Frontier Communications Parent (FYBR) 10-Q 8 May 14 2014 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	2-May-14
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORP	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000020520	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	1,002,282,000
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q1	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14	'

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$954,241	$880,039
Accounts receivable, less allowances of $70,094 and $71,362, respectively	463,081	479,210
Restricted cash	11,412	11,411
Prepaid expenses	62,547	68,573
Income taxes and other current assets	108,133	179,606
Total current assets	1,599,414	1,618,839
Restricted cash	2,000	2,000
Property, plant and equipment, net	7,190,258	7,255,762
Goodwill	6,337,719	6,337,719
Other intangibles, net	1,139,041	1,214,932
Other assets	200,442	206,232
Total assets	16,468,874	16,635,484
Current liabilities:	'	'
Long-term debt due within one year	365,625	257,916
Accounts payable	218,022	327,256
Advanced billings	135,246	137,319
Accrued other taxes	81,076	66,276
Accrued interest	202,324	188,639
Other current liabilities	329,583	324,181
Total current liabilities	1,331,876	1,301,587
Deferred income taxes	2,396,448	2,417,108
Pension and other postretirement benefits	713,777	725,333
Other liabilities	266,429	262,308
Long-term debt	7,762,672	7,873,667
Equity:	'	'
Common stock, $0.25 par value (1,750,000,000 authorized shares, 1,002,281,000 and 999,462,000 outstanding, respectively, and 1,027,986,000 issued, at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013)	256,997	256,997
Additional paid-in capital	4,181,483	4,321,056
Retained earnings	115,382	76,108
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	-257,491	-260,530
Treasury stock	-298,699	-338,150
Total equity	3,997,672	4,055,481
Total liabilities and equity	$16,468,874	$16,635,484

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract]	'	'
Allowances for accounts receivable, current	$70,094	$71,362
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)	1,002,281,000	999,462,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	1,027,986,000	1,027,986,000

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Ope

Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Consolidated Statements Of Operations [Abstract]	'	'
Revenue	$1,154,046,000	$1,205,396,000
Operating expenses:	'	'
Network access expenses	107,092,000	109,398,000
Other operating expenses	528,926,000	541,499,000
Depreciation and amortization	281,407,000	303,675,000
Acquisition and integration costs	10,596,000	'
Total operating expenses	928,021,000	954,572,000
Operating income	226,025,000	250,824,000
Investment and other income, net	1,395,000	4,654,000
Interest expense	170,957,000	171,420,000
Income before income taxes	56,463,000	84,058,000
Income tax expense	17,189,000	33,275,000
Net income	39,274,000	50,783,000
Less: Income attributable to the noncontrolling interest in a partnership	'	2,643,000
Net income attributable to common shareholders of Frontier	$39,274,000	$48,140,000
Basic and diluted net income per common share attributable to common shareholders of Frontier (in dollars per share)	$0.04	$0.05

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Com

Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Consolidated Statements OF Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'
Net income	$39,274	$50,783
Other comprehensive income, net of tax (see Note 13)	3,039	6,746
Comprehensive income	42,313	57,529
Less: Income attributable to the noncontrolling interest in a partnership	'	-2,643
Comprehensive income attributable to the common shareholders of Frontier	$42,313	$54,886

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, 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	'	'
Stock plans	'	-3,094	'	'	2,888	'	-206
Stock plans (in shares)	'	'	'	'	-279,000	'	'
Dividends on common stock	'	-99,812	'	'	'	'	-99,812
Net income	'	'	48,140	'	'	2,643	50,783
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	'	'	'	6,746	'	'	6,746
Distributions	'	'	'	'	'	-6,400	-6,400
Balance at Mar. 31, 2013	256,997	4,536,657	111,345	-476,830	-365,705	7,918	4,070,382
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2013	1,027,986,000	'	'	'	29,855,000	'	'
Stock plans	'	-15,577	'	'	27,555	'	11,978
Stock plans (in shares)	'	'	'	'	1,331,000	'	'
Dividends on common stock	'	-200,024	-99,932	'	'	'	-299,956
Net income	'	'	64,695	'	'	'	64,695
Pension settlement costs, net of tax	'	'	'	27,381	'	'	27,381
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	'	'	'	188,919	'	'	188,919
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
Stock plans	'	-39,345	'	'	39,451	'	106
Stock plans (in shares)	'	'	'	'	2,819,000	'	'
Dividends on common stock	'	-100,228	'	'	'	'	-100,228
Net income	'	'	39,274	'	'	'	39,274
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	'	'	'	3,039	'	'	3,039
Balance at Mar. 31, 2014	$256,997	$4,181,483	$115,382	($257,491)	($298,699)	'	$3,997,672
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2014	1,027,986,000	'	'	'	25,705,000	'	1,002,281,000

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Cas

Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:	'	'
Net income	$39,274,000	$50,783,000
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization expense	281,407,000	303,675,000
Pension/OPEB costs	3,053,000	5,018,000
Stock based compensation expense	6,151,000	3,885,000
Other non-cash adjustments	10,140,000	1,710,000
Deferred income taxes	-22,479,000	-10,133,000
Change in accounts receivable	16,129,000	48,951,000
Change in accounts payable and other liabilities	-70,663,000	-84,756,000
Change in prepaid expenses, income taxes and other current assets	49,852,000	40,159,000
Net cash provided by operating activities	312,864,000	359,292,000
Cash flows provided from (used by) investing activities:	'	'
Capital expenditures - Business operations	-135,059,000	-189,009,000
Capital expenditures - Integration activities	-10,348,000	'
Network expansion funded by Connect America Fund	-6,380,000	-1,815,000
Grant funds received for network expansion from Connect America Fund	3,748,000	5,998,000
Cash transferred from (to) escrow	'	-11,000
Other assets purchased and distributions received, net	14,217,000	528,000
Net cash used by investing activities	-133,822,000	-184,309,000
Cash flows provided from (used by) financing activities:	'	'
Long-term debt borrowing	10,706,000	'
Long-term debt payments	-14,479,000	-517,129,000
Dividends paid	-100,228,000	-99,812,000
Repayment of customer advances for construction, distributions to noncontrolling interests and other	-839,000	-7,279,000
Net cash used by financing activities	-104,840,000	-624,220,000
(Decrease)/Increase in cash and cash equivalents	74,202,000	-449,237,000
Cash reclassed to assets held for sale	'	-1,386,000
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1,	880,039,000	1,326,532,000
Cash and cash equivalents at March 31,	954,241,000	875,909,000
Cash paid (received) during the period for:	'	'
Interest	145,620,000	168,095,000
Income taxes (refunds), net	($4,928,000)	$947,000

Summary_Of_Significant_Account

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Description of Business and Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	(1)   Summary of Significant Accounting Policies:
	(a)   Basis of Presentation and Use of Estimates:
	Frontier Communications Corporation and its subsidiaries are referred to as “we,” “us,” “our,” “Frontier,” or the “Company” in this report. Our interim unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP) and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.  All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. These interim unaudited consolidated financial statements include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary, in the opinion of Frontier’s management, to present fairly the results for the interim periods shown. Revenues, net income and cash flows for any interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the full year. For our interim financial statements as of and for the period ended March 31, 2014, we evaluated subsequent events and transactions for potential recognition or disclosure through the date that we filed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
	Frontier had a 33⅓% controlling general partner interest in a partnership entity, the Mohave Cellular Limited Partnership (Mohave). Mohave’s results of operations 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 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 the second quarter of 2013.
	The preparation of our interim 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. Certain information and footnote disclosures have been excluded and/or condensed pursuant to SEC rules and regulations.
	(b)   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 $29.9 million and $29.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	(c)   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. Our four operating segments consist of the following regions: Central, East, National and West. Our regional operating segments are aggregated into one reportable segment.
	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.

