2015
	position
Restructuring Integration and Merger Cost [Abstract]
Information technology conversion costs		$3.50	$7.10
Consulting and other costs		10.6	0.8
Total merger and integration costs		14.1	7.9
Restructuring charges		7	12.4
Total merger, integration and restructuring charges		21.1	20.3
Restructuring Integration and Merger Cost [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period		11.2
Merger, integration and restructuring charges		21.1
Cash outlays during the period		-19.8
Balance, end of period		12.5
Restructuring and Related Cost, Number of Positions Eliminated	400
Merger, Integration and Restructuring Cost, Cost Incurred to Date, Net of Tax		13	14
Workforce Reduction [Domain]
Restructuring Integration and Merger Cost [Roll Forward]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date		3.3
Other Restructuring [Member]
Restructuring Integration and Merger Cost [Roll Forward]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date		3.1
Voluntary Separation Initiative [Member]
Restructuring Integration and Merger Cost [Roll Forward]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Number of Positions Eliminated	175
Restructuring Announcement [Member]
Restructuring Integration and Merger Cost [Roll Forward]
Balance, end of period		1.2
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date	12.1
Other integration [Member]
Restructuring Integration and Merger Cost [Roll Forward]
Balance, end of period		$11.30
Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation and Reverse Stock Split | Windstream Holdings, Inc.
Restructuring Integration and Merger Cost [Roll Forward]
Share conversion factor - post stock split				1
Share conversion factor - pre stock split				6

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Pension and postretirement plans	$13.60	$14.50
Unrealized holding (losses) gains on interest rate swaps:
Accumulated other comprehensive income	8	12.1
Interest Rate Swap
Unrealized holding (losses) gains on interest rate swaps:
Designated portion	-2.2	3.1
De-designated portion	($3.40)	($5.50)

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv3

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income: Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Roll-Forward) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$12.10
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	-5.2
Amounts reclassified from other accumulated comprehensive income	1.1	[1]	-4.4
Ending balance	8
Gains (Losses) on Interest Rate Swaps
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	-2.4
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	-5.2
Amounts reclassified from other accumulated comprehensive income	2	[1]
Ending balance	-5.6
Pension and Postretirement Plans
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	14.5
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	0
Amounts reclassified from other accumulated comprehensive income	-0.9	[1]
Ending balance	$13.60
[1]	See separate table below for details about these reclassifications.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv4

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income: Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Reclassifications) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Total reclassification for the period, net of tax	$1.10	[1]	($4.40)
Plan Curtailment
Pension and postretirement plans	0	[2]	-9.5	[2]
Amortization of Net Actuarial Loss
Pension and postretirement plans	0.2	[2]	0	[2]
Amortization of Prior Service Credits
Pension and postretirement plans	-1.3	[2]	-1.7	[2]
Pension and Postretirement Plans
Total reclassification for the period, net of tax	-0.9		-7
Interest Rate Swap
Total reclassification for the period, net of tax	2		2.6
Interest Expense | Interest Rate Swap
Amortization of unrealized losses on de-designated interest rate swaps	3.4		4.2
Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes | Pension and Postretirement Plans
Pension and postretirement plans	-1.1		-11.2
Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes | Interest Rate Swap
Amortization of unrealized losses on de-designated interest rate swaps	3.4		4.2
Income Taxes | Pension and Postretirement Plans
Other comprehensive income, tax effect	0.2		4.2
Income Taxes | Interest Rate Swap
Other comprehensive income, tax effect	($1.40)		($1.60)
[1]	See separate table below for details about these reclassifications.
[2]	These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic benefit income. See Note 7 for additional details.

Reconciliation_of_Net_Income_a

Reconciliation of Net Income and Number of Shares Used in Computing Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Numerator: (Line Items)
Income from continuing operations	$5.30	$16
Income from continuing operations allocable to participating securities	-0.7	-1.3
Net income attributable to common shares	$4.60	$14.70
Basic shares outstanding
Weighted average basic shares outstanding	100.8	99.6
Weighted average participating securities	-0.9	-0.6
Weighted average shares outstanding for basic earnings per share	99.9	99
Diluted shares outstanding
Effect of dilutive stock options	0.1	0.1
Weighted average shares outstanding for diluted earnings per share	100	99.1
Net income	$0.05	$0.15
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	0.1	0.1

Earnings_Per_Share_Additional_

Earnings Per Share: Additional Information (Details) (Windstream Holdings, Inc., Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation and Reverse Stock Split)	0 Months Ended
	Apr. 26, 2015
Windstream Holdings, Inc. | Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation and Reverse Stock Split
Share conversion factor - post stock split	1
Share conversion factor - pre stock split	6

