Frontier Communications Parent (FYBR) 10-K 27 Feb 14 2013 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Feb. 14, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORP	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000020520	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'Yes	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'	'
Entity Public Float	'	'	$4,025,490,000
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	999,462,000	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'	'
Document Type	'10-K	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-13	'	'

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$880,039	$1,326,532
Accounts receivable, less allowances of $71,362 and $93,267, respectively	479,210	533,704
Restricted cash	11,411	15,408
Prepaid expenses	68,573	66,972
Income taxes and other current assets	179,606	144,587
Total current assets	1,618,839	2,087,203
Restricted cash	2,000	27,252
Property, plant and equipment, net	7,255,762	7,504,896
Goodwill	6,337,719	6,337,719
Other intangibles, net	1,214,932	1,542,739
Other assets	206,232	233,822
Total assets	16,635,484	17,733,631
Current liabilities:	'	'
Long-term debt due within one year	257,916	560,550
Accounts payable	327,256	338,148
Advanced billings	137,319	146,317
Accrued other taxes	66,276	66,342
Accrued interest	188,639	209,327
Other current liabilities	324,181	232,836
Total current liabilities	1,301,587	1,553,520
Deferred income taxes	2,417,108	2,357,210
Pension and other postretirement benefits	725,333	1,055,058
Other liabilities	262,308	266,625
Long-term debt	7,873,667	8,381,947
Shareholders' equity of Frontier:	'	'
Common stock, $0.25 par value (1,750,000,000 authorized shares, 999,462,000 and 998,410,000 outstanding, respectively, and 1,027,986,000 issued, at December 31, 2013 and 2012)	256,997	256,997
Additional paid-in capital	4,321,056	4,639,563
Retained earnings	76,108	63,205
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	-260,530	-483,576
Treasury stock	-338,150	-368,593
Total shareholders' equity of Frontier	4,055,481	4,107,596
Noncontrolling interest in a partnership	'	11,675
Total equity	4,055,481	4,119,271
Total liabilities and equity	$16,635,484	$17,733,631

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract]	'	'
Allowances for accounts receivable, current	$71,362	$93,267
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.25	$0.25
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	1,750,000,000	1,750,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	999,462,000	998,410,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	1,027,986,000	1,027,986,000

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Ope

Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Consolidated Statements Of Operations [Abstract]	'	'	'
Revenue	$4,761,576	$5,011,853	$5,243,043
Operating expenses:	'	'	'
Network access expenses	431,073	441,588	518,682
Other operating expenses	2,141,068	2,234,553	2,278,419
Depreciation and amortization	1,169,500	1,266,807	1,403,175
Pension settlement costs	44,163	'	'
Acquisition and integration costs	9,652	81,737	143,146
Total operating expenses	3,795,456	4,024,685	4,343,422
Gain on sale of Mohave partnership interest	14,601	'	'
Operating income	980,721	987,168	899,621
Investment income	3,808	13,011	2,391
Losses on early extinguishment of debt	159,780	90,363	'
Other income, net	5,369	7,121	9,135
Interest expense	667,398	687,985	665,196
Income before income taxes	162,720	228,952	245,951
Income tax expense	47,242	75,638	88,343
Net income	115,478	153,314	157,608
Less: Income attributable to the noncontrolling interest in a partnership	2,643	16,678	7,994
Net income attributable to common shareholders of Frontier	$112,835	$136,636	$149,614
Basic net income (loss) per common share attributable to common shareholders of Frontier	$0.11	$0.14	$0.15
Diluted net income per common share attributable to common shareholders of Frontier	$0.11	$0.13	$0.15

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Com

Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Consolidated Statements OF Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'
Net income	$115,478	$153,314	$157,608
Pension settlement costs, net of tax (see Notes 14 and 17)	27,381	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (see Note 14)	195,665	-96,613	-157,414
Comprehensive income	338,524	56,701	194
Less: Income attributable to the noncontrolling interest in a partnership	-2,643	-16,678	-7,994
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the common shareholders of Frontier	$335,881	$40,023	($7,800)

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Equ

Consolidated Statements Of Equity (USD $)	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Total
In Thousands, except Share data
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	$256,997	$5,525,471	$77,107	($229,549)	($433,286)	$13,003	$5,209,743
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2010	1,027,986,000	'	'	'	34,131,000	'	'
Stock plans	'	-5,701	'	'	18,285	'	12,584
Stock plans (in shares)	'	'	'	'	1,273,000	'	'
Dividends on common stock	'	-746,387	'	'	'	'	-746,387
Net income	'	'	149,614	'	'	7,994	157,608
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	'	'	'	-157,414	'	'	-157,414
Distributions	'	'	'	'	'	-7,000	-7,000
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	256,997	4,773,383	226,721	-386,963	-415,001	13,997	4,469,134
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011	1,027,986,000	'	'	'	32,858,000	'	'
Stock plans	'	-34,582	'	'	46,408	'	11,826
Stock plans (in shares)	'	'	'	'	3,282,000	'	'
Dividends on common stock	'	-99,238	-300,152	'	'	'	-399,390
Net income	'	'	136,636	'	'	16,678	153,314
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	'	'	'	-96,613	'	'	-96,613
Distributions	'	'	'	'	'	-19,000	-19,000
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	256,997	4,639,563	63,205	-483,576	-368,593	11,675	4,119,271
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012	1,027,986,000	'	'	'	29,576,000	'	998,410,000
Stock plans	'	-18,671	'	'	30,443	'	11,772
Stock plans (in shares)	'	'	'	'	1,052,000	'	'
Dividends on common stock	'	-299,836	-99,932	'	'	'	-399,768
Net income	'	'	112,835	'	'	2,643	115,478
Pension settlement costs, net of tax	'	'	'	27,381	'	'	27,381
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	'	'	'	195,665	'	'	195,665
Distributions	'	'	'	'	'	-6,400	-6,400
Sale of Mohave partnership interest	'	'	'	'	'	-7,918	-7,918
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$256,997	$4,321,056	$76,108	($260,530)	($338,150)	'	$4,055,481
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	1,027,986,000	'	'	'	28,524,000	'	999,462,000

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Cas

Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:	'	'	'
Net income	$115,478	$153,314	$157,608
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization expense	1,169,500	1,266,807	1,403,175
Losses on early extinguishment of debt	159,780	90,363	'
Pension settlement costs	44,163	'	'
Pension/OPEB costs	37,243	28,087	23,897
Stock based compensation expense	16,932	16,775	14,209
Gain on sale of Mohave partnership interest	-14,601	'	'
Other non-cash adjustments	11,065	10,319	-28,036
Deferred income taxes	-7,510	80,501	87,411
Change in accounts receivable	50,487	43,813	-72,600
Change in accounts payable and other liabilities	-6,507	-148,906	-84,689
Change in prepaid expenses, income taxes and other current assets	-80,403	11,400	71,706
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,495,627	1,552,473	1,572,681
Cash flows provided from (used by) investing activities:	'	'	'
Capital expenditures - Business operations	-634,685	-748,407	-748,361
Capital expenditures - Integration activities	'	-54,097	-76,478
Network expansion funded by Connect America Fund	-32,748	-4,830	'
Grant funds received for network expansion from Connect America Fund	63,636	65,981	'
Proceeds on sale of Mohave partnership interest	17,755	'	'
Cash transferred from escrow	31,249	102,020	43,012
Other assets purchased and distributions received, net	12,300	4,394	19,155
Net cash used by investing activities	-542,493	-634,939	-762,672
Cash flows provided from (used by) financing activities:	'	'	'
Long-term debt borrowing	750,000	1,360,625	575,000
Financing costs paid	-19,360	-27,852	-5,444
Long-term debt payments	-1,563,022	-756,953	-552,394
Premium paid to retire debt	-159,429	-72,290	'
Dividends paid	-399,768	-399,390	-746,387
Repayment of customer advances for construction, distributions to noncontrolling interests and other	-8,048	-21,236	-5,953
Net cash provided from (used by) financing activities	-1,399,627	82,904	-735,178
(Decrease)/Increase in cash and cash equivalents	-446,493	1,000,438	74,831
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1,	1,326,532	326,094	251,263
Cash and cash equivalents at December 31,	880,039	1,326,532	326,094
Cash paid during the period for:	'	'	'
Interest	667,753	636,485	653,500
Income taxes	94,161	4,715	-33,072
Non-cash investing and financing activities:	'	'	'
Capital lease obligations	25,082	26,596	'
Financing obligation for contribution of real property to pension plan	23,422	'	58,100
Reduction of pension obligation	-23,422	'	-58,100
Increase in capital expenditures due to change in accounts payable	$39,847	$9,802	$1,338

Summary_Of_Significant_Account

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Description of Business and Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	(1)   Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies:
	(a)   Description of Business:
	Frontier Communications Corporation (Frontier) is a communications company providing services predominantly to rural areas and small and medium-sized towns and cities as an incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC).  Frontier was incorporated in 1935, originally under the name of Citizens Utilities Company and was known as Citizens Communications Company until July 31, 2008.  Frontier and its subsidiaries are referred to as “we,” “us,” “our,” “Frontier,” or the “Company” in this report.  On July 1, 2010, Frontier completed the 2010 Transaction for the acquisition of the 2010 Acquired Business, as described further in Note 3 – The Transactions.
	(b)  Basis of Presentation and Use of Estimates:
	Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	Frontier had a 33⅓% controlling general partner interest in a partnership entity, the Mohave Cellular Limited Partnership (Mohave).  Mohave’s results of operations and balance sheet were included in our consolidated financial statements through its date of disposal on April 1, 2013.  The minority interest of the limited partners was reflected in the consolidated balance sheet as “Noncontrolling interest in a partnership” and in the consolidated statements of operations as “Income attributable to the noncontrolling interest in a partnership.”  On April 1, 2013, the Company sold its partnership interest in Mohave and received proceeds of $17.8 million.  The Company recognized a gain on sale of approximately $14.6 million before taxes in 2013.
	For our financial statements as of and for the period ended December 31, 2013, we evaluated subsequent events and transactions for potential recognition or disclosure through the date that we filed this annual report on Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
	The preparation of our financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect (i) the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, (ii) the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and (iii) the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results may differ from those estimates.  Estimates and judgments are used when accounting for revenue recognition including the allowance for doubtful accounts, impairment of long-lived assets, intangible assets, depreciation and amortization, income taxes, contingencies, and pension and other postretirement benefits, among others.
	(c)   Cash Equivalents:
	We consider all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
	(d)  Revenue Recognition:
	Revenue is recognized when services are provided or when products are delivered to customers.  Revenue that is billed in advance includes: monthly recurring network access services (including data services), special access services and monthly recurring voice, video and related charges.  The unearned portion of these fees is initially deferred as a component of “Advanced billings” on our consolidated balance sheet and recognized as revenue over the period that the services are provided.  Revenue that is billed in arrears includes: non-recurring network access services (including data services), switched access services, non-recurring voice and video services.  The earned but unbilled portion of these fees is recognized as revenue in our consolidated statements of operations and accrued in accounts receivable in the period that the services are provided.  Excise taxes are recognized as a liability when billed.  Installation fees and their related direct and incremental costs are initially deferred and recognized as revenue and expense over the average term of a customer relationship.  We recognize as current period expense the portion of installation costs that exceeds installation fee revenue.
	As required by law, the Company collects various taxes from its customers and subsequently remits these taxes to governmental authorities. Substantially all of these taxes are recorded through the consolidated balance sheet and presented on a net basis in our consolidated statements of operations.  We also collect Universal Service Fund (USF) surcharges from customers (primarily federal USF) that we have recorded on a gross basis in our consolidated statements of operations and included within “Revenue” and “Other operating expenses” of $117.5 million,  $119.7 million and $104.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	(e)  Property, Plant and Equipment:
	Property, plant and equipment are stated at original cost, including capitalized interest, or fair market value as of the date of acquisition for acquired properties.  Maintenance and repairs are charged to operating expenses as incurred. The gross book value of routine property, plant and equipment retired is charged against accumulated depreciation.
	(f)   Goodwill and Other Intangibles:
	Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over the fair value of identifiable tangible and intangible net assets acquired. We undertake studies to determine the fair values of assets and liabilities acquired and allocate purchase prices to assets and liabilities, including property, plant and equipment, goodwill and other identifiable intangibles.  We annually (during the fourth quarter) or more frequently, if appropriate, examine the carrying value of our goodwill and trade name to determine whether there are any impairment losses. We test for goodwill impairment at the “operating segment” level, as that term is defined in U.S. GAAP. During the first quarter of 2013, the Company reorganized into four regional operating segments. Our operating segments consist of the following regions: Central, East, National and West.  Our regional operating segments are aggregated into one reportable segment.  In conjunction with the reorganization of our operating segments effective with the first quarter of 2013, we reassigned goodwill to our reporting units using a relative fair value allocation approach.
	The Company amortizes finite-lived intangible assets over their estimated useful lives and reviews such intangible assets at least annually (during the fourth quarter) to assess whether any potential impairment exists and whether factors exist that would necessitate a change in useful life and a different amortization period.
	(g)  Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of:
	We review long-lived assets to be held and used, including customer lists, and long-lived assets to be disposed of for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by comparing the carrying amount of the asset to the future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. Recoverability of assets held for sale is measured by comparing the carrying amount of the assets to their estimated fair market value. If any assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the estimated fair value.  Also, we periodically reassess the useful lives of our tangible and intangible assets to determine whether any changes are required.
	(h)  Investments:
	Investments in entities that we do not control, but where we have the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies, are accounted for using the equity method of accounting.
	(i)   Income Taxes and Deferred Income Taxes:
	We file a consolidated federal income tax return. We utilize the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under the asset and liability method, deferred income taxes are recorded for the tax effect of temporary differences between the financial statement basis and the tax basis of assets and liabilities using tax rates expected to be in effect when the temporary differences are expected to reverse.
	(j)   Stock Plans:
	We have various stock-based compensation plans. Awards under these plans are granted to eligible officers, management employees, non-management employees and non-employee directors. Awards may be made in the form of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units or other stock-based awards, including awards with performance, market and time-vesting conditions. Our general policy is to issue shares from treasury upon the grant of restricted shares, earning of performance shares and the exercise of options.
	The compensation cost recognized is based on awards ultimately expected to vest. U.S. GAAP requires forfeitures to be estimated and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.
	(k)  Net Income Per Common Share Attributable to Common Shareholders:
	Basic net income per common share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period being reported on, excluding unvested restricted stock awards. The impact of dividends paid on unvested restricted stock awards have been deducted in the determination of basic and diluted net income per common share attributable to common shareholders of Frontier. Except when the effect would be antidilutive, diluted net income per common share reflects the dilutive effect of certain common stock equivalents, as described further in Note 13 – Net Income Per Common Share.

Recent_Accounting_Literature

Recent Accounting Literature	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Recent Accounting Literature [Abstract]	'
Recent Accounting Literature	'
	(2)   Recent Accounting Literature:
	Presentation of Comprehensive Income
	In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-02 (ASU 2013-02), “Comprehensive Income: Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income,” (Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 220). ASU 2013-02 requires disclosing the effect of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income on the respective line items in the components of net income in circumstances when U.S. GAAP requires the item to be reclassified in its entirety to net income. This new guidance is to be applied prospectively. The Company adopted ASU 2013-02 during the fourth quarter of 2012 with no impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
	Internal Control – Integrated Framework
	On May 14, 2013, the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) issued its updated Internal Control – Integrated Framework (the 2013 Framework) and related illustrative documents. COSO will continue to make available its original Framework during the transition period extending to December 15, 2014. The Company currently utilizes COSO’s original Framework, which was published in 1992 and is recognized as the leading guidance for designing, implementing and conducting internal controls over external financial reporting and assessing its effectiveness. The 2013 Framework is expected to help organizations design and implement internal control in light of many changes in business and operating environments since the issuance of the original Framework, broaden the application of internal control in addressing operations and reporting objectives, and clarify the requirements for determining what constitutes effective internal control. We plan to adopt the 2013 Framework in 2014 and do not expect that it will have a significant impact on the Company.

The_Transactions

The Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
The Transactions [Abstract]	'
The Transactions	'
	(3)   The Transactions:
	The 2010 Transaction
	On July 1, 2010, the Company acquired the defined assets and liabilities of the local exchange business and related landline activities of Verizon Communications Inc. (Verizon) in 14 states (the Acquired Territories), including Internet access and long distance services and broadband video provided to designated customers in the Acquired Territories (the 2010 Acquired Business).  Frontier was considered the acquirer of the 2010 Acquired Business for accounting purposes.
	The Company accounted for its acquisition of the 2010 Acquired Business (the 2010 Transaction) using the guidance included in ASC Topic 805. We incurred $81.7 million and $143.1 million of integration related costs in connection with the 2010 Transaction during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  Such costs are required to be expensed as incurred and are reflected in “Acquisition and integration costs” in our consolidated statements of operations.   All integration activities for the 2010 Transaction were completed as of the end of 2012.
	The AT&T Transaction
	On December 17, 2013, the Company announced that it entered into an agreement to acquire the wireline properties of AT&T Inc. (AT&T) in Connecticut (the AT&T Transaction) for a purchase price of $2.0 billion in cash, with adjustments for working capital.  Upon completion of the AT&T Transaction, Frontier will operate AT&T’s wireline business and fiber optic network that provides services to residential, commercial and wholesale customers in Connecticut.  The Company will also acquire AT&T’s U-verse® video and satellite TV customers in Connecticut.  We incurred $9.7 million of acquisition related costs in connection with the AT&T Transaction during the fourth quarter of 2013.

Accounts_Receivable

Accounts Receivable	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounts Receivable [Abstract]	'
Accounts Receivable	'
	(4)   Accounts Receivable:
	The components of accounts receivable, net at December 31, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:
	($ in thousands)	2013			2012
	Retail and Wholesale	$	498,717		$	581,152
	Other		51,855			45,819
	Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts		-71,362			-93,267
	Accounts receivable, net	$	479,210		$	533,704
	An analysis of the activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 is as follows:
	($ in thousands)		Balance at beginning of Period			Charged to Other Revenue		Charged (Credited) to Switched and Nonswitched Revenue and Other Accounts		Write-offs and Recoveries		Balance at end of Period
	2011		$	73,571		$	93,721	$	16,403	$	-76,647	$	107,048
	2012			107,048			74,332		14,396		-102,509		93,267
	2013			93,267			68,965		-3,203		-87,667		71,362
	We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts based on our estimate of our ability to collect accounts receivable. The provision for uncollectible amounts was $65.8 million, $88.7 million and $110.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Property_Plant_And_Equipment

Property, Plant And Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Property, Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant And Equipment	'
	(5)   Property, Plant and Equipment:
	Property, plant and equipment, net at December 31, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:
	($ in thousands)	Estimated Useful Lives	2013		2012
	Land	N/A	$	126,483	$	126,483
	Buildings and leasehold improvements	41 years		1,061,097		1,052,650
	General support	5 to 17 years		977,941		988,707
	Central office/electronic circuit equipment	5 to 11 years		5,222,928		4,965,099
	Poles	49 years		549,322		507,922
	Cable and wire	15 to 30 years		6,259,292		6,038,835
	Conduit	60 years		359,974		354,777
	Other	12 to 30 years		43,144		44,802
	Construction work in progress			250,516		274,488
	Property, plant and equipment			14,850,697		14,353,763
	Less: Accumulated depreciation			-7,594,935		-6,848,867
	Property, plant and equipment, net		$	7,255,762	$	7,504,896
	Depreciation expense is principally based on the composite group method.  Depreciation expense was $841.5 million, $844.6 million and $881.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  As a result of an independent study of the estimated remaining useful lives of our plant assets, we adopted new estimated remaining useful lives for certain plant assets as of October 1, 2013, with an immaterial impact to depreciation expense.

Goodwill_And_Other_Intangibles

Goodwill And Other Intangibles	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill And Other Intangibles [Abstract]	'
Goodwill And Other Intangibles	'
	(6)   Goodwill and Other Intangibles:
	The components of goodwill by the reporting units in effect as of December 31, 2013 are as follows:
	($ in thousands)
	Central	$	1,815,498
	East		2,003,574
	National		1,218,113
	West		1,300,534
	Total Goodwill	$	6,337,719
	The components of other intangibles at December 31, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:
	($ in thousands)	2013						2012
		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Amount		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Amount
	Other Intangibles:
	Customer base	$	2,427,648	$	-1,336,852	$	1,090,796	$	2,427,648	$	-1,009,045	$	1,418,603
	Software licenses		-		-		-		105,019		-105,019		-
	Trade name and license		124,136		-		124,136		124,419		-283		124,136
	Total other intangibles	$	2,551,784	$	-1,336,852	$	1,214,932	$	2,657,086	$	-1,114,347	$	1,542,739
	Amortization expense was $328.0 million,  $422.2 million and $521.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Amortization expense for 2013, 2012 and 2011 of $328.0 million, $410.8 million and $465.4 million, respectively, mainly represents the amortization of intangible assets (primarily customer base) that were acquired in the 2010 Transaction based on a useful life of nine years for the residential customer base and 12 years for the business customer base, amortized on an accelerated method.  Amortization expense for 2012 and 2011 included $38.3 million and $49.1 million, respectively, for amortization associated with certain software licenses that were acquired in the 2010 Transaction and are no longer required for operations as a result of the completed systems conversions and $11.4 million and $56.3 million, respectively, for amortization associated with certain properties, each of which were fully amortized in 2012. Amortization expense, based on our current estimate of useful lives, is estimated to be approximately $285 million in 2014, $240 million in 2015, $195 million in 2016, $150 million in 2017 and $105 million in 2018.