Recent_Accounting_Literature

Recent Accounting Literature	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Recent Accounting Literature [Abstract]	'
Recent Accounting Literature	'
	(2)   Recent Accounting Literature:
	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 during 2014 and do not expect that it will have a significant impact on the Company.

The_Transactions

The Transactions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
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. 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.
	The Company will account for the AT&T Transaction in accordance with the guidance included in ASC Topic 805. We incurred $10.6 million of acquisition and integration related costs in connection with the AT&T Transaction during the three months ended March 31, 2014. Such costs are required to be expensed as incurred and are reflected in “Acquisition and integration costs” in our consolidated statements of operations.

Accounts_Receivable

Accounts Receivable	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounts Receivable [Abstract]	'
Accounts Receivable	'
	(4)   Accounts Receivable:
	The components of accounts receivable, net are as follows:
	($ in thousands)	31-Mar-14		31-Dec-13
	Retail and Wholesale	$	474,278	$	498,717
	Other		58,897		51,855
	Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts		-70,094		-71,362
	Accounts receivable, net	$	463,081	$	479,210
	We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts based on our estimate of our ability to collect accounts receivable. Bad debt expense, which is recorded as a reduction to revenue, was $12.9 million and $16.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Property_Plant_And_Equipment

Property, Plant And Equipment	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Property, Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant And Equipment	'
	(5)   Property, Plant and Equipment:
	Property, plant and equipment, net is as follows:
	($ in thousands)	31-Mar-14		31-Dec-13
	Property, plant and equipment	$	14,984,356	$	14,850,697
	Less:  Accumulated depreciation		-7,794,098		-7,594,935
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	7,190,258	$	7,255,762
	Depreciation expense is principally based on the composite group method. Depreciation expense was $205.5 million and $216.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, 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	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
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 both March 31, 2014 and 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 are as follows:
	($ in thousands)	31-Mar-14						31-Dec-13
		Gross Carrying		Accumulated		Net Carrying		Gross Carrying		Accumulated		Net Carrying
		Amount		Amortization		Amount		Amount		Amortization		Amount
	Other Intangibles:
	Customer base	$	2,427,648	$	-1,412,743	$	1,014,905	$	2,427,648	$	-1,336,852	$	1,090,796
	Trade name and license		124,136		-		124,136		124,136		-		124,136
	Total other intangibles	$	2,551,784	$	-1,412,743	$	1,139,041	$	2,551,784	$	-1,336,852	$	1,214,932
	Amortization expense was $75.9 million and $87.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Amortization expense 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.

Fair_Value_Of_Financial_Instru

Fair Value Of Financial Instruments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value Of Financial Instruments [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Of Financial Instruments	'
	(7)   Fair Value of Financial Instruments:
	The following table summarizes the carrying amounts and estimated fair values for long-term debt at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. 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.
	The fair value of our long-term debt is estimated based upon quoted market prices at the reporting date for those financial instruments.
	($ in thousands)	31-Mar-14				31-Dec-13
			Carrying				Carrying
			Amount		Fair Value		Amount		Fair Value
	Long-term debt	$	7,762,672	$	8,343,979	$	7,873,667	$	8,191,744

LongTerm_Debt

Long-Term Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Long-Term Debt [Abstract]	'
Long-Term Debt	'
	(8)   Long-Term Debt:
	The activity in our long-term debt from December 31, 2013 to March 31, 2014 is summarized as follows:
				Three months ended
				31-Mar-14								Interest
												Rate at
		December 31,		Payments			New			March 31,		March 31,
	($ in thousands)	2013		and Retirements			Borrowings			2014		2014 *
	Senior Unsecured Debt	$	8,107,066	$	-14,375		$	-		$	8,092,691	7.95%
	Other Secured Debt		13,550		-			10,706			24,256	3.54%
	Rural Utilities Service Loan Contracts		8,930		-104			-			8,826	6.15%
	Total Long-Term Debt	$	8,129,546	$	-14,479		$	10,706		$	8,125,773	7.94%
	Less: Debt (Discount)/Premium		2,037								2,524
	Less: Current Portion		-257,916								-365,625
		$	7,873,667							$	7,762,672
	*  Interest rate includes amortization of debt issuance costs and debt premiums or discounts. The interest rates at March 31, 2014 represent a weighted average of multiple issuances
	.
	Additional information regarding our Senior Unsecured Debt is as follows:
	($ in thousands)	31-Mar-14				31-Dec-13
		Principal		Interest		Principal			Interest
		Outstanding		Rate		Outstanding			Rate
	Senior Notes and Debentures Due:
	5/1/14		200,000	8.25%			200,000		8.25%
	3/15/15		105,026	6.63%			105,026		6.63%
	4/15/15		96,872	7.88%			96,872		7.88%
	10/14/2016 *		445,625	3.035% (Variable)			460,000		3.045% (Variable)
	4/15/17		606,874	8.25%			606,874		8.25%
	10/1/18		582,739	8.13%			582,739		8.13%
	3/15/19		434,000	7.12%			434,000		7.12%
	4/15/20		1,021,505	8.50%			1,021,505		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%			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%
			7,842,691				7,857,066
	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	$	8,092,691	7.79% **		$	8,107,066		7.78% **
	*      Represents borrowings under the Credit Agreement with CoBank.
	**    Interest rate represents a weighted average of the stated interest rates of multiple issuances.
	During the first three months of 2014, we entered into secured financings totaling $10.7 million with four year terms and no stated interest rate for certain equipment purchases.
	On December 16, 2013, we signed a commitment letter for a bridge loan facility (the Bridge Facility) and recognized interest expense related to this commitment of $7.5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2014.  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.
	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%.
	The Company has a revolving credit agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, the lenders party thereto and the other parties named therein (the Revolving Credit Agreement), for a $750.0 million revolving credit facility (the Revolving Credit Facility) with a scheduled termination date of November 3, 2016.  As of March 31, 2014, no borrowings had been made under the Revolving Credit Facility. Associated commitment fees under the Revolving Credit Facility will vary from time to time depending on the Company’s debt rating (as defined in the Revolving Credit Agreement) and were 0.400% per annum as of March 31, 2014. During the term of the Revolving Credit Facility, the Company may borrow, repay and reborrow funds, and may obtain letters of credit, subject to customary borrowing conditions. Loans under the Revolving Credit Facility will bear interest based on the alternate base rate or the adjusted LIBO Rate (each as determined in the Revolving Credit Agreement), at the Company’s election, plus a margin based on the Company’s debt rating (ranging from 0.50% to 1.50% for alternate base rate borrowings and 1.50% to 2.50% for adjusted LIBO Rate borrowings). The current pricing on this facility would have been 1.00% or 2.00%, respectively, as of March 31, 2014. Letters of credit issued under the Revolving Credit Facility will also be subject to fees that vary depending on the Company’s debt rating. The Revolving Credit Facility is available for general corporate purposes but may not be used to fund dividend payments.
	As of March 31, 2014, we were in compliance with all of our debt and credit facility financial covenants.
	Our principal payments for the next five years are as follows as of March 31, 2014:
		Principal
	($ in thousands)	Payments
	2014 (remaining nine months)	$	245,445
	2015	$	262,517
	2016	$	348,143
	2017	$	610,052
	2018	$	583,942
	2019	$	434,565

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Taxes [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	(9)   Income Taxes:
	The following is a reconciliation of the provision for income taxes computed at federal statutory rates to the effective rates:
		For the three months ended
		March 31,
		2014		2013
	Consolidated tax provision at federal statutory rate	35.0	%	35.0	%
	State income tax provisions, net of federal income
	tax benefit	0.3		3.6
	Noncontrolling interest	-		-0.4
	Tax reserve adjustment	-		0.4
	Changes in certain deferred tax balances	-5.1		-
	All other, net	0.2		1.0
	Effective tax rate	30.4	%	39.6	%
	Income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2014 include the impact of a $2.9 million benefit arising from state tax law changes.
	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 $2.9 million as of March 31, 2014.