Supplemental_Guarantor_Informa2

Supplemental Guarantor Information: Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Revenues and sales:
Service revenues	$1,381.80	$1,419.70
Product sales	36.8	45.2
Total revenues and sales	1,418.60	1,464.90
Costs and expenses:
Cost of services	680	657.9	2,773.30	2,541.20	2,735.70
Cost of products sold	31.9	41.1
Selling, general and administrative	225	238.9	929.8	874.3	923.8
Depreciation and amortization	340.7	338.9
Merger and integration costs	14.1	7.9
Restructuring charges	7	12.4
Total costs and expenses	1,298.70	1,297.10
Operating (loss) income	119.9	167.8
Other (expense) income, net	-1.2	0.9
Interest (expense) income	-141.1	-141.9
(Loss) income before income taxes	-22.4	26.8
Income tax (benefit) expense	-27.7	10.8
Net income (loss)	5.3	16
Comprehensive (loss) income	1.2	6.8
Consolidated
Revenues and sales:
Service revenues	1,381.80	1,419.70
Product sales	36.8	45.2
Total revenues and sales	1,418.60	1,464.90
Costs and expenses:
Cost of services	680	657.9
Cost of products sold	31.9	41.1
Selling, general and administrative	224.4	238.4
Depreciation and amortization	340.7	338.9
Merger and integration costs	14.1	7.4
Restructuring charges	7	12.9
Total costs and expenses	1,298.10	1,296.60
Operating (loss) income	120.5	168.3
Earnings (losses) from consolidated subsidiaries	0	0
Other (expense) income, net	-1.2	0.9
Intercompany interest income (expense)	0	0
Interest (expense) income	-141.1	-141.9
(Loss) income before income taxes	-21.8	27.3
Income tax (benefit) expense	-27.4	11
Net income (loss)	5.6	16.3
Comprehensive (loss) income	1.5	7.1
Consolidated | PAETEC Holding Corp.
Revenues and sales:
Service revenues	1,381.80	1,419.70
Product sales	36.8	45.2
Total revenues and sales	1,418.60	1,464.90
Costs and expenses:
Cost of services	680	657.9
Cost of products sold	31.9	41.1
Selling, general and administrative	224.4	238.4
Depreciation and amortization	340.7	338.9
Merger and integration costs	14.1	7.4
Restructuring charges	7	12.9
Total costs and expenses	1,298.10	1,296.60
Operating (loss) income	120.5	168.3
Earnings (losses) from consolidated subsidiaries	0	0
Other (expense) income, net	-1.2	0.9
Intercompany interest income (expense)	0	0
Interest (expense) income	-141.1	-141.9
(Loss) income before income taxes	-21.8	27.3
Income tax (benefit) expense	-27.4	11
Net income (loss)	5.6	16.3
Comprehensive (loss) income	1.5	7.1
Windstream Services, LLC
Revenues and sales:
Service revenues	0	0
Product sales	0	0
Total revenues and sales	0	0
Costs and expenses:
Cost of services	0	0
Cost of products sold	0	0
Selling, general and administrative	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	4.9	5.6
Merger and integration costs	0	0
Restructuring charges	0	0
Total costs and expenses	4.9	5.6
Operating (loss) income	-4.9	-5.6
Earnings (losses) from consolidated subsidiaries	46.5	80.1
Other (expense) income, net	-1.4	0.5
Intercompany interest income (expense)	32.4	31.6
Interest (expense) income	-128.9	-130.7
(Loss) income before income taxes	-56.3	-24.1
Income tax (benefit) expense	-61.9	-40.4
Net income (loss)	5.6	16.3
Comprehensive (loss) income	1.5	7.1
Windstream Services, LLC | PAETEC Holding Corp.
Revenues and sales:
Service revenues	0	0
Product sales	0	0
Total revenues and sales	0	0
Costs and expenses:
Cost of services	0	0
Cost of products sold	0	0
Selling, general and administrative	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	4.9	5.6
Merger and integration costs	0	0
Restructuring charges	0	0
Total costs and expenses	4.9	5.6
Operating (loss) income	-4.9	-5.6
Earnings (losses) from consolidated subsidiaries	46.5	80.1
Other (expense) income, net	-1.4	0.5
Intercompany interest income (expense)	32.4	31.6
Interest (expense) income	-128.9	-130.7
(Loss) income before income taxes	-56.3	-24.1
Income tax (benefit) expense	-61.9	-40.4
Net income (loss)	5.6	16.3
Comprehensive (loss) income	1.5	7.1
PAETEC Issuer | PAETEC Holding Corp.
Revenues and sales:
Service revenues	0	0
Product sales	0	0
Total revenues and sales	0	0
Costs and expenses:
Cost of services	0	0
Cost of products sold	0	0
Selling, general and administrative	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	0	0
Merger and integration costs	0	0
Restructuring charges	0	0
Total costs and expenses	0	0
Operating (loss) income	0	0
Earnings (losses) from consolidated subsidiaries	-40.6	-25.7
Other (expense) income, net	0	0
Intercompany interest income (expense)	0	0
Interest (expense) income	-9.7	-9.6
(Loss) income before income taxes	-50.3	-35.3
Income tax (benefit) expense	-3.7	-3.7
Net income (loss)	-46.6	-31.6
Comprehensive (loss) income	-46.6	-31.6
Guarantors
Revenues and sales:
Service revenues	248.1	259.6
Product sales	9.2	10
Total revenues and sales	257.3	269.6
Costs and expenses:
Cost of services	90.5	88.8
Cost of products sold	9.3	9.5
Selling, general and administrative	22.1	22.7
Depreciation and amortization	74.4	74.2
Merger and integration costs	0	0
Restructuring charges	1.2	2.2
Total costs and expenses	197.5	197.4
Operating (loss) income	59.8	72.2
Earnings (losses) from consolidated subsidiaries	15.1	12.3
Other (expense) income, net	0.2	41.4
Intercompany interest income (expense)	-13.1	-13.8
Interest (expense) income	-1.5	-1.5
(Loss) income before income taxes	60.5	110.6
Income tax (benefit) expense	20.8	38
Net income (loss)	39.7	72.6
Comprehensive (loss) income	39.7	72.6
Guarantors | PAETEC Holding Corp.
Revenues and sales:
Service revenues	485.1	486.5
Product sales	26.2	30.5
Total revenues and sales	511.3	517
Costs and expenses:
Cost of services	336.2	305.3
Cost of products sold	21	27.8
Selling, general and administrative	123.8	125.8
Depreciation and amortization	102.8	101.8
Merger and integration costs	0	0
Restructuring charges	2.3	4.4
Total costs and expenses	586.1	565.1
Operating (loss) income	-74.8	-48.1
Earnings (losses) from consolidated subsidiaries	-0.3	-0.1
Other (expense) income, net	0.1	0.3
Intercompany interest income (expense)	0	0
Interest (expense) income	0.2	0.1
(Loss) income before income taxes	-74.8	-47.8
Income tax (benefit) expense	-28.7	-18.4
Net income (loss)	-46.1	-29.4
Comprehensive (loss) income	-46.1	-29.4
Non-Guarantors
Revenues and sales:
Service revenues	1,139.50	1,164.30
Product sales	27.6	35.2
Total revenues and sales	1,167.10	1,199.50
Costs and expenses:
Cost of services	595.3	572.3
Cost of products sold	22.6	31.6
Selling, general and administrative	202.3	216.7
Depreciation and amortization	261.4	259.1
Merger and integration costs	14.1	7.4
Restructuring charges	5.8	10.7
Total costs and expenses	1,101.50	1,097.80
Operating (loss) income	65.6	101.7
Earnings (losses) from consolidated subsidiaries	0.6	0.6
Other (expense) income, net	0	-41
Intercompany interest income (expense)	-19.3	-17.8
Interest (expense) income	-10.7	-9.7
(Loss) income before income taxes	36.2	33.8
Income tax (benefit) expense	13.7	13.4
Net income (loss)	22.5	20.4
Comprehensive (loss) income	22.5	20.4
Non-Guarantors | PAETEC Holding Corp.
Revenues and sales:
Service revenues	897.5	934.4
Product sales	10.8	14.4
Total revenues and sales	908.3	948.8
Costs and expenses:
Cost of services	344.4	353.4
Cost of products sold	11.2	13
Selling, general and administrative	100.7	113
Depreciation and amortization	233	231.5
Merger and integration costs	14.1	7.4
Restructuring charges	4.7	8.5
Total costs and expenses	708.1	726.8
Operating (loss) income	200.2	222
Earnings (losses) from consolidated subsidiaries	0	0.1
Other (expense) income, net	0.1	0.1
Intercompany interest income (expense)	-32.4	-31.6
Interest (expense) income	-2.7	-1.7
(Loss) income before income taxes	165.2	188.9
Income tax (benefit) expense	66.9	73.5
Net income (loss)	98.3	115.4
Comprehensive (loss) income	98.3	115.4
Eliminations
Revenues and sales:
Service revenues	-5.8	-4.2
Product sales	0	0
Total revenues and sales	-5.8	-4.2
Costs and expenses:
Cost of services	-5.8	-3.2
Cost of products sold	0	0
Selling, general and administrative	0	-1
Depreciation and amortization	0	0
Merger and integration costs	0	0
Restructuring charges	0	0
Total costs and expenses	-5.8	-4.2
Operating (loss) income	0	0
Earnings (losses) from consolidated subsidiaries	-62.2	-93
Other (expense) income, net	0	0
Intercompany interest income (expense)	0	0
Interest (expense) income	0	0
(Loss) income before income taxes	-62.2	-93
Income tax (benefit) expense	0	0
Net income (loss)	-62.2	-93
Comprehensive (loss) income	-62.2	-93
Eliminations | PAETEC Holding Corp.
Revenues and sales:
Service revenues	-0.8	-1.2
Product sales	-0.2	0.3
Total revenues and sales	-1	-0.9
Costs and expenses:
Cost of services	-0.6	-0.8
Cost of products sold	-0.3	0.3
Selling, general and administrative	-0.1	-0.4
Depreciation and amortization	0	0
Merger and integration costs	0	0
Restructuring charges	0	0
Total costs and expenses	-1	-0.9
Operating (loss) income	0	0
Earnings (losses) from consolidated subsidiaries	-5.6	-54.4
Other (expense) income, net	0	0
Intercompany interest income (expense)	0	0
Interest (expense) income	0	0
(Loss) income before income taxes	-5.6	-54.4
Income tax (benefit) expense	0	0
Net income (loss)	-5.6	-54.4
Comprehensive (loss) income	($5.60)	($54.40)