LongTerm_Debt

Long-Term Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Long-Term Debt [Abstract]	'
Long-Term Debt	'
	(7)   Long-Term Debt:
	The activity in our long-term debt from December 31, 2012 to December 31, 2013 is summarized as follows:
				Year Ended
				31-Dec-13								Interest
												Rate at
		December 31,		Payments			New			December 31,		December 31,
	($ in thousands)	2012		and Retirements			Borrowings			2013		2013 *
	Senior Unsecured Debt	$	8,919,696	$	-1,562,630		$	750,000		$	8,107,066	7.95%
	Industrial Development Revenue Bonds		13,550		-			-			13,550	6.33%
	Rural Utilities Service Loan Contracts		9,322		-392			-			8,930	6.15%
	Total Long-Term Debt	$	8,942,568	$	-1,563,022		$	750,000		$	8,129,546	7.95%
	Less: Debt (Discount)/Premium		-71								2,037
	Less: Current Portion		-560,550								-257,916
		$	8,381,947							$	7,873,667
	*  Interest rate includes amortization of debt issuance costs and debt premiums or discounts.  The interest rates at December 31, 2013 represent a weighted average of multiple issuances.
	Additional information regarding our Senior Unsecured Debt at December 31, 2013 and 2012 is as follows:
	($ in thousands)	2013				2012
		Principal		Interest		Principal			Interest
		Outstanding		Rate		Outstanding			Rate
	Senior Notes and Debentures Due:
	1/15/13	$	-	-		$	502,658		6.25%
	5/1/14		200,000	8.25%			200,000		8.25%
	3/15/15		105,026	6.63%			300,000		6.63%
	4/15/15		96,872	7.88%			374,803		7.88%
	10/14/2016 *		460,000	3.045% (Variable)			517,500		3.095% (Variable)
	4/15/17		606,874	8.25%			1,040,685		8.25%
	10/1/18		582,739	8.13%			600,000		8.13%
	3/15/19		434,000	7.12%			434,000		7.12%
	4/15/20		1,021,505	8.50%			1,100,000		8.50%
	7/1/21		500,000	9.25%			500,000		9.25%
	4/15/22		500,000	8.75%			500,000		8.75%
	1/15/23		850,000	7.12%			850,000		7.12%
	4/15/24		750,000	7.63%			-		-
	11/1/25		138,000	7.00%			138,000		7.00%
	8/15/26		1,739	6.80%			1,739		6.80%
	1/15/27		345,858	7.88%			345,858		7.88%
	8/15/31		945,325	9.00%			945,325		9.00%
	10/1/34		628	7.68%			628		7.68%
	7/1/35		125,000	7.45%			125,000		7.45%
	10/1/46		193,500	7.05%			193,500		7.05%
			7,857,066				8,669,696
	Subsidiary Senior Notes and Debentures Due:
	2/15/2028		200,000	6.73%			200,000		6.73%
	10/15/2029		50,000	8.40%			50,000		8.40%
	Total	$	8,107,066	7.78% **		$	8,919,696		7.69% **
	*      Represents borrowings under the Credit Agreement with CoBank.
	**    Interest rate represents a weighted average of the stated interest rates of multiple issuances.
	The Company has a credit agreement with CoBank, ACB, as administrative agent, lead arranger and a lender, and the other lenders party thereto, for a $575.0 million senior unsecured term loan facility with a final maturity of October 14, 2016 (the Credit Agreement).  The entire facility was drawn upon execution of the Credit Agreement in October 2011.  Repayment of the outstanding principal balance is made in quarterly installments in the amount of $14.4 million, which commenced on March 31, 2012, with the remaining outstanding principal balance to be repaid on the final maturity date. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear interest based on the margins over the Base Rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement) or LIBOR, at the election of the Company.  Interest rate margins under the facility (ranging from 0.875% to 2.875% for Base Rate borrowings and 1.875% to 3.875% for LIBOR borrowings) are subject to adjustments based on the Total Leverage Ratio of the Company, as such term is defined in the Credit Agreement.  The current pricing on this facility is LIBOR plus 2.875%.  Proceeds of the facility were used to repay in full the remaining outstanding principal on three debt facilities (Frontier’s $200 million Rural Telephone Financing Cooperative term loan maturing October 24, 2011, its $143 million CoBank term loan maturing December 31, 2012, and its $130 million CoBank term loan maturing December 31, 2013) and the remaining proceeds were used for general corporate purposes.
	On May 3, 2013, the Company entered into a new $750.0 million revolving credit facility (the Revolving Credit Facility) and terminated the Company’s previously existing revolving credit facility. As of December 31, 2013, no borrowings had been made under the Revolving Credit Facility. The terms of the Revolving Credit Facility are set forth in the credit agreement, dated as of May 3, 2013, among the Company, the Lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and the other parties named therein (the Revolving Credit Agreement).  Associated commitment fees under the Revolving Credit Facility will vary from time to time depending on the Company’s debt rating (as defined in the Revolving Credit Agreement) and were 0.400%  per annum as of December 31, 2013. The Revolving Credit Facility is scheduled to terminate on November 3, 2016. During the term of the Revolving Credit Facility, the Company may borrow, repay and reborrow funds, and may obtain letters of credit, subject to customary borrowing conditions. Loans under the Revolving Credit Facility will bear interest based on the alternate base rate or the adjusted LIBO Rate (each as determined in the Revolving Credit Agreement), at the Company’s election, plus a margin based on the Company’s debt rating (ranging from 0.50% to 1.50% for alternate base rate borrowings and 1.50% to 2.50% for adjusted LIBO Rate borrowings). The current pricing on this facility would have been 1.0% or 2.0%, respectively, as of December 31, 2013. Letters of credit issued under the Revolving Credit Facility will also be subject to fees that vary depending on the Company’s debt rating. The Revolving Credit Facility is available for general corporate purposes but may not be used to fund dividend payments.  The maximum permitted leverage ratio is 4.5 times.
	On September 8, 2010,  the Company entered into a letter of credit facility, the terms of which are set forth in the Credit Agreement with the Lenders party thereto and Deutsche Bank AG, New York Branch (the Bank), as Administrative Agent and Issuing Bank (the Letter of Credit Agreement). An initial letter of credit for $190.0 million was issued to the West Virginia Public Service Commission to guarantee certain of our capital investment commitments in West Virginia in connection with the 2010 Transaction.  The initial commitments under the Letter of Credit Agreement expired in September 2011, with the Bank exercising its option to extend $100.0 million of the commitments to September 2012.  In September 2012, the Company entered into an amendment to the Letter of Credit Agreement to extend $40 million of the commitments.  Two letters of credit were issued in September 2012, one for $20 million that expired in March 2013, and the other for $20 million that expired in September 2013. The Letter of Credit Agreement expired on September 20, 2013.
	On April 10, 2013, the Company completed a registered debt offering of $750.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7.625% senior unsecured notes due 2024, issued at a price of 100% of their principal amount. We received net proceeds of $736.9 million from the offering after deducting underwriting fees. The Company used the net proceeds from the sale of the notes, together with cash on hand, to finance the cash tender offers discussed below.
	On April 10, 2013, the Company accepted for purchase $471.3 million aggregate principal amount of its senior notes tendered for total consideration of $532.4 million, consisting of $194.2 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 6.625% senior notes due 2015 (the March 2015 Notes), tendered for total consideration of $216.0 million, and $277.1 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 7.875% senior notes due 2015 (the April 2015 Notes), tendered for total consideration of $316.4 million. On April 24, 2013, the Company accepted for purchase $0.7 million aggregate principal amount of the March 2015 Notes, tendered for total consideration of $0.8 million, $0.8 million of the April 2015 Notes, tendered for total consideration of $0.9 million, and $225.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 8.250% senior notes due 2017 (the 2017 Notes), tendered for total consideration of $267.7 million. The repurchases in the debt tender offers for the senior notes resulted in a loss on the early extinguishment of debt of $104.9 million, ($64.9 million or $0.06 per share after tax), which was recognized in the second quarter of 2013.
	Additionally, during the second quarter of 2013, the Company repurchased $208.8 million of the 2017 Notes in a privately negotiated transaction, along with $17.3 million of its 8.125% senior notes due 2018 and $78.5 million of its 8.500% senior notes due 2020 in open market repurchases. These transactions resulted in a loss on the early extinguishment of debt of $54.9 million ($34.0 million or $0.04 per share after tax), which was recognized in the second quarter of 2013.
	On May 17, 2012, the Company completed a registered offering of $500 million aggregate principal amount of 9.250% senior unsecured notes due 2021, issued at a price of 100% of their principal amount.  We received net proceeds of $489.6 million from the offering after deducting underwriting fees and offering expenses.  The Company also commenced a tender offer to purchase the maximum aggregate principal amount of its 8.250% Senior Notes due 2014 (the 2014 Notes) and the April 2015 Notes (and together with the 2014 Notes, the Notes) that it could purchase for up to $500 million in cash (the 2012 Debt Tender Offer).
	Pursuant to the 2012 Debt Tender Offer, the Company accepted for purchase $400 million aggregate principal amount of 2014 Notes, tendered for total consideration of $446.0 million, and  $49.5 million aggregate principal amount of April 2015 Notes, tendered for total consideration of $54.0 million.  The Company used proceeds from the sale of its May 2012 offering of $500 million of 9.250% Senior Notes due 2021, plus cash on hand, to purchase the Notes.
	In connection with the 2012 Debt Tender Offer and repurchase of the Notes, the Company recognized a loss of $69.0 million for the premium paid on the early extinguishment of debt during 2012.  We also recognized losses of $2.1 million during 2012 for $78.1 million in total open market repurchases of our 6.25% Senior Notes due 2013.
	On August 15, 2012, the Company completed a registered offering of $600 million aggregate principal amount of 7.125% senior unsecured notes due 2023 (the 2023 Notes), issued at a price of 100% of their principal amount.  We received net proceeds of $588.1 million from the offering after deducting underwriting fees and offering expenses.  The Company used the net proceeds from the sale of the notes to repurchase or retire existing indebtedness in 2013.
	On October 1, 2012, the Company completed a registered debt offering of $250 million aggregate principal amount of the 2023 Notes, issued at a price of 104.250% of their principal amount.  We received net proceeds of $255.9 million from the offering after deducting underwriting fees and offering expenses. The notes are an additional issuance of, are fully fungible with and form a single series voting together as one class with the $600 million aggregate principal amount of the 2023 Notes issued by the Company on August 15, 2012. The Company used the net proceeds from the sale of the notes to repurchase or retire existing indebtedness in 2013.
	On October 1, 2012, the Company accepted for purchase $75.7 million and $59.3 million aggregate principal amount of the April 2015 Notes and the 2017 Notes, respectively, in open market repurchases for total consideration of $154.7 million. The repurchases resulted in a loss on the early retirement of debt of $19.3 million.
	In 2011, we retired an aggregate principal amount of $552.4 million of debt, consisting of $551.4 million of senior unsecured debt and $1.0 million of rural utilities service loan contracts.
	As of December 31, 2013, we were in compliance with all of our debt and credit facility financial covenants.
	On December 16, 2013, we signed a commitment letter for a bridge loan facility (the Bridge Facility) and recognized interest expense of $1.3 million related to this commitment during 2013.  On January 29, 2014, we entered into a bridge loan agreement (the Bridge Loan Agreement) with the Lenders party thereto and JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, pursuant to which the Lenders have agreed at closing of the AT&T Transaction to provide to us an unsecured bridge loan facility for up to $1.9 billion for the purposes of funding (i) substantially all of the purchase price for the AT&T Transaction and (ii) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated by the stock purchase agreement for the AT&T Transaction. Pursuant to the Bridge Loan Agreement, if and to the extent we do not, or are unable to, issue debt securities yielding up to $1.9 billion in gross cash proceeds on or prior to the closing of the AT&T Transaction, we shall draw down up to $1.9 billion, less the amount of the debt securities, if any, issued by us on or prior to the closing of the AT&T Transaction, in aggregate principal amount of loans under the Bridge Facility to fund the purchase price of the AT&T Transaction.
	Our principal payments for the next five years are as follows as of December 31, 2013:
	Principal
($ in thousands)	Payments
2014	$	257,916
2015	$	259,840
2016	$	345,466
2017	$	607,375
2018	$	583,273
Other Obligations
During 2013, the Company contributed four real estate properties to its qualified defined benefit pension plan. The pension plan obtained independent appraisals of the properties and, based on these appraisals, the pension plan recorded the contributions at their fair value of $23.4 million. The Company has entered into leases for the contributed properties for 15 years at a combined aggregate annual rent of approximately $2.1 million. The properties are managed on behalf of the pension plan by an independent fiduciary, and the terms of the leases were negotiated with the fiduciary on an arm’s-length basis.
The contribution and leaseback of the properties was treated as a financing transaction and, accordingly, the Company continues to depreciate the carrying value of the properties in its financial statements and no gain or loss was recognized. An obligation of $23.4 million was recorded in our consolidated balance sheet within “Other liabilities” for $23.3 million and within “Other current liabilities” for $0.1 million and these liabilities will be reduced by a portion of the lease payments made to the pension plan.
During 2012, the Company entered into a sale and leaseback arrangement for a facility in Everett, Washington and entered into a capital lease for the use of fiber in the state of Minnesota.  These agreements have lease terms of 12 and 23 years, respectively. These capital lease obligations as of December 31, 2012 are included in our consolidated balance sheet within “Other liabilities” and “Other current liabilities.”
During 2011, the Company contributed four real estate properties to its qualified defined benefit pension plan. The pension plan recorded the contributions at their fair value of $58.1 million and the Company entered into a financing lease for the contributed properties for 15 years at a combined aggregate annual rent of approximately $5.8 million.
Future minimum payments for finance lease obligations and capital lease obligations as of December 31, 2013 are as follows:
($ in thousands)	Finance Lease Obligations		Capital Lease Obligations
Year ending December 31:
2014	$	6,891	$	3,107
2015		7,043		3,162
2016		7,225		3,216
2017		7,418		3,273
2018		7,633		3,331
Thereafter		70,892		18,976
Total future payments		107,102		35,065
Less: Amounts representing interest		-63,174		-9,983
Present value of minimum lease payments	$	43,928	$	25,082

Investment_Income

Investment Income	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Investment Income [Abstract]	'
Investment Income	'
	(8) Investment Income:
	The components of investment income for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 are as follows:
	($ in thousands)	2013		2012		2011
	Interest and dividend income	$	2,401	$	3,753	$	2,184
	Investment gain		1,407		9,780		1,071
	Equity earnings (loss)		-		-522		-864
	Total investment income	$	3,808	$	13,011	$	2,391
	During 2013, 2012 and 2011, we recognized investment gains of $1.4 million,  $9.8 million and $1.1 million, respectively, associated with cash received in connection with our previously written-off investment in Adelphia.

Other_Income_Net

Other Income, Net	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Other Income, Net [Abstract]	'
Other Income, Net	'
	(9)   Other Income, Net:
	The components of other income, net for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 are as follows:
	($ in thousands)	2013		2012		2011
	Gain on expiration/settlement of customer advances	$	3,345	$	7,798	$	7,605
	Litigation settlement proceeds		-		854		1,495
	Split-dollar life insurance proceeds		2,263		-		-
	All other, net		-239		-1,531		35
	Total other income, net	$	5,369	$	7,121	$	9,135
	During 2013 we recognized proceeds of $2.3 million in the settlement of a split-dollar life insurance policy for a former senior executive.
	During 2013, 2012 and 2011, we recognized income of $3.3 million, $7.8 million and $7.6 million, respectively, in connection with certain retained liabilities that have terminated, associated with customer advances for construction from our disposed water properties.
	During 2012 and 2011, we recognized $0.9 million and $1.5 million, respectively, in settlement proceeds related to litigation arising from businesses that the Company exited several years ago.

Capital_Stock

Capital Stock	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Capital Stock [Abstract]	'
Capital Stock	'
	(10) Capital Stock:
	We are authorized to issue up to 1,750,000,000 shares of common stock.  The amount and timing of dividends payable on common stock are, subject to applicable law, within the sole discretion of our Board of Directors.

Stock_Plans

Stock Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Stock Plans [Abstract]	'
Stock Plans	'
	(11) Stock Plans:
	At December 31, 2013, we had six stock-based compensation plans under which grants were made and awards remained outstanding.  No further awards may be granted under four of the plans: the 1996 Equity Incentive Plan (the 1996 EIP), the Amended and Restated 2000 Equity Incentive Plan (the 2000 EIP), the 2009 Equity Incentive Plan (the 2009 EIP) and the Non-Employee Directors’ Deferred Fee Equity Plan (the Deferred Fee Plan).  At December 31, 2013, there were 22,540,761 shares authorized for grant and 18,432,664 shares available for grant under the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan (the 2013 EIP and together with the 1996 EIP, the 2000 EIP and the 2009 EIP, the EIPs) and the Non-Employee Directors’ Equity Incentive Plan (the Directors’ Equity Plan, and together with the Deferred Fee Plan, the Director Plans). Our general policy is to issue shares from treasury upon the grant of restricted shares and the exercise of options.
	1996, 2000, 2009 and 2013 Equity Incentive Plans
	Since the expiration dates of the 1996 EIP, the 2000 EIP and the 2009 EIP on May 22, 2006, May 14, 2009 and May 8, 2013, respectively, no awards have been or may be granted under the 1996 EIP, the 2000 EIP and the 2009 EIP. Under the 2013 EIP, awards of our common stock may be granted to eligible officers, management employees and non-management employees in the form of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, SARs, restricted stock, performance shares or other stock-based awards. As discussed under the Non-Employee Directors’ Compensation Plans below, prior to May 25, 2006 non-employee directors received an award of stock options under the 2000 EIP upon commencement of service.
	At December 31, 2013, there were 20,000,000 shares authorized for grant under the 2013 EIP and 17,384,055 shares available for grant.  No awards may be granted more than 10 years after the effective date (May 8, 2013) of the 2013 EIP plan. The exercise price of stock options and SARs under the EIPs generally are equal to or greater than the fair market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. Stock options are not ordinarily exercisable on the date of grant but vest over a period of time (generally four years). Under the terms of the EIPs, subsequent stock dividends and stock splits have the effect of increasing the option shares outstanding, which correspondingly decrease the average exercise price of outstanding options.
	Performance Shares
	On February 15, 2012, the Company’s Compensation Committee, in consultation with the other non-management directors of the Company’s Board of Directors and the Committee’s independent executive compensation consultant, adopted the Frontier Long-Term Incentive Plan (the LTIP). LTIP awards are granted in the form of performance shares.  The LTIP is currently offered under the Company’s 2009 EIP and 2013 EIP, and participants consist of senior vice presidents and above. The LTIP awards have performance, market and time-vesting conditions.
	Beginning in 2012, during the first 90 days of a three-year performance period (a Measurement Period), a target number of performance shares are awarded to each LTIP participant with respect to the Measurement Period.  The performance metrics under the LTIP are (1) annual targets for operating cash flow based on a goal set during the first 90 days of each year in the three-year Measurement Period and (2) an overall performance “modifier” set during the first 90 days of the Measurement Period, based on the Company’s total return to stockholders (i.e., Total Shareholder Return or TSR) relative to the Integrated Telecommunications Services Group (GICS Code 50101020) for the three-year Measurement Period.  Operating cash flow performance is determined at the end of each year and the annual results will be averaged at the end of the three-year Measurement Period to determine the preliminary number of shares earned under the LTIP award.  The TSR performance measure is then applied to decrease or increase payouts based on the Company’s three year relative TSR performance. LTIP awards, to the extent earned, will be paid out in the form of common stock shortly following the end of the three-year Measurement Period.
	On February 15, 2012, the Compensation Committee granted 930,020 performance shares under the LTIP for the 2012-2014 Measurement Period and set the operating cash flow performance goal for the first year in that Measurement Period and the TSR modifier for the three-year Measurement Period.  On February 27, 2013, the Compensation Committee approved 1,123,966 target performance shares under the LTIP for the 2013-2015 Measurement Period and set the operating cash flow performance goal for 2013, which applies to the first year of the 2013-2015 Measurement Period and the second year of the 2012-2014 Measurement Period.  The performance share awards approved in February 2013 were granted upon stockholder approval of the Company’s 2013 EIP at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on May 8, 2013.  The number of shares of common stock earned at the end of each three-year Measurement Period may be more or less than the number of target performance shares granted as a result of operating cash flow and TSR performance.   An executive must maintain a satisfactory performance rating during the Measurement Period and must be employed by the Company at the end of the three-year Measurement Period in order for the award to vest.  The Compensation Committee will determine the number of shares earned for each three year Measurement Period in February of the year following the end of the Measurement Period.
	The following summary presents information regarding LTIP target performance shares as of December 31, 2013 and changes with regard to LTIP shares awarded under the 2009 EIP and the 2013 EIP:
		Number of
		Shares
	Balance at January 1, 2012	-
	LTIP target performance shares granted	979,000
	LTIP target performance shares forfeited	-
	Balance at December 31, 2012	979,000
	LTIP target performance shares granted	1,124,000
	LTIP target performance shares forfeited	-354,000
	Balance at December 31, 2013	1,749,000
	The Company recognized an expense of $1.1 million and $0.4 million during 2013 and 2012, respectively, for the LTIP.
	Restricted Stock
	The following summary presents information regarding unvested restricted stock as of December 31, 2013 and changes with regard to restricted stock under the 2009 EIP and the 2013 EIP:
			Weighted
			Average
		Number of	Grant Date		Aggregate
		Shares	Fair Value		Fair Value
	Balance at January 1, 2011	4,440,000	$	8.29	$	43,199,000
	Restricted stock granted	1,734,000	$	9.38	$	8,930,000
	Restricted stock vested	-1,146,000	$	9.52	$	5,899,000
	Restricted stock forfeited	-181,000	$	7.99
	Balance at December 31, 2011	4,847,000	$	8.4	$	24,962,000
	Restricted stock granted	3,976,000	$	4.18	$	17,017,000
	Restricted stock vested	-1,387,000	$	8.78	$	5,937,000
	Restricted stock forfeited	-387,000	$	5.99
	Balance at December 31, 2012	7,049,000	$	6.08	$	30,169,000
	Restricted stock granted	3,360,000	$	4.1	$	15,626,000
	Restricted stock vested	-3,097,000	$	6.78	$	14,403,000
	Restricted stock forfeited	-1,078,000	$	5.26
	Balance at December 31, 2013	6,234,000	$	4.8	$	28,988,000
	For purposes of determining compensation expense, the fair value of each restricted stock grant is estimated based on the average of the high and low market price of a share of our common stock on the date of grant. Total remaining unrecognized compensation cost associated with unvested restricted stock awards at December 31, 2013 was $19.5 million and the weighted average period over which this cost is expected to be recognized is approximately 1.5 years.
	We have granted restricted stock awards to employees in the form of our common stock. None of the restricted stock awards may be sold, assigned, pledged or otherwise transferred, voluntarily or involuntarily, by the employees until the restrictions lapse, subject to limited exceptions. The restrictions are time-based. Compensation expense, recognized in “Other operating expenses”, of $14.9 million, $15.9 million and $14.8 million, for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, has been recorded in connection with these grants.
	Stock Options
	The following summary presents information regarding outstanding stock options as of December 31, 2013 and changes with regard to options under the EIPs:
			Weighted		Weighted
		Shares	Average		Average		Aggregate
		Subject to	Option Price		Remaining		Intrinsic
		Option	Per Share		Life in Years		Value
	Balance at January 1, 2011	1,507,000	$	10.50	1.7		$	603,000
	Options granted	-	$	-
	Options exercised	-10,000	$	8.19			$	12,000
	Options canceled, forfeited or lapsed	-602,000	$	10.86
	Balance at December 31, 2011	895,000	$	9.94	1.3		$	-
	Options granted	-	$	-
	Options exercised	-	$	-
	Options canceled, forfeited or lapsed	-355,000	$	8.35
	Balance at December 31, 2012	540,000	$	10.99	0.9		$	-
	Options granted	-	$	-
	Options exercised	-	$	-
	Options canceled, forfeited or lapsed	-457,000	$	10.59
	Balance at December 31, 2013	83,000	$	13.23	1.8		$	-
	The number of options exercisable at December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 were 83,000,  540,000 and 895,000, with a weighted average exercise price of $13.23,  $10.99 and $9.94, respectively.
	There were no stock options exercised during 2013 and 2012. Cash received upon the exercise of options during 2011 was $0.1 million. There were no stock options granted during 2013, 2012 and 2011. There is no remaining unrecognized compensation cost associated with unvested stock options at December 31, 2013.
	Non-Employee Directors’ Compensation Plans
Prior to October 1, 2010, non-employee directors received stock options upon joining the Board of Directors.  These options were awarded under the Directors’ Equity Plan commencing May 25, 2006.  Prior thereto, these options were awarded under the 2000 EIP.  Options awarded to directors under the 2000 EIP are included in the above tables.
Prior to October 1, 2013,  each non-employee director was entitled to receive an annual retainer of (1) $75,000 in cash, which he or she had the right to elect to receive in the form of stock units, and (2) $75,000 in the form of stock units.  In addition, the Lead Director, the chair of the Audit Committee and the chair of the Compensation Committee each received an annual stipend of $20,000, the chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee received an annual stipend of $10,000 and the chair of the Retirement Plan Committee received an annual stipend of $7,500.
Beginning October 1, 2013, we revised our non-employee director compensation program in accordance with best practices.  Each non-employee director is now entitled to receive an annual retainer of (1) $90,000 in cash, which he or she has the right to elect to receive in the form of stock units, as described below, and (2) $90,000 in the form of stock units, in each case payable in advance in quarterly installments on the first business day of each quarter.  In addition, the Lead Director and the chair of the Audit Committee each receives an additional annual cash stipend of $25,000, the chair of the Compensation Committee receives an additional annual cash stipend of $20,000, the chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee receives an additional annual cash stipend of $15,000 and the chair of the Retirement Plan Committee receives an additional annual cash stipend of $10,000, which in each case he or she may elect to receive in the form of stock units.  The annual stipend paid to the Lead Director and each of the committee chairs is payable in arrears in equal quarterly installments on the last business day of each quarter.  Each director is required to irrevocably elect by December 31 of the prior year whether to receive the cash portion of his or her retainer and/or his or her stipend in stock units.
As of October 1, 2013, stock units are credited to the director’s account in an amount that is determined as follows: the total cash value of the fees payable to the director is divided by the closing prices of Frontier common stock on the grant date of the units.  Prior to October 1, 2013, stock units were credited to the director’s account in an amount that was determined as follows: the total cash value of the fees payable to the director divided by 85% of the closing prices of Frontier common stock on the grant date of the units.  Units are credited to the director’s account quarterly.  Directors must also elect to convert the units to either common stock (convertible on a one-to-one basis) or cash upon retirement or death.
Dividends are paid on stock units held by directors at the same rate and at the same time as we pay dividends on shares of our common stock.  Dividends on stock units are paid in the form of additional stock units.
The number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance under the Directors’ Equity Plan is 2,540,761, which includes 540,761 shares that were available for grant under the Deferred Fee Plan on the effective date of the Directors’ Equity Plan. In addition, if and to the extent that any “plan units” outstanding on May 25, 2006 under the Deferred Fee Plan are forfeited or if any option granted under the Deferred Fee Plan terminates, expires, or is cancelled or forfeited, without having been fully exercised, shares of common stock subject to such “plan units” or options cancelled shall become available under the Directors’ Equity Plan. At December 31, 2013, there were 1,048,609 shares available for grant. There were 11 directors participating in the Directors’ Plans during all or part of 2013. In 2013, the total plan units earned were 374,383. In 2012, the total plan units earned were 306,634.  In 2011, the total plan units earned were 197,600. Options granted prior to the adoption of the Directors’ Equity Plan were granted under the 2000 EIP. At December 31, 2013, 116,630 options were outstanding and exercisable under the Director Plans at a weighted average exercise price of $11.95.
For purposes of determining compensation expense, the fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model which requires the use of various assumptions including expected life of the option, expected dividend rate, expected volatility, and risk-free interest rate. The expected life (estimated period of time outstanding) of stock options granted was estimated using the historical exercise behavior of employees. The risk free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the grant. Expected volatility is based on historical volatility for a period equal to the stock option’s expected life, calculated on a monthly basis.
To the extent directors elect to receive the distribution of their stock unit account in cash, they are considered liability-based awards. To the extent directors elect to receive the distribution of their stock unit accounts in common stock, they are considered equity-based awards. Compensation expense for stock units that are considered equity-based awards is based on the market value of our common stock at the date of grant. Compensation expense for stock units that are considered liability-based awards is based on the market value of our common stock at the end of each period.
In connection with the Director Plans, compensation costs associated with the issuance of stock units were $2.1 million,  $0.8 million and $(0.6) million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Cash compensation associated with the Director Plans was $0.7 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. These costs are recognized in “Other operating expenses”.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Taxes [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	(12) Income Taxes:
	The following is a reconciliation of the provision for income taxes computed at federal statutory rates to the effective rates for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:
			2013			2012			2011
	Consolidated tax provision at federal statutory rate		35.0	%		35.0	%		35.0	%
	State income tax provisions, net of federal income
	tax benefit		-2.7			2.4			4.0
	Noncontrolling interest		-0.6			-2.5			-1.1
	Tax reserve adjustment		-1.1			-5.4			-4
	Changes in certain deferred tax balances		-4			3.1			-2.7
	IRS audit adjustments		3.2			-			-
	Federal research and development credit		-3.2			-			-
	Reversal of tax credits		-			-			4.4
	Non-deductible transaction costs		2.0			-			-
	All other, net		0.4			0.4			0.3
	Effective tax rate		29.0	%		33.0	%		35.9	%
	Income taxes for 2013 include the impact of a $6.5 million net benefit resulting from the adjustment of deferred tax balances, a  $5.2 million benefit from federal research and development credits and a $1.8 million benefit from the net reversal of reserves for uncertain tax positions, partially offset by the impact of a charge of $5.2 million resulting from the settlement of the 2010 IRS audit, and a charge of $3.3 million resulting from non-deductible transaction costs.
	Income taxes for 2012 and 2011 include the net reversal of reserves for uncertain tax positions for $12.3 million and $9.9 million, respectively.  Deferred tax balances were increased in 2012 to reflect changes in estimates and changes in state effective rates and filing methods.
	Income taxes for 2011 include the reduction of deferred tax balances based on the application of enacted state tax statutes for $6.8 million, partially offset by the impact of a $10.8 million charge resulting from the enactment on May 25, 2011 of the Michigan Corporate Income Tax that eliminated certain future tax deductions.
	The components of the net deferred income tax liability (asset) at December 31 are as follows:
	($ in thousands)	2013			2012
	Deferred income tax liabilities:
	Property, plant and equipment basis differences	$	1,950,720		$	1,959,028
	Intangibles		885,661			929,749
	Other, net		25,954			29,564
		$	2,862,335		$	2,918,341
	Deferred income tax assets:
	Pension liability		216,890			306,421
	Tax operating loss carryforward		130,733			154,892
	Employee benefits		161,493			177,464
	State tax liability		-642			7,422
	Accrued expenses		26,223			43,162
	Allowance for doubtful accounts		11,957			35,181
	Other, net		42,915			14,025
			589,569			738,567
	Less: Valuation allowance		-112,671			-78,784
	Net deferred income tax asset		476,898			659,783
	Net deferred income tax liability	$	2,385,437		$	2,258,558
	Deferred tax assets and liabilities are reflected in the following
	captions on the consolidated balance sheet:
	Deferred income taxes	$	2,417,108		$	2,357,210
	Income taxes and other current assets		-31,671			-98,652
	Net deferred income tax liability	$	2,385,437		$	2,258,558
	Our state tax operating loss carryforward as of December 31, 2013 is estimated at $2.5 billion. A portion of our state loss carryforward begins to expire in 2014 through 2032.
	The provision (benefit) for federal and state income taxes, as well as the taxes charged or credited to shareholders’ equity of Frontier, includes amounts both payable currently and deferred for payment in future periods as indicated below:
	($ in thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Income taxes charged to the consolidated statement of operations:
	Current:
	Federal	$	54,915		$	-3,824		$	-13,320
	State		-163			-1,039			14,252
	Total Current		54,752			-4,863			932
	Deferred:
	Federal		12,699			53,642			77,750
	State		-20,209			26,859			9,661
	Total Deferred		-7,510			80,501			87,411
	Total income taxes charged to the consolidated statement of operations		47,242			75,638			88,343
	Income taxes charged (credited) to shareholders' equity of Frontier:
	Utilization of the benefits arising from restricted stock		1,910			2,937			-
	Deferred income taxes (benefits) arising from the recognition
	of additional pension/OPEB liability		132,432			-58,551			-97,409
	Total income taxes charged (credited) to shareholders' equity
	of Frontier		134,342			-55,614			-97,409
	Total income taxes	$	181,584		$	20,024		$	-9,066
	In 2011, we received refunds of $53.9 million generated in part by the 2009 retroactive change in accounting method for repairs and maintenance costs related to tax years 2008 and prior.
U.S. GAAP requires applying a “more likely than not” threshold to the recognition and derecognition of uncertain tax positions either taken or expected to be taken in the Company’s income tax returns. The total amount of our gross tax liability for tax positions that may not be sustained under a “more likely than not” threshold amounts to $9.3 million as of December 31, 2013 including interest of $0.6 million. The amount of our uncertain tax positions for which the statutes of limitations are expected to expire during the next twelve months and which would affect our effective tax rate is $2.4 million as of December 31, 2013.
The Company’s policy regarding the classification of interest and penalties is to include these amounts as a component of income tax expense. This treatment of interest and penalties is consistent with prior periods. We have recognized in our consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2011, a net reduction in interest in the amount of $2.1 million.  We are subject to income tax examinations generally for the years 2012 forward for federal and 2005 forward for state filing jurisdictions. We also maintain uncertain tax positions in various state jurisdictions.
The following table sets forth the changes in the Company’s balance of unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:
($ in thousands)		2013			2012
Unrecognized tax benefits - beginning of year		$	11,487		$	33,928
Gross increases - current year tax positions			4,554			3,381
Gross decreases - expired statute of limitations			-7,282			-25,822
Unrecognized tax benefits - end of year		$	8,759		$	11,487
The amounts above exclude $0.6 million and $2.1 million of accrued interest as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, that we have recorded and would be payable should the Company’s tax positions not be sustained.