Net_Income_Per_Common_Share

Net Income Per Common Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Net Income Per Common Share [Abstract]	'
Net Income Per Common Share	'
	(10) Net Income Per Common Share:
	The reconciliation of the net income per common share calculation is as follows:
		For the three months ended
	($ and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)	March 31,
		2014		2013
	Net income used for basic and diluted earnings
	per common share:
	Net income attributable to common shareholders of Frontier	$	39,274	$	48,140
	Less:  Dividends paid on unvested restricted stock awards		-767		-521
	Total basic and diluted net income attributable to common
	shareholders of Frontier	$	38,507	$	47,619
	Basic earnings per common share:
	Total weighted average shares and unvested restricted stock
	awards outstanding - basic		1,000,960		998,146
	Less:  Weighted average unvested restricted stock awards		-6,934		-6,273
	Total weighted average shares outstanding - basic		994,026		991,873
	Basic net income per share attributable to common
	shareholders of Frontier	$	0.04	$	0.05
	Diluted earnings per common share:
	Total weighted average shares outstanding - basic		994,026		991,873
	Effect of dilutive shares		1,502		675
	Total weighted average shares outstanding - diluted		995,528		992,548
	Diluted net income per share attributable to common
	shareholders of Frontier	$	0.04	$	0.05
	Stock Options
	For the three months ended March 31, 2014, options to purchase 83,000 shares (at exercise prices ranging from $12.50 to $14.15) and for the three months ended March 31, 2013, options to purchase 526,000 shares (at exercise prices ranging from $10.44 to $14.15), 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 March 31, 2014 and 2013, we had 1,314,113 and 949,412 stock units, respectively, issued under our Non-Employee Directors’ Deferred Fee Equity Plan (Deferred Fee Plan) and the Non-Employee Directors’ Equity Incentive Plan (Directors’ Equity Plan). These securities have not been included in the diluted income per share of common stock calculation for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 because their inclusion would have an antidilutive effect.

Stock_Plans

Stock Plans	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Stock Plans [Abstract]	'
Stock Plans	'
	(11) Stock Plans:
	At March 31, 2014, 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 Deferred Fee Plan. At March 31, 2014, there were 22,540,761 shares authorized for grant and 14,543,220 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 Directors’ Equity Plan. Our general policy is to issue shares from treasury upon the grant of restricted shares and the exercise of 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.
	In 2012, the Compensation Committee granted approximately 979,000 performance shares under the LTIP and set the operating cash flow performance goal for the first year in the 2012-2014 Measurement Period and the TSR modifier for the three-year Measurement Period. In 2013, the Compensation Committee granted approximately 1,124,000 performance shares under the LTIP 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. On February 17, 2014, the Compensation Committee granted 1,028,000 performance shares under the LTIP and set the operating cash flow performance goal for 2014, which applies to the first year in the 2014-2016 Measurement Period, the second year of the 2013-2015 Measurement Period and the third year of the 2012-2014 Measurement Period. 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 March 31, 2014 and changes during the three months then ended with regard to LTIP shares awarded under the 2009 EIP and the 2013 EIP:
		Number of
		Shares
	Balance at January 1, 2014	1,749,000
	LTIP target performance shares granted	1,028,000
	LTIP target performance shares forfeited	-
	Balance at March 31, 2014	2,777,000
	For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company recognized an expense of $1.0 million and $0.3 million, respectively, for the LTIP.
	Restricted Stock
	The following summary presents information regarding unvested restricted stock as of March 31, 2014 and changes during the three months then ended 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, 2014	6,234,000	$	4.8	$	28,988,000
	Restricted stock granted	3,741,000	$	4.71	$	21,359,000
	Restricted stock vested	-2,254,000	$	5.25	$	12,867,000
	Restricted stock forfeited	-57,000	$	4.5
	Balance at March 31, 2014	7,664,000	$	4.63	$	43,764,000
	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 March 31, 2014 was $33.5 million and the weighted average period over which this cost is expected to be recognized is approximately two years.
	Shares granted during the first three months of 2013 totaled 521,000. The total fair value of shares granted and vested at March 31, 2013 was approximately $2.1 million and $7.2 million, respectively. The total fair value of unvested restricted stock at March 31, 2013 was $21.3 million. The weighted average grant date fair value of restricted shares granted during the three months ended March 31, 2013 was $4.09.
	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 $4.4 million and $3.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, has been recorded in connection with these grants.
	Stock Options
	The following summary presents information regarding outstanding stock options as of March 31, 2014 and changes during the three months then ended 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, 2014	83,000	$	13.23	1.8		$	-
	Options granted	-	$	-
	Options exercised	-	$	-
	Options canceled, forfeited or lapsed	-	$	-
	Balance at March 31, 2014	83,000	$	13.23	1.6		$	-
	Exercisable at March 31, 2014	83,000	$	13.23	1.6		$	-
	There were no stock options granted during the first three months of 2013.  There was no intrinsic value for the stock options outstanding and exercisable at March 31, 2013.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Information [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	(12) 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.

Comprehensive_Income

Comprehensive Income	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'
Comprehensive Income	'
	(13)  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 March 31, 2014 and 2013, and changes for the three months then ended, are as follows:
	($ in thousands)	Pension Costs		OPEB Costs		Deferred taxes on pension and OPEB costs		All other		Total
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	-411,432	$	-5,230	$	156,280	$	-148	$	-260,530
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		-		-		-		148		148
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss		4,830		-168		-1,771		-		2,891
	Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)		4,830		-168		-1,771		148		3,039
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	-406,602	$	-5,398	$	154,509	$	-	$	-257,491
	($ in thousands)	Pension Costs		OPEB Costs		Deferred taxes on pension and OPEB costs		All other		Total
	Balance at January 1, 2013	$	-697,874	$	-74,264	$	288,712	$	-150	$	-483,576
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		-229		-		293		-		64
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss		10,074		703		-4,095		-		6,682
	Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)		9,845		703		-3,802		-		6,746
	Balance at March 31, 2013	$	-688,029	$	-73,561	$	284,910	$	-150	$	-476,830
	The significant items reclassified from each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
	($ in thousands)	Amount Reclassified from
		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (a)
	Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive	For the three months ended March 31,				Affected Line Item in the Statement Where
	Loss Components	2014		2013		Net Income is Presented
	Amortization of Pension Cost Items (b)
	Prior-service costs	$	-11	$	-2
	Actuarial gains/(losses)		-4,819		-10,072
			-4,830		-10,074	Income before income taxes
	Tax impact		1,835		3,828	Income tax (expense) benefit
		$	-2,995	$	-6,246	Net income
	Amortization of OPEB Cost Items (b)
	Prior-service costs	$	890	$	1,525
	Actuarial gains/(losses)		-722		-2,228
			168		-703	Income before income taxes
	Tax impact		-64		267	Income tax (expense) benefit
		$	104	$	-436	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 OPEB costs (see Note 14 - Retirement Plans for additional details).