Supplemental_Guarantor_Informa3

Supplemental Guarantor Information: Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$74	$27.80	$70	$48.20
Restricted cash	7.1	6.7
Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $42.3 and $43.4, respectively)	658.5	635.5
Inventories	63	63.7
Deferred income taxes	91.7	105.4
Prepaid expenses and other	171.6	164.6
Total current assets	1,065.90	1,003.70
Goodwill	4,352.80	4,352.80
Other intangibles, net	1,710.50	1,764
Net property, plant and equipment	5,315	5,412.30
Other assets	174.9	180.6
Total Assets	12,619.10	12,713.40
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	92.5	717.5
Current portion of interest rate swaps	28.5	28.5
Accounts payable	332	403.3
Advance payments and customer deposits	214.5	214.7
Accrued taxes	84.3	95.2
Accrued interest	170.4	102.5
Other current liabilities	282.4	328.9
Total current liabilities	1,356.30	2,043
Long-term debt	8,728.10	7,934.20
Deferred income taxes	1,828.80	1,878.60
Other liabilities	610.9	632.8
Total liabilities	12,524.10	12,488.60
Commitments and Contingencies (See Note 6)
Member Equity:
Common stock	0.1	0.1
Additional paid-in capital	86.9	212.6
Accumulated other comprehensive income	8	12.1
Accumulated (deficit ) retained earnings	0	0
Total equity	95	224.8
Total Liabilities and Equity	12,619.10	12,713.40
Consolidated
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	74	27.8	70	48.2
Restricted cash	7.1	6.7
Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $42.3 and $43.4, respectively)	658.5	635.5
Notes receivable - affiliate	0	0
Affiliates receivable, net	0	0
Inventories	63	63.7
Deferred income taxes	91.7	105.4
Prepaid expenses and other	171.6	164.6
Total current assets	1,065.90	1,003.70
Investments in consolidated subsidiaries	0	0
Notes receivable - affiliate	0	0
Goodwill	4,352.80	4,352.80
Other intangibles, net	1,710.50	1,764
Net property, plant and equipment	5,315	5,412.30
Other assets	174.9	180.6
Total Assets	12,619.10	12,713.40
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	92.5	717.5
Current portion of interest rate swaps	28.5	28.5
Accounts payable	332	403.3
Affiliates payable, net	151.7	152.4
Notes payable - affiliate	0	0
Advance payments and customer deposits	214.5	214.7
Accrued taxes	84.3	95.2
Accrued interest	170.4	102.5
Other current liabilities	282.4	328.9
Total current liabilities	1,356.30	2,043
Long-term debt	8,728.10	7,934.20
Notes payable - affiliate	0	0
Deferred income taxes	1,828.80	1,878.60
Other liabilities	610.9	632.8
Total liabilities	12,524.10	12,488.60
Commitments and Contingencies (See Note 6)
Member Equity:
Common stock	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	87	212.7
Accumulated other comprehensive income	8	12.1
Accumulated (deficit ) retained earnings	0	0
Total equity	95	224.8
Total Liabilities and Equity	12,619.10	12,713.40
Consolidated | PAETEC Holding Corp.
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	74	27.8	70	48.2
Restricted cash	7.1	6.7
Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $42.3 and $43.4, respectively)	658.5	635.5
Affiliates receivable, net	0	0
Inventories	63	63.7
Deferred income taxes	91.7	105.4
Prepaid expenses and other	171.6	164.6
Total current assets	1,065.90	1,003.70
Investments in consolidated subsidiaries	0	0
Goodwill	4,352.80	4,352.80
Other intangibles, net	1,710.50	1,764
Net property, plant and equipment	5,315	5,412.30
Deferred income taxes	0	0
Other assets	174.9	180.6
Total Assets	12,619.10	12,713.40
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	92.5	717.5
Current portion of interest rate swaps	28.5	28.5
Accounts payable	332	403.3
Affiliates payable, net	151.7	152.4
Advance payments and customer deposits	214.5	214.7
Accrued taxes	84.3	95.2
Accrued interest	170.4	102.5
Other current liabilities	282.4	328.9
Total current liabilities	1,356.30	2,043
Long-term debt	8,728.10	7,934.20
Deferred income taxes	1,828.80	1,878.60
Accumulated losses in excess of investments in consolidated subsidiaries	0	0
Other liabilities	610.9	632.8
Total liabilities	12,524.10	12,488.60
Commitments and Contingencies (See Note 6)
Member Equity:
Common stock	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	87	212.7
Accumulated other comprehensive income	8	12.1
Accumulated (deficit ) retained earnings	0	0
Total equity	95	224.8
Total Liabilities and Equity	12,619.10	12,713.40
Windstream Services, LLC
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	16.7	0	20.8	13.7
Restricted cash	7.1	6.7
Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $42.3 and $43.4, respectively)	0	0
Notes receivable - affiliate	0	0
Affiliates receivable, net	0	0
Inventories	0	0
Deferred income taxes	57.6	67.4
Prepaid expenses and other	28.6	35.5
Total current assets	110	109.6
Investments in consolidated subsidiaries	10,056.10	10,001.30
Notes receivable - affiliate	0	0
Goodwill	1,649.50	1,649.50
Other intangibles, net	582.6	590.7
Net property, plant and equipment	9.5	9.8
Other assets	99.6	104.2
Total Assets	12,507.30	12,465.10
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	92.4	717.4
Current portion of interest rate swaps	28.5	28.5
Accounts payable	1.1	2.1
Affiliates payable, net	3,201.90	3,277
Notes payable - affiliate	0	0
Advance payments and customer deposits	0	0
Accrued taxes	0.1	0.2
Accrued interest	149.5	94.3
Other current liabilities	38.7	32.3
Total current liabilities	3,512.20	4,151.80
Long-term debt	8,158.80	7,363.40
Notes payable - affiliate	0	0
Deferred income taxes	669.7	658.6
Other liabilities	71.6	66.5
Total liabilities	12,412.30	12,240.30
Commitments and Contingencies (See Note 6)
Member Equity:
Common stock	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	87	212.7
Accumulated other comprehensive income	8	12.1
Accumulated (deficit ) retained earnings	0	0
Total equity	95	224.8
Total Liabilities and Equity	12,507.30	12,465.10
