Frontier Communications Parent (FYBR) 10-Q 8 Aug 16 2016 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jul. 29, 2016
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORP
Entity Central Index Key	20,520
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		1,173,071,000
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2016

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 683	$ 936
Accounts receivable, less allowances of $74 and $57, respectively	1,034	571
Restricted cash		8,444
Prepaid expenses	108	100
Income taxes and other current assets	56	80
Total current assets	1,881	10,131
Property, plant and equipment, net	16,161	8,493
Goodwill	9,198	7,166
Other intangibles, net	2,098	1,143
Other assets	118	151
Total assets	29,456	27,084
Current liabilities:
Long-term debt due within one year	1,043	384
Accounts payable	722	467
Advanced billings	323	160
Accrued other taxes	126	87
Accrued interest	434	403
Pension and other postretirement benefits	29	33
Other current liabilities	515	359
Total current liabilities	3,192	1,893
Deferred income taxes	2,501	2,666
Pension and other postretirement benefits	1,470	1,163
Other liabilities	308	240
Long-term debt	16,923	15,508
Equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value (50,000 authorized shares, 11.125%, Series A, 19,250 shares issued and outstanding)
Common stock, $0.25 par value (1,750,000 authorized shares, 1,192,986 issued and 1,173,071 and 1,168,200 outstanding, at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively)	298	298
Additional paid-in capital	5,621	6,034
Retained deficit	(300)	(87)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(342)	(353)
Treasury stock	(215)	(278)
Total equity	5,062	5,614
Total liabilities and equity	$ 29,456	$ 27,084

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Allowances for accounts receivable, current	$ 74	$ 57
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	50,000,000	50,000,000
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage	11.125%	11.125%
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	19,250,000
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)	1,173,071,000	1,168,200,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	1,192,986,000	1,192,986,000
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued	19,250,000	19,250,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	19,250,000	19,250,000

Consolidated Statements Of Oper

Consolidated Statements Of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Consolidated Statements Of Operations [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 2,608	$ 1,368	$ 3,963	$ 2,739
Operating expenses:
Network access expenses	453	161	613	316
Network related expenses	546	313	872	638
Selling, general and administrative expenses	596	331	953	661
Depreciation and amortization	575	335	891	676
Acquisition and integration costs	127	35	265	92
Total operating expenses	2,297	1,175	3,594	2,383
Operating income	311	193	369	356
Investment and other income, net		1	11	2
Interest expense	386	260	759	505
Loss before income taxes	(75)	(66)	(379)	(147)
Income tax benefit	(48)	(38)	(166)	(68)
Net loss	(27)	(28)	(213)	(79)
Less: Dividends on preferred stock	53		107
Net loss attributable to Frontier common shareholders	$ (80)	$ (28)	$ (320)	$ (79)
Basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to Frontier common shareholders (in dollars per share)	$ (0.07)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.28)	$ (0.08)
Total weighted average shares outstanding - basic and diluted	1,164,262	1,037,407	1,164,083	1,018,976

Consolidated Statements Of Comp

Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Loss - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Loss [Abstract]
Net loss	$ (27)	$ (28)	$ (213)	$ (79)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax (see Note 12)	5	5	11	8
Comprehensive loss	$ (22)	$ (23)	$ (202)	$ (71)

Consolidated Statement Of Equit

Consolidated Statement Of Equity - USD ($) $ in Millions	Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Deficit [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	Treasury Common Stock [Member]	Total
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014					$ (404)
Net loss							$ (79)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax					8		$ 8
Preferred Stock Balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2015							19,250,000
Balance at Jun. 30, 2015					(396)
Preferred Stock Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2015	19,250,000
Balance at Dec. 31, 2015		$ 298	$ 6,034	$ (87)	(353)	$ (278)	$ 5,614
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2015		1,192,986,000				(24,786,000)	1,168,200,000
Stock plans			(60)			$ 63	$ 3
Stock plans (in shares)						4,871,000
Dividends on common stock			(246)				(246)
Dividends on preferred stock			(107)				(107)
Net loss				(213)			(213)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax					11		$ 11
Preferred Stock Balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2016	19,250,000						19,250,000
Balance at Jun. 30, 2016		$ 298	$ 5,621	$ (300)	$ (342)	$ (215)	$ 5,062
Balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2016		1,192,986,000				(19,915,000)	1,173,071,000

Consolidated Statements Of Cash

Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Cash flows provided from (used by) operating activities:
Net loss	$ (213)	$ (79)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided from (used by) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	891	676
Pension/OPEB costs	35
Stock based compensation expense	15	12
Amortization of deferred financing costs	28	138
Other non-cash adjustments	2	(10)
Deferred income taxes	(171)	115
Change in accounts receivable	(141)	77
Change in accounts payable and other liabilities	170	(99)
Change in prepaid expenses, income taxes and other current assets	15	(214)
Net cash provided from operating activities	631	616
Cash flows provided from (used by) investing activities:
Cash paid for the Verizon Acquisition	(9,886)
Capital expenditures - Business operations	(557)	(348)
Capital expenditures - Integration activities	(88)	(38)
Network expansion funded by Connect America Fund - Phase I		(16)
Cash transferred from escrow	8,444	(1,840)
Cash paid for an acquisition, net of cash acquired		(16)
Other	6	1
Net cash used by investing activities	(2,081)	(2,257)
Cash flows provided from (used by) financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt borrowings	1,625	3
Financing costs paid	(7)
Long-term debt payments	(69)	(250)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net		799
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock, net		1,866
Dividends paid on common stock	(246)	(211)
Dividends paid on preferred stock	(107)
Other	1	(2)
Net cash provided from financing activities	1,197	2,205
Increase/(Decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(253)	564
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1,	936	682
Cash and cash equivalents at June 30,	683	1,246
Cash paid (received) during the period for:
Interest	711	358
Income taxes (refunds), net	$ (32)	$ 20