Net_Income_Per_Common_Share

Net Income Per Common Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Net Income Per Common Share [Abstract]	'
Net Income Per Common Share	'
	(13) Net Income Per Common Share:
	The reconciliation of the net income per common share calculation for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 is as follows:
	($ and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)
		2013		2012		2011
	Net income used for basic and diluted earnings
	per common share:
	Net income attributable to common shareholders of Frontier	$	112,835	$	136,636	$	149,614
	Less:  Dividends paid on unvested restricted stock awards		-2,531		-2,901		-3,743
	Total basic and diluted net income attributable to common
	shareholders of Frontier	$	110,304	$	133,735	$	145,871
	Basic earnings per common share:
	Total weighted average shares and unvested restricted stock
	awards outstanding - basic		999,126		997,665		994,753
	Less:  Weighted average unvested restricted stock awards		-6,467		-7,128		-4,901
	Total weighted average shares outstanding - basic		992,659		990,537		989,852
	Basic net income per share attributable to common
	shareholders of Frontier	$	0.11	$	0.14	$	0.15
	Diluted earnings per common share:
	Total weighted average shares outstanding - basic		992,659		990,537		989,852
	Effect of dilutive shares		1,338		1,263		1,415
	Effect of dilutive stock units		-		-		557
	Total weighted average shares outstanding - diluted		993,997		991,800		991,824
	Diluted net income per share attributable to common
	shareholders of Frontier	$	0.11	$	0.13	$	0.15
	Stock Options
	For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, options to purchase 83,000 shares (at exercise prices ranging from $12.50 to $14.15), 540,000 shares (at exercise prices ranging from $10.44 to $14.15) and 895,000 shares (at exercise prices ranging from $8.19 to $14.15), respectively, issuable under employee compensation plans were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share (EPS) for those periods because the exercise prices were greater than the average market price of our common stock and, therefore, the effect would be antidilutive.  In calculating diluted EPS, we apply the treasury stock method and include future unearned compensation as part of the assumed proceeds.
	Stock Units
	At December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, we had 1,238,542, 864,114 and 557,480 stock units, respectively, issued under the Director Plans.  These securities have not been included in the diluted income per share of common stock calculation for 2013 and 2012 because their inclusion would have an antidilutive effect.

Comprehensive_Income

Comprehensive Income	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'
Comprehensive Income	'
	(14) Comprehensive Income:
	Comprehensive income consists of net income and other gains and losses affecting shareholders’ investment and pension/postretirement benefit (OPEB) liabilities that, under U.S. GAAP, are excluded from net income.
	The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax at December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 are as follows:
	($ in thousands)	Pension Costs		OPEB Costs		Deferred taxes on pension and OPEB costs		All other		Total
	Balance at January 1, 2011	$	-349,264	$	-13,369	$	132,752	$	332	$	-229,549
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		-241,064		-22,668		100,978		-482		-163,236
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss		15,165		-5,774		-3,569		-		5,822
	Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)		-225,899		-28,442		97,409		-482		-157,414
	Balance at December 31, 2011		-575,163		-41,811		230,161		-150		-386,963
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		-152,402		-29,922		68,871		-		-113,453
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss		29,691		-2,531		-10,320		-		16,840
	Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)		-122,711		-32,453		58,551		-		-96,613
	Balance at December 31, 2012		-697,874		-74,264		288,712		-150		-483,576
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		205,341		67,289		-100,951		2		171,681
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss		36,938		1,745		-14,699		-		23,984
	Recognition of net actuarial loss for pension settlement costs		44,163		-		-16,782		-		27,381
	Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)		286,442		69,034		-132,432		2		223,046
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	-411,432	$	-5,230	$	156,280	$	-148	$	-260,530
	The significant items reclassified from each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 are as follows:
	($ in thousands)	Amount Reclassified from
		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (a)
	Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Components	2013		2012		2011		Affected Line Item in the Statement Where Net Income is Presented
	Amortization of Pension Cost Items (b)
	Prior-service costs	$	-8	$	199	$	199
	Actuarial gains/(losses)		-36,930		-29,890		-15,364
	Pension settlement costs		-44,163		-		-
			-81,101		-29,691		-15,165	Income before income taxes
	Tax impact		30,818		11,282		5,763	Income tax (expense) benefit
		$	-50,283	$	-18,409	$	-9,402	Net income
	Amortization of Postretirement Cost Items (b)
	Prior-service costs	$	6,101	$	10,068	$	10,198
	Actuarial gains/(losses)		-7,846		-7,537		-4,424
			-1,745		2,531		5,774	Income before income taxes
	Tax impact		663		-962		-2,194	Income tax (expense) benefit
		$	-1,082	$	1,569	$	3,580	Net income
	(a) Amounts in parentheses indicate losses.
	(b) These accumulated other comprehensive loss components are included in the computation of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit cost (see Note 17 - Retirement Plans for additional details).

Segment_Information

Segment Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Information [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	(15) Segment Information:
	We operate in one reportable segment.  Frontier provides both regulated and unregulated voice, data and video services to residential, business and wholesale customers and is typically the incumbent voice services provider in its service areas.
	As permitted by U.S. GAAP, we have utilized the aggregation criteria to combine our operating segments because all of our Frontier properties share similar economic characteristics, in that they provide the same products and services to similar customers using comparable technologies in all of the states in which we operate.  The regulatory structure is generally similar.  Differences in the regulatory regime of a particular state do not materially impact the economic characteristics or operating results of a particular property.

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Unaud

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) [Abstract]	'
Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	'
	(16)  Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited):
	($ in thousands, except per share amounts)
	2013	First Quarter		Second Quarter		Third Quarter		Fourth Quarter		Total Year
	Revenue	$	1,205,396	$	1,190,533	$	1,185,278	$	1,180,369	$	4,761,576
	Operating income		250,824		266,156		206,172		257,569		980,721
	Net income (loss) attributable to common
	shareholders of Frontier		48,140		-38,460		35,400		67,755		112,835
	Basic net income (loss) per common share
	attributable to common shareholders
	of Frontier	$	0.05	$	-0.04	$	0.04	$	0.07	$	0.11
	2012	First Quarter		Second Quarter		Third Quarter		Fourth Quarter		Total Year
	Revenue	$	1,268,054	$	1,258,777	$	1,252,469	$	1,232,553	$	5,011,853
	Operating income		208,458		267,784		275,196		235,730		987,168
	Net income attributable to common
	shareholders of Frontier		26,768		17,989		67,000		24,879		136,636
	Basic net income per common share
	attributable to common shareholders
	of Frontier	$	0.03	$	0.02	$	0.07	$	0.02	$	0.14
	The quarterly net income per common share amounts are rounded to the nearest cent.  Annual net income per common share may vary depending on the effect of such rounding.
	We recognized $9.7 million ($6.1 million or $0.01 per share after tax)  of acquisition costs during the fourth quarter of 2013.
	We recognized $40.3 million ($25.0 million or $0.03 per share after tax) and $3.9 million ($2.4 million after tax) of pension settlement costs in the third and fourth quarters of 2013, respectively.
	We recognized $159.8 million ($98.9 million or $0.10 per share after tax)  of losses on early extinguishment of debt during the second quarter of 2013.
	We recognized $35.1 million ($21.7 million or $0.02 per share after tax), $28.6 million ($18.1 million or $0.02 per share after tax), $4.5 million ($2.9 million after tax), and $13.5 million ($9.1 million or $0.01 per share after tax) of integration costs during the first, second, third and fourth quarters of 2012, respectively.
	We recognized $70.8 million ($44.5 million or $0.04 per share after tax), $0.2 million ($0.2 million after tax) and $19.3 million ($12.1 million or $0.01 per share after tax) of losses on early extinguishment of debt during the second, third and fourth quarters of 2012, respectively.

Retirement_Plans

Retirement Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Retirement Plans [Abstract]	'
Retirement Plans	'
	(17) Retirement Plans:
	We sponsor a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan covering a significant number of our former and current employees and other postretirement benefit plans that provide medical, dental, life insurance and other benefits for covered retired employees and their beneficiaries and covered dependents. The benefits are based on years of service and final average pay or career average pay. Contributions are made in amounts sufficient to meet ERISA funding requirements while considering tax deductibility. Plan assets are invested in a diversified portfolio of equity and fixed-income securities and alternative investments.
	The accounting results for pension and other postretirement benefit costs and obligations are dependent upon various actuarial assumptions applied in the determination of such amounts. These actuarial assumptions include the following: discount rates, expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, future compensation increases, employee turnover, healthcare cost trend rates, expected retirement age, optional form of benefit and mortality. We review these assumptions for changes annually with our independent actuaries. We consider our discount rate and expected long-term rate of return on plan assets to be our most critical assumptions.
	The discount rate is used to value, on a present value basis, our pension and other postretirement benefit obligations as of the balance sheet date. The same rate is also used in the interest cost component of the pension and postretirement benefit cost determination for the following year. The measurement date used in the selection of our discount rate is the balance sheet date. Our discount rate assumption is determined annually with assistance from our independent actuaries based on the pattern of expected future benefit payments and the prevailing rates available on long-term, high quality corporate bonds that approximate the benefit obligation.
	As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, we utilized an estimation technique that is based upon a settlement model (Bond:Link) that permits us to more closely match cash flows to the expected payments to participants.  This rate can change from year-to-year based on market conditions that affect corporate bond yields.
	In determining the discount rate as of December 31, 2011, we considered, among other things, the yields on the Citigroup Above Median Pension Curve, the Towers Watson Index, the general movement of interest rates and the changes in those rates from one period to the next.
	As a result of the change described above, Frontier is utilizing a discount rate of 4.90% as of December 31, 2013 for its qualified pension plan, compared to rates of 4.00% and 4.50% in 2012 and 2011, respectively. The discount rate for postretirement plans as of December 31, 2013 was a range of 4.90% to 5.20% compared to a range of 4.00% to 4.20% in 2012 and 4.50% to 4.75% in 2011.
	The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is applied in the determination of periodic pension and postretirement benefit cost as a reduction in the computation of the expense. In developing the expected long-term rate of return assumption, we considered published surveys of expected market returns, 10 and 20 year actual returns of various major indices, and our own historical 5 year, 10 year and 20  year investment returns. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is based on an asset allocation assumption of 35% to 55% in fixed income securities, 35% to 55% in equity securities and 5% to 15% in alternative investments. We review our asset allocation at least annually and make changes when considered appropriate.  Our pension asset investment allocation decisions are made by the Retirement Investment & Administration Committee (RIAC), a committee comprised of members of management, pursuant to a delegation of authority by the Retirement Plan Committee of the Board of Directors.  The RIAC is responsible for reporting its actions to the Retirement Plan Committee.  Asset allocation decisions take into account expected market return assumptions of various asset classes as well as expected pension benefit payment streams. When analyzing anticipated benefit payments, management considers both the absolute amount of the payments as well as the timing of such payments.  In 2013, 2012 and 2011, our expected long-term rate of return on plan assets was 8.00%, 7.75% and 8.00%, respectively.  For 2014, we will assume a rate of return of 7.75%.  Our pension plan assets are valued at fair value as of the measurement date. The measurement date used to determine pension and other postretirement benefit measures for the pension plan and the postretirement benefit plan is December 31.
	Pension Benefits
	The following tables set forth the pension plan’s projected benefit obligations, fair values of plan assets and the pension benefit liability recognized on our consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 and the components of total periodic pension benefit cost for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:
	($ in thousands)	2013			2012
	Change in projected benefit obligation (PBO)
	PBO at beginning of year	$	1,944,731		$	1,799,313
	Service cost		47,651			43,688
	Interest cost		75,812			78,027
	Actuarial (gain)/loss		-180,709			196,304
	Benefits paid		-54,151			-172,601
	Settlements		-164,608			-
	PBO at end of year	$	1,668,726		$	1,944,731
	Change in plan assets
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	1,253,666		$	1,257,990
	Actual return on plan assets		119,328			139,679
	Employer contributions, net of transfers		62,290			28,598
	Benefits paid		-54,151			-172,601
	Settlements		-164,608			-
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	1,216,525		$	1,253,666
	Funded status	$	-452,201		$	-691,065
	Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet
	Other current liabilities	$	-100,205		$	-60,386
	Pension and other postretirement benefits	$	-351,996		$	-630,679
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	411,432		$	697,874
	($ in thousands)		Expected in			2013		2012		2011
			2014
	Components of total periodic pension benefit cost
	Service cost					$	47,651	$	43,688	$	38,879
	Interest cost on projected benefit obligation						75,812		78,027		84,228
	Expected return on plan assets						-94,695		-95,777		-100,558
	Amortization of prior service cost /(credit)		$	45			8		-199		-199
	Amortization of unrecognized loss			19,274			36,930		29,890		15,364
	Net periodic pension benefit cost						65,706		55,629		37,714
	Pension settlement costs						44,163		-		-
	Total periodic pension benefit cost					$	109,869	$	55,629	$	37,714
	Our pension plan contains provisions that provide certain employees with the option of receiving lump sum payment upon retirement. The Company’s accounting policy is to record these payments as a settlement only if, in the aggregate, they exceed the sum of the annual service and interest costs for the plan’s net periodic pension benefit cost. During 2013, lump sum pension settlement payments to terminated or retired individuals amounted to $164.6 million, which exceeded the settlement threshold of $125.4  million, and as a result, the Company was required to recognize a non-cash settlement charge of $44.2 million during 2013.  The non-cash charge was required to accelerate the recognition of a portion of the previously unrecognized actuarial losses in the pension plan.  This non-cash charge reduced our recorded net income and retained earnings, with an offset to accumulated other comprehensive loss in shareholders’ equity of Frontier.
	We capitalized $19.2 million, $15.8 million and $10.2 million of pension and OPEB expense into the cost of our capital expenditures during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, as the costs relate to our engineering and plant construction activities.
	Based on current assumptions and plan asset values, we estimate that our 2014 pension and OPEB expenses will be approximately $65 million to $85 million for our current business operations before amounts capitalized into the cost of capital expenditures and the impact of pension settlement costs, if any.
	The plan’s weighted average asset allocations at December 31, 2013 and 2012 by asset category are as follows:
			2013			2012
	Asset category:
	Equity securities		42	%		43	%
	Debt securities		44	%		40	%
	Alternative investments		13	%		14	%
	Cash and other		1	%		3	%
	Total		100	%		100	%
	The plan’s expected benefit payments over the next 10 years are as follows:
	($ in thousands)		Amount
	2014		$	100,839
	2015			104,480
	2016			110,570
	2017			114,703
	2018			117,055
	2019-2023			633,650
	Total		$	1,181,297
	During 2013, the Company contributed four real estate properties to its qualified defined benefit pension plan. The pension plan obtained independent appraisals of the properties and, based on these appraisals, the pension plan recorded the contributions at their fair value of $23.4 million. The Company has entered into leases for the contributed properties for 15 years at a combined aggregate annual rent of approximately $2.1 million. The properties are managed on behalf of the pension plan by an independent fiduciary, and the terms of the leases were negotiated with the fiduciary on an arm’s-length basis.
We made total contributions to our pension plan during 2013 of $62.3 million, consisting of cash payments of $38.9 million and the contribution of real property with a fair value of $23.4 million, as described above.
We made total net cash contributions to our pension plan for 2012 of $28.6 million, consisting of net cash payments of $18.3 million in the third quarter and $10.3 million in the fourth quarter.  These pension contributions reflect the positive impact of funding rate changes contained in the Highway Investment Act of 2012 and guidance from the IRS on August 16, 2012 related to valuation rates, and on September 11, 2012 related to lump sum methodologies.
We made contributions to our pension plan of approximately $76.7 million in 2011, consisting of cash payments of $18.6 million and, as described below, the contribution of real property with a fair value of $58.1 million.
On September 8, 2011, the Company contributed four administrative properties to its qualified defined benefit pension plan.  The pension plan obtained independent appraisals of the properties and, based on these appraisals, the pension plan recorded the contributions at their fair value of $58.1 million.  The Company has entered into leases for the contributed properties for 15 years at a combined aggregate annual rent of $5.8 million.  The properties are managed on behalf of the pension plan by an independent fiduciary, and the terms of the leases were negotiated with the fiduciary on an arm’s-length basis.
The accumulated benefit obligation for the plan was $1,560.0 million and $1,793.8 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Assumptions used in the computation of annual pension costs and valuation of the year-end obligations were as follows:
		2013			2012		2011
Discount rate - used at year end to value obligation		4.90	%		4.00	%	4.50	%
Discount rate - used to compute annual cost		4.00	%		4.50	%	5.25	%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets		8.00	%		7.75	%	8.00	%
Rate of increase in compensation levels		2.50	%		2.50	%	2.50	%
Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions—“OPEB”
The following tables set forth the OPEB plan’s benefit obligations, fair values of plan assets and the postretirement benefit liability recognized on our consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 and the components of net periodic postretirement benefit cost for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.
($ in thousands)	2013			2012
Change in benefit obligation
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	438,550		$	391,596
Service cost		12,533			10,812
Interest cost		17,241			17,842
Plan participants' contributions		4,293			4,059
Actuarial (gain)/loss		-67,547			30,958
Benefits paid		-19,447			-15,974
Plan change		-			-743
Benefit obligation at end of year	$	385,623		$	438,550
Change in plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	5,055		$	5,101
Actual return on plan assets		-122			466
Plan participants' contributions		4,293			4,059
Employer contribution		12,528			11,403
Benefits paid		-19,447			-15,974
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	2,307		$	5,055
Funded status	$	-383,316		$	-433,495
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet
Other current liabilities	$	-11,508		$	-9,116
Pension and other postretirement benefits	$	-371,808		$	-424,379
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	5,230		$	74,264
($ in thousands)		Expected in			2013		2012		2011
		2014
Components of net periodic postretirement benefit cost
Service cost					$	12,533	$	10,812	$	8,958
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation						17,241		17,842		17,722
Expected return on plan assets						-136		-172		-324
Amortization of prior service cost /(credit)		$	-3,560			-6,101		-10,068		-10,198
Amortization of unrecognized loss			2,886			7,846		7,537		4,424
Net periodic postretirement benefit cost					$	31,383	$	25,951	$	20,582
Assumptions used in the computation of annual OPEB costs and valuation of the year-end OPEB obligations were as follows:
		2013		2012		2011
Discount rate - used at year end to value obligation		4.90% - 5.20%		4.00% - 4.20%		4.50% - 4.75%
Discount rate - used to compute annual cost		4.00% - 4.20%		4.50% - 4.75%		5.25%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets		3.00% - 4.00%		3.00% - 4.00%		3.00% - 6.00%
The OPEB plan’s expected benefit payments over the next 10 years are as follows:
($ in thousands)		Gross Benefit			Medicare Part D Subsidy		Total
2014		$	16,687		$	489	$	16,198
2015			18,004			585		17,419
2016			19,342			691		18,651
2017			20,575			825		19,750
2018			21,785			961		20,824
2019-2023			120,619			6,994		113,625
Total		$	217,012		$	10,545	$	206,467
For purposes of measuring year-end benefit obligations, we used, depending on medical plan coverage for different retiree groups, a 7.50% annual rate of increase in the per-capita cost of covered medical benefits, gradually decreasing to 5.00% in the year 2019 and remaining at that level thereafter. The effect of a 1% increase in the assumed medical cost trend rates for each future year on the aggregate of the service and interest cost components of the total postretirement benefit cost would be $1.1 million and the effect on the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation for health benefits would be $14.8 million. The effect of a 1% decrease in the assumed medical cost trend rates for each future year on the aggregate of the service and interest cost components of the total postretirement benefit cost would be $(1.0) million and the effect on the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation for health benefits would be $(13.8) million.
The amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss that have not yet been recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost at December 31, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:
($ in thousands)		Pension Plan					OPEB
		2013			2012		2013		2012
Net actuarial loss		$	411,076		$	697,511	$	30,835	$	105,970
Prior service cost/(credit)			356			363		-25,605		-31,706
Total		$	411,432		$	697,874	$	5,230	$	74,264
The amounts recognized as a component of accumulated comprehensive loss for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:
($ in thousands)		Pension Plan					OPEB
		2013			2012		2013		2012
Accumulated other comprehensive loss at
beginning of year		$	697,874		$	575,163	$	74,264	$	41,811
Net actuarial gain (loss) recognized during year			-36,930			-29,890		-7,846		-7,537
Prior service (cost) credit recognized during year			-8			199		6,101		10,068
Net actuarial loss (gain) occurring during year			-205,341			152,402		-67,289		30,665
Prior service cost (credit) occurring during year			-			-		-		-743
Settlement costs recognized during year			-44,163			-		-		-
Net amount recognized in comprehensive income
for the year			-286,442			122,711		-69,034		32,453
Accumulated other comprehensive loss at
end of year		$	411,432		$	697,874	$	5,230	$	74,264
401(k) Savings Plans
We sponsor employee retirement savings plans under section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. The plans cover substantially all full-time employees. Under certain plans, we provide matching contributions. Employer contributions were $20.6 million,  $23.0 million and $22.2 million for 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Fair_Value_Of_Financial_Instru