Retirement_Plans

Retirement Plans	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Retirement Plans [Abstract]	'
Retirement Plans	'
	(14)  Retirement Plans:
	The following tables provide the components of net periodic benefit cost:
		Pension Benefits
		For the three months ended
		March 31,
		2014		2013
	($ in thousands)
	Components of net periodic pension benefit cost
	Service cost	$	9,940	$	12,834
	Interest cost on projected benefit obligation		19,824		18,880
	Expected return on plan assets		-23,512		-24,590
	Amortization of prior service cost /(credit)		11		2
	Amortization of unrecognized loss		4,819		10,072
	Net periodic pension benefit cost	$	11,082	$	17,198
		Postretirement Benefits
		Other Than Pensions (OPEB)
		For the three months ended
		March 31,
		2014		2013
	($ in thousands)
	Components of net periodic postretirement benefit cost
	Service cost	$	2,553	$	3,179
	Interest cost on projected benefit obligation		4,788		4,440
	Expected return on plan assets		-7		-43
	Amortization of prior service cost/(credit)		-890		-1,525
	Amortization of unrecognized loss		722		2,228
	Net periodic postretirement benefit cost	$	7,166	$	8,279
	During the first three months of 2014 and 2013, we capitalized $3.9 million and $4.9 million, respectively, of pension and OPEB expense into the cost of our capital expenditures, 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, excluding amounts capitalized into the cost of capital expenditures, as compared to $97.1 million in 2013, excluding the impact of pension settlement costs and amounts capitalized into the cost of capital expenditures. We made total cash contributions to our pension plan during the three months ended March 31, 2014 of $11.6 million. An additional cash contribution of $19.6 million was made on April 15, 2014. We expect that we will make contributions of cash and/or other assets to our pension plan of approximately $100 million in 2014.
	The Company’s pension plan assets have increased from $1,216.5 million at December 31, 2013 to $1,229.5  million at March 31, 2014, an increase of $13.0 million, or 1%. This increase is a result of positive investment returns of $40.3 million and cash contributions of $11.6 million, offset by benefit payments of $38.9 million during the first three months of 2014.

Commitments_And_Contingencies

Commitments And Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]	'
Commitments And Contingencies	'
	(15)  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 integration initiatives.  The Company incurred $10.6 million of operating expenses, consisting of $1.6 million and $9.0 million of acquisition and integration costs, respectively, and $10.3 million in capital expenditures related to the AT&T Transaction during the three months ended March 31, 2014.
	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 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 also met our FCC requirement to provide 4 Mbps coverage to 80% of the households in the Acquired Territories by the end of 2014. As of March 31, 2014, we expanded broadband availability in excess of 4 Mbps to 83.6% of the households throughout the Acquired Territories.
	To satisfy all or part of certain capital investment commitments to three state regulatory commissions, we placed a total 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 March 31, 2014, $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 this escrow account will continue to decrease over time as we make the required capital expenditures in West Virginia. In September 2013, the letter of credit for the remaining $20 million expired.
	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 March 31, 2014, 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 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 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).  U.S. GAAP rules require that we disclose “the maximum potential amount of future payments (undiscounted) the guarantor could be required to make under the guarantee.”  U.S. GAAP rules also state 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.

Summary_Of_Significant_Account1

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Description of Business and Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation and Use of Estimates	'
	(a)   Basis of Presentation and Use of Estimates:
	Frontier Communications Corporation and its subsidiaries are referred to as “we,” “us,” “our,” “Frontier,” or the “Company” in this report. Our interim unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP) and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.  All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. These interim unaudited consolidated financial statements include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary, in the opinion of Frontier’s management, to present fairly the results for the interim periods shown. Revenues, net income and cash flows for any interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the full year. For our interim financial statements as of and for the period ended March 31, 2014, we evaluated subsequent events and transactions for potential recognition or disclosure through the date that we filed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
	Frontier had a 33⅓% controlling general partner interest in a partnership entity, the Mohave Cellular Limited Partnership (Mohave). Mohave’s results of operations 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 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 the second quarter of 2013.
	The preparation of our interim 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. Certain information and footnote disclosures have been excluded and/or condensed pursuant to SEC rules and regulations.
Revenue Recognition	'
	(b)   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 $29.9 million and $29.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Goodwill and Other Intangibles	'
	(c)   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. Our four operating segments consist of the following regions: Central, East, National and West. Our regional operating segments are aggregated into one reportable segment.
	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.

Accounts_Receivable_Tables

Accounts Receivable (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounts Receivable [Abstract]	'
Accounts Receivable	'
	($ in thousands)	31-Mar-14		31-Dec-13
	Retail and Wholesale	$	474,278	$	498,717
	Other		58,897		51,855
	Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts		-70,094		-71,362
	Accounts receivable, net	$	463,081	$	479,210

Property_Plant_And_Equipment_T

Property, Plant And Equipment (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Property, Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant And Equipment, Net	'
	($ in thousands)	31-Mar-14		31-Dec-13
	Property, plant and equipment	$	14,984,356	$	14,850,697
	Less:  Accumulated depreciation		-7,794,098		-7,594,935
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	7,190,258	$	7,255,762

Goodwill_And_Other_Intangibles1

Goodwill And Other Intangibles (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
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)	31-Mar-14						31-Dec-13
		Gross Carrying		Accumulated		Net Carrying		Gross Carrying		Accumulated		Net Carrying
		Amount		Amortization		Amount		Amount		Amortization		Amount
	Other Intangibles:
	Customer base	$	2,427,648	$	-1,412,743	$	1,014,905	$	2,427,648	$	-1,336,852	$	1,090,796
	Trade name and license		124,136		-		124,136		124,136		-		124,136
	Total other intangibles	$	2,551,784	$	-1,412,743	$	1,139,041	$	2,551,784	$	-1,336,852	$	1,214,932

Fair_Value_Of_Financial_Instru1

Fair Value Of Financial Instruments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value Of Financial Instruments [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Of Long-Term Debt	'
	($ in thousands)	31-Mar-14				31-Dec-13
			Carrying				Carrying
			Amount		Fair Value		Amount		Fair Value
	Long-term debt	$	7,762,672	$	8,343,979	$	7,873,667	$	8,191,744