Summary Of Significant Accounti

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
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 (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, 2015. 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 loss 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 June 30, 2016 , we evaluated subsequent events and transactions for potential recognition or disclosure through the date that we filed this Form 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).  Effective April 1, 2016, Frontier’s scope of operations and balance sheet changed materially as a result of the completion of the Verizon Acquisition, as described in Note 3 – Acquisitions. Historical financial data presented for Frontier is not indicative of the future financial position or operating results for Frontier, and includes the results of the CTF Operations, as defined in Note 3 – Acquisitions, from the date of acquisition on April 1, 2016.  The preparation of our interim financial statements in conformity with G AAP 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 the allowance for doubtful accounts, asset impairments, indefinite-lived intangibles, depreciation and amortization, income taxes, business combinations, and pension and other postretirement benefits, among others.  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. We have utilized the aggregation criteria to combine our seven regional operating segments because all of these regional operations shar e similar 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 significantly impact the economic characteristics or operating results of a particular region.  (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 and 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” on our consolidated balance sheet 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.  Frontier 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 “Network related expenses ” of $62 million and $39 million, and $101 million and $76 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 201 5 , respectively .  In 2015 we accepted the FCC’s Connect America Fund (CAF) Phase II offer of support, which is a successor to and augments the USF frozen high cost support that we had been receiving pursuant to a 2011 FCC order. Upon completion of the Verizon Acquisition, Frontier assumed the CAF Phase II support and related obligations that Verizon had previously accepted with regard to California and Texas. CAF Phase II funding is a program intended to subsidize the high cost of establishing and delivering communications services to certain unserved or underserved areas. We are recognizing these subsidies into revenue on a straight line basis, which is consistent with how the costs related to these subsidies are being and are expected to be incurred. We may reserve against our subsidy revenue which would be based on our ability to meet the buildout requirements of CAF Phase II. CAF Phase II is a multi-year program which requires us to deploy broadband to a specified number of households in each of the states where funding was accepted. Failure to meet our deployment obligations at the end of the program in 2020 will result in a return of a portion of the funding received. We regularly evaluate our ability to meet our broadband deployment obligations and adjust revenue accordingly.  We categorize our products, services and other revenues among the following five categories:  · Voice services include traditional local and long distance wireline services, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services, as well as a number of unified messaging services offered to our residential and business customers. Voice services also include the long distance voice origination and termination services that we provide to our business customers and other carriers ;  · Data and Internet services include broadband services for residential and business customers. We provide data transmission services to high volume business customers and other carriers with dedicated high capacity circuits (“nonswitched access”) including services to wireless providers (“wireless backhaul”);  · Video services include revenues generated from services provided directly to residential customers through the FiOS ® video and Vantage TV brands, and through DISH ® satellite TV services;  · Other customer revenue includes sales of customer premise equipment to our business customers and directory services , less our provision for bad debts; and  · Switched Access and Subsidy revenues include revenues derived from allowing other carriers to use our network to originate and/or terminate their local and long distance voice traffic (“switched access”). These services are primarily billed on a minutes- of-use basis applying tariffed rates filed with the FCC or state agencies. We also receive cost subsidies from state and federal authorities, including the Connect America Fund.  The following table provides a summary of revenues from external customers by the categories of Frontier’s products and services:     For the three months ended For the six months ended  June 30, June 30,   ( $ in millions ) 2016 2015 2016 2015   Voice services $ 836 $ 515 $ 1,303 $ 1,040  Data and Internet services 1,048 584 1,635 1,159  Video 419 72 487 143  Other 78 65 145 127  Customer revenue 2,381 1,236 3,570 2,469  Switched access and subsidy 227 132 393 270  Total revenue $ 2,608 $ 1,368 $ 3,963 $ 2,739   (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 examine the carrying value of our goodwill and trade name annually as of December 31, or more frequently, as circumstances warrant, to determine whether there are any impairment losses. We test for goodwill impairment at the “operating segment” level, as that term is defined in GAAP . During the second quarter of 2016, Frontier reorganized into seven regional operating segments, which are aggregated into one reportable segment. In conjunction with the reorganization of our operating segments effective with the second quarter of 2016, we reassigned goodwill to our regional operating segments (reporting units) using a relative fair value allocation approach. We tested for the impairment of goodwill and there was no indication of impairment at June 30, 2016.  Frontier amortizes finite-lived intangible assets over their estimated useful lives on the accelerated method of sum of the years digits. We review such intangible assets at least annually as of December 31 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	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Recent Accounting Literature [Abstract]
Recent Accounting Literature	 (2) Recent Accounting Literature :  Revenue Recognition In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ( FASB ) issued Accounting Standards Update ( ASU ) No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” This standard , along with its related amendments, requires companies to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This new standard is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Companies are also permitted to voluntarily adopt the new standard as of the original effective date that was for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Companies are permitted to either apply the requirements retrospectively to all prior periods presented, or apply the requirements in the year of adoption, through a cumulative adjustment. Frontier is currently evaluating the impact of adopting the new standard, but has not yet selected a transition method or determined the impact of adoption on its consolidated financial statements.  Employee Benefit Plans In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-12, “Plan Accounting: Defined Benefit Pension Plans (Topic 960), Defined Contribution Pension Plans (Topic 962), and Health and Welfare Benefit Plans (Topic 965)”: There are three parts to the ASU that aim to simplify the accounting and presentation of plan accounting. Part I of this ASU requires fully benefit-responsive investment contracts to be measured at contract value instead of the current fair value measurement. Part II of this ASU requires investments (both participant-directed and nonparticipant-directed investments) of employee benefit plans be grouped only by general type, eliminating the need to disaggregate the investments in multiple ways. Part III of this ASU provides a similar measurement date practical expedient for employee benefit plans as available in ASU No. 2015-04, “Compensation – Retirement Benefits (Topic 715),” which allows employers to measure defined benefit plan assets on a month-end date that is nearest to the year’s fiscal year-end when the fiscal period does not coincide with a month-end. Parts I and II of the new guidance should be applied on a retrospective basis. Part III of the new guidance should be applied on a prospective basis. The adoption of ASU 2015-12 will impact certain of the disclosures related to our pension plan assets, but otherwise is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.  Leases In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016 – 02, “Leases (Topic 842).” This standard establishes the principles to report transparent and economically neutral information about the assets and liabilities that arise from leases. Upon implementation, l essees will need to recognize almost all leases on their balance sheet as a right-of-use asset and a lease liability. It will be critical to identify leases embedded in a contract to avoid misstating the lessee’s balance sheet. For income statement purposes, the FASB retained a dual model, requiring leases to be classified as either operating or finance. Classification will be based on criteria that are largely similar to those applied in current lease accounting, but without explicit bright lines. Lessor accounting is similar to the current model, but updated to align with certain changes to the lessee model and the new revenue recognition standard. Existing sale-leaseback guidance, including guidance for real estate, is replaced with a new model applicable to both lessees and lessors. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 201 8 , including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early application is permitted . Frontier is currently evaluating the impact of adopting the new standard, but has not yet determined the impact of adoption on its consolidated financial statements. Compensation – Stock Compensation In March 2016 the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, “Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting,” to amend ASC Topic 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation.” The ASU is part of the FASB’s ongoing simplification initiative, which is designed to reduce cost and complexity while maintaining or improving the usefulness of the information provided to the users of financial statements. The proposed simplifications address a variety of areas for public entities, including the following: 1) accounting for income taxes, 2) classification of excess tax benefits on the statement of cash flows, 3) forfeitures, 4) minimum statutory tax withholding requirements, 5) classifications of employee taxes paid on the statement of cash flows when an employer withholds shares for tax withholding purposes, and 6) classification of awards with repurchase features. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Frontier is currently evaluating the impact of adopting the new standard, but has not yet determined the impact of adoption on its consolidated financial statements.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Acquisitions	(3) Acquisitions :  The Verizon Acquisition On April 1, 2016, Frontier acquired the wireline operations of Verizon Communications, Inc. in California, Texas and Florida for a purchase price of $10,540 million in cash and assumed debt (the Verizon Acquisition), with adjustments for working capital, pursuant to the February 5, 2015 Securities Purchase Agreement, as amended. As a result of the Verizon Acquisition, Frontier now operates these former Verizon properties, which included approximately 2.6 million total customers, 2.2 million broadband subscribers, and 1.2 million FiOS video subscribers as of April 1, 2016 (the CTF Operations).  Our consolidated statement of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 includes $1,282 million of revenue and $264 million of operating income related to the results of the CTF Operations. The allocation of the purchase price presented below, which is preliminary and subject to change, represents the effect of recording the estimates of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the date of the Verizon Acquisition, based on the total transaction cash consideration of $9,886 million. These current estimates will be revised in future periods for information that is currently not available to us, primarily related to certain legal and tax accruals and contingencies; accounts receivable; property, plant and equipment; customer list and other intangibles; other working capital “true-up” adjustments; deferred income tax assets and liabilities; pension assets and liabilities, as well as other assumed postretirement benefit obligations, pending completion of actuarial studies and the related transfer of pension assets. The revisions may affect the presentation of our consolidated financial results. Any changes to the initial estimates of the fair value of the assets and liabilities will be recorded as adjustments to those assets and liabilities and residual amounts will be allocated to goodwill.      ($ in millions)   Current assets $ 391  Property, plant & equipment 7,693  Goodwill 2,032  Other intangibles - customer list 1,160  Other assets 89  Other current liabilities (552)  Long-term debt (544)  Other liabilities (383)  Total net assets acquired $ 9,886   The Securities Purchase Agreement provides for a post-closing adjustment for both pension liabilities and pension assets. Frontier and Verizon have not finalized the results of these calculations. Such calculations will be completed in accordance with the terms of the Securities Purchase Agreement. The following unaudited pro forma financial information presents the combined results of operations of Frontier and the CTF Operations as if the Verizon Acquisition had occurred as of January 1, 2015. The pro forma information is not necessarily indicative of what the financial position or results of operations actually would have been had the Verizon Acquisition been completed as of January 1, 2015. In addition, the unaudited pro forma financial information is not indicative of, nor does it purport to project, the future financial position or operating results of Frontier. The unaudited pro forma financial information excludes acquisition and integration costs and does not give effect to any estimated and potential cost savings or other operating efficiencies that may result from the Verizon Acquisition.      (Unaudited)  For the three months ended For the six months ended June 30,  ($ in millions, except per share amounts) June 30, 2015 2016 2015   Revenue $ 2,779 $ 5,322 $ 5,549   Operating income $ 385 $ 743 $ 733   Net loss attributable to Frontier common shareholders $ (43) $ (96) $ (120)   Basic and diluted net loss attributable to  Frontier common shareholders per share $ (0.04) $ (0.08) $ (0.10)   During 2015, we completed our financing activities associated with the Verizon Acquisition, which included: 1) a private debt offering of $6,600 million of unsecured senior notes in September 2015, 2) the 2015 Credit Agreement (as defined below) for a senior secured delayed-draw term loan facility in August 2015 and 3) a registered offering of $2,750 million of preferred and common stock in June 2015. Net proceeds from these debt and equity offerings together with the proceeds received from the delayed draw term loan facility and cash on hand were used to fund the Verizon Acquisition and pay related fees and expenses.  The Connecticut Acquisition On October 24, 2014, Frontier acquired the wireline properties of AT&T Inc. in Connecticut (the Connecticut Acquisition) for a purchase price of $2,018 million in cash, pursuant to the stock purchase agreement dated December 16, 2013, as amended.  Acquisition and Integration Costs Acquisition costs include legal, financial advisory, accounting, regulatory and other related costs. Integration costs include expenses incurred to integrate the network and information technology platforms and to enable other integration initiatives.  Frontier incurred operating expenses related to the Verizon Acquisition and Connecticut Acquisition, as follows:      For the three months ended June 30, For the six months ended June 30,  ($ in millions) 2016 2015 2016 2015   Acquisition costs:  Verizon Acquisition $ 21 $ 2 $ 23 $ 35  Connecticut Acquisition - - - 1  21 2 23 36  Integration costs:  Verizon Acquisition 106 28 242 31  Connecticut Acquisition - 5 - 25  106 33 242 56  Total acquisition and  integration costs $ 127 $ 35 $ 265 $ 92   We also invested $88 million and $19 million in capital expenditures related to the Verizon Acquisition during the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. In connection with the Connecticut Acquisition, Frontier invested $19 million in capital expenditures during the six months ended June 30, 2015. In connection with the Verizon Acquisition, we will incur additional operating expenses and capital expenditures in 2016 related to integration activities.  