Fair Value Of Financial Instruments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Of Financial Instruments [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Of Financial Instruments	'
	(18) Fair Value of Financial Instruments:
	Fair value is defined under U.S. GAAP as the exit price associated with the sale of an asset or transfer of a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value under U.S. GAAP must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. In addition, U.S. GAAP establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value.
	The three input levels in the hierarchy of fair value measurements are defined by the FASB generally as follows:
	Input Level              Description of Input
	Level 1                    Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets.
	Level 2                    Inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable.
	Level 3                    Unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists.
	The following tables represent the Company’s pension plan assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2013 and 2012:
	($ in thousands)		Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2013
			Total			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Cash and Cash Equivalents		$	8,503		$	8,503	$	-	$	-
	U.S. Government Obligations			26,070			-		26,070		-
	Corporate and Other Obligations			235,723			-		235,723		-
	Common Stock			120,801			120,801		-		-
	Commingled Funds			604,975			-		571,531		33,444
	Interest in Registered Investment Companies			80,221			80,221		-		-
	Interest in Limited Partnerships and
	Limited Liability Corporations			129,276			-		-		129,276
	Insurance Contracts			629			-		629		-
	Other			1,660			-		1,660		-
	Total investments at fair value		$	1,207,858		$	209,525	$	835,613	$	162,720
	Interest and Dividend Receivable			2,832
	Due from Broker for Securities Sold			8,916
	Receivable Associated with Insurance Contract			7,044
	Due to Broker for Securities Purchased			-10,125
	Total Plan Assets, at Fair Value		$	1,216,525
	($ in thousands)		Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2012
			Total			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Cash and Cash Equivalents		$	42,391		$	-	$	42,391	$	-
	U.S. Government Obligations			14,166			-		14,166		-
	Corporate and Other Obligations			246,024			-		246,024		-
	Common Stock			133,631			133,631		-		-
	Commingled Funds			612,707			-		572,893		39,814
	Interest in Registered Investment Companies			99,161			99,161		-		-
	Interest in Limited Partnerships and
	Limited Liability Corporations			101,678			-		-		101,678
	Insurance Contracts			799			-		799		-
	Other			96			-		96		-
	Total investments at fair value		$	1,250,653		$	232,792	$	876,369	$	141,492
	Interest and Dividend Receivable			3,252
	Due from Broker for Securities Sold			3,788
	Receivable Associated with Insurance Contract			7,610
	Due to Broker for Securities Purchased			-11,637
	Total Plan Assets, at Fair Value		$	1,253,666
	The Company classified $8.5 million of cash equivalents as Level 1 assets at December 31, 2013 as these investments were held in cash accounts in 2013.  There have been no reclassifications of investments between Levels 1, 2 or 3 assets during the years ended December 31, 2013 or 2012.
	The table below sets forth a summary of changes in the fair value of the Plan’s Level 3 assets for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:
	($ in thousands)		2013
			Interest in Limited Partnerships and Limited Liability Corporations			Commingled Funds
	Balance, beginning of year		$	101,678		$	39,814
	Realized gains			10,835			975
	Unrealized gains			18,033			2,656
	Contributed assets			23,422			-
	Sales			-24,692			-10,001
	Balance, end of year		$	129,276		$	33,444
	($ in thousands)		2012
			Interest in Limited Partnerships and Limited Liability Corporations			Commingled Funds
	Balance, beginning of year		$	104,033		$	37,194
	Realized gains			5,587			-
	Unrealized gains			454			2,620
	Sales			-8,396			-
	Balance, end of year		$	101,678		$	39,814
	The following table provides further information regarding the redemption of the Plan’s Level 3 investments as of December 31, 2013:
	($ in thousands)
		Fair Value			Redemption Frequency		Redemption Notice Period		Liquidation Period
Commingled Funds
JPM Multi-Strat II C-A Ser 11-07 (a)		$	33,444			Quarterly		65 days		NA
Interest in Limited Partnerships and Limited
Liability Corporations
Morgan Stanley Institutional Cayman Fund LP (b)		$	26,188			Quarterly		60 days		NA
MS IFHF SVP LP Cayman (b)			2,772			Through liquidation of		None		2 years
						underlying investments
MS IFHF SVP LP Alpha (b)			1,504			Through liquidation of		None		2 years
						underlying investments
RII World Timberfund, LLC (c)			5,761			Through liquidation of		None		10 years
						underlying investments
100 Comm Drive, LLC (d)			8,557			Through liquidation of		None		NA
						underlying investments
100 CTE Drive, LLC (d)			6,922			Through liquidation of		None		NA
						underlying investments
6430 Oakbrook Parkway, LLC (d)			24,955			Through liquidation of		None		NA
						underlying investments
8001 West Jefferson, LLC (d)			29,318			Through liquidation of		None		NA
						underlying investments
1500 MacCorkle Ave SE, LLC (d)			15,987			Through liquidation of		None		NA
						underlying investments
400 S. Pike Road West, LLC (d)			1,079			Through liquidation of		None		NA
						underlying investments
601 N US 131, LLC (d)			1,063			Through liquidation of		None		NA
						underlying investments
9260 E. Stockton Blvd., LLC (d)			5,170			Through liquidation of		None		NA
						underlying investments
Total Interest in Limited Partnerships and Limited
Liability Corporations		$	129,276
(a)  The fund’s investment objective is to generate long-term capital appreciation with relatively low volatility and a low correlation with traditional equity and fixed-income markets.  The fund seeks to accomplish this objective by allocating its assets primarily among a select group of experienced portfolio managers that invest in a variety of markets, either through the medium of investment funds or through discretionary managed accounts.
(b)  The partnerships’ investment objective is to seek capital appreciation principally through investing in investment funds managed by third party investment managers who employ a variety of alternative investment strategies.
(c)  The fund’s objective is to realize substantial long-term capital appreciation by investing in timberland properties primarily in South America, New Zealand and Australia.
(d)  The entity invests in commercial real estate properties that are leased to the Company.  The leases are triple net, whereby the Company is responsible for all expenses, including but not limited to, insurance, repairs and maintenance and payment of property taxes.
The following table represents the Plan’s Level 3 financial instruments for its interest in certain limited partnerships and limited liability corporations, the valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of those financial instruments as of December 31, 2013, and the significant unobservable inputs and ranges of values for those inputs:
Instrument	Property		Fair Value	Principal Valuation Technique	Significant Unobservable Inputs	Significant Input Values
				Direct Capitalization	Capitalization Rate	8.50%
	100 Comm Drive, LLC	$	8,557	Discounted	Discount Rate	9.50%
				Cash Flow	Duration (years)	10
				Direct Capitalization	Capitalization Rate	8.50%
	100 CTE Drive, LLC	$	6,922	Discounted	Discount Rate	10.00%
				Cash Flow	Duration (years)	15
Interest in				Direct Capitalization	Capitalization Rate	8.50%
Limited Partnerships	6430 Oakbrook Parkway, LLC	$	24,955	Discounted	Discount Rate	10.50%
and Limited				Cash Flow	Duration (years)	10
Liability Corporations				Direct Capitalization	Capitalization Rate	8.50%
	8001 West Jefferson, LLC	$	29,318	Discounted	Discount Rate	10.50%
				Cash Flow	Duration (years)	10
	1500 MacCorkle Ave SE, LLC	$	15,987	Direct Capitalization	Capitalization Rate	8.85%
	400 S. Pike Road West, LLC	$	1,079	Direct Capitalization	Capitalization Rate	10.50%
	601 N US 131, LLC	$	1,063	Direct Capitalization	Capitalization Rate	10.00%
	9260 E. Stockton Blvd., LLC	$	5,170	Direct Capitalization	Capitalization Rate	9.00%
The fair value of our OPEB plan assets, which are all measured using Level 1 inputs, was $2.3 million and $5.1 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
The following table summarizes the carrying amounts and estimated fair values for long-term debt at December 31, 2013 and 2012.  For the other financial instruments including cash, accounts receivable, long-term debt due within one year, accounts payable and other current liabilities, the carrying amounts approximate fair value due to the relatively short maturities of those instruments.  Other equity method investments, for which market values are not readily available, are carried at cost, which approximates fair value.
($ in thousands)		2013					2012
			Carrying					Carrying
			Amount			Fair Value		Amount		Fair Value
Long-term debt		$	7,873,667		$	8,191,744	$	8,381,947	$	9,091,416
The fair value of our long-term debt is estimated based upon quoted market prices at the reporting date for those financial instruments.

Commitments_And_Contingencies

Commitments And Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]	'
Commitments And Contingencies	'
	(19) Commitments and Contingencies:
	We anticipate total capital expenditures for our current business operations of approximately $575 million to $625 million for 2014, excluding the expenditure of funds previously received from the Connect America Fund program. Although we from time to time make short-term purchasing commitments to vendors with respect to these expenditures, we generally do not enter into firm, written contracts for such activities.
	In connection with the pending AT&T Transaction, the Company currently expects to incur operating expenses and capital expenditures of approximately $225 million to $275 million in 2014 related to these acquisition and integration initiatives.  The Company incurred $9.7  million of acquisition costs related to the AT&T Transaction during the fourth quarter of 2013.
	In connection with the 2010 Transaction, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and certain state regulatory commissions, in connection with granting their approvals of the 2010 Transaction, specified certain capital expenditure and operating requirements for the Acquired Territories for specified periods of time post-closing.  These requirements focus primarily on certain capital investment commitments to expand broadband availability to at least 85% of the households throughout the Acquired Territories with minimum download speeds of 3 megabits per second (Mbps) by the end of 2013.  We are required to provide download speeds of 4 Mbps to at least 75%,  80% and 85% of the households throughout the Acquired Territories by the end of 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively. As of December 31, 2013, we had expanded broadband availability in excess of 3 Mbps to 85.4% of the households throughout the Acquired Territories, and in excess of 4 Mbps to 83.5% of the households throughout the Acquired Territories. Accordingly, we have met our FCC requirement to provide 3 Mbps coverage to 85% of the households and 4 Mbps coverage to 75% of the households in the Acquired Territories by the end of 2013. We have also met our FCC requirement to provide 4 Mbps coverage to 80% of the households in the Acquired Territories by the end of 2014.
	To satisfy all or part of certain capital investment commitments to three state regulatory commissions, we placed an aggregate amount of $115.0 million in cash into escrow accounts and obtained a letter of credit for $190 million in 2010. Another $72.4 million of cash in an escrow account was acquired in connection with the 2010 Transaction to be used for service quality initiatives in the state of West Virginia.  As of December 31, 2013,  $176.3 million had been released from the escrow accounts and the Company had a restricted cash balance in the remaining escrow account in the aggregate amount of $11.4 million, including interest earned.  The aggregate amount of the escrow account will continue to decrease over time as Frontier makes the required capital expenditures in West Virginia. In September 2013, the letter of credit for the remaining $20 million expired.
	We are party to various legal proceedings (including individual, class and putative class actions) arising in the normal course of our business covering a wide range of matters and types of claims including, but not limited to, general contracts, billing disputes, rights of access, taxes and surcharges, consumer protection, trademark and patent infringement, employment, regulatory, tort, claims of competitors and disputes with other carriers.
	We accrue an expense for pending litigation when we determine that an unfavorable outcome is probable and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated.  Legal defense costs are expensed as incurred.  None of our existing accruals, after considering insurance coverage, for pending matters is material.  We constantly monitor our pending litigation for the purpose of adjusting our accruals and revising our disclosures accordingly, when required.  Litigation is, however, subject to uncertainty, and the outcome of any particular matter is not predictable.  We will vigorously defend our interests for pending litigation, and as of this date, we believe that the ultimate resolution of all such matters, after considering insurance coverage or other indemnities to which we are entitled, will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or our cash flows.
	We conduct certain of our operations in leased premises and also lease certain equipment and other assets pursuant to operating leases. The lease arrangements have terms ranging from 1 to 99 years and several contain rent escalation clauses providing for increases in monthly rent at specific intervals. When rent escalation clauses exist, we record annual rental expense based on the total expected rent payments on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Certain leases also have renewal options. Renewal options that are reasonably assured are included in determining the lease term.
	Future minimum rental commitments for all long-term noncancelable operating leases as of December 31, 2013 are as follows:
	($ in thousands)	Operating Leases
	Year ending December 31:
	2014	$	61,880
	2015		10,452
	2016		8,804
	2017		7,708
	2018		7,393
	Thereafter		49,091
	Total minimum lease payments	$	145,328
	Total rental expense included in our consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $84.4 million, $79.3 million and $70.2 million, respectively.
	In our normal course of business, we have obligations under certain non-cancelable arrangements for services.  During 2012, we entered into a “take or pay” arrangement for the purchase of future long distance and carrier services. Our remaining commitments under the arrangement are $145.5 million and $140.8 million for the years ending December 31, 2014 and 2015, respectively.  As of December 31, 2013, we expect to utilize the services included within the arrangement and no liability for the “take or pay” provision has been recorded.
	We are party to contracts with several unrelated long distance carriers. The contracts provide fees based on traffic they carry for us subject to minimum monthly fees.
	At December 31, 2013, the estimated future payments for obligations under our noncancelable long distance contracts and service agreements are as follows:
	($ in thousands)	Amount
	Year ending December 31:
	2014	$	28,653
	2015		20,796
	2016		9,694
	2017		4,295
	2018		1,204
	Thereafter		6,000
	Total	$	70,642
	We sold all of our utility businesses as of April 1, 2004.  However, we have retained a potential payment obligation associated with our previous electric utility activities in the State of Vermont.  The Vermont Joint Owners (VJO), a consortium of 14 Vermont utilities, including us, entered into a purchase power agreement with Hydro-Quebec in 1987. The agreement contains “step-up” provisions that state if any VJO member defaults on its purchase obligation under the contract to purchase power from Hydro-Quebec, then the other VJO participants will assume responsibility for the defaulting party’s share on a pro-rata basis.  Our pro-rata share of the purchase power obligation is 10%.  If any member of the VJO defaults on its obligations under the Hydro-Quebec agreement, then the remaining members of the VJO, including us, may be required to pay for a substantially larger share of the VJO’s total purchase power obligation for the remainder of the agreement (which runs through 2015).  ASC Topic 840 requires that we disclose “the maximum potential amount of future payments (undiscounted) that the guarantor could be required to make under the guarantee.”  ASC Topic 840 also states that we must make such disclosure “… even if the likelihood of the guarantor’s having to make any payments under the guarantee is remote…”  As noted above, our obligation only arises as a result of default by another VJO member, such as upon bankruptcy.  Therefore, to satisfy the “maximum potential amount” disclosure requirement we must assume that all members of the VJO simultaneously default, an unlikely scenario given that all VJO members are regulated utility providers with regulated cost recovery.   Despite the remote chance that such an event could occur, or that the State of Vermont could or would allow such an event, assuming that all the members of the VJO defaulted on January 1, 2014 and remained in default for the duration of the contract (another 2 years), we estimate that our undiscounted purchase obligation for 2014 through 2015 would be approximately $287.4 million.  In such a scenario, the Company would then own the power and could seek to recover its costs.  We would do this by seeking to recover our costs from the defaulting members and/or reselling the power to other utility providers or the northeast power grid.  There is an active market for the sale of power.  We could potentially lose money if we were unable to sell the power at cost.  We caution that we cannot predict with any degree of certainty any potential outcome.
	At December 31, 2013, we have outstanding performance letters of credit as follows:
	($ in thousands)		Amount
	CNA Financial Corporation (CNA)		$	45,659
	All other			1,186
	Total		$	46,845
	CNA serves as our agent with respect to general liability claims (auto, workers compensation and other insured perils of the Company). As our agent, they administer all claims and make payments for claims on our behalf. We reimburse CNA for such services upon presentation of their invoice. To serve as our agent and make payments on our behalf, CNA requires that we establish a letter of credit in their favor. CNA could potentially draw against this letter of credit if we failed to reimburse CNA in accordance with the terms of our agreement. The amount of the letter of credit is reviewed annually and adjusted based on claims history.
	None of the above letters of credit restrict our cash balances.