Windstream Services, LLC | PAETEC Holding Corp.
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	16.7	0	20.8	13.7
Restricted cash	7.1	6.7
Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $42.3 and $43.4, respectively)	0	0
Affiliates receivable, net	0	0
Inventories	0	0
Deferred income taxes	57.6	67.4
Prepaid expenses and other	28.6	35.5
Total current assets	110	109.6
Investments in consolidated subsidiaries	10,056.10	10,001.30
Goodwill	1,649.50	1,649.50
Other intangibles, net	582.6	590.7
Net property, plant and equipment	9.5	9.8
Deferred income taxes	0	0
Other assets	99.6	104.2
Total Assets	12,507.30	12,465.10
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	92.4	717.4
Current portion of interest rate swaps	28.5	28.5
Accounts payable	1.1	2.1
Affiliates payable, net	3,201.90	3,277
Advance payments and customer deposits	0	0
Accrued taxes	0.1	0.2
Accrued interest	149.5	94.3
Other current liabilities	38.7	32.3
Total current liabilities	3,512.20	4,151.80
Long-term debt	8,158.80	7,363.40
Deferred income taxes	669.7	658.6
Accumulated losses in excess of investments in consolidated subsidiaries	0	0
Other liabilities	71.6	66.5
Total liabilities	12,412.30	12,240.30
Commitments and Contingencies (See Note 6)
Member Equity:
Common stock	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	87	212.7
Accumulated other comprehensive income	8	12.1
Accumulated (deficit ) retained earnings	0	0
Total equity	95	224.8
Total Liabilities and Equity	12,507.30	12,465.10
PAETEC Issuer | PAETEC Holding Corp.
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0	0
Restricted cash	0	0
Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $42.3 and $43.4, respectively)	0	0
Affiliates receivable, net	351	346.6
Inventories	0	0
Deferred income taxes	0	0
Prepaid expenses and other	0	0
Total current assets	351	346.6
Investments in consolidated subsidiaries	0	0
Goodwill	643.8	643.8
Other intangibles, net	0	0
Net property, plant and equipment	0	0
Deferred income taxes	218.1	219
Other assets	0	0
Total Assets	1,212.90	1,209.40
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	0	0
Current portion of interest rate swaps	0	0
Accounts payable	0	0
Affiliates payable, net	0	0
Advance payments and customer deposits	0	0
Accrued taxes	0	0
Accrued interest	14.8	3.7
Other current liabilities	4.9	4.9
Total current liabilities	19.7	8.6
Long-term debt	467.9	469.4
Deferred income taxes	0	0
Accumulated losses in excess of investments in consolidated subsidiaries	250.9	210.4
Other liabilities	1.6	1.7
Total liabilities	740.1	690.1
Commitments and Contingencies (See Note 6)
Member Equity:
Common stock	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	842	842
Accumulated other comprehensive income	0	0
Accumulated (deficit ) retained earnings	-369.2	-322.7
Total equity	472.8	519.3
Total Liabilities and Equity	1,212.90	1,209.40
Guarantors
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	1	2.1	2	0.7
Restricted cash	0	0
Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $42.3 and $43.4, respectively)	140.6	136.5
Notes receivable - affiliate	4.8	4.8
Affiliates receivable, net	1,052.30	1,057.70
Inventories	38.4	36.9
Deferred income taxes	9.2	10.5
Prepaid expenses and other	20	20.4
Total current assets	1,266.30	1,268.90
Investments in consolidated subsidiaries	980.8	965.6
Notes receivable - affiliate	316.8	317.7
Goodwill	825.6	825.6
Other intangibles, net	345.4	355.2
Net property, plant and equipment	1,243.50	1,269.40
Other assets	18	17.1
Total Assets	4,996.40	5,019.50
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	0	0
Current portion of interest rate swaps	0	0
Accounts payable	43.6	86.9
Affiliates payable, net	0	0
Notes payable - affiliate	0	0
Advance payments and customer deposits	15.6	16.6
Accrued taxes	19.9	23.8
Accrued interest	3.9	2.1
Other current liabilities	13.8	18
Total current liabilities	96.8	147.4
Long-term debt	99.6	99.6
Notes payable - affiliate	0	0
Deferred income taxes	409.2	418.8
Other liabilities	46.1	45.7
Total liabilities	651.7	711.5
Commitments and Contingencies (See Note 6)
Member Equity:
Common stock	39.4	39.4
Additional paid-in capital	3,794.90	3,794.90
Accumulated other comprehensive income	0	0
Accumulated (deficit ) retained earnings	510.4	473.7
Total equity	4,344.70	4,308
Total Liabilities and Equity	4,996.40	5,019.50
Guarantors | PAETEC Holding Corp.
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	2.6	4.6	4.6	7.8
Restricted cash	0	0
Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $42.3 and $43.4, respectively)	304.6	286.1
Affiliates receivable, net	0	0
Inventories	16.8	19.4
Deferred income taxes	0	0
Prepaid expenses and other	34.9	30.9
Total current assets	358.9	341
Investments in consolidated subsidiaries	0.6	0.9
Goodwill	0	0
Other intangibles, net	387.2	413.6
Net property, plant and equipment	669	697.1
Deferred income taxes	83.3	63.7
Other assets	16.6	16.8
Total Assets	1,515.60	1,533.10
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	0	0
Current portion of interest rate swaps	0	0
Accounts payable	95.5	101.9
Affiliates payable, net	1,475.90	1,430.40
Advance payments and customer deposits	80.7	78.5
Accrued taxes	22.6	25.2
Accrued interest	1.7	1.8
Other current liabilities	73	83
Total current liabilities	1,749.40	1,720.80
Long-term debt	0	0
Deferred income taxes	0	0
Accumulated losses in excess of investments in consolidated subsidiaries	0	0
Other liabilities	53.1	53
Total liabilities	1,802.50	1,773.80
Commitments and Contingencies (See Note 6)
Member Equity:
Common stock	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	0.7	0.7
Accumulated other comprehensive income	0	0
Accumulated (deficit ) retained earnings	-287.6	-241.4
Total equity	-286.9	-240.7
Total Liabilities and Equity	1,515.60	1,533.10
Non-Guarantors
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	56.3	51.7	47.2	33.8
Restricted cash	0	0
Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $42.3 and $43.4, respectively)	517.9	499
Notes receivable - affiliate	0	0
Affiliates receivable, net	1,997.90	2,066.90
Inventories	24.6	26.8
Deferred income taxes	24.9	27.5
Prepaid expenses and other	123	108.7
Total current assets	2,744.60	2,780.60
Investments in consolidated subsidiaries	278.5	255.6
Notes receivable - affiliate	0	0
Goodwill	1,877.70	1,877.70
Other intangibles, net	782.5	818.1
Net property, plant and equipment	4,062	4,133.10
Other assets	57.3	59.3
Total Assets	9,802.60	9,924.40
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	0.1	0.1
Current portion of interest rate swaps	0	0
Accounts payable	287.3	314.3
Affiliates payable, net	0	0
Notes payable - affiliate	4.8	4.8
Advance payments and customer deposits	198.9	198.1
Accrued taxes	64.3	71.2
Accrued interest	17	6.1
Other current liabilities	229.9	278.6
Total current liabilities	802.3	873.2
Long-term debt	469.7	471.2
Notes payable - affiliate	316.8	317.7
Deferred income taxes	749.9	801.2
Other liabilities	493.2	520.6
Total liabilities	2,831.90	2,983.90
Commitments and Contingencies (See Note 6)
Member Equity:
Common stock	81.9	81.9
Additional paid-in capital	4,002	4,002
Accumulated other comprehensive income	13.6	14.5
Accumulated (deficit ) retained earnings	2,873.20	2,842.10
Total equity	6,970.70	6,940.50
Total Liabilities and Equity	9,802.60	9,924.40
Non-Guarantors | PAETEC Holding Corp.
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	54.7	49.2	44.6	26.7
Restricted cash	0	0
Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $42.3 and $43.4, respectively)	355	350.5
Affiliates receivable, net	4,180.70	4,187.70
Inventories	46.2	44.3
Deferred income taxes	75.2	76.5
Prepaid expenses and other	106.1	96.5
Total current assets	4,817.90	4,804.70
Investments in consolidated subsidiaries	0	0
Goodwill	2,059.50	2,059.50
Other intangibles, net	740.7	759.7
Net property, plant and equipment	4,636.50	4,705.40
Deferred income taxes	0	0
Other assets	58.7	59.6
Total Assets	12,313.30	12,388.90
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	0.1	0.1
Current portion of interest rate swaps	0	0
Accounts payable	235.4	299.3
Affiliates payable, net	0	0
Advance payments and customer deposits	133.8	136.2
Accrued taxes	61.1	69.4
Accrued interest	4.4	2.7
Other current liabilities	208.1	248.3
Total current liabilities	642.9	756
Long-term debt	101.4	101.4
Deferred income taxes	1,460.50	1,502.70
Accumulated losses in excess of investments in consolidated subsidiaries	0	0
Other liabilities	484.6	511.6
Total liabilities	2,689.40	2,871.70
Commitments and Contingencies (See Note 6)
Member Equity:
Common stock	67.7	67.7
Additional paid-in capital	6,017.10	6,017.10
Accumulated other comprehensive income	19.6	20.5
Accumulated (deficit ) retained earnings	3,519.50	3,411.90
Total equity	9,623.90	9,517.20
Total Liabilities and Equity	12,313.30	12,388.90
Eliminations
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	0	-26	0	0
Restricted cash	0	0
Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $42.3 and $43.4, respectively)	0	0
Notes receivable - affiliate	-4.8	-4.8
Affiliates receivable, net	-3,050.20	-3,124.60
Inventories	0	0
Deferred income taxes	0	0
Prepaid expenses and other	0	0
Total current assets	-3,055	-3,155.40
Investments in consolidated subsidiaries	-11,315.40	-11,222.50
Notes receivable - affiliate	-316.8	-317.7
Goodwill	0	0
Other intangibles, net	0	0
Net property, plant and equipment	0	0
Other assets	0	0
Total Assets	-14,687.20	-14,695.60
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	0	0
Current portion of interest rate swaps	0	0
Accounts payable	0	0
Affiliates payable, net	-3,050.20	-3,124.60
Notes payable - affiliate	-4.8	-4.8
Advance payments and customer deposits	0	0
Accrued taxes	0	0
Accrued interest	0	0
Other current liabilities	0	0
Total current liabilities	-3,055	-3,129.40
Long-term debt	0	0
Notes payable - affiliate	-316.8	-317.7
Deferred income taxes	0	0
Other liabilities	0	0
Total liabilities	-3,371.80	-3,447.10
Commitments and Contingencies (See Note 6)
Member Equity:
Common stock	-121.3	-121.3
Additional paid-in capital	-7,796.90	-7,796.90
Accumulated other comprehensive income	-13.6	-14.5
Accumulated (deficit ) retained earnings	-3,383.60	-3,315.80
Total equity	-11,315.40	-11,248.50
Total Liabilities and Equity	-14,687.20	-14,695.60
Eliminations | PAETEC Holding Corp.
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	0	-26	0	0
Restricted cash	0	0
Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $42.3 and $43.4, respectively)	-1.1	-1.1
Affiliates receivable, net	-4,531.70	-4,534.30
Inventories	0	0
Deferred income taxes	-41.1	-38.5
Prepaid expenses and other	2	1.7
Total current assets	-4,571.90	-4,598.20
Investments in consolidated subsidiaries	-10,056.70	-10,002.20
Goodwill	0	0
Other intangibles, net	0	0
Net property, plant and equipment	0	0
Deferred income taxes	-301.4	-282.7
Other assets	0	0
Total Assets	-14,930	-14,883.10
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	0	0
Current portion of interest rate swaps	0	0
Accounts payable	0	0
Affiliates payable, net	-4,526.10	-4,555
Advance payments and customer deposits	0	0
Accrued taxes	0.5	0.4
Accrued interest	0	0
Other current liabilities	-42.3	-39.6
Total current liabilities	-4,567.90	-4,594.20
Long-term debt	0	0
Deferred income taxes	-301.4	-282.7
Accumulated losses in excess of investments in consolidated subsidiaries	-250.9	-210.4
Other liabilities	0	0
Total liabilities	-5,120.20	-5,087.30
Commitments and Contingencies (See Note 6)
Member Equity:
Common stock	-67.7	-67.7
Additional paid-in capital	-6,859.80	-6,859.80
Accumulated other comprehensive income	-19.6	-20.5
Accumulated (deficit ) retained earnings	-2,862.70	-2,847.80
Total equity	-9,809.80	-9,795.80
Total Liabilities and Equity	($14,930)	($14,883.10)