Accounts Receivable

Accounts Receivable	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Accounts Receivable [Abstract]
Accounts Receivable	(4) Accounts Receivable : The components of accounts receivable, net are as follows:      ($ in millions) June 30, 2016 December 31, 2015   Retail and Wholesale $ 1,020 $ 569  Other 88 59  Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts (74) (57)  Accounts receivable, net $ 1,034 $ 571   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 as follows:      For the three months ended June 30, For the six months ended June 30,  ($ in millions) 2016 2015 2016 2015   Bad debt expense $ 34 $ 12 $ 48 $ 25  

Property, Plant And Equipment

Property, Plant And Equipment	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Property, Plant And Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant And Equipment	(5) Property, Plant and Equipment : Property, plant and equipment, net is as follows:      ($ in millions) June 30, 2016 December 31, 2015   Property, plant and equipment $ 26,140 $ 17,801  Less: Accumulated depreciation (9,979) (9,308)  Property, plant and equipment, net $ 16,161 $ 8,493   Depreci ation expense is principally based on the composite group method. Depreciation expense was as follows:     For the three months ended June 30, For the six months ended June 30,  ($ in millions) 2016 2015 2016 2015   Depreciation expense $ 446 $ 247 $ 686 $ 496   We adopted new estimated remaining useful lives for certain plant assets as of October 1, 201 5 , as a result of an annual independent study of the estimated remaining useful lives of our plant assets, with an insignificant impact to depreciation expense. In addition, the estimated useful lives for assets acquired in the Verizon Acquisition were adopted for such assets based on this same study effective April 1, 2016.

Goodwill And Other Intangibles

Goodwill And Other Intangibles	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Goodwill And Other Intangibles [Abstract]
Goodwill And Other Intangibles	(6) Goodwill and Other Intangibles : The activity in our goodwill from December 31, 2015 to June 30, 2016 is as follows:      ($ in millions) Goodwill   Balance at January 1, 2016 $ 7,166  Verizon Acquisition (Note 3) 2,032  Balance at June 30, 2016 $ 9,198   The components of other intangibles are as follows:     June 30, 2016 December 31, 2015  Gross Carrying Accumulated Net Carrying Gross Carrying Accumulated Net Carrying  ($ in millions) Amount Amortization Amount Amount Amortization Amount   Other Intangibles:  Customer base $ 4,158 $ (2,182) $ 1,976 $ 2,998 $ (1,977) $ 1,021  Trade name 122 - 122 122 - 122  Total other intangibles $ 4,280 $ (2,182) $ 2,098 $ 3,120 $ (1,977) $ 1,143    Amortization expense was as follows:      For the three months ended June 30, For the six months ended June 30,  ($ in millions) 2016 2015 2016 2015   Amortization expense $ 129 $ 88 $ 205 $ 180   Amortization expense represents the amortization of our customer list s acquired as a result of the Verizon Acquisition, the Connecticut Acquisition and the acquisition of certain Verizon properties in 2010 with each based on a useful life of 9 to 12 years on an accelerated method.

Fair Value Of Financial Instrum

Fair Value Of Financial Instruments	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
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 June 30, 2016 and December 31, 201 5 . For the other financial instruments including cash, accounts receivable, restricted cash, 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.  The fair value of our long-term debt is estimated based upon quoted market prices at the reporting date for those financial instruments.      June 30, 2016 December 31, 2015   ($ in millions) Carrying Amount Fair Value Carrying Amount Fair Value   Long-term debt $ 16,923 $ 16,970 $ 15,508 $ 14,767 

Long-Term Debt

Long-Term Debt	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Long-Term Debt [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt	(8) Long-Term Debt : The activity in our long-term debt from January 1, 2016 through June 30, 2016 is summarized as follows:      Six months ended  June 30, 2016   ($ in millions) January 1, 2016 Payments and Retirements New Borrowings Debt Assumed Reclassifications June 30, 2016 Interest at June 30, 2016*   Senior and Subsidiary Unsecured Debt $ 16,055 $ (22) $ - $ 500 $ (637) $ 15,896 9.15%  Senior Secured Debt - (45) 1,625 - 637 2,217 3.63%  Secured Subsidiary Debt - - - 100 - 100 8.50%  Secured Debt 23 (2) - - - 21 4.11%  Rural Utilities Service Loan Contracts 8 - - - - 8 6.15%  Total Long-Term Debt $ 16,086 $ (69) $ 1,625 $ 600 $ - $ 18,242 8.47%   Less: Debt Issuance Costs (196) (223)  Less: Debt Premium/(Discount) 2 (53)  Less: Current Portion (384) (1,043)  $ 15,508 $ 16,923      * Interest rate includes amortization of debt issuance costs and debt premiums or discounts. The interest rates at June 30, 2016 represent a weighted average of multiple issuances.  Additi onal information regarding our senior secured debt, senior unsecured d ebt and subsidiary debentures is as follows:      June 30, 2016 December 31, 2015   Principal Interest Principal Interest  ($ in millions) Outstanding Rate Outstanding Rate   Senior Unsecured Debt Due:  4/15/2017 $ 607 8.250% $ 607 8.250%  10/1/2018 583 8.125% 583 8.125%  3/15/2019 434 7.125% 434 7.125%  4/15/2020 1,022 8.500% 1,022 8.500%  9/15/2020 1,000 8.875% 1,000 8.875%  7/1/2021 500 9.250% 500 9.250%  9/15/2021 775 6.250% 775 6.250%  4/15/2022 500 8.750% 500 8.750%  9/15/2022 2,000 10.500% 2,000 10.500%  1/15/2023 850 7.125% 850 7.125%  4/15/2024 750 7.625% 750 7.625%  1/15/2025 775 6.875% 775 6.875%  9/15/2025 3,600 11.000% 3,600 11.000%  11/1/2025 138 7.000% 138 7.000%  8/15/2026 2 6.800% 2 6.800%  1/15/2027 346 7.875% 346 7.875%  8/15/2031 945 9.000% 945 9.000%  10/1/2034 1 7.680% 1 7.680%  7/1/2035 125 7.450% 125 7.450%  10/1/2046 193 7.050% 193 7.050%  15,146 15,146  Senior Secured Debt Due:  10/14/2016 * 316 3.845% (Variable) 344 2.805% (Variable)  10/24/2019 ** 296 3.845% (Variable) 315 3.805% (Variable)  3/31/2021*** 1,605 2.970% (Variable) - -  2,217 659   Subsidiary Debt Due:  05/15/2027 200 6.750% - -  02/01/2028 300 6.860% - -  2/15/2028 200 6.730% 200 6.730%  10/15/2029 50 8.400% 50 8.400%  11/15/2031 100 8.500% - -  850 250   Total $ 18,213 8.214% **** $ 16,055 8.74% ****  * Represents borrowings under the 2011 CoBank Credit Agreement, as defined below , that are secured as of April 1, 2016 . ** Represents borrowings under the 2014 CoBank Credit Agreement, as defined below , that are secured as of April 1, 2016 . *** Represents borrowings under the 2015 Credit Agreement, as defined below. **** Interest rate represents a weighted average of the stated interest rates of multiple issuances.   On August 12, 2015, Frontier entered into a credit agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto, for a $1,500 million senior secured delayed-draw term loan facility (the 2015 Credit Agreement). Frontier exercised its right under the 2015 Credit Agreement to obtain additional commitments and increased the size of the facility to $1,625 million. On April 1, 2016, in connection with the closing of the Verizon A cquisition, Frontier drew $1,550 million under that facility, with the additional $75 million drawn subsequently. The final maturity date is March 31, 2021 . Repayment of the outstanding principal balance will be made in quarterly installments, initially in the amount of $ 20 million per installment, commencing June 30, 2016 . The quarterly installments will increase to $41 million, beginning with the 13th quarterly installment. The remaining outstanding principal balance will be repaid on the final maturity date. Borrowings under the term loan will bear interest based on margins over the Base Rate (as defined in the 2015 Credit Agreement) or LIBOR, at the election of Frontier. Interest rate margins under the facility (ranging from 0.75% to 1.75% for Base Rate borrowings and 1.75% to 2.75% for LIBOR borrowings) are subject to adjustment based on Frontier’s Total Leverage Ratio (as defined in the 2015 Credit Agreement). Borrowings under the 2015 Credit Agreement are secured by a pledge of the stock of Frontier North Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary , primarily representing Frontier operations in the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin.  Upon completion of the Verizon Acquisition on April 1, 2016, we also assumed additional debt of $600 million, including $200 million aggregate principal amount of 6.75% Senior Notes due May 15, 2027 , $300 million aggregate principal amount of 6.86% Senior Notes due February 1, 2028 and $100 million aggregate principal amount of 8.50% Senior Notes due November 15, 2031 .  On September 25, 2015, Frontier completed a private offering of $6,600 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured Senior Notes, as follows: $1,000 million of 8.875% Senior Notes due 2020 ; $2,000 million of 10.500% Senior Notes due 2022 ; and $3,600 million of 11.000% Senior Notes due 2025 . Each was issued at a price equal to 100% of its princ ipal amount. Frontier use d the net proceeds from the offering (after deducting underwriting fees) to finance a portion of the cash consideration pa id in connection with the Verizon Acquisition and to pay related fees and expenses. In April 2016 , we completed an exchange offer of registered senior notes for the privately placed senior notes.  On February 5, 2015, we entered into a commitment for a bridge loan facility (the Verizon Bridge Facility) and recognized related interest expense of $10 million and $132 million during the six months ended June 30 , 2016 and 2015, respectively. The accrued liabilities related to the Verizon Bridge Facility of $184 million were paid after the closing of the Verizon Acquisition and are included in “Other current liabilities” in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2015 . The Verizon Bridge Facility terminated, in accordance with its terms, on September 25, 2015.  Frontier has two credit agreements with CoBank, ACB, as administrative agent, lead arranger and a lender, and the other lenders party thereto. The first facility is for a $350 million senior secured term loan facility (the 2014 CoBank Credit Agreement). This facility was drawn upon closing of the Connecticut Acquisition with proceeds used to partially finance the acquisition. The second facility is for a $575 million senior secured term loan (the 2011 CoBank Credit Agreement). This facility was drawn upon execution of the 2011 CoBank Credit Agreement in October 2011.  Frontier 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 $750 million revolving credit facility (the Revolving Credit Facility) with a scheduled termination date of May 31, 2018. As of June 30, 2016 , the Revolving Credit Facility was fully available and no borrowings had been made thereunder. The Revolving Credit Facility is available for general corporate purposes but may not be used to fund dividend payments.  Upon the drawdown of the term loan under the 2015 Credit Agreement , borrowings under the 2014 CoBank Credit Agreement, the 2011 CoBank Credit Agreement and the Revolving Credit Facility beca me secured debt. These borrowings are now secured, equally and ratably with borrowings under the 2015 Credit Agreement, by a pledge of the stock of Frontier North Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary.  As of June 30, 2016 , we were in compliance with all of our debt and credit facility covenants .  Our scheduled principal payments are as follows as of June 30, 2016 :      Principal  ($ in millions) Payments   2016 (remaining six months) $ 376  2017 $ 727  2018 $ 701  2019 $ 787  2020 $ 2,185  2021 $ 2,373  Thereafter $ 11,093 