LongTerm_Debt_Tables

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Long-Term Debt [Abstract]	'
Long-Term Debt	'
				Three months ended
				31-Mar-14								Interest
												Rate at
		December 31,		Payments			New			March 31,		March 31,
	($ in thousands)	2013		and Retirements			Borrowings			2014		2014 *
	Senior Unsecured Debt	$	8,107,066	$	-14,375		$	-		$	8,092,691	7.95%
	Other Secured Debt		13,550		-			10,706			24,256	3.54%
	Rural Utilities Service Loan Contracts		8,930		-104			-			8,826	6.15%
	Total Long-Term Debt	$	8,129,546	$	-14,479		$	10,706		$	8,125,773	7.94%
	Less: Debt (Discount)/Premium		2,037								2,524
	Less: Current Portion		-257,916								-365,625
		$	7,873,667							$	7,762,672
	*  Interest rate includes amortization of debt issuance costs and debt premiums or discounts. The interest rates at March 31, 2014 represent a weighted average of multiple issuances
	.
Senior Unsecured Debt	'
	($ in thousands)	31-Mar-14				31-Dec-13
		Principal		Interest		Principal			Interest
		Outstanding		Rate		Outstanding			Rate
	Senior Notes and Debentures Due:
	5/1/14		200,000	8.25%			200,000		8.25%
	3/15/15		105,026	6.63%			105,026		6.63%
	4/15/15		96,872	7.88%			96,872		7.88%
	10/14/2016 *		445,625	3.035% (Variable)			460,000		3.045% (Variable)
	4/15/17		606,874	8.25%			606,874		8.25%
	10/1/18		582,739	8.13%			582,739		8.13%
	3/15/19		434,000	7.12%			434,000		7.12%
	4/15/20		1,021,505	8.50%			1,021,505		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%			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%
			7,842,691				7,857,066
	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	$	8,092,691	7.79% **		$	8,107,066		7.78% **
	*      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 (remaining nine months)	$	245,445
	2015	$	262,517
	2016	$	348,143
	2017	$	610,052
	2018	$	583,942
	2019	$	434,565

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Taxes [Abstract]	'
Reconciliation Of Provision For Income Taxes	'
		For the three months ended
		March 31,
		2014		2013
	Consolidated tax provision at federal statutory rate	35.0	%	35.0	%
	State income tax provisions, net of federal income
	tax benefit	0.3		3.6
	Noncontrolling interest	-		-0.4
	Tax reserve adjustment	-		0.4
	Changes in certain deferred tax balances	-5.1		-
	All other, net	0.2		1.0
	Effective tax rate	30.4	%	39.6	%

Net_Income_Per_Common_Share_Ta

Net Income Per Common Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Net Income Per Common Share [Abstract]	'
Calculation Of Net Income Per Common Share	'
		For the three months ended
	($ and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)	March 31,
		2014		2013
	Net income used for basic and diluted earnings
	per common share:
	Net income attributable to common shareholders of Frontier	$	39,274	$	48,140
	Less:  Dividends paid on unvested restricted stock awards		-767		-521
	Total basic and diluted net income attributable to common
	shareholders of Frontier	$	38,507	$	47,619
	Basic earnings per common share:
	Total weighted average shares and unvested restricted stock
	awards outstanding - basic		1,000,960		998,146
	Less:  Weighted average unvested restricted stock awards		-6,934		-6,273
	Total weighted average shares outstanding - basic		994,026		991,873
	Basic net income per share attributable to common
	shareholders of Frontier	$	0.04	$	0.05
	Diluted earnings per common share:
	Total weighted average shares outstanding - basic		994,026		991,873
	Effect of dilutive shares		1,502		675
	Total weighted average shares outstanding - diluted		995,528		992,548
	Diluted net income per share attributable to common
	shareholders of Frontier	$	0.04	$	0.05

Stock_Plans_Tables

Stock Plans (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Stock Plans [Abstract]	'
LTIP Target Performance Shares	'
		Number of
		Shares
	Balance at January 1, 2014	1,749,000
	LTIP target performance shares granted	1,028,000
	LTIP target performance shares forfeited	-
	Balance at March 31, 2014	2,777,000
Restricted Shares Outstanding	'
			Weighted
			Average
		Number of	Grant Date		Aggregate
		Shares	Fair Value		Fair Value
	Balance at January 1, 2014	6,234,000	$	4.8	$	28,988,000
	Restricted stock granted	3,741,000	$	4.71	$	21,359,000
	Restricted stock vested	-2,254,000	$	5.25	$	12,867,000
	Restricted stock forfeited	-57,000	$	4.5
	Balance at March 31, 2014	7,664,000	$	4.63	$	43,764,000
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, 2014	83,000	$	13.23	1.8		$	-
	Options granted	-	$	-
	Options exercised	-	$	-
	Options canceled, forfeited or lapsed	-	$	-
	Balance at March 31, 2014	83,000	$	13.23	1.6		$	-
	Exercisable at March 31, 2014	83,000	$	13.23	1.6		$	-

Comprehensive_Income_Tables

Comprehensive Income (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
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, 2014	$	-411,432	$	-5,230	$	156,280	$	-148	$	-260,530
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		-		-		-		148		148
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss		4,830		-168		-1,771		-		2,891
	Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)		4,830		-168		-1,771		148		3,039
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	-406,602	$	-5,398	$	154,509	$	-	$	-257,491
	($ in thousands)	Pension Costs		OPEB Costs		Deferred taxes on pension and OPEB costs		All other		Total
	Balance at January 1, 2013	$	-697,874	$	-74,264	$	288,712	$	-150	$	-483,576
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		-229		-		293		-		64
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss		10,074		703		-4,095		-		6,682
	Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)		9,845		703		-3,802		-		6,746
	Balance at March 31, 2013	$	-688,029	$	-73,561	$	284,910	$	-150	$	-476,830
Reclassification Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	($ in thousands)	Amount Reclassified from
		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (a)
	Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive	For the three months ended March 31,				Affected Line Item in the Statement Where
	Loss Components	2014		2013		Net Income is Presented
	Amortization of Pension Cost Items (b)
	Prior-service costs	$	-11	$	-2
	Actuarial gains/(losses)		-4,819		-10,072
			-4,830		-10,074	Income before income taxes
	Tax impact		1,835		3,828	Income tax (expense) benefit
		$	-2,995	$	-6,246	Net income
	Amortization of OPEB Cost Items (b)
	Prior-service costs	$	890	$	1,525
	Actuarial gains/(losses)		-722		-2,228
			168		-703	Income before income taxes
	Tax impact		-64		267	Income tax (expense) benefit
		$	104	$	-436	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 OPEB costs (see Note 14 - Retirement Plans for additional details).

Retirement_Plans_Tables

Retirement Plans (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Retirement Plans [Abstract]	'
Net Periodic Benefit Cost	'
		Pension Benefits
		For the three months ended
		March 31,
		2014		2013
	($ in thousands)
	Components of net periodic pension benefit cost
	Service cost	$	9,940	$	12,834
	Interest cost on projected benefit obligation		19,824		18,880
	Expected return on plan assets		-23,512		-24,590
	Amortization of prior service cost /(credit)		11		2
	Amortization of unrecognized loss		4,819		10,072
	Net periodic pension benefit cost	$	11,082	$	17,198
		Postretirement Benefits
		Other Than Pensions (OPEB)
		For the three months ended
		March 31,
		2014		2013
	($ in thousands)
	Components of net periodic postretirement benefit cost
	Service cost	$	2,553	$	3,179
	Interest cost on projected benefit obligation		4,788		4,440
	Expected return on plan assets		-7		-43
	Amortization of prior service cost/(credit)		-890		-1,525
	Amortization of unrecognized loss		722		2,228
	Net periodic postretirement benefit cost	$	7,166	$	8,279

Summary_Of_Significant_Account2

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
	segment
Description of Business and Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'	'	'
Proceeds on sale of Mohave partnership interest	'	'	$17.80
Ownership percentage of subsidiary sold (in hundredths)	'	'	33.33%
Gain on sale of Mohave partnership interest	'	'	14.6
Customer surcharges	$29.90	$29.80	'
Number of operating segments	4	'	'
Number of reportable segments	1	'	'