Summary_Of_Significant_Account1

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Description of Business and Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Description of Business	'
	(a)   Description of Business:
	Frontier Communications Corporation (Frontier) is a communications company providing services predominantly to rural areas and small and medium-sized towns and cities as an incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC).  Frontier was incorporated in 1935, originally under the name of Citizens Utilities Company and was known as Citizens Communications Company until July 31, 2008.  Frontier and its subsidiaries are referred to as “we,” “us,” “our,” “Frontier,” or the “Company” in this report.  On July 1, 2010, Frontier completed the 2010 Transaction for the acquisition of the 2010 Acquired Business, as described further in Note 3 – The Transactions.
Basis of Presentation and Use of Estimates	'
	(b)  Basis of Presentation and Use of Estimates:
	Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	Frontier had a 33⅓% controlling general partner interest in a partnership entity, the Mohave Cellular Limited Partnership (Mohave).  Mohave’s results of operations and balance sheet were included in our consolidated financial statements through its date of disposal on April 1, 2013.  The minority interest of the limited partners was reflected in the consolidated balance sheet as “Noncontrolling interest in a partnership” and in the consolidated statements of operations as “Income attributable to the noncontrolling interest in a partnership.”  On April 1, 2013, the Company sold its partnership interest in Mohave and received proceeds of $17.8 million.  The Company recognized a gain on sale of approximately $14.6 million before taxes in 2013.
	For our financial statements as of and for the period ended December 31, 2013, we evaluated subsequent events and transactions for potential recognition or disclosure through the date that we filed this annual report on Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
	The preparation of our financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect (i) the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, (ii) the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and (iii) the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results may differ from those estimates.  Estimates and judgments are used when accounting for revenue recognition including the allowance for doubtful accounts, impairment of long-lived assets, intangible assets, depreciation and amortization, income taxes, contingencies, and pension and other postretirement benefits, among others.
Cash Equivalents	'
	(c)   Cash Equivalents:
	We consider all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Revenue Recognition	'
	(d)  Revenue Recognition:
	Revenue is recognized when services are provided or when products are delivered to customers.  Revenue that is billed in advance includes: monthly recurring network access services (including data services), special access services and monthly recurring voice, video and related charges.  The unearned portion of these fees is initially deferred as a component of “Advanced billings” on our consolidated balance sheet and recognized as revenue over the period that the services are provided.  Revenue that is billed in arrears includes: non-recurring network access services (including data services), switched access services, non-recurring voice and video services.  The earned but unbilled portion of these fees is recognized as revenue in our consolidated statements of operations and accrued in accounts receivable in the period that the services are provided.  Excise taxes are recognized as a liability when billed.  Installation fees and their related direct and incremental costs are initially deferred and recognized as revenue and expense over the average term of a customer relationship.  We recognize as current period expense the portion of installation costs that exceeds installation fee revenue.
	As required by law, the Company collects various taxes from its customers and subsequently remits these taxes to governmental authorities. Substantially all of these taxes are recorded through the consolidated balance sheet and presented on a net basis in our consolidated statements of operations.  We also collect Universal Service Fund (USF) surcharges from customers (primarily federal USF) that we have recorded on a gross basis in our consolidated statements of operations and included within “Revenue” and “Other operating expenses” of $117.5 million,  $119.7 million and $104.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Property, Plant and Equipment	'
	(e)  Property, Plant and Equipment:
	Property, plant and equipment are stated at original cost, including capitalized interest, or fair market value as of the date of acquisition for acquired properties.  Maintenance and repairs are charged to operating expenses as incurred. The gross book value of routine property, plant and equipment retired is charged against accumulated depreciation.
Goodwill and Other Intangibles	'
	(f)   Goodwill and Other Intangibles:
	Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over the fair value of identifiable tangible and intangible net assets acquired. We undertake studies to determine the fair values of assets and liabilities acquired and allocate purchase prices to assets and liabilities, including property, plant and equipment, goodwill and other identifiable intangibles.  We annually (during the fourth quarter) or more frequently, if appropriate, examine the carrying value of our goodwill and trade name to determine whether there are any impairment losses. We test for goodwill impairment at the “operating segment” level, as that term is defined in U.S. GAAP. During the first quarter of 2013, the Company reorganized into four regional operating segments. Our operating segments consist of the following regions: Central, East, National and West.  Our regional operating segments are aggregated into one reportable segment.  In conjunction with the reorganization of our operating segments effective with the first quarter of 2013, we reassigned goodwill to our reporting units using a relative fair value allocation approach.
	The Company amortizes finite-lived intangible assets over their estimated useful lives and reviews such intangible assets at least annually (during the fourth quarter) to assess whether any potential impairment exists and whether factors exist that would necessitate a change in useful life and a different amortization period.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of	'
	(g)  Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of:
	We review long-lived assets to be held and used, including customer lists, and long-lived assets to be disposed of for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by comparing the carrying amount of the asset to the future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. Recoverability of assets held for sale is measured by comparing the carrying amount of the assets to their estimated fair market value. If any assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the estimated fair value.  Also, we periodically reassess the useful lives of our tangible and intangible assets to determine whether any changes are required.
Investments	'
	(h)  Investments:
	Investments in entities that we do not control, but where we have the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies, are accounted for using the equity method of accounting.
Income Taxes and Deferred Income Taxes	'
	(i)   Income Taxes and Deferred Income Taxes:
	We file a consolidated federal income tax return. We utilize the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under the asset and liability method, deferred income taxes are recorded for the tax effect of temporary differences between the financial statement basis and the tax basis of assets and liabilities using tax rates expected to be in effect when the temporary differences are expected to reverse.
Stock Plans	'
	(j)   Stock Plans:
	We have various stock-based compensation plans. Awards under these plans are granted to eligible officers, management employees, non-management employees and non-employee directors. Awards may be made in the form of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units or other stock-based awards, including awards with performance, market and time-vesting conditions. Our general policy is to issue shares from treasury upon the grant of restricted shares, earning of performance shares and the exercise of options.
	The compensation cost recognized is based on awards ultimately expected to vest. U.S. GAAP requires forfeitures to be estimated and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.
Net Income Per Common Share Attributable to Common Shareholders	'
	(k)  Net Income Per Common Share Attributable to Common Shareholders:
	Basic net income per common share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period being reported on, excluding unvested restricted stock awards. The impact of dividends paid on unvested restricted stock awards have been deducted in the determination of basic and diluted net income per common share attributable to common shareholders of Frontier. Except when the effect would be antidilutive, diluted net income per common share reflects the dilutive effect of certain common stock equivalents, as described further in Note 13 – Net Income Per Common Share.

Accounts_Receivable_Tables

Accounts Receivable (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounts Receivable [Abstract]	'
Accounts Receivable	'
	($ in thousands)	2013			2012
	Retail and Wholesale	$	498,717		$	581,152
	Other		51,855			45,819
	Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts		-71,362			-93,267
	Accounts receivable, net	$	479,210		$	533,704
Allowance For Doubtful Accounts	'
	($ in thousands)		Balance at beginning of Period			Charged to Other Revenue		Charged (Credited) to Switched and Nonswitched Revenue and Other Accounts		Write-offs and Recoveries		Balance at end of Period
	2011		$	73,571		$	93,721	$	16,403	$	-76,647	$	107,048
	2012			107,048			74,332		14,396		-102,509		93,267
	2013			93,267			68,965		-3,203		-87,667		71,362

Property_Plant_And_Equipment_T

Property, Plant And Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Property, Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant And Equipment, Net	'
	($ in thousands)	Estimated Useful Lives	2013		2012
	Land	N/A	$	126,483	$	126,483
	Buildings and leasehold improvements	41 years		1,061,097		1,052,650
	General support	5 to 17 years		977,941		988,707
	Central office/electronic circuit equipment	5 to 11 years		5,222,928		4,965,099
	Poles	49 years		549,322		507,922
	Cable and wire	15 to 30 years		6,259,292		6,038,835
	Conduit	60 years		359,974		354,777
	Other	12 to 30 years		43,144		44,802
	Construction work in progress			250,516		274,488
	Property, plant and equipment			14,850,697		14,353,763
	Less: Accumulated depreciation			-7,594,935		-6,848,867
	Property, plant and equipment, net		$	7,255,762	$	7,504,896

Goodwill_And_Other_Intangibles1

Goodwill And Other Intangibles (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill And Other Intangibles [Abstract]	'
Components Of Goodwill By Reporting Units	'
	($ in thousands)
	Central	$	1,815,498
	East		2,003,574
	National		1,218,113
	West		1,300,534
	Total Goodwill	$	6,337,719
Components Of Other Intangibles	'
	($ in thousands)	2013						2012
		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Amount		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Amount
	Other Intangibles:
	Customer base	$	2,427,648	$	-1,336,852	$	1,090,796	$	2,427,648	$	-1,009,045	$	1,418,603
	Software licenses		-		-		-		105,019		-105,019		-
	Trade name and license		124,136		-		124,136		124,419		-283		124,136
	Total other intangibles	$	2,551,784	$	-1,336,852	$	1,214,932	$	2,657,086	$	-1,114,347	$	1,542,739

LongTerm_Debt_Tables

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Long-Term Debt [Abstract]	'
Long-Term Debt	'
				Year Ended
				31-Dec-13								Interest
												Rate at
		December 31,		Payments			New			December 31,		December 31,
	($ in thousands)	2012		and Retirements			Borrowings			2013		2013 *
	Senior Unsecured Debt	$	8,919,696	$	-1,562,630		$	750,000		$	8,107,066	7.95%
	Industrial Development Revenue Bonds		13,550		-			-			13,550	6.33%
	Rural Utilities Service Loan Contracts		9,322		-392			-			8,930	6.15%
	Total Long-Term Debt	$	8,942,568	$	-1,563,022		$	750,000		$	8,129,546	7.95%
	Less: Debt (Discount)/Premium		-71								2,037
	Less: Current Portion		-560,550								-257,916
		$	8,381,947							$	7,873,667
	*  Interest rate includes amortization of debt issuance costs and debt premiums or discounts.  The interest rates at December 31, 2013 represent a weighted average of multiple issuances.
Senior Unsecured Debt	'
	($ in thousands)	2013				2012
		Principal		Interest		Principal			Interest
		Outstanding		Rate		Outstanding			Rate
	Senior Notes and Debentures Due:
	1/15/13	$	-	-		$	502,658		6.25%
	5/1/14		200,000	8.25%			200,000		8.25%
	3/15/15		105,026	6.63%			300,000		6.63%
	4/15/15		96,872	7.88%			374,803		7.88%
	10/14/2016 *		460,000	3.045% (Variable)			517,500		3.095% (Variable)
	4/15/17		606,874	8.25%			1,040,685		8.25%
	10/1/18		582,739	8.13%			600,000		8.13%
	3/15/19		434,000	7.12%			434,000		7.12%
	4/15/20		1,021,505	8.50%			1,100,000		8.50%
	7/1/21		500,000	9.25%			500,000		9.25%
	4/15/22		500,000	8.75%			500,000		8.75%
	1/15/23		850,000	7.12%			850,000		7.12%
	4/15/24		750,000	7.63%			-		-
	11/1/25		138,000	7.00%			138,000		7.00%
	8/15/26		1,739	6.80%			1,739		6.80%
	1/15/27		345,858	7.88%			345,858		7.88%
	8/15/31		945,325	9.00%			945,325		9.00%
	10/1/34		628	7.68%			628		7.68%
	7/1/35		125,000	7.45%			125,000		7.45%
	10/1/46		193,500	7.05%			193,500		7.05%
			7,857,066				8,669,696
	Subsidiary Senior Notes and Debentures Due:
	2/15/2028		200,000	6.73%			200,000		6.73%
	10/15/2029		50,000	8.40%			50,000		8.40%
	Total	$	8,107,066	7.78% **		$	8,919,696		7.69% **
	*      Represents borrowings under the Credit Agreement with CoBank.
	**    Interest rate represents a weighted average of the stated interest rates of multiple issuances.
Debt Maturities by Year	'
		Principal
	($ in thousands)	Payments
	2014	$	257,916
	2015	$	259,840
	2016	$	345,466
	2017	$	607,375
	2018	$	583,273
Contractual Obligations by Year	'
	($ in thousands)	Finance Lease Obligations		Capital Lease Obligations
	Year ending December 31:
	2014	$	6,891	$	3,107
	2015		7,043		3,162
	2016		7,225		3,216
	2017		7,418		3,273
	2018		7,633		3,331
	Thereafter		70,892		18,976
	Total future payments		107,102		35,065
	Less: Amounts representing interest		-63,174		-9,983
	Present value of minimum lease payments	$	43,928	$	25,082

Investment_Income_Tables

Investment Income (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Investment Income [Abstract]	'
Investment Income	'
	($ in thousands)	2013		2012		2011
	Interest and dividend income	$	2,401	$	3,753	$	2,184
	Investment gain		1,407		9,780		1,071
	Equity earnings (loss)		-		-522		-864
	Total investment income	$	3,808	$	13,011	$	2,391

Other_Income_Net_Tables

Other Income, Net (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Other Income, Net [Abstract]	'
Components Of Other Income, Net	'
	($ in thousands)	2013		2012		2011
	Gain on expiration/settlement of customer advances	$	3,345	$	7,798	$	7,605
	Litigation settlement proceeds		-		854		1,495
	Split-dollar life insurance proceeds		2,263		-		-
	All other, net		-239		-1,531		35
	Total other income, net	$	5,369	$	7,121	$	9,135

Stock_Plans_Tables

Stock Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Stock Plans [Abstract]	'
LTIP Target Performance Shares	'
		Number of
		Shares
	Balance at January 1, 2012	-
	LTIP target performance shares granted	979,000
	LTIP target performance shares forfeited	-
	Balance at December 31, 2012	979,000
	LTIP target performance shares granted	1,124,000
	LTIP target performance shares forfeited	-354,000
	Balance at December 31, 2013	1,749,000
Restricted Shares Outstanding	'
			Weighted
			Average
		Number of	Grant Date		Aggregate
		Shares	Fair Value		Fair Value
	Balance at January 1, 2011	4,440,000	$	8.29	$	43,199,000
	Restricted stock granted	1,734,000	$	9.38	$	8,930,000
	Restricted stock vested	-1,146,000	$	9.52	$	5,899,000
	Restricted stock forfeited	-181,000	$	7.99
	Balance at December 31, 2011	4,847,000	$	8.4	$	24,962,000
	Restricted stock granted	3,976,000	$	4.18	$	17,017,000
	Restricted stock vested	-1,387,000	$	8.78	$	5,937,000
	Restricted stock forfeited	-387,000	$	5.99
	Balance at December 31, 2012	7,049,000	$	6.08	$	30,169,000
	Restricted stock granted	3,360,000	$	4.1	$	15,626,000
	Restricted stock vested	-3,097,000	$	6.78	$	14,403,000
	Restricted stock forfeited	-1,078,000	$	5.26
	Balance at December 31, 2013	6,234,000	$	4.8	$	28,988,000
Options Outstanding	'
			Weighted		Weighted
		Shares	Average		Average		Aggregate
		Subject to	Option Price		Remaining		Intrinsic
		Option	Per Share		Life in Years		Value
	Balance at January 1, 2011	1,507,000	$	10.50	1.7		$	603,000
	Options granted	-	$	-
	Options exercised	-10,000	$	8.19			$	12,000
	Options canceled, forfeited or lapsed	-602,000	$	10.86
	Balance at December 31, 2011	895,000	$	9.94	1.3		$	-
	Options granted	-	$	-
	Options exercised	-	$	-
	Options canceled, forfeited or lapsed	-355,000	$	8.35
	Balance at December 31, 2012	540,000	$	10.99	0.9		$	-
	Options granted	-	$	-
	Options exercised	-	$	-
	Options canceled, forfeited or lapsed	-457,000	$	10.59
	Balance at December 31, 2013	83,000	$	13.23	1.8		$	-

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Taxes [Abstract]	'
Reconciliation Of Provision For Income Taxes	'
			2013			2012			2011
	Consolidated tax provision at federal statutory rate		35.0	%		35.0	%		35.0	%
	State income tax provisions, net of federal income
	tax benefit		-2.7			2.4			4.0
	Noncontrolling interest		-0.6			-2.5			-1.1
	Tax reserve adjustment		-1.1			-5.4			-4
	Changes in certain deferred tax balances		-4			3.1			-2.7
	IRS audit adjustments		3.2			-			-
	Federal research and development credit		-3.2			-			-
	Reversal of tax credits		-			-			4.4
	Non-deductible transaction costs		2.0			-			-
	All other, net		0.4			0.4			0.3
	Effective tax rate		29.0	%		33.0	%		35.9	%
Components of Net Deferred Income Tax Liability (Asset)	'
	($ in thousands)	2013			2012
	Deferred income tax liabilities:
	Property, plant and equipment basis differences	$	1,950,720		$	1,959,028
	Intangibles		885,661			929,749
	Other, net		25,954			29,564
		$	2,862,335		$	2,918,341
	Deferred income tax assets:
	Pension liability		216,890			306,421
	Tax operating loss carryforward		130,733			154,892
	Employee benefits		161,493			177,464
	State tax liability		-642			7,422
	Accrued expenses		26,223			43,162
	Allowance for doubtful accounts		11,957			35,181
	Other, net		42,915			14,025
			589,569			738,567
	Less: Valuation allowance		-112,671			-78,784
	Net deferred income tax asset		476,898			659,783
	Net deferred income tax liability	$	2,385,437		$	2,258,558
	Deferred tax assets and liabilities are reflected in the following
	captions on the consolidated balance sheet:
	Deferred income taxes	$	2,417,108		$	2,357,210
	Income taxes and other current assets		-31,671			-98,652
	Net deferred income tax liability	$	2,385,437		$	2,258,558
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block]	'
	($ in thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Income taxes charged to the consolidated statement of operations:
	Current:
	Federal	$	54,915		$	-3,824		$	-13,320
	State		-163			-1,039			14,252
	Total Current		54,752			-4,863			932
	Deferred:
	Federal		12,699			53,642			77,750
	State		-20,209			26,859			9,661
	Total Deferred		-7,510			80,501			87,411
	Total income taxes charged to the consolidated statement of operations		47,242			75,638			88,343
	Income taxes charged (credited) to shareholders' equity of Frontier:
	Utilization of the benefits arising from restricted stock		1,910			2,937			-
	Deferred income taxes (benefits) arising from the recognition
	of additional pension/OPEB liability		132,432			-58,551			-97,409
	Total income taxes charged (credited) to shareholders' equity
	of Frontier		134,342			-55,614			-97,409
	Total income taxes	$	181,584		$	20,024		$	-9,066
Changes in the Balance of Unrecognized Tax Benefits	'
	($ in thousands)		2013			2012
	Unrecognized tax benefits - beginning of year		$	11,487		$	33,928
	Gross increases - current year tax positions			4,554			3,381
	Gross decreases - expired statute of limitations			-7,282			-25,822
	Unrecognized tax benefits - end of year		$	8,759		$	11,487

Net_Income_Per_Common_Share_Ta

Net Income Per Common Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Net Income Per Common Share [Abstract]	'
Calculation Of Net Income Per Common Share	'
	($ and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)
		2013		2012		2011
	Net income used for basic and diluted earnings
	per common share:
	Net income attributable to common shareholders of Frontier	$	112,835	$	136,636	$	149,614
	Less:  Dividends paid on unvested restricted stock awards		-2,531		-2,901		-3,743
	Total basic and diluted net income attributable to common
	shareholders of Frontier	$	110,304	$	133,735	$	145,871
	Basic earnings per common share:
	Total weighted average shares and unvested restricted stock
	awards outstanding - basic		999,126		997,665		994,753
	Less:  Weighted average unvested restricted stock awards		-6,467		-7,128		-4,901
	Total weighted average shares outstanding - basic		992,659		990,537		989,852
	Basic net income per share attributable to common
	shareholders of Frontier	$	0.11	$	0.14	$	0.15
	Diluted earnings per common share:
	Total weighted average shares outstanding - basic		992,659		990,537		989,852
	Effect of dilutive shares		1,338		1,263		1,415
	Effect of dilutive stock units		-		-		557
	Total weighted average shares outstanding - diluted		993,997		991,800		991,824
	Diluted net income per share attributable to common
	shareholders of Frontier	$	0.11	$	0.13	$	0.15

Comprehensive_Income_Tables

Comprehensive Income (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax	'
	($ in thousands)	Pension Costs		OPEB Costs		Deferred taxes on pension and OPEB costs		All other		Total
	Balance at January 1, 2011	$	-349,264	$	-13,369	$	132,752	$	332	$	-229,549
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		-241,064		-22,668		100,978		-482		-163,236
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss		15,165		-5,774		-3,569		-		5,822
	Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)		-225,899		-28,442		97,409		-482		-157,414
	Balance at December 31, 2011		-575,163		-41,811		230,161		-150		-386,963
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		-152,402		-29,922		68,871		-		-113,453
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss		29,691		-2,531		-10,320		-		16,840
	Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)		-122,711		-32,453		58,551		-		-96,613
	Balance at December 31, 2012		-697,874		-74,264		288,712		-150		-483,576
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		205,341		67,289		-100,951		2		171,681
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss		36,938		1,745		-14,699		-		23,984
	Recognition of net actuarial loss for pension settlement costs		44,163		-		-16,782		-		27,381
	Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)		286,442		69,034		-132,432		2		223,046
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	-411,432	$	-5,230	$	156,280	$	-148	$	-260,530
Reclassification Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	($ in thousands)	Amount Reclassified from
		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (a)
	Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Components	2013		2012		2011		Affected Line Item in the Statement Where Net Income is Presented
	Amortization of Pension Cost Items (b)
	Prior-service costs	$	-8	$	199	$	199
	Actuarial gains/(losses)		-36,930		-29,890		-15,364
	Pension settlement costs		-44,163		-		-
			-81,101		-29,691		-15,165	Income before income taxes
	Tax impact		30,818		11,282		5,763	Income tax (expense) benefit
		$	-50,283	$	-18,409	$	-9,402	Net income
	Amortization of Postretirement Cost Items (b)
	Prior-service costs	$	6,101	$	10,068	$	10,198
	Actuarial gains/(losses)		-7,846		-7,537		-4,424
			-1,745		2,531		5,774	Income before income taxes
	Tax impact		663		-962		-2,194	Income tax (expense) benefit
		$	-1,082	$	1,569	$	3,580	Net income

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Unaud1

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) [Abstract]	'
Quarterly Financial Information	'
	($ in thousands, except per share amounts)
	2013	First Quarter		Second Quarter		Third Quarter		Fourth Quarter		Total Year
	Revenue	$	1,205,396	$	1,190,533	$	1,185,278	$	1,180,369	$	4,761,576
	Operating income		250,824		266,156		206,172		257,569		980,721
	Net income (loss) attributable to common
	shareholders of Frontier		48,140		-38,460		35,400		67,755		112,835
	Basic net income (loss) per common share
	attributable to common shareholders
	of Frontier	$	0.05	$	-0.04	$	0.04	$	0.07	$	0.11
	2012	First Quarter		Second Quarter		Third Quarter		Fourth Quarter		Total Year
	Revenue	$	1,268,054	$	1,258,777	$	1,252,469	$	1,232,553	$	5,011,853
	Operating income		208,458		267,784		275,196		235,730		987,168
	Net income attributable to common
	shareholders of Frontier		26,768		17,989		67,000		24,879		136,636
	Basic net income per common share
	attributable to common shareholders
	of Frontier	$	0.03	$	0.02	$	0.07	$	0.02	$	0.14