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Income Taxes	(9) Income Taxes: The following is a reconciliation of income taxes computed at the federal statutory rate to income taxes computed at the effective rate:      For the three months ended For the six months ended  June 30, June 30,   2016 2015 2016 2015   Consolidated tax provision at federal statutory rate 35.0 % 35.0 % 35.0 % 35.0 %  State income tax provisions, net of federal income  tax benefit 6.0 0.4 4.3 1.6  Tax reserve adjustment (4.9) (0.1) (1.2) (0.5)  Changes in certain deferred tax balances 22.1 23.2 4.4 10.3  Federal research and development tax credit 5.2 - 1.1 -  All other, net 0.9 (0.7) 0.2 (0.1)  Effective tax rate 64.3 % 57.8 % 43.8 % 46.3 %  Income taxes for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 include the impact of $17 million and $15 million, respectively, of benefits resulting from the adjustment of deferred tax balances due to the Verizon Acquisition in 2016, and state tax law changes and a state filing method change in 2015.  Amounts pertaining to income tax related accounts of $20 million and $50 million are included in “Income taxes and other current assets” in the consolidated balance sheets as of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

Net Loss Per Share

Net Loss Per Share	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Net Loss Per Share [Abstract]
Net Loss Per Share	(10 ) Net Loss Per Share : The reconciliation of the net loss per share calculation is as follows:      For the three months ended For the six months ended  June 30, June 30,   ( $ in millions and shares in thousands, except per share amounts ) 2016 2015 2016 2015   Net loss used for basic and diluted earnings (loss)  per share:  Net loss attributable to Frontier common shareholders $ (80) $ (28) $ (320) $ (79)  Less: Dividends paid on unvested restricted stock awards (1) - (2) (1)  Total basic and diluted net loss  attributable to Frontier common shareholders $ (81) $ (28) $ (322) $ (80)   Basic earnings (loss) per share:  Total weighted average shares and unvested restricted stock  awards outstanding - basic 1,172,973 1,044,531 1,171,560 1,026,278  Less: Weighted average unvested restricted stock awards (8,711) (7,124) (7,477) (7,302)  Total weighted average shares outstanding - basic 1,164,262 1,037,407 1,164,083 1,018,976   Basic net loss per share  attributable to Frontier common shareholders $ (0.07) $ (0.03) $ (0.28) $ (0.08)   Diluted earnings (loss) per share:  Total weighted average shares outstanding - basic 1,164,262 1,037,407 1,164,083 1,018,976  Effect of dilutive shares - - - -  Total weighted average shares outstanding - diluted 1,164,262 1,037,407 1,164,083 1,018,976   Diluted net loss per share  attributable to Frontier common shareholders $ (0.07) $ (0.03) $ (0.28) $ (0.08)  In calculating diluted net loss per share for the three and six months ended June 30 , 2016 and 2015, the effect of all common stock equivalents is excluded from the computation as the effect would be antidilutive .  Stock Options For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 , options to purchase 40,000 and 73,000 shares, respectively, issuable under employee compensation plans were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings (loss) 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 June 30, 2016 and 201 5 , we had 1,632,500 and 1,238,000 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 EPS calculation because their inclusion would have an antidilutive effect. Compensation costs associated with the issuance of stock units were $1 million and ($1) million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 201 5 , respectively.  Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock The impact of the common share equivalents associated with the 19,250,000 shares of Series A Preferred stock described above were no t included in the diluted EPS calculation as of June 30 , 2016 and 2015, as their impact was anti dilutive.