Supplemental_Guarantor_Informa4

Supplemental Guarantor Information: Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash Provided from Operations:
Net cash provided from operations	$243.80	$319.80
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-189.3	-153
Broadband network expansion funded by stimulus grants	0	-7.1
Changes in restricted cash	-0.4	-0.9
Grant funds received for broadband stimulus projects	7.4	11.4
Grant funds received from Connect America Fund - Phase I	0	26
Network expansion funded by Connect America Fund - Phase I	-8.3	0
Other, net	-2.1	0
Net cash provided from (used in) investing activities	-192.7	-123.6
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Repayments of debt and swaps	-325.4	-331.6
Proceeds of debt issuance	490	325
Payments under capital lease obligations	-11.2	-7.8
Other, net	-6.8	-9.8
Net cash (used in) provided from financing activities	-4.9	-174.4
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	46.2	21.8
Cash and Cash Equivalents:
Beginning of period	27.8	48.2
End of period	74	70
Consolidated
Cash Provided from Operations:
Net cash provided from operations	244.1	320.3
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-189.3	-153
Broadband network expansion funded by stimulus grants	0	-7.1
Changes in restricted cash	-0.4	-0.9
Grant funds received for broadband stimulus projects	7.4	11.4
Grant funds received from Connect America Fund - Phase I	0	26
Network expansion funded by Connect America Fund - Phase I	-8.3	0
Other, net	-2.1	0
Net cash provided from (used in) investing activities	-192.7	-123.6
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Distributions (to) from Windstream Holdings, Inc.	-151.8	-150.7
Repayments of debt and swaps	-325.4	-331.6
Proceeds of debt issuance	490	325
Intercompany transactions, net	0	0
Payments under capital lease obligations	-11.2	-7.8
Other, net	-6.8	-9.8
Net cash (used in) provided from financing activities	-5.2	-174.9
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	46.2	21.8
Cash and Cash Equivalents:
Beginning of period	27.8	48.2
End of period	74	70
Consolidated | PAETEC Holding Corp.
Cash Provided from Operations:
Net cash provided from operations	244.1	320.3
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-189.3	-153
Broadband network expansion funded by stimulus grants		-7.1
Changes in restricted cash	-0.4	-0.9
Grant funds received for broadband stimulus projects	7.4	11.4
Grant funds received from Connect America Fund - Phase I		26
Network expansion funded by Connect America Fund - Phase I	-8.3
Other, net	-2.1
Net cash provided from (used in) investing activities	-192.7	-123.6
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Distributions (to) from Windstream Holdings, Inc.	-151.8	-150.7
Repayments of debt and swaps	-325.4	-331.6
Proceeds of debt issuance	490	325
Intercompany transactions, net	0	0
Payments under capital lease obligations	-11.2	-7.8
Other, net	-6.8	-9.8
Net cash (used in) provided from financing activities	-5.2	-174.9
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	46.2	21.8
Cash and Cash Equivalents:
Beginning of period	27.8	48.2
End of period	74	70
Windstream Services, LLC
Cash Provided from Operations:
Net cash provided from operations	64.7	66.7
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-0.3	-0.4
Broadband network expansion funded by stimulus grants		0
Changes in restricted cash	-0.4	-0.9
Grant funds received for broadband stimulus projects	7.4	11.4
Grant funds received from Connect America Fund - Phase I		0
Network expansion funded by Connect America Fund - Phase I	0
Other, net	-4.1
Net cash provided from (used in) investing activities	2.6	10.1
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Distributions (to) from Windstream Holdings, Inc.	-151.8	-150.7
Repayments of debt and swaps	-325.4	-331.6
Proceeds of debt issuance	490	325
Intercompany transactions, net	-56.6	97.4
Payments under capital lease obligations	0	0
Other, net	-6.8	-9.8
Net cash (used in) provided from financing activities	-50.6	-69.7
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	16.7	7.1
Cash and Cash Equivalents:
Beginning of period	0	13.7
End of period	16.7	20.8
Windstream Services, LLC | PAETEC Holding Corp.
Cash Provided from Operations:
Net cash provided from operations	64.7	66.7
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-0.3	-0.4
Broadband network expansion funded by stimulus grants		0
Changes in restricted cash	-0.4	-0.9
Grant funds received for broadband stimulus projects	7.4	11.4
Grant funds received from Connect America Fund - Phase I		0
Network expansion funded by Connect America Fund - Phase I	0
Other, net	-4.1
Net cash provided from (used in) investing activities	2.6	10.1
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Distributions (to) from Windstream Holdings, Inc.	-151.8	-150.7
Repayments of debt and swaps	-325.4	-331.6
Proceeds of debt issuance	490	325
Intercompany transactions, net	-56.6	97.4
Payments under capital lease obligations	0	0
Other, net	-6.8	-9.8
Net cash (used in) provided from financing activities	-50.6	-69.7
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	16.7	7.1
Cash and Cash Equivalents:
Beginning of period	0	13.7
End of period	16.7	20.8
PAETEC Issuer | PAETEC Holding Corp.
Cash Provided from Operations:
Net cash provided from operations	4.4	5.1
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	0	0
Broadband network expansion funded by stimulus grants		0
Changes in restricted cash	0	0
Grant funds received for broadband stimulus projects	0	0
Grant funds received from Connect America Fund - Phase I		0
Network expansion funded by Connect America Fund - Phase I	0
Other, net	0
Net cash provided from (used in) investing activities	0	0
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Distributions (to) from Windstream Holdings, Inc.	0	0
Repayments of debt and swaps	0	0
Proceeds of debt issuance	0	0
Intercompany transactions, net	-4.4	-5.1
Payments under capital lease obligations	0	0
Other, net	0	0
Net cash (used in) provided from financing activities	-4.4	-5.1