The_Transactions_Details

The Transactions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2010
The Transactions [Abstract]	'	'
Number of territories acquired	'	14
Acquisition purchase price	$2,000,000,000	'
Acquisition and integration costs	$10,596,000	'

Accounts_Receivable_Narrative_

Accounts Receivable (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Accounts Receivable [Abstract]	'	'
Bad debt expense	$12.90	$16.20

Accounts_Receivable_Accounts_R

Accounts Receivable (Accounts Receivable) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accounts Receivable [Abstract]	'	'
Retail and Wholesale	$474,278	$498,717
Other	58,897	51,855
Allowance for doubtful accounts	-70,094	-71,362
Accounts receivable, net	$463,081	$479,210

Property_Plant_And_Equipment_N

Property, Plant And Equipment (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Property, Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'	'
Depreciation expense	$205.50	$216.70

Property_Plant_And_Equipment_P

Property, Plant And Equipment (Property, Plant And Equipment, Net) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment	$14,984,356	$14,850,697
Less: Accumulated depreciation	-7,794,098	-7,594,935
Property, plant and equipment, net	$7,190,258	$7,255,762

Goodwill_And_Other_Intangibles2

Goodwill And Other Intangibles (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Amortization expense	$75.90	$87
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	'

Goodwill_And_Other_Intangibles3

Goodwill And Other Intangibles (Components Of Goodwill By Reporting Units) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
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 $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	$2,551,784	$2,551,784
Accumulated Amortization	-1,412,743	-1,336,852
Net Carrying Amount	1,139,041	1,214,932
Customer Base [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	2,427,648	2,427,648
Accumulated Amortization	-1,412,743	-1,336,852
Net Carrying Amount	1,014,905	1,090,796
Trade Name And License [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	124,136	124,136
Net Carrying Amount	$124,136	$124,136

Fair_Value_Of_Financial_Instru2

Fair Value Of Financial Instruments (Long Term Debt) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Carrying Amount [Member]	'	'
Long-term debt [Abstract]	'	'
Long-term debt	$7,762,672	$7,873,667
Fair Value [Member]	'	'
Long-term debt [Abstract]	'	'
Long-term debt	$8,343,979	$8,191,744

LongTerm_Debt_Narrative_Detail

Long-Term Debt (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Remaining outstanding principal	$8,125,773,000	$8,129,546,000
Bridge loan facility	1,900,000,000	'
Commitments fees related to bridge loan facility	7,500,000	'
Secured Equipment Financing [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Interest Rate	0.00%	'
Secured equipment financing	10,700,000	'
Secured equipment financing term	'4 years	'
Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument, face amount	575,000,000	'
Remaining outstanding principal	8,092,691,000	8,107,066,000
Debt instrument, maturity date	14-Oct-16	'
Repayment of the outstanding principal balance, quarterly installments amount	14,400,000	'
Initial pricing for LIBOR based borrowings (in hundredths)	2.88%	'
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Line of credit facility maximum borrowing capacity	750,000,000	'
Debt instrument, maturity date	3-Nov-16	'
Line of credit facility, current borrowings	$0	'
Interest Rate (in thousandths)	0.40%	'
Minimum [Member] | Senior Unsecured Debt [Member] | Base Rate [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Interest Rate Margin	0.88%	'
Minimum [Member] | Senior Unsecured Debt [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Interest Rate Margin	1.88%	'
Minimum [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Initial pricing for LIBOR based borrowings (in hundredths)	1.00%	'
Minimum [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Base Rate [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Interest Rate Margin	0.50%	'
Minimum [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Interest Rate Margin	1.50%	'
Maximum [Member] | Senior Unsecured Debt [Member] | Base Rate [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Interest Rate Margin	2.88%	'
Maximum [Member] | Senior Unsecured Debt [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Interest Rate Margin	3.88%	'
Maximum [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Initial pricing for LIBOR based borrowings (in hundredths)	2.00%	'
Maximum [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Base Rate [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Interest Rate Margin	1.50%	'
Maximum [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Interest Rate Margin	2.50%	'

LongTerm_Debt_LongTerm_Debt_De

Long-Term Debt (Long-Term Debt) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'
Long-term debt, beginning balance	$8,129,546		'
Payments and Retirements	-14,479		'
New Borrowings	10,706		'
Long-term debt, ending balance	8,125,773		'
Less: Debt (Discount)/Premium	2,524		2,037
Less: Current Portion	-365,625		-257,916
Principal Outstanding	7,762,672		7,873,667
Weighted average interest rate	7.94%	[1]	'
Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'
Long-term debt, beginning balance	8,107,066		'
Payments and Retirements	-14,375		'
Long-term debt, ending balance	8,092,691		'
Weighted average interest rate	7.95%	[1]	'
Other Secured Debt [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'
Long-term debt, beginning balance	13,550		'
Payments and Retirements	'		'
New Borrowings	10,706		'
Long-term debt, ending balance	24,256		'
Weighted average interest rate	3.54%	[1]	'
Rural Utilities Service Loan Contracts [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'
Long-term debt, beginning balance	8,930		'
Payments and Retirements	-104		'
Long-term debt, ending balance	$8,826		'
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 March 31, 2014 represent a weighted average of multiple issuances.