Stock Plans

Stock Plans	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Stock Plans [Abstract]
Stock Plans	(11 ) Stock Plans : At June 30, 2016 , we ha d six s tock-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 June 30, 2016 , there were 22,541,000 shares authorized for grant and 6 ,995,000 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 11 , 201 6 , the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors granted approximately 1,6 69,000 performance shares under the Frontier Long Term Incentive Plan (the LTIP) and set the operating cash flow performance goal for 201 6 , which applies to the first year in the 201 6 -201 8 measurement period, the second year of the 201 5 -201 7 measurement period and the third year of the 201 4 -201 6 measurement period.  The following summary presents information regarding LTIP target performance shares as of June 30, 2016 and changes during the six months then ended with regard to LTIP shares awarded under the 2009 EIP and the 2013 EIP:      Number of  Shares  (in thousands)  Balance at January 1, 2016 2,525  LTIP target performance shares granted 1,669  LTIP target performance shares earned (887)  LTIP target performance shares forfeited -  Balance at June 30, 2016 3,307  For purposes of determining compensation expense, the fair value of each performance share is measured at the end of each reporting period and, therefore, will fluctuate based on the price of Frontier common stock as well as performance relative to the targets. For the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 201 5 , we recognized compensation expense , reflected in “Selling, general and administrative expenses,” of $3 million and $4 million , respectively, for the LTIP.  Restricted Stock The following summary presents information regarding unvested restricted stock as of June 30, 2016 and changes during the six 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  (in thousands) (per share) (in millions)  Balance at January 1, 2016 7,048 $ 5.93 $ 33  Restricted stock granted 5,563 $ 4.39 $ 27  Restricted stock vested (3,662) $ 5.26 $ 18  Restricted stock forfeited (31) $ 6.10  Balance at June 30, 2016 8,918 $ 5.24 $ 44  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 June 30, 2016 was $38 million and the weighted average period over which this cost is expected to be recognized is approximately two years.  Shares granted during the first six months of 201 5 totaled 2,763,000 . The total fair value of shares of restricted stock granted and vested at June 30, 2015 was approximately $14 million and $16 million, respectively. The total fair value of unvested restricted stock at June 30, 2015 was $35 million. The weighted average grant date fair value of restricted shares granted during the six months ended June 30, 2015 was $7.98 per share .  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 “Selling, general and administrative expenses”, of $10 million and $9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 201 5 , respectively, has been recorded in connection with these grants.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive Income (Loss)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Comprehensive Income (Loss)	 (12) Comprehensive Income (Loss) : Comprehensive income (loss) consists of net income (loss) and other gains and losses affecting shareholders’ investment and pension/postretirement benefit (OPEB) liabilities that, under GAAP, are excluded from net loss.  The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax at June 30, 2016 and 2015, and changes for the six months then ended, are as follows:    ($ in millions) Pension Costs OPEB Costs Deferred Taxes on Pension and OPEB Costs Total   Balance at January 1, 2016 $ (584) $ 20 $ 211 $ (353)  Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications - - - -  Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss 21 (4) (6) 11  Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) 21 (4) (6) 11  Balance at June 30, 2016 $ (563) $ 16 $ 205 $ (342)     Pension Costs OPEB Costs Deferred Taxes on Pension and OPEB Costs Total  Balance at January 1, 2015 $ (532) $ (119) $ 247 $ (404)  Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications - - (2) (2)  Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss 13 3 (6) 10  Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) 13 3 (8) 8  Balance at June 30, 2015 $ (519) $ (116) $ 239 $ (396)  The significant items reclassified from each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 are as follows:     Amount Reclassified from  ($ in millions) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (a)    Details about Accumulated Other For the three months ended June 30, For the six months ended June 30, Affected Line Item in the Statement Where  Comprehensive Loss Components 2016 2015 2016 2015 Net Income (Loss) is Presented  Amortization of Pension Cost Items (b)  Actuarial gains (losses) $ (10) $ (6) $ (21) $ (13) Income (loss) before income taxes  Tax impact 4 2 8 5 Income tax (expense) benefit  $ (6) $ (4) $ (13) $ (8) Net income (loss)  Amortization of OPEB Cost Items (b)  Prior-service costs $ 3 $ 1 $ 5 $ 2  Actuarial gains (losses) (1) (2) (1) (5)  2 (1) 4 (3) Income (loss) before income taxes  Tax impact (1) - (2) 1 Income tax (expense) benefit  $ 1 $ (1) $ 2 $ (2) Net income (loss)  (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 13 - Retirement Plans for additional details).

Retirement Plans

Retirement Plans	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Retirement Plans [Abstract]
Retirement Plans	 (1 3 ) Retirement Plans : The following tables provide the components of net periodic benefit cost:      Pension Benefits  For the three months ended For the six months ended  June 30, June 30,   ( $ in millions ) 2016 2015 2016 2015   Components of net periodic pension benefit cost  Service cost $ 34 $ 14 $ 47 $ 27  Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 42 22 65 44  Expected return on plan assets (65) (32) (92) (64)  Amortization of unrecognized loss 11 6 21 13  Net periodic pension benefit cost $ 22 $ 10 $ 41 $ 20       Postretirement Benefits  Other Than Pensions (OPEB)  For the three months ended For the six months ended  June 30, June 30,   ( $ in millions ) 2016 2015 2016 2015   Components of net periodic postretirement benefit cost  Service cost $ 5 $ 4 $ 8 $ 9  Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 10 8 17 15  Amortization of prior service cost/(credit) (2) (1) (5) (2)  Amortization of unrecognized loss - 2 1 5  Net periodic postretirement benefit cost $ 13 $ 13 $ 21 $ 27  During the first six months of 2 01 6 and 201 5 , we capitalized $12 million and $10 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. We made total cash contributions to our pension plan during the six months ended June 30, 2016 of $ 10 million .  In connection with the completion of the Verizon Acquisition, certain employees were transferred to the Frontier Communications Pension Plan (the Plan) effective April 1, 2016. Assets of $868 million, representing approximately 90% of the total amount expected to be received, were transferred into the Plan during the second quarter of 2016, with the remainder to be transferred by the end of 2016.  Our pension plan assets increased from $1,572 million at December 31, 2015 to $2,628 million at June 30, 2016, an increase of $1,056 million, or 67% . This increase was a result of asset transfers from the Verizon pension plan trusts of $968 million related to the Verizon Acquisition, including approximately $100 million that represents a receivable of the Frontier Communications Pension Plan as of June 30, 2016, positive investment returns of $138 million , net of investment management and administrative fees, and contributions of $10 million, partially offset by benefit payments of $60 million during the first half of 2016. We expect to make cash contributions to our pension plan of approximately $10 million to $15 million for the full year of 2016, including the impact of the Verizon Acquisition.

Commitments And Contingencies

Commitments And Contingencies	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]
Commitments And Contingencies	(1 4 ) Commitments and Contingencies : Although from time to time we make short-term purchasing commitments to vendors with respect to capital expenditures, we generally do not enter into firm, written contracts for such activities.  In June 2015, Frontier accepted the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) offer of support to price cap carriers under the Connect America Fund (CAF) Phase II program, which is intended to provide long-term support for broadband in high cost unserved or underserved areas . This program provides $332 million in annual support, including $49 million in annual support related to the properties acquired in the Verizon Acquisition , through 2020 to make available 10 Mbps downstream/1 Mbps upstream broadband service to approximately 774,000 households across certain of the 29 states where we now operate . To the extent we do not enable the required number of households with 10 Mbps downstream/1 Mbps upstream broadband service by the end of the CAF Phase II term, we will be required to return a portion of the funds previously received.  On April 28, 2016, the FCC completed its inquiry into whether certain terms and conditions contained in specifically identified special access tariff pricing plans offered by four carriers, including Fron tier, are just and reasonable. The FCC held that certain of the tariff terms for business data TDM services, specifically DS1s and DS3s, were unreasonable. Specifically, the FCC struck down “ excessive” early termination fees and “all-or-nothing” provisions. Frontier has revised its tariffs in ac cordance with the FCC’s Order. The FCC’s decision has no retroactive effect, and we anticipate no material impact to Frontier from it. The FCC deferred the issue of how its ruling will affect customers currently purchasing services from these tariffs to a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. It is seeking comment on proposed changes to the way the FCC regulates traditional special access services and on a proposal to adopt pricing rules for Ethernet services in markets that are found to be “noncompetitive.” The potential impact to Frontier of this proceeding is unknown, though any pending initiative could adversely affect our operations or financial results.  During the first half of 2016, we increased our outstanding performance letters of credit from $50 million at December 31, 2015 to $125 million as of June 30, 2016.  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.  In October 2013, the California Attorney General’s Office notified certain Verizon companies, including one of the subsidiaries that we acquired in the Verizon Acquisition, of potential violations of California state hazardous waste statutes primarily arising from the disposal of electronic components, batteries and aerosol cans at certain California facilities. We are cooperating with this investigation. While penalties relating to the alleged violations could exceed $100,000 , we do not expect that any penalties ultimately incurred will be material.  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 for pending matters, after considering insurance coverage, is material. We 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 in 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.