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Cash and Cash Equivalents:
Beginning of period	0	0
End of period	0	0
Guarantors
Cash Provided from Operations:
Net cash provided from operations	38.1	103.5
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-29.5	-10.1
Broadband network expansion funded by stimulus grants		-0.3
Changes in restricted cash	0	0
Grant funds received for broadband stimulus projects	0	0
Grant funds received from Connect America Fund - Phase I		9.4
Network expansion funded by Connect America Fund - Phase I	-1.4
Other, net	0.1
Net cash provided from (used in) investing activities	-30.8	-1
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Distributions (to) from Windstream Holdings, Inc.	0	0
Repayments of debt and swaps	0	0
Proceeds of debt issuance	0	0
Intercompany transactions, net	-5.1	-102.1
Payments under capital lease obligations	-4.2	0
Other, net	0.9	0.9
Net cash (used in) provided from financing activities	-8.4	-101.2
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-1.1	1.3
Cash and Cash Equivalents:
Beginning of period	2.1	0.7
End of period	1	2
Guarantors | PAETEC Holding Corp.
Cash Provided from Operations:
Net cash provided from operations	11.7	2.8
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-42.4	-36.2
Broadband network expansion funded by stimulus grants		0
Changes in restricted cash	0	0
Grant funds received for broadband stimulus projects	0	0
Grant funds received from Connect America Fund - Phase I		0
Network expansion funded by Connect America Fund - Phase I	0
Other, net	0
Net cash provided from (used in) investing activities	-42.4	-36.2
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Distributions (to) from Windstream Holdings, Inc.	0	0
Repayments of debt and swaps	0	0
Proceeds of debt issuance	0	0
Intercompany transactions, net	29.8	32.2
Payments under capital lease obligations	-1.1	-2
Other, net	0	0
Net cash (used in) provided from financing activities	28.7	30.2
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-2	-3.2
Cash and Cash Equivalents:
Beginning of period	4.6	7.8
End of period	2.6	4.6
Non-Guarantors
Cash Provided from Operations:
Net cash provided from operations	141.3	150.1
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-159.5	-142.5
Broadband network expansion funded by stimulus grants		-6.8
Changes in restricted cash	0	0
Grant funds received for broadband stimulus projects	0	0
Grant funds received from Connect America Fund - Phase I		16.6
Network expansion funded by Connect America Fund - Phase I	-6.9
Other, net	1.9
Net cash provided from (used in) investing activities	-164.5	-132.7
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Distributions (to) from Windstream Holdings, Inc.	0	0
Repayments of debt and swaps	0	0
Proceeds of debt issuance	0	0
Intercompany transactions, net	35.7	4.7
Payments under capital lease obligations	-7	-7.8
Other, net	-0.9	-0.9
Net cash (used in) provided from financing activities	27.8	-4
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	4.6	13.4
Cash and Cash Equivalents:
Beginning of period	51.7	33.8
End of period	56.3	47.2
Non-Guarantors | PAETEC Holding Corp.
Cash Provided from Operations:
Net cash provided from operations	163.5	245.7
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-146.6	-116.4
Broadband network expansion funded by stimulus grants		-7.1
Changes in restricted cash	0	0
Grant funds received for broadband stimulus projects	0	0
Grant funds received from Connect America Fund - Phase I		26
Network expansion funded by Connect America Fund - Phase I	-8.3
Other, net	2
Net cash provided from (used in) investing activities	-152.9	-97.5
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Distributions (to) from Windstream Holdings, Inc.	0	0
Repayments of debt and swaps	0	0
Proceeds of debt issuance	0	0
Intercompany transactions, net	5	-124.5
Payments under capital lease obligations	-10.1	-5.8
Other, net	0	0
Net cash (used in) provided from financing activities	-5.1	-130.3
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	5.5	17.9
Cash and Cash Equivalents:
Beginning of period	49.2	26.7
End of period	54.7	44.6
Eliminations
Cash Provided from Operations:
Net cash provided from operations	0	0
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	0	0
Broadband network expansion funded by stimulus grants		0
Changes in restricted cash	0	0
Grant funds received for broadband stimulus projects	0	0
Grant funds received from Connect America Fund - Phase I		0
Network expansion funded by Connect America Fund - Phase I	0
Other, net	0
Net cash provided from (used in) investing activities	0	0
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Distributions (to) from Windstream Holdings, Inc.	0	0
Repayments of debt and swaps	0	0
Proceeds of debt issuance	0	0
Intercompany transactions, net	26	0
Payments under capital lease obligations	0	0
Other, net	0	0
Net cash (used in) provided from financing activities	26	0
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	26	0
Cash and Cash Equivalents:
Beginning of period	-26	0
End of period	0	0
Eliminations | PAETEC Holding Corp.
Cash Provided from Operations:
Net cash provided from operations	-0.2	0
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	0	0
Broadband network expansion funded by stimulus grants		0
Changes in restricted cash	0	0
Grant funds received for broadband stimulus projects	0	0
Grant funds received from Connect America Fund - Phase I		0
Network expansion funded by Connect America Fund - Phase I	0
Other, net	0
Net cash provided from (used in) investing activities	0	0
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Distributions (to) from Windstream Holdings, Inc.	0	0
Repayments of debt and swaps	0	0
Proceeds of debt issuance	0	0
Intercompany transactions, net	26.2	0
Payments under capital lease obligations	0	0
Other, net	0	0
Net cash (used in) provided from financing activities	26.2	0
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	26	0
Cash and Cash Equivalents:
Beginning of period	-26	0
End of period	$0	$0