LongTerm_Debt_Senior_Unsecured

Long-Term Debt (Senior Unsecured Debt) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'
Principal Outstanding	$8,125,773		$8,129,546
Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'
Principal Outstanding	8,092,691		8,107,066
Weighted average interest rate	7.79%	[1]	7.78%	[1]
Debt instrument, maturity date	14-Oct-16		'
Senior Notes And Debentures [Member] | Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'
Principal Outstanding	7,842,691		7,857,066
Senior Notes And Debentures [Member] | Senior Unsecured Debt [Member] | Senior Note Due 5/1/2014 [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'
Principal Outstanding	200,000		200,000
Interest Rate	8.25%		8.25%
Debt instrument, maturity date	1-May-14		'
Senior Notes And Debentures [Member] | Senior Unsecured Debt [Member] | Senior Note Due 3/15/2015 [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'
Principal Outstanding	105,026		105,026
Interest Rate	6.63%		6.63%
Debt instrument, maturity date	15-Mar-15		'
Senior Notes And Debentures [Member] | Senior Unsecured Debt [Member] | Senior Note Due 4/15/2015 [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'
Principal Outstanding	96,872		96,872
Interest Rate	7.88%		7.88%
Debt instrument, maturity date	15-Apr-15		'
Senior Notes And Debentures [Member] | Senior Unsecured Debt [Member] | Senior Note Due 10/14/2016 [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'
Principal Outstanding	445,625	[2]	460,000	[2]
Interest Rate	3.04%	[2]	3.05%	[2]
Debt instrument, maturity date	14-Oct-16	[2]	'
Senior Notes And Debentures [Member] | Senior Unsecured Debt [Member] | Senior Note Due 4/15/2017 [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'
Principal Outstanding	606,874		606,874
Interest Rate	8.25%		8.25%
Debt instrument, maturity date	15-Apr-17		'
Senior Notes And Debentures [Member] | Senior Unsecured Debt [Member] | Senior Note Due 10/1/2018 [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'
Principal Outstanding	582,739		582,739
Interest Rate	8.13%		8.13%
Debt instrument, maturity date	1-Oct-18		'
Senior Notes And Debentures [Member] | Senior Unsecured Debt [Member] | Senior Note Due 3/15/2019 [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'
Principal Outstanding	434,000		434,000
Interest Rate	7.13%		7.13%
Debt instrument, maturity date	15-Mar-19		'
Senior Notes And Debentures [Member] | Senior Unsecured Debt [Member] | Senior Note Due 4/15/2020 [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'
Principal Outstanding	1,021,505		1,021,505
Interest Rate	8.50%		8.50%
Debt instrument, maturity date	15-Apr-20		'
Senior Notes And Debentures [Member] | Senior Unsecured Debt [Member] | Senior Note Due 7/1/2021 [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'
Principal Outstanding	500,000		500,000
Interest Rate	9.25%		9.25%
Debt instrument, maturity date	1-Jul-21		'
Senior Notes And Debentures [Member] | Senior Unsecured Debt [Member] | Senior Note Due 4/15/2022 [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'
Principal Outstanding	500,000		500,000
Interest Rate	8.75%		8.75%
Debt instrument, maturity date	15-Apr-22		'
Senior Notes And Debentures [Member] | Senior Unsecured Debt [Member] | Senior Note Due 1/15/2023 [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'
Principal Outstanding	850,000		850,000
Interest Rate	7.13%		7.13%
Debt instrument, maturity date	15-Jan-23		'
Senior Notes And Debentures [Member] | Senior Unsecured Debt [Member] | Senior Note Due 4/15/2024 [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'
Principal Outstanding	750,000		750,000
Interest Rate	7.63%		7.63%
Debt instrument, maturity date	15-Apr-24		'
Senior Notes And Debentures [Member] | Senior Unsecured Debt [Member] | Debenture Due 11/1/2025 [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'
Principal Outstanding	138,000		138,000
Interest Rate	7.00%		7.00%
Debt instrument, maturity date	1-Nov-25		'
Senior Notes And Debentures [Member] | Senior Unsecured Debt [Member] | Debenture Due 8/15/2026 [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'
Principal Outstanding	1,739		1,739
Interest Rate	6.80%		6.80%
Debt instrument, maturity date	15-Aug-26		'
Senior Notes And Debentures [Member] | Senior Unsecured Debt [Member] | Senior Note Due 1/15/2027 [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'
Principal Outstanding	345,858		345,858
Interest Rate	7.88%		7.88%
Debt instrument, maturity date	15-Jan-27		'
Senior Notes And Debentures [Member] | Senior Unsecured Debt [Member] | Senior Note Due 8/15/2031 [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'
Principal Outstanding	945,325		945,325
Interest Rate	9.00%		9.00%
Debt instrument, maturity date	15-Aug-31		'
Senior Notes And Debentures [Member] | Senior Unsecured Debt [Member] | Debenture Due 10/1/2034 [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'
Principal Outstanding	628		628
Interest Rate	7.68%		7.68%
Debt instrument, maturity date	1-Oct-34		'
Senior Notes And Debentures [Member] | Senior Unsecured Debt [Member] | Debenture Due 7/1/2035 [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'
Principal Outstanding	125,000		125,000
Interest Rate	7.45%		7.45%
Debt instrument, maturity date	1-Jul-35		'
Senior Notes And Debentures [Member] | Senior Unsecured Debt [Member] | Debenture Due 10/1/2046 [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'
Principal Outstanding	193,500		193,500
Interest Rate	7.05%		7.05%
Debt instrument, maturity date	1-Oct-46		'
Subsidiary Senior Notes And Debentures [Member] | Senior Unsecured Debt [Member] | Subsidiary Senior Note Due 2/15/2028 [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'
Principal Outstanding	200,000		200,000
Interest Rate	6.73%		6.73%
Debt instrument, maturity date	15-Feb-28		'
Subsidiary Senior Notes And Debentures [Member] | Senior Unsecured Debt [Member] | Subsidiary Senior Note Due 10/15/2029 [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'
Principal Outstanding	$50,000		$50,000
Interest Rate	8.40%		8.40%
Debt instrument, maturity date	15-Oct-29		'
[1]	Interest rate represents a weighted average of the stated interest rates of multiple issuances.
[2]	Represents borrowings under the Credit Agreement with CoBank.

LongTerm_Debt_Debt_Maturities_

Long-Term Debt (Debt Maturities By Year) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Long-Term Debt [Abstract]	'
Principal Payments 2014 (remaining nine months)	$245,445
Principal Payments 2015	262,517
Principal Payments 2016	348,143
Principal Payments 2017	610,052
Principal Payments 2018	583,942
Principal Payments 2019	$434,565

Income_Taxes_Narrative_Details

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Taxes [Abstract]	'
Benefit resulting from state law changes	$2.90
Effect of expiration of statute of limitations during next twelve months	$2.90

Income_Taxes_Reconciliation_Of

Income Taxes (Reconciliation Of Provision For Income Taxes) (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Income Taxes [Abstract]	'	'
Consolidated tax provision at federal statutory rate (in hundredths)	35.00%	35.00%
State income tax provisions, net of federal income tax benefit (in hundredths)	0.30%	3.60%
Noncontrolling interest (in hundredths)	'	-0.40%
Tax reserve adjustment (in hundredths)	'	0.40%
Changes in certain deferred tax balances (in hundredths)	-5.10%	'
All other, net (in hundredths)	0.20%	1.00%
Effective tax rate (in hundredths)	30.40%	39.60%

Net_Income_Per_Common_Share_Na

Net Income Per Common Share (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
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	526,000
Exercise price range of stock options related to employee compensation plans - lower range limit (in dollars per share)	$12.50	$10.44
Exercise price range of stock options related to employee compensation plans - upper range limit (in dollars per share)	$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)	1,314,113	949,412

Net_Income_Per_Common_Share_Ca

Net Income Per Common Share (Calculation Of Net Income Per Common Share) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Net Income Per Common Share [Abstract]	'	'
Net income attributable to common shareholders of Frontier	$39,274	$48,140
Less: Dividends paid on unvested restricted stock awards	-767	-521
Total basic and diluted net income attributable to common shareholders of Frontier	$38,507	$47,619
Total weighted average shares and unvested restricted stock awards outstanding - basic (in shares)	1,000,960	998,146
Less: Weighted average unvested restricted stock awards (in shares)	-6,934	-6,273
Total weighted average shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	994,026	991,873
Basic net income per share attributable to common shareholders of Frontier	$0.04	$0.05
Effect of dilutive shares (in shares)	1,502	675
Total weighted average shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	995,528	992,548
Diluted net income per common share attributable to common shareholders of Frontier	$0.04	$0.05

Stock_Plans_Narrative_Details

Stock Plans (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
	ShareBasedCompensationPlan
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	'
Shares available for grant under the plan (in shares)	14,543,220	'
Non Employee Directors Compensation Plans	'	'
Number of stock options award received by each non-employee director (in shares)	'	0
Performance Shares [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Expense recognized during the period	1	0.3
Performance Shares	'	'
Initial period over which target number of performance shares are awarded	'90 days	'
Measurement period	'3 years	'
Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Expense recognized during the period	4.4	3.8
Restricted Stock	'	'
Remaining unrecognized compensation cost associated with unvested restricted stock awards	33.5	'
Weighted average period over which unvested restricted stock awards unrecognized compensation cost is expected to be recognized (in years)	'2 years	'