Summary Of Significant Accoun22

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
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 (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, 2015. 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 loss 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 June 30, 2016 , we evaluated subsequent events and transactions for potential recognition or disclosure through the date that we filed this Form 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).  Effective April 1, 2016, Frontier’s scope of operations and balance sheet changed materially as a result of the completion of the Verizon Acquisition, as described in Note 3 – Acquisitions. Historical financial data presented for Frontier is not indicative of the future financial position or operating results for Frontier, and includes the results of the CTF Operations, as defined in Note 3 – Acquisitions, from the date of acquisition on April 1, 2016.  The preparation of our interim financial statements in conformity with G AAP 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 the allowance for doubtful accounts, asset impairments, indefinite-lived intangibles, depreciation and amortization, income taxes, business combinations, and pension and other postretirement benefits, among others.  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. We have utilized the aggregation criteria to combine our seven regional operating segments because all of these regional operations shar e similar 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 significantly impact the economic characteristics or operating results of a particular region. 
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 and 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” on our consolidated balance sheet 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.  Frontier 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 “Network related expenses ” of $62 million and $39 million, and $101 million and $76 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 201 5 , respectively .  In 2015 we accepted the FCC’s Connect America Fund (CAF) Phase II offer of support, which is a successor to and augments the USF frozen high cost support that we had been receiving pursuant to a 2011 FCC order. Upon completion of the Verizon Acquisition, Frontier assumed the CAF Phase II support and related obligations that Verizon had previously accepted with regard to California and Texas. CAF Phase II funding is a program intended to subsidize the high cost of establishing and delivering communications services to certain unserved or underserved areas. We are recognizing these subsidies into revenue on a straight line basis, which is consistent with how the costs related to these subsidies are being and are expected to be incurred. We may reserve against our subsidy revenue which would be based on our ability to meet the buildout requirements of CAF Phase II. CAF Phase II is a multi-year program which requires us to deploy broadband to a specified number of households in each of the states where funding was accepted. Failure to meet our deployment obligations at the end of the program in 2020 will result in a return of a portion of the funding received. We regularly evaluate our ability to meet our broadband deployment obligations and adjust revenue accordingly.  We categorize our products, services and other revenues among the following five categories:  · Voice services include traditional local and long distance wireline services, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services, as well as a number of unified messaging services offered to our residential and business customers. Voice services also include the long distance voice origination and termination services that we provide to our business customers and other carriers ;  · Data and Internet services include broadband services for residential and business customers. We provide data transmission services to high volume business customers and other carriers with dedicated high capacity circuits (“nonswitched access”) including services to wireless providers (“wireless backhaul”);  · Video services include revenues generated from services provided directly to residential customers through the FiOS ® video and Vantage TV brands, and through DISH ® satellite TV services;  · Other customer revenue includes sales of customer premise equipment to our business customers and directory services , less our provision for bad debts; and  · Switched Access and Subsidy revenues include revenues derived from allowing other carriers to use our network to originate and/or terminate their local and long distance voice traffic (“switched access”). These services are primarily billed on a minutes- of-use basis applying tariffed rates filed with the FCC or state agencies. We also receive cost subsidies from state and federal authorities, including the Connect America Fund.  The following table provides a summary of revenues from external customers by the categories of Frontier’s products and services:     For the three months ended For the six months ended  June 30, June 30,   ( $ in millions ) 2016 2015 2016 2015   Voice services $ 836 $ 515 $ 1,303 $ 1,040  Data and Internet services 1,048 584 1,635 1,159  Video 419 72 487 143  Other 78 65 145 127  Customer revenue 2,381 1,236 3,570 2,469  Switched access and subsidy 227 132 393 270  Total revenue $ 2,608 $ 1,368 $ 3,963 $ 2,739  
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 examine the carrying value of our goodwill and trade name annually as of December 31, or more frequently, as circumstances warrant, to determine whether there are any impairment losses. We test for goodwill impairment at the “operating segment” level, as that term is defined in GAAP . During the second quarter of 2016, Frontier reorganized into seven regional operating segments, which are aggregated into one reportable segment. In conjunction with the reorganization of our operating segments effective with the second quarter of 2016, we reassigned goodwill to our regional operating segments (reporting units) using a relative fair value allocation approach. We tested for the impairment of goodwill and there was no indication of impairment at June 30, 2016.  Frontier amortizes finite-lived intangible assets over their estimated useful lives on the accelerated method of sum of the years digits. We review such intangible assets at least annually as of December 31 to assess whether any potential impairment exists and whether factors exist that would necessitate a change in useful life and a different amortization period.

Summary of Significant Accoun23

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Schedule Of Revenues From External Customers	   For the three months ended For the six months ended  June 30, June 30,   ( $ in millions ) 2016 2015 2016 2015   Voice services $ 836 $ 515 $ 1,303 $ 1,040  Data and Internet services 1,048 584 1,635 1,159  Video 419 72 487 143  Other 78 65 145 127  Customer revenue 2,381 1,236 3,570 2,469  Switched access and subsidy 227 132 393 270  Total revenue $ 2,608 $ 1,368 $ 3,963 $ 2,739  

Acquisitions (Tables)

Acquisitions (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Purchase Price Allocation	   ($ in millions)   Current assets $ 391  Property, plant & equipment 7,693  Goodwill 2,032  Other intangibles - customer list 1,160  Other assets 89  Other current liabilities (552)  Long-term debt (544)  Other liabilities (383)  Total net assets acquired $ 9,886  
Unaudited Pro Forma Information	   (Unaudited)  For the three months ended For the six months ended June 30,  ($ in millions, except per share amounts) June 30, 2015 2016 2015   Revenue $ 2,779 $ 5,322 $ 5,549   Operating income $ 385 $ 743 $ 733   Net loss attributable to Frontier common shareholders $ (43) $ (96) $ (120)   Basic and diluted net loss attributable to  Frontier common shareholders per share $ (0.04) $ (0.08) $ (0.10)  
Schedule Of Acquisition and Integration Costs	  For the three months ended June 30, For the six months ended June 30,  ($ in millions) 2016 2015 2016 2015   Acquisition costs:  Verizon Acquisition $ 21 $ 2 $ 23 $ 35  Connecticut Acquisition - - - 1  21 2 23 36  Integration costs:  Verizon Acquisition 106 28 242 31  Connecticut Acquisition - 5 - 25  106 33 242 56  Total acquisition and  integration costs $ 127 $ 35 $ 265 $ 92  

Accounts Receivable (Tables)

Accounts Receivable (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Accounts Receivable [Abstract]
Accounts Receivable	   ($ in millions) June 30, 2016 December 31, 2015   Retail and Wholesale $ 1,020 $ 569  Other 88 59  Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts (74) (57)  Accounts receivable, net $ 1,034 $ 571 
Allowance For Doubtful Accounts	  For the three months ended June 30, For the six months ended June 30,  ($ in millions) 2016 2015 2016 2015   Bad debt expense $ 34 $ 12 $ 48 $ 25  

Property, Plant And Equipment (

Property, Plant And Equipment (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Property, Plant And Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant And Equipment, Net	   ($ in millions) June 30, 2016 December 31, 2015   Property, plant and equipment $ 26,140 $ 17,801  Less: Accumulated depreciation (9,979) (9,308)  Property, plant and equipment, net $ 16,161 $ 8,493 
Schedule Of Depreciation Expense	  For the three months ended June 30, For the six months ended June 30,  ($ in millions) 2016 2015 2016 2015   Depreciation expense $ 446 $ 247 $ 686 $ 496  

Goodwill And Other Intangibles

Goodwill And Other Intangibles (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Goodwill And Other Intangibles [Abstract]
Components Of Goodwill By Reporting Units	   ($ in millions) Goodwill   Balance at January 1, 2016 $ 7,166  Verizon Acquisition (Note 3) 2,032  Balance at June 30, 2016 $ 9,198  
Components Of Other Intangibles	  June 30, 2016 December 31, 2015  Gross Carrying Accumulated Net Carrying Gross Carrying Accumulated Net Carrying  ($ in millions) Amount Amortization Amount Amount Amortization Amount   Other Intangibles:  Customer base $ 4,158 $ (2,182) $ 1,976 $ 2,998 $ (1,977) $ 1,021  Trade name 122 - 122 122 - 122  Total other intangibles $ 4,280 $ (2,182) $ 2,098 $ 3,120 $ (1,977) $ 1,143  
Amortization Expense	  For the three months ended June 30, For the six months ended June 30,  ($ in millions) 2016 2015 2016 2015   Amortization expense $ 129 $ 88 $ 205 $ 180  

Fair Value Of Financial Instr28

Fair Value Of Financial Instruments (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Fair Value Of Financial Instruments [Abstract]
Fair Value Of Long-Term Debt	   June 30, 2016 December 31, 2015   ($ in millions) Carrying Amount Fair Value Carrying Amount Fair Value   Long-term debt $ 16,923 $ 16,970 $ 15,508 $ 14,767 

Long-Term Debt (Tables)