Retirement_Plans_Tables

Retirement Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Retirement Plans [Abstract]	'
Projected Benefit Obligations, Fair Values of Plan Assets and Amounts Recognized in the Balance Sheet	'
	($ in thousands)	2013			2012
	Change in projected benefit obligation (PBO)
	PBO at beginning of year	$	1,944,731		$	1,799,313
	Service cost		47,651			43,688
	Interest cost		75,812			78,027
	Actuarial (gain)/loss		-180,709			196,304
	Benefits paid		-54,151			-172,601
	Settlements		-164,608			-
	PBO at end of year	$	1,668,726		$	1,944,731
	Change in plan assets
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	1,253,666		$	1,257,990
	Actual return on plan assets		119,328			139,679
	Employer contributions, net of transfers		62,290			28,598
	Benefits paid		-54,151			-172,601
	Settlements		-164,608			-
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	1,216,525		$	1,253,666
	Funded status	$	-452,201		$	-691,065
	Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet
	Other current liabilities	$	-100,205		$	-60,386
	Pension and other postretirement benefits	$	-351,996		$	-630,679
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	411,432		$	697,874
Net Periodic Benefit Cost	'
	($ in thousands)		Expected in			2013		2012		2011
			2014
	Components of total periodic pension benefit cost
	Service cost					$	47,651	$	43,688	$	38,879
	Interest cost on projected benefit obligation						75,812		78,027		84,228
	Expected return on plan assets						-94,695		-95,777		-100,558
	Amortization of prior service cost /(credit)		$	45			8		-199		-199
	Amortization of unrecognized loss			19,274			36,930		29,890		15,364
	Net periodic pension benefit cost						65,706		55,629		37,714
	Pension settlement costs						44,163		-		-
	Total periodic pension benefit cost					$	109,869	$	55,629	$	37,714
Weighted Average Asset Allocations, By Asset Category	'
			2013			2012
	Asset category:
	Equity securities		42	%		43	%
	Debt securities		44	%		40	%
	Alternative investments		13	%		14	%
	Cash and other		1	%		3	%
	Total		100	%		100	%
Expected Benefit Payments Over The Next Ten Years	'
	($ in thousands)		Amount
	2014		$	100,839
	2015			104,480
	2016			110,570
	2017			114,703
	2018			117,055
	2019-2023			633,650
	Total		$	1,181,297
Schedule of Assumptions Used	'
			2013			2012		2011
	Discount rate - used at year end to value obligation		4.90	%		4.00	%	4.50	%
	Discount rate - used to compute annual cost		4.00	%		4.50	%	5.25	%
	Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets		8.00	%		7.75	%	8.00	%
	Rate of increase in compensation levels		2.50	%		2.50	%	2.50	%
Schedule of Changes in Projected benefit Obligations for OPEB Table Text Block	'
	($ in thousands)	2013			2012
	Change in benefit obligation
	Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	438,550		$	391,596
	Service cost		12,533			10,812
	Interest cost		17,241			17,842
	Plan participants' contributions		4,293			4,059
	Actuarial (gain)/loss		-67,547			30,958
	Benefits paid		-19,447			-15,974
	Plan change		-			-743
	Benefit obligation at end of year	$	385,623		$	438,550
	Change in plan assets
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	5,055		$	5,101
	Actual return on plan assets		-122			466
	Plan participants' contributions		4,293			4,059
	Employer contribution		12,528			11,403
	Benefits paid		-19,447			-15,974
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	2,307		$	5,055
	Funded status	$	-383,316		$	-433,495
	Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet
	Other current liabilities	$	-11,508		$	-9,116
	Pension and other postretirement benefits	$	-371,808		$	-424,379
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	5,230		$	74,264
Schedule of Net Benefit Costs For OPEB Table Text Block	'
	($ in thousands)		Expected in			2013		2012		2011
			2014
	Components of net periodic postretirement benefit cost
	Service cost					$	12,533	$	10,812	$	8,958
	Interest cost on projected benefit obligation						17,241		17,842		17,722
	Expected return on plan assets						-136		-172		-324
	Amortization of prior service cost /(credit)		$	-3,560			-6,101		-10,068		-10,198
	Amortization of unrecognized loss			2,886			7,846		7,537		4,424
	Net periodic postretirement benefit cost					$	31,383	$	25,951	$	20,582
Schedule of Assumptions Used for OPEB Table Text Block	'
			2013		2012		2011
	Discount rate - used at year end to value obligation		4.90% - 5.20%		4.00% - 4.20%		4.50% - 4.75%
	Discount rate - used to compute annual cost		4.00% - 4.20%		4.50% - 4.75%		5.25%
	Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets		3.00% - 4.00%		3.00% - 4.00%		3.00% - 6.00%
Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments for OPEB Table Text Block	'
	($ in thousands)		Gross Benefit			Medicare Part D Subsidy		Total
	2014		$	16,687		$	489	$	16,198
	2015			18,004			585		17,419
	2016			19,342			691		18,651
	2017			20,575			825		19,750
	2018			21,785			961		20,824
	2019-2023			120,619			6,994		113,625
	Total		$	217,012		$	10,545	$	206,467
Net Periodic Benefit Cost Not Yet Recognized	'
	($ in thousands)		Pension Plan					OPEB
			2013			2012		2013		2012
	Net actuarial loss		$	411,076		$	697,511	$	30,835	$	105,970
	Prior service cost/(credit)			356			363		-25,605		-31,706
	Total		$	411,432		$	697,874	$	5,230	$	74,264
Amounts Recognized as a Componenet of Accumulated Comprehensive Income	'
	($ in thousands)		Pension Plan					OPEB
			2013			2012		2013		2012
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss at
	beginning of year		$	697,874		$	575,163	$	74,264	$	41,811
	Net actuarial gain (loss) recognized during year			-36,930			-29,890		-7,846		-7,537
	Prior service (cost) credit recognized during year			-8			199		6,101		10,068
	Net actuarial loss (gain) occurring during year			-205,341			152,402		-67,289		30,665
	Prior service cost (credit) occurring during year			-			-		-		-743
	Settlement costs recognized during year			-44,163			-		-		-
	Net amount recognized in comprehensive income
	for the year			-286,442			122,711		-69,034		32,453
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss at
	end of year		$	411,432		$	697,874	$	5,230	$	74,264

Fair_Value_Of_Financial_Instru1

Fair Value Of Financial Instruments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Of Financial Instruments [Abstract]	'
Pension Plan Assets Measured At Fair Value on Recurring Basis	'
	($ in thousands)		Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2013
			Total			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Cash and Cash Equivalents		$	8,503		$	8,503	$	-	$	-
	U.S. Government Obligations			26,070			-		26,070		-
	Corporate and Other Obligations			235,723			-		235,723		-
	Common Stock			120,801			120,801		-		-
	Commingled Funds			604,975			-		571,531		33,444
	Interest in Registered Investment Companies			80,221			80,221		-		-
	Interest in Limited Partnerships and
	Limited Liability Corporations			129,276			-		-		129,276
	Insurance Contracts			629			-		629		-
	Other			1,660			-		1,660		-
	Total investments at fair value		$	1,207,858		$	209,525	$	835,613	$	162,720
	Interest and Dividend Receivable			2,832
	Due from Broker for Securities Sold			8,916
	Receivable Associated with Insurance Contract			7,044
	Due to Broker for Securities Purchased			-10,125
	Total Plan Assets, at Fair Value		$	1,216,525
	($ in thousands)		Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2012
			Total			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Cash and Cash Equivalents		$	42,391		$	-	$	42,391	$	-
	U.S. Government Obligations			14,166			-		14,166		-
	Corporate and Other Obligations			246,024			-		246,024		-
	Common Stock			133,631			133,631		-		-
	Commingled Funds			612,707			-		572,893		39,814
	Interest in Registered Investment Companies			99,161			99,161		-		-
	Interest in Limited Partnerships and
	Limited Liability Corporations			101,678			-		-		101,678
	Insurance Contracts			799			-		799		-
	Other			96			-		96		-
	Total investments at fair value		$	1,250,653		$	232,792	$	876,369	$	141,492
	Interest and Dividend Receivable			3,252
	Due from Broker for Securities Sold			3,788
	Receivable Associated with Insurance Contract			7,610
	Due to Broker for Securities Purchased			-11,637
	Total Plan Assets, at Fair Value		$	1,253,666
Changes in Fair Value of Plan's Level 3 Assets	'
	($ in thousands)		2013
			Interest in Limited Partnerships and Limited Liability Corporations			Commingled Funds
	Balance, beginning of year		$	101,678		$	39,814
	Realized gains			10,835			975
	Unrealized gains			18,033			2,656
	Contributed assets			23,422			-
	Sales			-24,692			-10,001
	Balance, end of year		$	129,276		$	33,444
	($ in thousands)		2012
			Interest in Limited Partnerships and Limited Liability Corporations			Commingled Funds
	Balance, beginning of year		$	104,033		$	37,194
	Realized gains			5,587			-
	Unrealized gains			454			2,620
	Sales			-8,396			-
	Balance, end of year		$	101,678		$	39,814
Redemption of Plan's Level 3 Investments	'
	($ in thousands)
			Fair Value			Redemption Frequency		Redemption Notice Period		Liquidation Period
	Commingled Funds
	JPM Multi-Strat II C-A Ser 11-07 (a)		$	33,444			Quarterly		65 days		NA
	Interest in Limited Partnerships and Limited
	Liability Corporations
	Morgan Stanley Institutional Cayman Fund LP (b)		$	26,188			Quarterly		60 days		NA
	MS IFHF SVP LP Cayman (b)			2,772			Through liquidation of		None		2 years
							underlying investments
	MS IFHF SVP LP Alpha (b)			1,504			Through liquidation of		None		2 years
							underlying investments
	RII World Timberfund, LLC (c)			5,761			Through liquidation of		None		10 years
							underlying investments
	100 Comm Drive, LLC (d)			8,557			Through liquidation of		None		NA
							underlying investments
	100 CTE Drive, LLC (d)			6,922			Through liquidation of		None		NA
							underlying investments
	6430 Oakbrook Parkway, LLC (d)			24,955			Through liquidation of		None		NA
							underlying investments
	8001 West Jefferson, LLC (d)			29,318			Through liquidation of		None		NA
							underlying investments
	1500 MacCorkle Ave SE, LLC (d)			15,987			Through liquidation of		None		NA
							underlying investments
	400 S. Pike Road West, LLC (d)			1,079			Through liquidation of		None		NA
							underlying investments
	601 N US 131, LLC (d)			1,063			Through liquidation of		None		NA
							underlying investments
	9260 E. Stockton Blvd., LLC (d)			5,170			Through liquidation of		None		NA
							underlying investments
	Total Interest in Limited Partnerships and Limited
	Liability Corporations		$	129,276
Valuation Techniques Used to Measure the Fair Value of the Plan's Interest in Limited Partnerships	'
	Instrument	Property		Fair Value	Principal Valuation Technique	Significant Unobservable Inputs	Significant Input Values
					Direct Capitalization	Capitalization Rate	8.50%
		100 Comm Drive, LLC	$	8,557	Discounted	Discount Rate	9.50%
					Cash Flow	Duration (years)	10
					Direct Capitalization	Capitalization Rate	8.50%
		100 CTE Drive, LLC	$	6,922	Discounted	Discount Rate	10.00%
					Cash Flow	Duration (years)	15
	Interest in				Direct Capitalization	Capitalization Rate	8.50%
	Limited Partnerships	6430 Oakbrook Parkway, LLC	$	24,955	Discounted	Discount Rate	10.50%
	and Limited				Cash Flow	Duration (years)	10
	Liability Corporations				Direct Capitalization	Capitalization Rate	8.50%
		8001 West Jefferson, LLC	$	29,318	Discounted	Discount Rate	10.50%
					Cash Flow	Duration (years)	10
		1500 MacCorkle Ave SE, LLC	$	15,987	Direct Capitalization	Capitalization Rate	8.85%
		400 S. Pike Road West, LLC	$	1,079	Direct Capitalization	Capitalization Rate	10.50%
		601 N US 131, LLC	$	1,063	Direct Capitalization	Capitalization Rate	10.00%
		9260 E. Stockton Blvd., LLC	$	5,170	Direct Capitalization	Capitalization Rate	9.00%
Fair Value Of Long-Term Debt	'
	($ in thousands)		2013					2012
				Carrying					Carrying
				Amount			Fair Value		Amount		Fair Value
	Long-term debt		$	7,873,667		$	8,191,744	$	8,381,947	$	9,091,416

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]	'
Future Minimum Rental Commitments for All Long-Term Noncancelable Operating Leases	'
	($ in thousands)	Operating Leases
	Year ending December 31:
	2014	$	61,880
	2015		10,452
	2016		8,804
	2017		7,708
	2018		7,393
	Thereafter		49,091
	Total minimum lease payments	$	145,328
Future Payments for Obligations under Noncancelable Long Distance Contracts and Service Agreements	'
	($ in thousands)	Amount
	Year ending December 31:
	2014	$	28,653
	2015		20,796
	2016		9,694
	2017		4,295
	2018		1,204
	Thereafter		6,000
	Total	$	70,642
Outstanding Performance Letters of Credit	'
	($ in thousands)		Amount
	CNA Financial Corporation (CNA)		$	45,659
	All other			1,186
	Total		$	46,845

Summary_Of_Significant_Account2

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
	segment
Description of Business and Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'	'	'
Proceeds on sale of Mohave partnership interest	$17,755,000	'	'
Ownership percentage of subsidiary sold (in hundredths)	33.33%	'	'
Gain on sale of Mohave partnership interest	14,601,000	'	'
Customer surcharges	$117,500,000	$119,700,000	$104,500,000
Number of operating segments	4	'	'
Number of reportable segments	1	'	'

The_Transactions_Details

The Transactions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended					12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
The Transactions [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of territories acquired	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	14
Acquisition purchase price	$2,000,000,000	'	'	'	'	$2,000,000,000	'	'	'
Acquisition and integration costs	$9,700,000	$13,500,000	$4,500,000	$28,600,000	$35,100,000	$9,652,000	$81,737,000	$143,146,000	'

Accounts_Receivable_Narrative_

Accounts Receivable (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Accounts Receivable [Abstract]	'	'	'
Provision for uncollectible amounts	$65.80	$88.70	$110.10

Accounts_Receivable_Accounts_R

Accounts Receivable (Accounts Receivable) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accounts Receivable [Abstract]	'	'
Retail and Wholesale	$498,717	$581,152
Other	51,855	45,819
Allowance for doubtful accounts	-71,362	-93,267
Accounts receivable, net	$479,210	$533,704

Accounts_Receivable_Schedule_O

Accounts Receivable (Schedule Of Allowance For Doubtful Accounts) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, End of Period	$71,362	$93,267	'
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member]	'	'	'
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, Beginning of Period	93,267	107,048	73,571
Charged to Other Revenue	68,965	74,332	93,721
Charged (credited) to Switched and Nonswitched Revenue and Other Accounts	-3,203	14,396	16,403
Write-offs and Recoveries	-87,667	-102,509	-76,647
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, End of Period	$71,362	$93,267	$107,048

Property_Plant_And_Equipment_N

Property, Plant And Equipment (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Property, Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'	'	'
Depreciation expense	$841.50	$844.60	$881.50

Property_Plant_And_Equipment_P

Property, Plant And Equipment (Property, Plant And Equipment, Net) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment	$14,850,697	$14,353,763
Construction work in progress	250,516	274,488
Less: Accumulated depreciation	-7,594,935	-6,848,867
Property, plant and equipment, net	7,255,762	7,504,896
Land [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment	126,483	126,483
Buildings and leasehold improvements [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment	1,061,097	1,052,650
Estimated useful lives	'41 years	'
General support [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment	977,941	988,707
General support [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Estimated useful lives	'17 years	'
General support [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Estimated useful lives	'5 years	'
Central office/electronic circuit equipment [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment	5,222,928	4,965,099
Central office/electronic circuit equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Estimated useful lives	'11 years	'
Central office/electronic circuit equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Estimated useful lives	'5 years	'
Poles [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment	549,322	507,922
Estimated useful lives	'49 years	'
Cable and wire [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment	6,259,292	6,038,835
Cable and wire [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Estimated useful lives	'30 years	'
Cable and wire [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Estimated useful lives	'15 years	'
Conduit [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment	359,974	354,777
Estimated useful lives	'60 years	'
Other [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment	$43,144	$44,802
Other [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Estimated useful lives	'30 years	'
Other [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Estimated useful lives	'12 years	'

Goodwill_And_Other_Intangibles2

Goodwill And Other Intangibles (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Amortization expense	$328,000,000	$422,200,000	$521,700,000
Estimated future amortization expense, year 1	285,000,000	'	'
Estimated future amortization expense, year 2	240,000,000	'	'
Estimated future amortization expense, year 3	195,000,000	'	'
Estimated future amortization expense, year 4	150,000,000	'	'
Estimated future amortization expense, year 5	105,000,000	'	'
Frontier Legacy Properties [Member]	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Amortization expense	'	11,400,000	56,300,000
Customer Base [Member]	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Amortization expense	328,000,000	410,800,000	465,400,000
Customer Base [Member] | Residential Customer List [Member]	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Estimated useful life	'9 years	'	'
Customer Base [Member] | Business Customer List [Member]	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Estimated useful life	'12 years	'	'
Software Licenses [Member]	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Amortization expense	'	$38,300,000	$49,100,000

Goodwill_And_Other_Intangibles3

Goodwill And Other Intangibles (Components Of Goodwill By Reporting Units) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets by Segment [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill	$6,337,719	$6,337,719
Central [Member]	'	'
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets by Segment [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill	1,815,498	'
East [Member]	'	'
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets by Segment [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill	2,003,574	'
National [Member]	'	'
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets by Segment [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill	1,218,113	'
West [Member]	'	'
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets by Segment [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill	$1,300,534	'

Goodwill_And_Other_Intangibles4

Goodwill And Other Intangibles (Components Of Other Intangibles) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	$2,551,784	$2,657,086
Accumulated Amortization	-1,336,852	-1,114,347
Net Carrying Amount	1,214,932	1,542,739
Customer Base [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	2,427,648	2,427,648
Accumulated Amortization	-1,336,852	-1,009,045
Net Carrying Amount	1,090,796	1,418,603
Software Licenses [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	'	105,019
Accumulated Amortization	'	-105,019
Trade Name And License [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	124,136	124,419
Accumulated Amortization	'	-283
Net Carrying Amount	$124,136	$124,136

LongTerm_Debt_Narrative_Detail

Long-Term Debt (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Oct. 02, 2012

Jun. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Apr. 24, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Apr. 10, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

17-May-12

Dec. 31, 2013

Apr. 24, 2013

Apr. 10, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Apr. 24, 2013

Apr. 10, 2013

Oct. 02, 2012

17-May-12

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Apr. 24, 2013

Oct. 02, 2012

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

17-May-12

Dec. 31, 2013

Oct. 02, 2012

Aug. 15, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Apr. 10, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2011

property

property

Senior Notes [Member]

Senior Notes [Member]

Senior Notes [Member]

Senior Note Due 1/15/2013 [Member]

Senior Note Due 5/1/2014 [Member]

Senior Note Due 5/1/2014 [Member]

Senior Note Due 3/15/2015 [Member]

Senior Note Due 3/15/2015 [Member]

Senior Note Due 3/15/2015 [Member]

Senior Note Due 4/15/2015 [Member]

Senior Note Due 4/15/2015 [Member]

Senior Note Due 4/15/2015 [Member]

Senior Note Due 4/15/2015 [Member]

Senior Note Due 4/15/2015 [Member]

Senior Note Due 4/15/2015 [Member]

Senior Note Due 10/14/2016 [Member]

Senior Note Due 4/15/2017 [Member]

Senior Note Due 4/15/2017 [Member]

Senior Note Due 4/15/2017 [Member]

Senior Note Due 4/15/2017 [Member]

Senior Note Due 10/1/2018 [Member]

Senior Note Due 4/15/2020 [Member]

Senior Note Due 7/1/2021 [Member]

Senior Note Due 7/1/2021 [Member]

Senior Note Due 1/15/2023 [Member]

Senior Note Due 1/15/2023 [Member]

Senior Note Due 1/15/2023 [Member]

Senior Note Due 1/15/2023 [Member]

Senior Notes Due 2024 [Member]

Senior Notes Due 2024 [Member]

Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]

Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]

Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]

Rural Utilities Service Loan Contracts [Member]

Rural Utilities Service Loan Contracts [Member]

Rural Utilities Service Loan Contracts [Member]

CoBank Term Loan 2012 [Member]

CoBank Term Loan 2013 [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Unsecured Letter of Credit Facility [Member]

Unsecured Letter of Credit Facility [Member]

Unsecured Letter of Credit Facility [Member]

Unsecured Letter of Credit Facility [Member]

Unsecured Letter of Credit Facility [Member]

Letter Of Credit, March 2013 [Member]

Letter Of Credit, March 2013 [Member]

Letter Of Credit, September 2013 [Member]

Letter Of Credit, September 2013 [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

2013 Pension Real Estate Contributions [Member]

2011 Pension Real Estate Contributions [Member]

Pension Benefits [Member]

Pension Benefits [Member]

item

Base Rate [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

item

Letter Of Credit, Extension [Member]

Letter Of Credit, Extension [Member]

Senior Note Due 10/14/2016 [Member]

Senior Note Due 10/14/2016 [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Senior Note Due 10/14/2016 [Member]

Senior Note Due 10/14/2016 [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

property

Base Rate [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

Base Rate [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

Base Rate [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

Base Rate [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument, face amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$575,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

$500,000,000

'

$250,000,000

$600,000,000

'

'

$750,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8.25%

'

'

6.63%

'

'

'

7.88%

'

'

'

8.25%

'

'

'

8.13%

8.50%

9.25%

'

'

7.13%

'

'

7.63%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Remaining outstanding principal

'

'

8,942,568,000

'

'

8,129,546,000

8,942,568,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8,107,066,000

'

8,919,696,000

8,930,000

200,000,000

9,322,000

143,000,000

130,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of credit facility maximum borrowing capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

750,000,000

'

'

'

40,000,000

190,000,000

'

'

'

20,000,000

'

20,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of credit facility expiration date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3-Nov-16

'

'

30-Sep-11

'

'

30-Sep-12

'

31-Mar-13

'

30-Sep-13

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Issuance Date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

24-Apr-13

'

'

1-Oct-12

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

17-May-12

'

'

'

15-Aug-12

'

10-Apr-13

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument, maturity date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1-May-14

'

15-Mar-15

'

'

15-Apr-15

1-Apr-15

'

'

'

'

14-Oct-16

15-Apr-17

'

'

'

1-Oct-18

15-Apr-20

'

1-Jul-21

'

'

15-Jan-23

'

'

15-Apr-24

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Issue price expressed as a percentage of principal amount (in hundredths)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

'

104.25%

100.00%

'

'

100.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from debt, net of issuance costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

489,600,000

'

255,900,000

588,100,000

'

'

736,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Aggregate principal amount agreed to be purchased

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

471,300,000

'

'

400,000,000

'

700,000

194,200,000

'

'

800,000

277,100,000

75,700,000

49,500,000

'

'

'

225,000,000

59,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount of consideration for purchase of notes

154,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

532,400,000

'

'

446,000,000

'

800,000

216,000,000

'

'

900,000

316,400,000

'

54,000,000

'

'

'

267,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Payments and Retirements

'

'

'

'

'

-1,563,022,000

'

552,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-1,562,630,000

551,400,000

'

-392,000

1,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Losses on early extinguishment of debt

19,300,000

-159,800,000

-19,300,000

-200,000

-70,800,000

159,780,000

90,363,000

'

104,900,000

54,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

69,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loss on early extinguishment of debt, net of tax

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

64,900,000

34,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loss on early extinguishment of debt, net of tax (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$0.06

$0.04

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loss on repurchase of debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-2,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Repurchase of senior notes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

78,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

208,800,000

'

'

17,300,000

78,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Repayment of the outstanding principal balance, quarterly installments amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

14,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest Rate Margin

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.88%

1.88%

0.50%

1.50%

2.88%

3.88%

1.50%

2.50%

'

'

'

'

Initial pricing for LIBOR based borrowings (in hundredths)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.88%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.00%

2.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum permitted leverage ratio

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4.5

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of credit facility, current borrowings

'

'

'

'

'

46,845,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest Rate (in thousandths)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.40%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Exercised extension of commitment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of letters of credit

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of properties contributed

'

'

'

'

'

4

'

4

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4

'

Contribution of Property

'

'

'

'

'

23,422,000

'

58,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

23,400,000

58,100,000

Pension Building Contribution Aggregate Annual Rent

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,100,000

5,800,000

'

'

Pension Building Contribution Minimum Lease Payments Sale Leaseback Transactions

'

'

'

'

'

107,102,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Lease term of contributed property

'

'

'

'

'

'15 years

'

'15 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'15 years

'

Sale and leaseback term, minimum (in years)

'

'

'

'

'

'12 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Sale and leaseback term, maximum (in years)

'

'

'

'

'

'23 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other Liabilities, Noncurrent

'

'

266,625,000

'

'

262,308,000

266,625,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

23,300,000

'

Other Liabilities, Current

'

'

232,836,000

'

'

324,181,000

232,836,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100,000

'

Bridge loan facility

'

'

'

'

'

1,900,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Commitments fees related to bridge loan facility

'

'

'

'

'

$1,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

LongTerm_Debt_LongTerm_Debt_De

Long-Term Debt (Long-Term Debt) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'	'
Long-term debt, beginning balance	$8,942,568,000		'	'
Payments and Retirements	-1,563,022,000		552,400,000	'
New Borrowings	750,000,000		'	'
Long-term debt, ending balance	8,129,546,000		'	'
Less: Debt (Discount)/Premium	2,037,000		'	-71,000
Less: Current Portion	-257,916,000		'	-560,550,000
Principal Outstanding	7,873,667,000		'	8,381,947,000
Weighted average interest rate	7.95%	[1]	'	'
Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]	'		'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'	'
Long-term debt, beginning balance	8,919,696,000		'	'
Payments and Retirements	-1,562,630,000		551,400,000	'
New Borrowings	750,000,000		'	'
Long-term debt, ending balance	8,107,066,000		'	'
Weighted average interest rate	7.95%	[1]	'	'
Industrial Development Revenue Bonds [Member]	'		'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'	'
Long-term debt, beginning balance	13,550,000		'	'
Payments and Retirements	'		'	'
New Borrowings	'		'	'
Long-term debt, ending balance	13,550,000		'	'
Weighted average interest rate	6.33%	[1]	'	'
Rural Utilities Service Loan Contracts [Member]	'		'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'	'
Long-term debt, beginning balance	9,322,000		'	'
Payments and Retirements	-392,000		1,000,000	'
Long-term debt, ending balance	$8,930,000		$200,000,000	'
Weighted average interest rate	6.15%	[1]	'	'
[1]	Interest rate includes amortization of debt issuance costs and debt premiums or discounts. The interest rates at December 31, 2013 represent a weighted average of multiple issuances.