Stock_Plans_LTIP_Target_Perfor

Stock Plans (LTIP Target Performance Shares) (Details) (Performance Shares [Member])	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	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)	1,749,000	'	'
Shares granted (in shares)	1,028,000	1,124,000	979,000
Shares forfeited (in shares)	'	'	'
Balance at end of period (in shares)	2,777,000	1,749,000	'

Stock_Plans_Restricted_Shares_

Stock Plans (Restricted Shares Outstanding) (Details) (Restricted Stock [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Balance at beginning of period (in shares)	6,234,000	'
Shares granted (in shares)	3,741,000	521,000
Shares vested (in shares)	-2,254,000	'
Shares forfeited (in shares)	-57,000	'
Balance at end of period (in shares)	7,664,000	'
Balance at beginning of period (in dollars per shares)	$4.80	'
Restricted stock granted (in dollars per shares)	$4.71	'
Restricted stock vested (in dollars per shares)	$5.25	'
Restricted stock forfeited (in dollars per shares)	$4.50	'
Balance at end of period (in dollars per shares)	$4.63	$4.09
Balance at beginning of period	$28,988,000	'
Restricted stock granted	21,359,000	2,100,000
Restricted stock vested	12,867,000	7,200,000
Balance at end of period	$43,764,000	$21,300,000

Stock_Plans_Options_Outstandin

Stock Plans (Options Outstanding) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Shares Subject to Option [Roll forward]	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period (in shares)	83,000	'	'
Options granted (in shares)	'	0	'
Options exercised (in shares)	'	'	'
Options canceled, forfeited or lapsed (in shares)	'	'	'
Balance at end of period (in shares)	83,000	'	83,000
Exercisable at end of period (in shares)	83,000	'	'
Weighted Average Option Price Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period (in dollars per share)	$13.23	'	'
Options granted (in dollars per share)	'	'	'
Options exercised (in dollars per share)	'	'	'
Options canceled, forfeited or lapsed (in dollars per share)	'	'	'
Balance at end of period (in dollars per share)	$13.23	'	$13.23
Weighted Average Remaining Life in Years [Abstract]	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	'1 year 7 months 6 days	'	'1 year 9 months 18 days
Balance at end of period	'1 year 7 months 6 days	'	'1 year 9 months 18 days
Exercisable at end of period	'1 year 7 months 6 days	'	'
Aggregate Intrinsic Value [Abstract]	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	'	'	'
Balance at end of period	'	0	'
Exercisable at end of period	'	$0	'

Segment_Information_Details

Segment Information (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
	segment
Segment Information [Abstract]	'
Number of reportable segments	1

Comprehensive_Income_Accumulat

Comprehensive Income (Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
			Pension Benefits [Member]	Pension Benefits [Member]	Postretirement Costs [Member]	Postretirement Costs [Member]	Deferred Taxes On Pension And OPEB Costs [Member]	Deferred Taxes On Pension And OPEB Costs [Member]	All Other [Member]	All Other [Member]	All Other [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Balance, beginning	($260,530)	($483,576)	($411,432)	($697,874)	($5,230)	($74,264)	$156,280	$288,712	($148)	($150)	($150)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	148	64	'	-229	'	'	'	293	148	'	'
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	2,891	6,682	4,830	10,074	-168	703	-1,771	-4,095	'	'	'
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	3,039	6,746	4,830	9,845	-168	703	-1,771	-3,802	148	'	'
Balance, ending	($257,491)	($476,830)	($406,602)	($688,029)	($5,398)	($73,561)	$154,509	$284,910	'	($150)	($150)

Comprehensive_Income_Reclassif

Comprehensive Income (Reclassification Out of AOCI) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2013
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'		'		'
Income before income taxes	$56,463		$84,058		'
Tax impact	-17,189		-33,275		'
Net income	39,274		50,783		64,695
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	-11	[1],[2]	-2	[1],[2]	'
Actuarial gains/(losses)	-4,819	[1],[2]	-10,072	[1],[2]	'
Income before income taxes	-4,830	[1],[2]	-10,074	[1],[2]	'
Tax impact	1,835	[1],[2]	3,828	[1],[2]	'
Net income	-2,995	[1],[2]	-6,246	[1],[2]	'
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	890	[1],[2]	1,525	[1],[2]	'
Actuarial gains/(losses)	-722	[1],[2]	-2,228	[1],[2]	'
Income before income taxes	168	[1],[2]	-703	[1],[2]	'
Tax impact	-64	[1],[2]	267	[1],[2]	'
Net income	$104	[1],[2]	($436)	[1],[2]	'
[1]	Amounts in parentheses indicate losses.
[2]	These accumulated other comprehensive loss components are included in the computation of net periodic pension and OPEB costs (see Note 14 - Retirement Plans for additional details).

Retirement_Plans_Narrative_Det

Retirement Plans (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'	'
Capitalization of pension and OPEB expense related to engineering and plant construction	$3,900,000	$4,900,000	'
Pension and other postretirement benefit expenses	3,053,000	5,018,000	97,100,000
Contributions to pension plan	19,600,000	'	'
Plan assets	1,229,500,000	'	1,216,500,000
Increase in plan assets	13,000,000	'	'
Percentage of increase in pension plan	1.00%	'	'
Positive investment returns	40,300,000	'	'
Cash contributions to pension plan	11,600,000	'	'
Benefit payments	38,900,000	'	'
Estimated contributions to pension plan in current fiscal year	100,000,000	'	'
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'	'
Estimated Pension And OPEB Expense	65,000,000	'	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'	'
Estimated Pension And OPEB Expense	$85,000,000	'	'

Retirement_Plans_Net_Periodic_

Retirement Plans (Net Periodic Benefit Cost) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Pension Benefits [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Service cost	$9,940	$12,834
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	19,824	18,880
Expected return on plan assets	-23,512	-24,590
Amortization of prior service cost/(credit)	11	2
Amortization of unrecognized loss	4,819	10,072
Net periodic benefit cost	11,082	17,198
Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions (OPEB) [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Service cost	2,553	3,179
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	4,788	4,440
Expected return on plan assets	-7	-43
Amortization of prior service cost/(credit)	-890	-1,525
Amortization of unrecognized loss	722	2,228
Net periodic benefit cost	$7,166	$8,279

Commitments_And_Contingencies_

Commitments And Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2010
	state
	entity
Acquisition and integration costs	$10,596,000	'	'
Acquisition costs	1,600,000	'	'
Integration costs	9,000,000	'	'
Capital Expenditures Integration Activities	10,348,000	'	'
Regulatory Commitments [Abstract]	'	'	'
Percentage of households to have broadband availability and speeds of 3 Mbps by year 2013 (in hundredths)	85.00%	'	'
Targeted minimum megabits per second in markets acquired by year 2013 (in Mbps)	3	'	'
Targeted minimum megabits per second in markets acquired by year 2015 (in Mbps)	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 4 Mbps (in hundredths)	83.60%	'	'
Number of state regulatory commissions requiring capital investment commitments	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	'	'
Expired letter of credit	'	20,000,000	'
Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Commitment under the arrangement in 2014	145,500,000	'	'
Commitment under the arrangement in 2015	140,800,000	'	'
Vermont Joint Owners Consortium [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number of utilities forming the Vermont Joint Owners consortium	14	'	'
Purchase power obligation (in hundredths)	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	'	'
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	'	'