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Long-Term Debt [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt	     Six months ended  June 30, 2016   ($ in millions) January 1, 2016 Payments and Retirements New Borrowings Debt Assumed Reclassifications June 30, 2016 Interest at June 30, 2016*   Senior and Subsidiary Unsecured Debt $ 16,055 $ (22) $ - $ 500 $ (637) $ 15,896 9.15%  Senior Secured Debt - (45) 1,625 - 637 2,217 3.63%  Secured Subsidiary Debt - - - 100 - 100 8.50%  Secured Debt 23 (2) - - - 21 4.11%  Rural Utilities Service Loan Contracts 8 - - - - 8 6.15%  Total Long-Term Debt $ 16,086 $ (69) $ 1,625 $ 600 $ - $ 18,242 8.47%   Less: Debt Issuance Costs (196) (223)  Less: Debt Premium/(Discount) 2 (53)  Less: Current Portion (384) (1,043)  $ 15,508 $ 16,923      * Interest rate includes amortization of debt issuance costs and debt premiums or discounts. The interest rates at June 30, 2016 represent a weighted average of multiple issuances. 
Senior Unsecured Debt	   June 30, 2016 December 31, 2015   Principal Interest Principal Interest  ($ in millions) Outstanding Rate Outstanding Rate   Senior Unsecured Debt Due:  4/15/2017 $ 607 8.250% $ 607 8.250%  10/1/2018 583 8.125% 583 8.125%  3/15/2019 434 7.125% 434 7.125%  4/15/2020 1,022 8.500% 1,022 8.500%  9/15/2020 1,000 8.875% 1,000 8.875%  7/1/2021 500 9.250% 500 9.250%  9/15/2021 775 6.250% 775 6.250%  4/15/2022 500 8.750% 500 8.750%  9/15/2022 2,000 10.500% 2,000 10.500%  1/15/2023 850 7.125% 850 7.125%  4/15/2024 750 7.625% 750 7.625%  1/15/2025 775 6.875% 775 6.875%  9/15/2025 3,600 11.000% 3,600 11.000%  11/1/2025 138 7.000% 138 7.000%  8/15/2026 2 6.800% 2 6.800%  1/15/2027 346 7.875% 346 7.875%  8/15/2031 945 9.000% 945 9.000%  10/1/2034 1 7.680% 1 7.680%  7/1/2035 125 7.450% 125 7.450%  10/1/2046 193 7.050% 193 7.050%  15,146 15,146  Senior Secured Debt Due:  10/14/2016 * 316 3.845% (Variable) 344 2.805% (Variable)  10/24/2019 ** 296 3.845% (Variable) 315 3.805% (Variable)  3/31/2021*** 1,605 2.970% (Variable) - -  2,217 659   Subsidiary Debt Due:  05/15/2027 200 6.750% - -  02/01/2028 300 6.860% - -  2/15/2028 200 6.730% 200 6.730%  10/15/2029 50 8.400% 50 8.400%  11/15/2031 100 8.500% - -  850 250   Total $ 18,213 8.214% **** $ 16,055 8.74% ****  * Represents borrowings under the 2011 CoBank Credit Agreement, as defined below , that are secured as of April 1, 2016 . ** Represents borrowings under the 2014 CoBank Credit Agreement, as defined below , that are secured as of April 1, 2016 . *** Represents borrowings under the 2015 Credit Agreement, as defined below. **** Interest rate represents a weighted average of the stated interest rates of multiple issuances. 
Debt Maturities by Year	   Principal  ($ in millions) Payments   2016 (remaining six months) $ 376  2017 $ 727  2018 $ 701  2019 $ 787  2020 $ 2,185  2021 $ 2,373  Thereafter $ 11,093 

Income Taxes (Tables)

Income Taxes (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Reconciliation Of Provision For Income Taxes	   For the three months ended For the six months ended  June 30, June 30,   2016 2015 2016 2015   Consolidated tax provision at federal statutory rate 35.0 % 35.0 % 35.0 % 35.0 %  State income tax provisions, net of federal income  tax benefit 6.0 0.4 4.3 1.6  Tax reserve adjustment (4.9) (0.1) (1.2) (0.5)  Changes in certain deferred tax balances 22.1 23.2 4.4 10.3  Federal research and development tax credit 5.2 - 1.1 -  All other, net 0.9 (0.7) 0.2 (0.1)  Effective tax rate 64.3 % 57.8 % 43.8 % 46.3 % 

Net Loss Per Share (Tables)

Net Loss Per Share (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Net Loss Per Share [Abstract]
Calculation Of Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share	   For the three months ended For the six months ended  June 30, June 30,   ( $ in millions and shares in thousands, except per share amounts ) 2016 2015 2016 2015   Net loss used for basic and diluted earnings (loss)  per share:  Net loss attributable to Frontier common shareholders $ (80) $ (28) $ (320) $ (79)  Less: Dividends paid on unvested restricted stock awards (1) - (2) (1)  Total basic and diluted net loss  attributable to Frontier common shareholders $ (81) $ (28) $ (322) $ (80)   Basic earnings (loss) per share:  Total weighted average shares and unvested restricted stock  awards outstanding - basic 1,172,973 1,044,531 1,171,560 1,026,278  Less: Weighted average unvested restricted stock awards (8,711) (7,124) (7,477) (7,302)  Total weighted average shares outstanding - basic 1,164,262 1,037,407 1,164,083 1,018,976   Basic net loss per share  attributable to Frontier common shareholders $ (0.07) $ (0.03) $ (0.28) $ (0.08)   Diluted earnings (loss) per share:  Total weighted average shares outstanding - basic 1,164,262 1,037,407 1,164,083 1,018,976  Effect of dilutive shares - - - -  Total weighted average shares outstanding - diluted 1,164,262 1,037,407 1,164,083 1,018,976   Diluted net loss per share  attributable to Frontier common shareholders $ (0.07) $ (0.03) $ (0.28) $ (0.08) 

Stock Plans (Tables)

Stock Plans (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Stock Plans [Abstract]
LTIP Target Performance Shares	   Number of  Shares  (in thousands)  Balance at January 1, 2016 2,525  LTIP target performance shares granted 1,669  LTIP target performance shares earned (887)  LTIP target performance shares forfeited -  Balance at June 30, 2016 3,307 
Restricted Shares Outstanding	   Weighted  Average  Number of Grant Date Aggregate  Shares Fair Value Fair Value  (in thousands) (per share) (in millions)  Balance at January 1, 2016 7,048 $ 5.93 $ 33  Restricted stock granted 5,563 $ 4.39 $ 27  Restricted stock vested (3,662) $ 5.26 $ 18  Restricted stock forfeited (31) $ 6.10  Balance at June 30, 2016 8,918 $ 5.24 $ 44 

Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Ta

Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax	   ($ in millions) Pension Costs OPEB Costs Deferred Taxes on Pension and OPEB Costs Total   Balance at January 1, 2016 $ (584) $ 20 $ 211 $ (353)  Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications - - - -  Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss 21 (4) (6) 11  Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) 21 (4) (6) 11  Balance at June 30, 2016 $ (563) $ 16 $ 205 $ (342)     Pension Costs OPEB Costs Deferred Taxes on Pension and OPEB Costs Total  Balance at January 1, 2015 $ (532) $ (119) $ 247 $ (404)  Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications - - (2) (2)  Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss 13 3 (6) 10  Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) 13 3 (8) 8  Balance at June 30, 2015 $ (519) $ (116) $ 239 $ (396) 
Reclassification Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	    Amount Reclassified from  ($ in millions) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (a)    Details about Accumulated Other For the three months ended June 30, For the six months ended June 30, Affected Line Item in the Statement Where  Comprehensive Loss Components 2016 2015 2016 2015 Net Income (Loss) is Presented  Amortization of Pension Cost Items (b)  Actuarial gains (losses) $ (10) $ (6) $ (21) $ (13) Income (loss) before income taxes  Tax impact 4 2 8 5 Income tax (expense) benefit  $ (6) $ (4) $ (13) $ (8) Net income (loss)  Amortization of OPEB Cost Items (b)  Prior-service costs $ 3 $ 1 $ 5 $ 2  Actuarial gains (losses) (1) (2) (1) (5)  2 (1) 4 (3) Income (loss) before income taxes  Tax impact (1) - (2) 1 Income tax (expense) benefit  $ 1 $ (1) $ 2 $ (2) Net income (loss)  (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 13 - Retirement Plans for additional details). 

Retirement Plans (Tables)

Retirement Plans (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Retirement Plans [Abstract]
Net Periodic Benefit Cost	    Pension Benefits  For the three months ended For the six months ended  June 30, June 30,   ( $ in millions ) 2016 2015 2016 2015   Components of net periodic pension benefit cost  Service cost $ 34 $ 14 $ 47 $ 27  Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 42 22 65 44  Expected return on plan assets (65) (32) (92) (64)  Amortization of unrecognized loss 11 6 21 13  Net periodic pension benefit cost $ 22 $ 10 $ 41 $ 20       Postretirement Benefits  Other Than Pensions (OPEB)  For the three months ended For the six months ended  June 30, June 30,   ( $ in millions ) 2016 2015 2016 2015   Components of net periodic postretirement benefit cost  Service cost $ 5 $ 4 $ 8 $ 9  Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 10 8 17 15  Amortization of prior service cost/(credit) (2) (1) (5) (2)  Amortization of unrecognized loss - 2 1 5  Net periodic postretirement benefit cost $ 13 $ 13 $ 21 $ 27 

Summary Of Significant Accoun35

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)segment	Jun. 30, 2015USD ($)
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments			1
Number of operating segments			7
Customer surcharges | $	$ 62	$ 39	$ 101	$ 76