LongTerm_Debt_Senior_Unsecured

Long-Term Debt (Senior Unsecured Debt) (Details) (USD $)

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

17-May-12

Dec. 31, 2013

Apr. 10, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Apr. 10, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

17-May-12

Dec. 31, 2013

Aug. 15, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Senior Note Due 5/1/2014 [Member]

Senior Note Due 5/1/2014 [Member]

Senior Note Due 3/15/2015 [Member]

Senior Note Due 3/15/2015 [Member]

Senior Note Due 4/15/2015 [Member]

Senior Note Due 4/15/2015 [Member]

Senior Note Due 4/15/2015 [Member]

Senior Note Due 10/14/2016 [Member]

Senior Note Due 4/15/2017 [Member]

Senior Note Due 10/1/2018 [Member]

Senior Note Due 4/15/2020 [Member]

Senior Note Due 7/1/2021 [Member]

Senior Note Due 7/1/2021 [Member]

Senior Note Due 1/15/2023 [Member]

Senior Note Due 1/15/2023 [Member]

Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]

Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]

Senior Notes And Debentures [Member]

Senior Notes And Debentures [Member]

Senior Notes And Debentures [Member]

Senior Notes And Debentures [Member]

Senior Notes And Debentures [Member]

Senior Notes And Debentures [Member]

Senior Notes And Debentures [Member]

Senior Notes And Debentures [Member]

Senior Notes And Debentures [Member]

Senior Notes And Debentures [Member]

Senior Notes And Debentures [Member]

Senior Notes And Debentures [Member]

Senior Notes And Debentures [Member]

Senior Notes And Debentures [Member]

Senior Notes And Debentures [Member]

Senior Notes And Debentures [Member]

Senior Notes And Debentures [Member]

Senior Notes And Debentures [Member]

Senior Notes And Debentures [Member]

Senior Notes And Debentures [Member]

Senior Notes And Debentures [Member]

Senior Notes And Debentures [Member]

Senior Notes And Debentures [Member]

Senior Notes And Debentures [Member]

Senior Notes And Debentures [Member]

Senior Notes And Debentures [Member]

Senior Notes And Debentures [Member]

Senior Notes And Debentures [Member]

Senior Notes And Debentures [Member]

Senior Notes And Debentures [Member]

Senior Notes And Debentures [Member]

Senior Notes And Debentures [Member]

Senior Notes And Debentures [Member]

Senior Notes And Debentures [Member]

Senior Notes And Debentures [Member]

Senior Notes And Debentures [Member]

Senior Notes And Debentures [Member]

Senior Notes And Debentures [Member]

Senior Notes And Debentures [Member]

Senior Notes And Debentures [Member]

Senior Notes And Debentures [Member]

Subsidiary Senior Notes And Debentures [Member]

Subsidiary Senior Notes And Debentures [Member]

Subsidiary Senior Notes And Debentures [Member]

Subsidiary Senior Notes And Debentures [Member]

Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]

Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]

Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]

Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]

Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]

Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]

Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]

Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]

Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]

Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]

Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]

Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]

Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]

Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]

Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]

Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]

Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]

Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]

Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]

Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]

Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]

Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]

Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]

Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]

Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]

Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]

Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]

Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]

Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]

Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]

Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]

Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]

Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]

Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]

Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]

Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]

Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]

Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]

Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]

Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]

Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]

Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]

Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]

Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]

Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]

Senior Note Due 1/15/2013 [Member]

Senior Note Due 1/15/2013 [Member]

Senior Note Due 5/1/2014 [Member]

Senior Note Due 5/1/2014 [Member]

Senior Note Due 3/15/2015 [Member]

Senior Note Due 3/15/2015 [Member]

Senior Note Due 4/15/2015 [Member]

Senior Note Due 4/15/2015 [Member]

Senior Note Due 10/14/2016 [Member]

Senior Note Due 10/14/2016 [Member]

Senior Note Due 4/15/2017 [Member]

Senior Note Due 4/15/2017 [Member]

Senior Note Due 10/1/2018 [Member]

Senior Note Due 10/1/2018 [Member]

Senior Note Due 3/15/2019 [Member]

Senior Note Due 3/15/2019 [Member]

Senior Note Due 4/15/2020 [Member]

Senior Note Due 4/15/2020 [Member]

Senior Note Due 7/1/2021 [Member]

Senior Note Due 7/1/2021 [Member]

Senior Note Due 4/15/2022 [Member]

Senior Note Due 4/15/2022 [Member]

Senior Note Due 1/15/2023 [Member]

Senior Note Due 1/15/2023 [Member]

Senior Note Due 4/15/2024 [Member]

Debenture Due 11/1/2025 [Member]

Debenture Due 11/1/2025 [Member]

Debenture Due 8/15/2026 [Member]

Debenture Due 8/15/2026 [Member]

Senior Note Due 1/15/2027 [Member]

Senior Note Due 1/15/2027 [Member]

Senior Note Due 8/15/2031 [Member]

Senior Note Due 8/15/2031 [Member]

Debenture Due 10/1/2034 [Member]

Debenture Due 10/1/2034 [Member]

Debenture Due 7/1/2035 [Member]

Debenture Due 7/1/2035 [Member]

Debenture Due 10/1/2046 [Member]

Debenture Due 10/1/2046 [Member]

Subsidiary Senior Note Due 2/15/2028 [Member]

Subsidiary Senior Note Due 2/15/2028 [Member]

Subsidiary Senior Note Due 10/15/2029 [Member]

Subsidiary Senior Note Due 10/15/2029 [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Principal Outstanding

$8,129,546,000

$8,942,568,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$8,107,066,000

$8,919,696,000

$7,857,066,000

$8,669,696,000

'

$502,658,000

$200,000,000

$200,000,000

$105,026,000

$300,000,000

$96,872,000

$374,803,000

$460,000,000

[1]

$517,500,000

[1]

$606,874,000

$1,040,685,000

$582,739,000

$600,000,000

$434,000,000

$434,000,000

$1,021,505,000

$1,100,000,000

$500,000,000

$500,000,000

$500,000,000

$500,000,000

$850,000,000

$850,000,000

$750,000,000

$138,000,000

$138,000,000

$1,739,000

$1,739,000

$345,858,000

$345,858,000

$945,325,000

$945,325,000

$628,000

$628,000

$125,000,000

$125,000,000

$193,500,000

$193,500,000

$200,000,000

$200,000,000

$50,000,000

$50,000,000

Interest Rate

'

'

'

8.25%

'

6.63%

'

'

7.88%

'

8.25%

8.13%

8.50%

'

9.25%

'

7.13%

'

'

'

'

'

6.25%

8.25%

8.25%

6.63%

6.63%

7.88%

7.88%

3.05%

[1]

3.10%

[1]

8.25%

8.25%

8.13%

8.13%

7.13%

7.13%

8.50%

8.50%

9.25%

9.25%

8.75%

8.75%

7.13%

7.13%

7.63%

7.00%

7.00%

6.80%

6.80%

7.88%

7.88%

9.00%

9.00%

7.68%

7.68%

7.45%

7.45%

7.05%

7.05%

6.73%

6.73%

8.40%

8.40%

Weighted average interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7.78%

[2]

7.69%

[2]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument, maturity date

'

'

1-May-14

'

15-Mar-15

'

15-Apr-15

1-Apr-15

'

14-Oct-16

15-Apr-17

1-Oct-18

15-Apr-20

1-Jul-21

'

15-Jan-23

'

'

'

'

'

15-Jan-13

'

1-May-14

'

15-Mar-15

'

15-Apr-15

'

14-Oct-16

[1]

'

15-Apr-17

'

1-Oct-18

'

15-Mar-19

'

15-Apr-20

'

1-Jul-21

'

15-Apr-22

'

15-Jan-23

'

15-Apr-24

1-Nov-25

'

15-Aug-26

'

15-Jan-27

'

15-Aug-31

'

1-Oct-34

'

1-Jul-35

'

1-Oct-46

'

15-Feb-28

'

15-Oct-29

'

[1]

Represents borrowings under the Credit Agreement with CoBank.

[2]

Interest rate represents a weighted average of the stated interest rates of multiple issuances.

LongTerm_Debt_Debt_Maturities_

Long-Term Debt (Debt Maturities By Year) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Long-Term Debt [Abstract]	'
Principal Payments 2014	$257,916
Principal Payments 2015	259,840
Principal Payments 2016	345,466
Principal Payments 2017	607,375
Principal Payments 2018	$583,273

LongTerm_Debt_Schedule_Of_Futu

Long-Term Debt (Schedule Of Future Minimum Lease Obligations) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finance Lease Obligations, Future Minimum Payments [Abstract]	'
2014	$6,891
2015	7,043
2016	7,225
2017	7,418
2018	7,633
Thereafter	70,892
Total future payments	107,102
Less: Amounts representing interest	-63,174
Present value of minimum lease payments	43,928
Capital Lease Obligations, Future Minimum Payments [Abstract]	'
2014	3,107
2015	3,162
2016	3,216
2017	3,273
2018	3,331
Thereafter	18,976
Total future payments	35,065
Less: Amounts representing interest	-9,983
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Present Value of Net Minimum Payments, Total	$25,082

Investment_Income_Details

Investment Income (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Investment Income [Abstract]	'	'	'
Interest and dividend income	$2,401	$3,753	$2,184
Investment gain	1,407	9,780	1,071
Equity earnings (loss)	'	-522	-864
Total investment income	$3,808	$13,011	$2,391

Other_Income_Net_Details

Other Income, Net (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Other Income, Net [Abstract]	'	'	'
Gain on expiration/settlement of customer advances	$3,345	$7,798	$7,605
Litigation settlement proceeds	'	854	1,495
Split dollar life insurance proceeds	2,263	'	'
All other, net	-239	-1,531	35
Total other income, net	$5,369	$7,121	$9,135

Capital_Stock_Details

Capital Stock (Details)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Capital Stock [Abstract]	'	'	'
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	1,750,000,000	1,750,000,000	1,750,000,000

Stock_Plans_Narrative_Details

Stock Plans (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

ShareBasedCompensationPlan

Chair of Audit Committee [Member]

Chair of Audit Committee [Member]

Deferred Fee Plan [Member]

EIP Plans [Member]

Performance Shares [Member]

Performance Shares [Member]

Restricted Stock [Member]

Restricted Stock [Member]

Restricted Stock [Member]

Non-Employee Director [Member]

Non-Employee Director [Member]

Non-Employee Director [Member]

Non-Employee Director [Member]

Non-Employee Director [Member]

Non-Employee Director [Member]

Non-Employee Director [Member]

Non-Employee Director [Member]

Non-Employee Director [Member]

Non-Employee Director [Member]

Non-Employee Director [Member]

Non-Employee Director [Member]

Non-Employee Director [Member]

entity

Chair of Retirement Plan Committee [Member]

Chair of Retirement Plan Committee [Member]

Chair of Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee [Member]

Chair of Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee [Member]

Chair of Compensation Committee [Member]

Chair of Compensation Committee [Member]

Lead Director [Member]

Lead Director [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of stock-based compensation plan under which grants were made

6

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of stock-based compensation plan under which grants were not made

4

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares authorized for grant under the plans (in shares)

22,540,761

'

'

'

'

'

540,761

20,000,000

1,123,966

'

'

'

'

2,540,761

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares available for grant under the plan (in shares)

18,432,664

'

'

'

'

'

'

17,384,055

'

'

'

'

'

1,048,609

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Expense recognized during the period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$1,100,000

$400,000

$14,900,000

$15,900,000

$14,800,000

$2,100,000

$800,000

($600,000)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Performance Shares

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Initial period over which target number of performance shares are awarded

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'90 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Measurement period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of shares granted (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

930,020

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restricted Stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Remaining unrecognized compensation cost associated with unvested restricted stock awards

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

19,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average period over which unvested restricted stock awards unrecognized compensation cost is expected to be recognized (in years)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'1 year 6 months

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock Options

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Exercisable at end of period (in shares)

83,000

895,000

540,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

116,630

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Exercisable at end of period (in dollars per share)

$13.23

$9.94

$10.99

$10.50

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$11.95

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash received upon exercise of options during the period

'

100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrecognized compensation cost associated with unvested stock options

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Non Employee Directors Compensation Plans

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Annual retainer for non employee directors in cash

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

90,000

75,000

Annual retainer for non employee directors cash value of stock units

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

90,000

75,000

Annual stipend

'

'

'

'

25,000

20,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10,000

7,500

15,000

10,000

20,000

20,000

25,000

20,000

'

'

Plan units earned during the period (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

374,383

306,634

197,600

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of directors participating in the plan during the period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

11

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash compensation

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$700,000

$700,000

$700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock_Plans_LTIP_Target_Perfor

Stock Plans (LTIP Target Performance Shares) (Details) (Performance Shares [Member])	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Performance Shares [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Balance at beginning of period (in shares)	979,000	'
Shares granted (in shares)	1,124,000	979,000
Shares forfeited (in shares)	-354,000	'
Balance at end of period (in shares)	1,749,000	979,000

Stock_Plans_Restricted_Shares_

Stock Plans (Restricted Shares Outstanding) (Details) (Restricted Stock [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period (in shares)	7,049,000	4,847,000	4,440,000
Shares granted (in shares)	3,360,000	3,976,000	1,734,000
Shares vested (in shares)	-3,097,000	-1,387,000	-1,146,000
Shares forfeited (in shares)	-1,078,000	-387,000	-181,000
Balance at end of period (in shares)	6,234,000	7,049,000	4,847,000
Balance at beginning of period (in dollars per shares)	$6.08	$8.40	$8.29
Restricted stock granted (in dollars per shares)	$4.10	$4.18	$9.38
Restricted stock vested (in dollars per shares)	$6.78	$8.78	$9.52
Restricted stock forfeited (in dollars per shares)	$5.26	$5.99	$7.99
Balance at end of period (in dollars per shares)	$4.80	$6.08	$8.40
Balance at beginning of period	$30,169	$24,962	$43,199
Restricted stock granted	15,626	17,017	8,930
Restricted stock vested	14,403	5,937	5,899
Balance at end of period	$28,988	$30,169	$24,962

Stock_Plans_Options_Outstandin

Stock Plans (Options Outstanding) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Share data in Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Shares Subject to Option [Roll forward]	'	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period (in shares)	540	895	1,507	'
Options exercised (in shares)	'	'	-10	'
Options canceled, forfeited or lapsed (in shares)	-457	-355	-602	'
Balance at end of period (in shares)	83	540	895	1,507
Weighted Average Option Price Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period (in dollars per share)	$10.99	$9.94	$10.50	'
Options exercised (in dollars per share)	'	'	$8.19	'
Options canceled, forfeited or lapsed (in dollars per share)	$10.59	$8.35	$10.86	'
Balance at end of period (in dollars per share)	$13.23	$10.99	$9.94	$10.50
Weighted Average Remaining Life in Years [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	'1 year 9 months 18 days	'10 months 24 days	'1 year 3 months 18 days	'1 year 8 months 12 days
Balance at end of period	'1 year 9 months 18 days	'10 months 24 days	'1 year 3 months 18 days	'1 year 8 months 12 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	'	'	$603,000	'
Balance at end of period	'	'	'	603,000
Options Exercised	'	'	$12,000	'

Income_Taxes_Narrative_Details

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Taxes [Abstract]	'	'	'
Adjustment of deferred tax balances	$6.50	'	'
Federal research and development credits	5.2	'	'
Reversal of reserves for uncertain tax postions	1.8	12.3	9.9
Settlement of 2010 IRS audit	5.2	'	'
Non-deductible transaction costs	3.3	'	'
Effect of expiration of statute of limitations during next twelve months	2.4	'	'
Impact of charge resulting from enactment of Michigan Corporate Income Tax that eliminated certain future tax deductions	'	'	10.8
Reduction of deferred tax balances based on application of enacted state tax statutes	'	'	6.8
State tax operating loss carryforward	2,500	'	'
Tax effect of change in method of accounting for repairs and maintenance costs	'	'	53.9
Gross tax liability for tax positions that may not be sustained under a more likely than not threshold	9.3	'	'
Additional interest recognized on tax liability	0.6	'	2.1
Accrued interest on tax liability	$0.60	$2.10	'

Income_Taxes_Reconciliation_Of

Income Taxes (Reconciliation Of Provision For Income Taxes) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Taxes [Abstract]	'	'	'
Consolidated tax provision at federal statutory rate (in hundredths)	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State income tax provisions, net of federal income tax benefit (in hundredths)	-2.70%	2.40%	4.00%
Noncontrolling interest (in hundredths)	-0.60%	-2.50%	-1.10%
Tax reserve adjustment (in hundredths)	-1.10%	-5.40%	-4.00%
Changes in certain deferred tax balances (in hundredths)	-4.00%	3.10%	-2.70%
IRS audit adjustments (in hundredths)	3.20%	'	'
Federal research and development credit (in hundreths)	-3.20%	'	'
Reversal of tax credits (in hundreths)	'	'	4.40%
Non-deductible transaction costs (in hundreths)	2.00%	'	'
All other, net (in hundredths)	0.40%	0.40%	0.30%
Effective tax rate (in hundredths)	29.00%	33.00%	35.90%

Income_Taxes_Components_Of_Net

Income Taxes (Components Of Net Deferred Income Tax Liability/Asset) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred income tax liabilities [Abstract]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment basis differences	$1,950,720	$1,959,028
Intangibles	885,661	929,749
Other, net	25,954	29,564
Gross deferred income tax liability	2,862,335	2,918,341
Deferred income tax assets [Abstract]	'	'
Pension liability	216,890	306,421
Tax operating loss carryforward	130,733	154,892
Employee benefits	161,493	177,464
State tax liability	-642	7,422
Accrued expenses	26,223	43,162
Allowance for doubtful accounts	11,957	35,181
Other, net	42,915	14,025
Gross deferred income tax asset	589,569	738,567
Less: Valuation allowance	-112,671	-78,784
Net deferred income tax asset	476,898	659,783
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are reflected in the following captions on the consolidated balance sheet [Abstract]	'	'
Deferred income taxes	2,417,108	2,357,210
Income taxes and other current assets	-31,671	-98,652
Net deferred income tax liability	$2,385,437	$2,258,558

Income_Taxes_ProvisionBenefit_

Income Taxes (Provision/Benefit for Income Taxes) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current [Abstract]	'	'	'
Federal	$54,915	($3,824)	($13,320)
State	-163	-1,039	14,252
Total current	54,752	-4,863	932
Deferred [Abstract]	'	'	'
Federal	12,699	53,642	77,750
State	-20,209	26,859	9,661
Total deferred	-7,510	80,501	87,411
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total	47,242	75,638	88,343
Income taxes charged (credited) to shareholders' equity of Frontier [Abstract]	'	'	'
Utilization of the benefits arising from restricted stock	1,910	2,937	'
Deferred income taxes (benefits) arising from the recognition of additional pension/OPEB liability	132,432	-58,551	-97,409
Total income taxes charged (credited) to shareholders' equity of Frontier	134,342	-55,614	-97,409
Total income taxes	$181,584	$20,024	($9,066)

Income_Taxes_Changes_In_The_Ba

Income Taxes (Changes In The Balance Of Unrecognized Tax Benefits) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Taxes [Abstract]	'	'
Unrecognized tax benefits - beginning of year	$11,487	$33,928
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Increase Resulting from Current Period Tax Positions	4,554	3,381
Gross decreases - expired statute of limitations	-7,282	-25,822
Unrecognized tax benefits - end of year	$8,759	$11,487

Net_Income_Per_Common_Share_Na

Net Income Per Common Share (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'
Shares excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share (in shares)	83,000	540,000	895,000
Exercise price range of stock options related to employee compensation plans - lower range limit (in dollars per share)	$12.50	$10.44	$8.19
Exercise price range of stock options related to employee compensation plans - upper range limit (in dollars per share)	$14.15	$14.15	$14.15
Non-Employee Directors' Deferred Fee Plan and Equity Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'
Shares excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share (in shares)	1,238,542	864,114	557,480

Net_Income_Per_Common_Share_Ca

Net Income Per Common Share (Calculation Of Net Income Per Common Share) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Net Income Per Common Share [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders of Frontier	$67,755	$35,400	($38,460)	$48,140	$24,879	$67,000	$17,989	$26,768	$112,835	$136,636	$149,614
Less: Dividends paid on unvested restricted stock awards	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-2,531	-2,901	-3,743
Total basic and diluted net income attributable to common shareholders of Frontier	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$110,304	$133,735	$145,871
Total weighted average shares and unvested restricted stock awards outstanding - basic (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	999,126	997,665	994,753
Less: Weighted average unvested restricted stock awards (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-6,467	-7,128	-4,901
Total weighted average shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	992,659	990,537	989,852
Net income per share attributable to common shareholders of Frontier (in dollars per share)	$0.07	$0.04	($0.04)	$0.05	$0.02	$0.07	$0.02	$0.03	$0.11	$0.14	$0.15
Effect of dilutive shares (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,338	1,263	1,415
Effect of dilutive stock units (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	557
Total weighted average shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	993,997	991,800	991,824
Diluted net income per common share attributable to common shareholders of Frontier	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$0.11	$0.13	$0.15

Comprehensive_Income_Accumulat

Comprehensive Income (Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Balance, beginning	($483,576)	($386,963)	($229,549)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	171,681	-113,453	-163,236
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	23,984	16,840	5,822
Recognition of net actuarial loss for pension settlement costs	27,381	'	'
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	223,046	-96,613	-157,414
Balance, ending	-260,530	-483,576	-386,963
Pension Benefits [Member]	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Balance, beginning	-697,874	-575,163	-349,264
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	205,341	-152,402	-241,064
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	36,938	29,691	15,165
Recognition of net actuarial loss for pension settlement costs	44,163	'	'
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	286,442	-122,711	-225,899
Balance, ending	-411,432	-697,874	-575,163
Postretirement Costs [Member]	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Balance, beginning	-74,264	-41,811	-13,369
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	67,289	-29,922	-22,668
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	1,745	-2,531	-5,774
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	69,034	-32,453	-28,442
Balance, ending	-5,230	-74,264	-41,811
Deferred Taxes On Pension And OPEB Costs [Member]	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Balance, beginning	288,712	230,161	132,752
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	-100,951	68,871	100,978
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	-14,699	-10,320	-3,569
Recognition of net actuarial loss for pension settlement costs	-16,782	'	'
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	-132,432	58,551	97,409
Balance, ending	156,280	288,712	230,161
All Other [Member]	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Balance, beginning	-150	-150	332
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	2	'	-482
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	'	'	'
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	2	'	-482
Balance, ending	($148)	($150)	($150)

Comprehensive_Income_Reclassif

Comprehensive Income (Reclassification Out of AOCI) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'		'		'
Income before income taxes	$162,720		$228,952		$245,951
Tax impact	-47,242		-75,638		-88,343
Net income	115,478		153,314		157,608
Pension Benefits [Member]	'		'		'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'		'		'
Prior-service costs	-8		199		'
Actuarial gains/(losses)	36,930		29,890		'
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member] | Amortization Of Defined Benefit Cost Items [Member]	'		'		'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'		'		'
Prior-service costs	-8	[1]	199	[1]	199	[1]
Actuarial gains/(losses)	-36,930	[1]	-29,890	[1]	-15,364	[1]
Pension settlement costs	-44,163	[1]	'		'
Income before income taxes	-81,101	[1]	-29,691	[1]	-15,165	[1]
Tax impact	30,818	[1]	11,282	[1]	5,763	[1]
Net income	-50,283	[1]	-18,409	[1]	-9,402	[1]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Postretirement Costs [Member] | Amortization Of Defined Benefit Cost Items [Member]	'		'		'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'		'		'
Prior-service costs	6,101	[1]	10,068	[1]	10,198	[1]
Actuarial gains/(losses)	-7,846	[1]	-7,537	[1]	-4,424	[1]
Income before income taxes	-1,745	[1]	2,531	[1]	5,774	[1]
Tax impact	663	[1]	-962	[1]	-2,194	[1]
Net income	($1,082)	[1]	$1,569	[1]	$3,580	[1]
[1]	Amounts in parentheses indicate losses.