Subsequent_Events_Details

Subsequent Events (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015		Sep. 30, 2014	Apr. 24, 2015		5-May-15	Apr. 26, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Oct. 17, 2012
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Dividends, Cash	$150,500,000
Derivative, Number of Instruments Held	10								4
Other Lease Obligation, Lease Terms			10 years
Common stock, shares authorized	166,700,000							166,700,000
Common stock, par value	$0.00							$0.00
Common stock, shares issued	100,800,000							100,500,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	100,800,000							100,500,000
Dividends, per share declared to shareholders	$1.50
Spin-off of Certain Network and Real Estate Assets
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Subsequent Event, Date				24-Apr-15
Percent of REIT Shares Distributed				80.40%
Dividends, Cash				1,035,000,000
REIT debt issued to Windstream Services, LLC.				2,500,000,000
Number of Shares, Stock Dividend Ratio, REIT				1
Number of Shares, Stock Dividend Ratio, Windstream Holdings, Inc.				5
Costs Associated with Debt Exchange				35,400,000
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt				21,500,000
Number of swaps terminated				7
Costs associated with Termination of Swaps				22,700,000
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners				19.60%
Master Lease Agreement
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Other Lease Obligation, Lease Terms				15 years
Number of Renewal Options				4
Lease Term of Renewal Options				5 years
Amount of Capital Expenditures that could be Funded by the REIT				250,000,000
Years of CapEx Funding				5 years
Adjustment to Rate of Master Lease if CapEx Funded				8.13%
Other Lease Obligation, Lease Terms, with CapEx Funding				20 years
Number of Renewal Options, Reduced				3
Other Lease Obligation, Annual Rental Payments				650,000,000
Effective interest rate, Master Lease Agreement				10.15%
Annual Rent Escalations After Third Year of Initial Lease Term				0.50%
Long-term Lease Obligation				5,100,000,000
Pre-Spin-off/Pre-Reverse Stock Split Pro Rata Dividend
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Dividends, per share declared to shareholders				$0.07
Pro-rated Per Share Quarterly Dividend, Equivalent				$0.25
Common stock dividend declared, date of record						10-Apr-15
Dividend Declared
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Dividends, per share declared to shareholders						0.1104
Common stock dividend declared, date declared						5-May-15
Common stock dividend declared, payable date						15-Jul-15
Common stock dividend declared, date of record						30-Jun-15
Windstream Holdings, Inc.
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Total shares, authorized	200,000,000
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	166,700,000
Common stock, par value	$0.00
Windstream Holdings, Inc. | Spin-off of Certain Network and Real Estate Assets
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Term loans				1,700,000,000
Windstream Holdings, Inc. | Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation and Reverse Stock Split
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Share conversion factor - post stock split							1
Share conversion factor - pre stock split							6
Real Estate Investment Trust | Spin-off of Certain Network and Real Estate Assets
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Term loans				2,140,000,000
Secured Debt | Spin-off of Certain Network and Real Estate Assets
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Total Debt Issued to Windstream				400,000,000
Secured Debt | Real Estate Investment Trust | Spin-off of Certain Network and Real Estate Assets
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage				6.00%
Debentures and notes, without collateral				400,000,000
Unsecured Debt | Spin-off of Certain Network and Real Estate Assets
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Total Debt Issued to Windstream				1,077,300,000
Unsecured Debt | Real Estate Investment Trust | Spin-off of Certain Network and Real Estate Assets
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage				8.25%
Debentures and notes, without collateral				1,110,000,000
Term Loans | Spin-off of Certain Network and Real Estate Assets
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Total Debt Issued to Windstream				970,200,000
Senior secured credit facility, Revolving line of credit - variable rates, due 2020 | Line of Credit
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Decrease, Repayments	295,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	1,250,000,000
Senior secured credit facility, Revolving line of credit - variable rates, due 2020 | Line of Credit | Spin-off of Certain Network and Real Estate Assets
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Decrease, Repayments				752,200,000
Senior secured credit facility, Revolving line of credit - variable rates, due 2020 | Line of Credit | Amendment to Senior Credit Facility
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity				1,250,000,000
2018 Notes - 9.875% due December 1, 2018 | Unsecured Debt | PAETEC Holding Corp.
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	9.88%
2018 Notes - 9.875% due December 1, 2018 | Unsecured Debt | PAETEC Holding Corp. | Redemption of Long-term Debt
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage				9.88%
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount				450,000,000	[1]
Debt Instrument, Redemption, Price per $1,000				1,049.38	[1]
2018 Notes - 8.125%, due September 1, 2018 | Unsecured Debt
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	8.13%
Debentures and notes, without collateral	400,000,000	[1]						400,000,000
2018 Notes - 8.125%, due September 1, 2018 | Unsecured Debt | Redemption of Long-term Debt
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage				8.13%
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount				400,000,000
Debt Instrument, Redemption, Price per $1,000				$1,040.63	[1]
Preferred Stock | Windstream Holdings, Inc.
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	33,333,333
Common Stock | Windstream Holdings, Inc.
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Common stock, shares authorized	166,666,667
Common Stock | Windstream Holdings, Inc. | Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation and Reverse Stock Split
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Common stock, shares issued							100,900,000
Common stock, shares outstanding							100,900,000
Annual dividend rate per share				$0.60
[1]	On April, 24, 2015, Windstream Services called for the redemption of these notes on May 27, 2015 (see Note 13).