Segment_Information_Details

Segment Information (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
	segment
Segment Information [Abstract]	'
Number of reportable segments	1

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Unaud2

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended							12 Months Ended
	Oct. 02, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Acquisition and integration costs	'	$9,700,000	'	'	$13,500,000	$4,500,000	$28,600,000	$35,100,000	$9,652,000	$81,737,000	$143,146,000
Acquisition and integration costs, after tax	'	6,100,000	'	'	9,100,000	2,900,000	18,100,000	21,700,000	'	'	'
Acquisition and integration costs, after tax effect on net income (in dollars per share)	'	$0.01	'	'	$0.01	'	$0.02	$0.02	'	'	'
Pension settlement costs	'	3,900,000	40,300,000	'	'	'	'	'	44,163,000	'	'
Pension settlement costs, after tax	'	2,400,000	25,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Pension settlement costs after tax effect on net income (in dollars per share)	'	'	0.03	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Losses on early extinguishment of debt	-19,300,000	'	'	159,800,000	19,300,000	200,000	70,800,000	'	-159,780,000	-90,363,000	'
Losses on early extinguishment of debt, net of tax	'	'	'	$98,900,000	$12,100,000	$200,000	$44,500,000	'	'	'	'
Losses on early extinguishment of debt after tax effect on net income (in dollars per share)	'	'	'	$0.10	$0.01	'	$0.04	'	'	'	'

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Unaud3

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue	$1,180,369	$1,185,278	$1,190,533	$1,205,396	$1,232,553	$1,252,469	$1,258,777	$1,268,054	$4,761,576	$5,011,853	$5,243,043
Operating income	257,569	206,172	266,156	250,824	235,730	275,196	267,784	208,458	980,721	987,168	899,621
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders of Frontier	$67,755	$35,400	($38,460)	$48,140	$24,879	$67,000	$17,989	$26,768	$112,835	$136,636	$149,614
Basic net income (loss) per common share attributable to common shareholders of Frontier	$0.07	$0.04	($0.04)	$0.05	$0.02	$0.07	$0.02	$0.03	$0.11	$0.14	$0.15

Retirement_Plans_Narrative_Det

Retirement Plans (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

property

property

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Pension Benefits [Member]

Pension Benefits [Member]

Pension Benefits [Member]

Pension Benefits [Member]

Pension Benefits [Member]

Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions (OPEB) [Member]

Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions (OPEB) [Member]

Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions (OPEB) [Member]

Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions (OPEB) [Member]

Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions (OPEB) [Member]

Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions (OPEB) [Member]

Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions (OPEB) [Member]

Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions (OPEB) [Member]

2013 Pension Real Estate Contributions [Member]

2011 Pension Real Estate Contributions [Member]

Equity Securities [Member]

Equity Securities [Member]

Equity Securities [Member]

Equity Securities [Member]

Alternative Investments [Member]

Alternative Investments [Member]

Alternative Investments [Member]

Alternative Investments [Member]

Debt Securities [Member]

Debt Securities [Member]

Debt Securities [Member]

Debt Securities [Member]

property

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Discount rate - used at year end to value obligation (in hundredths)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4.00%

'

4.90%

4.00%

4.50%

'

'

4.90%

4.00%

4.50%

5.20%

4.20%

4.75%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average asset allocation (in hundreths)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

'

100.00%

100.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

42.00%

43.00%

35.00%

55.00%

13.00%

14.00%

5.00%

15.00%

44.00%

40.00%

35.00%

55.00%

Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets (in hundredths)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8.00%

7.75%

8.00%

'

'

3.00%

3.00%

3.00%

4.00%

4.00%

6.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Expected Long Term Rate Of Return On Plan Assets In Future Year In Hundreths

'

'

7.75%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Lump sum pension payments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$164,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Settlement threshold

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

125,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Pension settlement costs

-3,900,000

-40,300,000

-44,163,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

-44,163,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Capitalization of pension and OPEB expense related to engineering and plant construction

'

'

19,200,000

15,800,000

10,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Estimated Pension And OPEB Expense

'

'

'

'

'

65,000,000

85,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Pension and other postretirement benefit expenses

'

'

37,243,000

28,087,000

23,897,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of properties contributed

'

'

4

'

4

'

'

'

'

4

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Contribution of Property

'

'

23,422,000

'

58,100,000

'

'

'

'

23,400,000

'

58,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Lease term of contributed property

'

'

'15 years

'

'15 years

'

'

'

'

'15 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Pension Building Contribution Aggregate Annual Rent

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,100,000

5,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Pension Building Contribution Minimum Lease Payments Sale Leaseback Transactions

107,102,000

'

107,102,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Contributions to pension plan

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

62,290,000

28,598,000

76,700,000

12,528,000

11,403,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash contributions to pension plan

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10,300,000

18,300,000

38,900,000

28,600,000

18,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accumulated benefit obligation

1,560,000,000

'

1,560,000,000

1,793,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Annual rate of increase in the per-capita cost of covered medical benefits (in hundredths)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Annual rate of increase in the per-capita cost of covered medical benefits in 2019 (in hundredths)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Effect on total of service and interest cost components, 1 percentage point increase

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Effect on postretirement benefit obligation, 1 percentage point increase

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

14,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Effect on total of service and interest cost components, 1 percentage point decrease

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-1,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Effect on postretirement benefit obligation, 1 percentage point decrease

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-13,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

401 (k) Savings Plan employer contributions

'

'

$20,600,000

$23,000,000

$22,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Retirement_Plans_Projected_Ben

Retirement Plans (Projected Benefit Obligation) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$1,216,525	$1,253,666	'
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet [Abstract]	'	'	'
Pension and other postretirement benefits	-725,333	-1,055,058	'
Pension Benefits [Member]	'	'	'
Change in projected benefit obligation (PBO) [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
PBO at beginning of year	1,944,731	1,799,313	'
Service cost	47,651	43,688	38,879
Interest cost	75,812	78,027	84,228
Actuarial loss	-180,709	196,304	'
Benefits paid	-54,151	-172,601	'
Settlements	-164,608	'	'
PBO at end of year	1,668,726	1,944,731	1,799,313
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	1,253,666	1,257,990	'
Actual return on plan assets	119,328	139,679	'
Contributions to pension plan	62,290	28,598	76,700
Benefits paid	-54,151	-172,601	'
Settlements	-164,608	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	1,216,525	1,253,666	1,257,990
Funded status	-452,201	-691,065	'
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet [Abstract]	'	'	'
Current liabilities	-100,205	-60,386	'
Pension and other postretirement benefits	-351,996	-630,679	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	411,432	697,874	'
Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions (OPEB) [Member]	'	'	'
Change in projected benefit obligation (PBO) [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
PBO at beginning of year	438,550	391,596	'
Service cost	12,533	10,812	8,958
Interest cost	17,241	17,842	17,722
Plan participants' contributions	4,293	4,059	'
Actuarial loss	-67,547	30,958	'
Benefits paid	-19,447	-15,974	'
Plan change	'	743	'
PBO at end of year	385,623	438,550	391,596
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	5,055	5,101	'
Actual return on plan assets	-122	466	'
Plan participant's contributions	4,293	4,059	'
Contributions to pension plan	12,528	11,403	'
Benefits paid	-19,447	-15,974	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	2,307	5,055	5,101
Funded status	-383,316	-433,495	'
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet [Abstract]	'	'	'
Current liabilities	-11,508	-9,116	'
Pension and other postretirement benefits	-371,808	-424,379	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$5,230	$74,264	'

Retirement_Plans_Net_Periodic_

Retirement Plans (Net Periodic Benefit Cost) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
				Pension Benefits [Member]	Pension Benefits [Member]	Pension Benefits [Member]	Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions (OPEB) [Member]	Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions (OPEB) [Member]	Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions (OPEB) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Service cost	'	'	'	$47,651	$43,688	$38,879	$12,533	$10,812	$8,958
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	'	'	'	75,812	78,027	84,228	17,241	17,842	17,722
Expected return on plan assets	'	'	'	-94,695	-95,777	-100,558	-136	-172	-324
Amortization of prior service cost/(credit)	'	'	'	8	-199	-199	-6,101	-10,068	-10,198
Amortization of unrecognized loss	'	'	'	36,930	29,890	15,364	7,846	7,537	4,424
Net periodic pension benefit cost	'	'	'	65,706	55,629	37,714	31,383	25,951	20,582
Pension settlement costs	3,900	40,300	44,163	44,163	'	'	'	'	'
Total periodic benefit cost	'	'	'	109,869	55,629	37,714	'	'	'
Amortization of prior service cost/(credit) expected in 2014	'	'	'	45	'	'	-3,560	'	'
Amortization of unrecognized loss expected in 2014	'	'	'	$19,274	'	'	$2,886	'	'

Retirement_Plans_Asset_Allocat

Retirement Plans (Asset Allocations) (Details)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Pension Benefits [Member]	'	'
Asset category [Abstract]	'	'
Weighted average asset allocation (in hundreths)	100.00%	100.00%
Equity Securities [Member]	'	'
Asset category [Abstract]	'	'
Weighted average asset allocation (in hundreths)	42.00%	43.00%
Alternative Investments [Member]	'	'
Asset category [Abstract]	'	'
Weighted average asset allocation (in hundreths)	13.00%	14.00%
Debt Securities [Member]	'	'
Asset category [Abstract]	'	'
Weighted average asset allocation (in hundreths)	44.00%	40.00%
Cash and Other [Member]	'	'
Asset category [Abstract]	'	'
Weighted average asset allocation (in hundreths)	1.00%	3.00%

Retirement_Plans_Pension_Expec

Retirement Plans (Pension Expected Benefit Payments) (Details) (Pension Benefits [Member], USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Pension Benefits [Member]	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Abstract]	'
2014	$100,839
2015	104,480
2016	110,570
2017	114,703
2018	117,055
2019 - 2023	633,650
Total	$1,181,297

Retirement_Plans_Assumptions_U

Retirement Plans (Assumptions Used) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Pension Benefits [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used in Calculations [Abstract]	'	'	'
Discount rate - used at year end to value obligation (in hundredths)	4.90%	4.00%	4.50%
Discount rate - used to compute annual cost (in hundredths)	4.00%	4.50%	5.25%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets (in hundredths)	8.00%	7.75%	8.00%
Rate of increase in compensation levels (in hundredths)	2.50%	2.50%	2.50%
Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions (OPEB) [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used in Calculations [Abstract]	'	'	'
Discount rate - used to compute annual cost (in hundredths)	'	'	5.25%
Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions (OPEB) [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used in Calculations [Abstract]	'	'	'
Discount rate - used at year end to value obligation (in hundredths)	5.20%	4.20%	4.75%
Discount rate - used to compute annual cost (in hundredths)	4.20%	4.75%	'
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets (in hundredths)	4.00%	4.00%	6.00%
Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions (OPEB) [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used in Calculations [Abstract]	'	'	'
Discount rate - used at year end to value obligation (in hundredths)	4.90%	4.00%	4.50%
Discount rate - used to compute annual cost (in hundredths)	4.00%	4.50%	'
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets (in hundredths)	3.00%	3.00%	3.00%

Retirement_Plans_OPEB_Expected

Retirement Plans (OPEB Expected Benefit Payments) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
OPEB, Gross Benefits [Member]	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Abstract]	'
2014	$16,687
2015	18,004
2016	19,342
2017	20,575
2018	21,785
2019 - 2023	120,619
Total	217,012
Medicare Part D Subsidy [Member]	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Abstract]	'
2014	489
2015	585
2016	691
2017	825
2018	961
2019 - 2023	6,994
Total	10,545
Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions (OPEB) [Member]	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Abstract]	'
2014	16,198
2015	17,419
2016	18,651
2017	19,750
2018	20,824
2019 - 2023	113,625
Total	$206,467

Retirement_Plans_Amounts_In_AO

Retirement Plans (Amounts In AOCI Not Yet Recognized as Net Periodic Benefit Costs) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Pension Benefits [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan [Abstract]	'	'
Net actuarial loss	$411,076	$697,511
Prior service cost/(credit)	356	363
Total	411,432	697,874
Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions (OPEB) [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan [Abstract]	'	'
Net actuarial loss	30,835	105,970
Prior service cost/(credit)	-25,605	-31,706
Total	$5,230	$74,264

Retirement_Plans_Amounts_Recog

Retirement Plans (Amounts Recognized as a Component of AOCI) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
				Pension Benefits [Member]	Pension Benefits [Member]	Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions (OPEB) [Member]	Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions (OPEB) [Member]
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income at beginning of year	'	'	'	$697,874	$575,163	$74,264	$41,811
Net actuarial gain (loss) recognized during year	'	'	'	-36,930	-29,890	-7,846	-7,537
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Amortization Adjustment from AOCI, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, for Net Prior Service Cost (Credit), before Tax	'	'	'	-8	199	6,101	10,068
Net actuarial loss (gain) occurring during year	'	'	'	-205,341	152,402	-67,289	30,665
Prior service cost (credit) occurring during year	'	'	'	'	'	'	-743
Settlement costs recognized during year	-3,900	-40,300	-44,163	-44,163	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, before Tax	'	'	'	-286,442	122,711	-69,034	32,453
Accumulated other comprehensive income at end of year	'	'	'	$411,432	$697,874	$5,230	$74,264

Recovered_Sheet1

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Pension Plan Assets Measured At Fair Value On Recurring Basis) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	$1,207,858	$1,250,653
Interest and Dividends Receivable	2,832	3,252
Due from Broker for Securities Sold	8,916	3,788
Receivable Associated with Insurance Contract	7,044	7,610
Due to Broker for Securities Purchased	-10,125	-11,637
Plan assets	1,216,525	1,253,666
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	209,525	232,792
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	835,613	876,369
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	162,720	141,492
Cash and Other [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	8,503	42,391
Cash and Other [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	8,503	'
Cash and Other [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	'	42,391
U.S. Government Obligations [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	26,070	14,166
U.S. Government Obligations [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	26,070	14,166
Corporate and Other Obligations [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	235,723	246,024
Corporate and Other Obligations [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	235,723	246,024
Common Stock [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	120,801	133,631
Common Stock [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	120,801	133,631
Commingled Funds [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	604,975	612,707
Commingled Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	571,531	572,893
Commingled Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	33,444	39,814
Interest in Registered Investment Companies [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	80,221	99,161
Interest in Registered Investment Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	80,221	99,161
Interest in Limited Partnerships and Limited Liability Corporations [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	129,276	101,678
Interest in Limited Partnerships and Limited Liability Corporations [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	129,276	101,678
Insurance Contracts [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	629	799
Insurance Contracts [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	629	799
Other Investments [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	1,660	96
Other Investments [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	$1,660	$96

Recovered_Sheet2

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Changes In Fair Value Of Plan's Level 3 Assets) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Interest in Limited Partnerships and Limited Liability Corporations [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Balance, beginning of year	$101,678	$104,033
Realized gains/(losses)	10,835	5,587
Unrealized gains/(losses)	18,033	454
Contributed assets	23,422	'
Sales	-24,692	-8,396
Balance, end of year	129,276	101,678
Commingled Funds [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Balance, beginning of year	39,814	37,194
Realized gains/(losses)	975	'
Unrealized gains/(losses)	2,656	2,620
Sales	-10,001	'
Balance, end of year	$33,444	$39,814

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru2

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Redemption Of The Plan's Level 3 Investments) (Details) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

JPM Multi Strat II C A Ser 11 07 [Member]

Morgan Stanley Institutional Cayman Fund LP [Member]

MS IFHF SVP LP Cayman [Member]

MS IFHF SVP LP Alpha [Member]

RII World Timberfund, LLC [Member]

Comm Drive, LLC [Member]

CTE Drive, LLC [Member]

Oakbrook Parkway LLC [Member]

West Jefferson, LLC [Member]

MacCorkle Ave SE, LLC [Member]

S Pike Road West, LLC [Member]

N US 131, LLC [Member]

E Stockton Blvd, LLC [Member]

Interest in Limited Partnerships and Limited Liability Corporations [Member]

Interest in Limited Partnerships and Limited Liability Corporations [Member]

Interest in Limited Partnerships and Limited Liability Corporations [Member]

Commingled Funds [Member]

Commingled Funds [Member]

Commingled Funds [Member]

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value

$33,444

$26,188

$2,772

$1,504

$5,761

$8,557

$6,922

$24,955

$29,318

$15,987

$1,079

$1,063

$5,170

$129,276

$101,678

$104,033

$33,444

$39,814

$37,194

Redemption Frequency

'Quarterly

'Quarterly

'Through liquidation of underlying investments

'Through liquidation of underlying investments

'Through liquidation of underlying investments

'Through liquidation of underlying investments

'Through liquidation of underlying investments

'Through liquidation of underlying investments

'Through liquidation of underlying investments

'Through liquidation of underlying investments

'Through liquidation of underlying investments

'Through liquidation of underlying investments

'Through liquidation of underlying investments

'

'

'

'

'

'

Redemption Notice Period (in days)

'65 days

'60 days

'None

'None

'None

'None

'None

'None

'None

'None

'None

'None

'None

'

'

'

'

'

'

Liquidation Period (in years)

'

'

'2 years

'2 years

'10 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru3

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Valuation Techniques Used to Measure the Fair Value of the Plan's Level 3 Investments) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Comm Drive, LLC [Member]	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Fair Value	$8,557
Capitalization rate	8.50%
Discount rate	9.50%
Duration (in years)	'10 years
CTE Drive, LLC [Member]	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Fair Value	6,922
Capitalization rate	8.50%
Discount rate	10.00%
Duration (in years)	'15 years
Oakbrook Parkway LLC [Member]	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Fair Value	24,955
Capitalization rate	8.50%
Discount rate	10.50%
Duration (in years)	'10 years
West Jefferson, LLC [Member]	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Fair Value	29,318
Capitalization rate	8.50%
Discount rate	10.50%
Duration (in years)	'10 years
MacCorkle Ave SE, LLC [Member]	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Fair Value	15,987
Capitalization rate	8.85%
S Pike Road West, LLC [Member]	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Fair Value	1,079
Capitalization rate	10.50%
N US 131, LLC [Member]	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Fair Value	1,063
Capitalization rate	10.00%
E Stockton Blvd, LLC [Member]	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Fair Value	$5,170
Capitalization rate	9.00%

Recovered_Sheet3

Fair Value Of Financial Instruments (Long Term Debt) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Carrying Amount [Member]	'	'
Long-term debt [Abstract]	'	'
Long-term debt	$7,873,667	$8,381,947
Fair Value [Member]	'	'
Long-term debt [Abstract]	'	'
Long-term debt	$8,191,744	$9,091,416

Recovered_Sheet4

Commitments And Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended					12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2010
	state					state
	entity					entity
Acquisition and integration costs	$9,700,000	$13,500,000	$4,500,000	$28,600,000	$35,100,000	$9,652,000	$81,737,000	$143,146,000	'	'
Regulatory Commitments [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Percentage of households to have broadband availability and speeds of 3 Mbps by year 2013 (in hundredths)	85.00%	'	'	'	'	85.00%	'	'	'	'
Targeted minimum megabits per second in markets acquired by year 2013 (in Mbps)	3	'	'	'	'	3	'	'	'	'
Targeted minimum megabits per second in markets acquired by year 2015 (in Mbps)	4	'	'	'	'	4	'	'	'	'
Percentage of households to have broadband availability and speeds of 4 Mbps by year 2013	'	'	'	'	'	75.00%	'	'	'	'
Percentage of households to have broadband availability and speeds of 4 Mbps by year 2014	'	'	'	'	'	80.00%	'	'	'	'
Percentage of households to have broadband availability and speeds of 4 Mbps by year 2015	'	'	'	'	'	85.00%	'	'	'	'
Percentage of households throughout acquired Territories with broadband availability in excess of 3 Mbps (in hundredths)	85.40%	'	'	'	'	85.40%	'	'	'	'
Percentage of households throughout acquired Territories with broadband availability in excess of 4 Mbps (in hundredths)	83.50%	'	'	'	'	83.50%	'	'	'	'
Number of state regulatory commissions requiring capital investment commitments	3	'	'	'	'	3	'	'	'	'
Aggregate amount placed into a cash escrow account for capital investment commitments required by state regulatory commissions	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	115,000,000
Amount of letter of credit obtained for capital investment commitments required by state regulatory commissions	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	190,000,000
Aggregate amount of cash in escrow accounts for service quality initiatives in the state of West Virginia	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	72,400,000
Amount released from escrow	'	'	'	'	'	176,300,000	'	'	'	'
Escrow Deposit	11,400,000	'	'	'	'	11,400,000	'	'	'	'
Expired letter of credit	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	20,000,000	'
Operating Leases [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Term Of Lease Arrangements Lower Range	'	'	'	'	'	'1 year	'	'	'	'
Term Of Lease Arrangements Upper Range	'	'	'	'	'	'99 years	'	'	'	'
Rental expense	'	'	'	'	'	84,400,000	79,300,000	70,200,000	'	'
Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Commitment under the arrangement in 2014	145,500,000	'	'	'	'	145,500,000	'	'	'	'
Commitment under the arrangement in 2015	140,800,000	'	'	'	'	140,800,000	'	'	'	'
Vermont Joint Owners Consortium [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of utilities forming the Vermont Joint Owners consortium	14	'	'	'	'	14	'	'	'	'
Purchase power obligation (in hundredths)	10.00%	'	'	'	'	10.00%	'	'	'	'
Number of years assumed if members of the consortium remained in default for the duration of the contract	'	'	'	'	'	'2 years	'	'	'	'
Undiscounted purchase obligation if members of the consortium remained in default for the duration of the contract	287,400,000	'	'	'	'	287,400,000	'	'	'	'
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Estimated Future Capital Expenditures For Business Operations	'	'	'	'	'	575,000,000	'	'	'	'
Estimated Future Operating And Capital Expenditures For Acquired Business	'	'	'	'	'	225,000,000	'	'	'	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Estimated Future Capital Expenditures For Business Operations	'	'	'	'	'	625,000,000	'	'	'	'
Estimated Future Operating And Capital Expenditures For Acquired Business	'	'	'	'	'	$275,000,000	'	'	'	'

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies (Future Minimum Rental Commitments For All Long-Term Noncancelable Operating Leases) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]	'
2014	$61,880
2015	10,452
2016	8,804
2017	7,708
2018	7,393
Thereafter	49,091
Total minimum lease payments	$145,328

Commitments_and_Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies (Future Payments For Obligations Under Noncancelable Long Distance Contracts And Service Agreements) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]	'
2014	$28,653
2015	20,796
2016	9,694
2017	4,295
2018	1,204
Thereafter	6,000
Total	$70,642

Commitments_and_Contingencies_3

Commitments and Contingencies (Outstanding Performance Letters Of Credit) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	$46,845
CNA [Member]	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	45,659
Other Letters of Credit [Member]	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	$1,186