Summary Of Significant Accoun36

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Schedule Of Revenues From External Customers) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 2,608	$ 1,368	$ 3,963	$ 2,739
Customer Revenue [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	2,381	1,236	3,570	2,469
Switched Access And Subsidy Revenue [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	227	132	393	270
Voice Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	836	515	1,303	1,040
Data And Internet Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	1,048	584	1,635	1,159
Video [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	419	72	487	143
Other Customer Revenues [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 78	$ 65	$ 145	$ 127

Acquisitions (Narrative) (Detai

Acquisitions (Narrative) (Details) item in Millions, customer in Millions	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)customeritem	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)customeritem	Jun. 30, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash paid for acquisition		$ 9,886,000,000
Capital Expenditures Integration Activities		88,000,000	$ 38,000,000
Connecticut Operations [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition purchase price					$ 2,018,000,000
Capital Expenditures Integration Activities			19,000,000
Verizon Transaction [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition purchase price	$ 10,540,000,000	$ 10,540,000,000
Number of voice connections acquired | customer	2.6	2.6
Number of broadband connections acquired | item	2.2	2.2
Number of video connections acquired | item	1.2	1.2
Revenue	$ 1,282,000,000	$ 1,282,000,000
Operating income	264,000,000	264,000,000
Proceeds from equity issuance				$ 2,750,000,000
Capital Expenditures Integration Activities		88,000,000	$ 19,000,000
Senior And Subsidiary Unsecured Debt [Member] | Verizon Transaction [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	$ 6,600,000,000	$ 6,600,000,000		$ 6,600,000,000

Acquisitions (Purchase Price Al

Acquisitions (Purchase Price Allocation) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 9,198	$ 7,166
Verizon Transaction [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Current assets	391
Property, plant and equipment	7,693
Goodwill	2,032
Other intangibles - customer list	1,160
Other assets	89
Other current liabilities	(552)
Long-term debt	(544)
Other liabilities	(383)
Total net assets acquired	$ 9,886

Acquisitions (Unaudited Pro For

Acquisitions (Unaudited Pro Forma Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 2,779	$ 5,322	$ 5,549
Operating income	385	743	733
Net loss attributable to Frontier common shareholders	$ (43)	$ (96)	$ (120)
Basic and diluted net loss attributable to Frontier common shareholders per share	$ (0.04)	$ (0.08)	$ (0.10)

Acquisitions (Operating Expense

Acquisitions (Operating Expenses Related To Acquisitions) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition costs	$ 21	$ 2	$ 23	$ 36
Integration costs	106	33	242	56
Total acquisition and integration costs	127	35	265	92
Verizon Transaction [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition costs	21	2	23	35
Integration costs	$ 106	28	$ 242	31
Connecticut Operations [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition costs				1
Integration costs		$ 5		$ 25

Accounts Receivable (Accounts R

Accounts Receivable (Accounts Receivable) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounts Receivable [Abstract]
Retail and Wholesale	$ 1,020	$ 569
Other	88	59
Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts	(74)	(57)
Accounts receivable, net	$ 1,034	$ 571

Accounts Receivable (Allowance

Accounts Receivable (Allowance For Doubtful Accounts) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Accounts Receivable [Abstract]
Bad debt expense	$ 34	$ 12	$ 48	$ 25

Property, Plant And Equipment43

Property, Plant And Equipment (Property, Plant And Equipment, Net) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Property, Plant And Equipment [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment	$ 26,140	$ 17,801
Less: Accumulated depreciation	(9,979)	(9,308)
Property, plant and equipment, net	$ 16,161	$ 8,493

Property, Plant And Equipment44

Property, Plant And Equipment (Schedule Of Depreciation Expense) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Property, Plant And Equipment [Abstract]
Depreciation expense	$ 446	$ 247	$ 686	$ 496

Goodwill And Other Intangible45

Goodwill And Other Intangibles (Narrative) (Details) - Customer Base [Member]	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Maximum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	12 years
Minimum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	9 years

Goodwill And Other Intangible46

Goodwill And Other Intangibles (Components Of Goodwill By Reporting Units) (Details) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets by Segment [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	$ 7,166
Goodwill, Ending Balance	9,198
Verizon Transaction [Member]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets by Segment [Line Items]
Acquisition	2,032
Goodwill, Ending Balance	$ 2,032

Goodwill And Other Intangible47

Goodwill And Other Intangibles (Components Of Other Intangibles) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 4,280	$ 3,120
Accumulated Amortization	(2,182)	(1,977)
Net Carrying Amount	2,098	1,143
Customer Base [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	4,158	2,998
Accumulated Amortization	(2,182)	(1,977)
Net Carrying Amount	1,976	1,021
Trade Name [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	122	122
Net Carrying Amount	$ 122	$ 122

Goodwill And Other Intangible48

Goodwill And Other Intangibles (Amortization Expense) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Goodwill And Other Intangibles [Abstract]
Amortization expense	$ 129	$ 88	$ 205	$ 180

Fair Value Of Financial Instr49

Fair Value Of Financial Instruments (Fair Value Of Long Term Debt) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Carrying Amount [Member]
Long-term debt [Abstract]
Long-term debt	$ 16,923	$ 15,508
Fair Value [Member]
Long-term debt [Abstract]
Long-term debt	$ 16,970	$ 14,767

Long-Term Debt (Narrative) (Det

Long-Term Debt (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	Apr. 01, 2016	Apr. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Accrued financing liabilities					$ 184,000,000
Verizon Bridge Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest expense			$ 10,000,000	$ 132,000,000
Senior Notes and Debentures [Member] | Senior Note Due 10/14/2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount			575,000,000
Senior Notes and Debentures [Member] | Senior Note Due 10/24/2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount			350,000,000
Senior Notes and Debentures [Member] | Senior Note Due 9/15/2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount			$ 1,000,000,000
Interest Rate			8.875%		8.875%
Debt instrument, maturity date			Sep. 15, 2020
Senior Notes and Debentures [Member] | Senior Note Due 9/15/2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount			$ 2,000,000,000
Interest Rate			10.50%		10.50%
Debt instrument, maturity date			Sep. 15, 2022
Issue price expressed as a percentage of principal amount (in hundredths)			100.00%
Senior Notes and Debentures [Member] | Senior Note Due 9/15/2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount			$ 3,600,000,000
Interest Rate			11.00%		11.00%
Debt instrument, maturity date			Sep. 15, 2025
Issue price expressed as a percentage of principal amount (in hundredths)			100.00%
Subsidiary Debt [Member] | Subsidiary Senior Note Due 5/15/2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount			$ 200,000,000
Interest Rate			6.75%
Debt instrument, maturity date			May 15, 2027
Subsidiary Debt [Member] | Subsidiary Senior Note Due 2/1/2028 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount			$ 300,000,000
Interest Rate			6.86%
Debt instrument, maturity date			Feb. 1, 2028
Subsidiary Debt [Member] | Subsidiary Senior Note Due 11/15/2031 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount			$ 100,000,000
Interest Rate			8.50%
Debt instrument, maturity date			Nov. 15, 2031
2015 JP Morgan Credit Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount			$ 1,625,000,000		$ 1,500,000,000
Debt instrument, maturity date			Mar. 31, 2021
Proceeds from debt, net of issuance costs	$ 1,550,000,000	$ 75,000,000
Repayment of the outstanding principal balance, quarterly installments amount			$ 20,000,000
Increased periodic payment			41,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility maximum borrowing capacity			$ 750,000,000
Debt instrument, maturity date			May 31, 2018
Line of credit facility, current borrowings			$ 0
Minimum [Member] | 2015 JP Morgan Credit Agreement [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate Margin			0.75%
Minimum [Member] | 2015 JP Morgan Credit Agreement [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Initial pricing for LIBOR based borrowings (in hundredths)			1.75%
Maximum [Member] | 2015 JP Morgan Credit Agreement [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate Margin			1.75%
Maximum [Member] | 2015 JP Morgan Credit Agreement [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Initial pricing for LIBOR based borrowings (in hundredths)			2.75%
Verizon Transaction [Member] | Senior And Subsidiary Unsecured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount			$ 6,600,000,000		$ 6,600,000,000
Verizon Transaction [Member] | Subsidiary Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount			$ 600,000,000

Long-Term Debt (Long-Term Debt)

Long-Term Debt (Long-Term Debt) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, beginning balance		$ 16,086
Payments and Retirements		(69)
New Borrowings		1,625
Debt Assumed		600
Long-term debt, ending balance		16,086	$ 18,242	$ 16,086
Less: Debt Issuance Cost			(223)	(196)
Less: Debt (Discount)/Premium			(53)	2
Less: Current Portion			(1,043)	(384)
Principal Outstanding			$ 16,923	15,508
Weighted average interest rate	[1]		8.47%
Senior And Subsidiary Unsecured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, beginning balance		16,055
Payments and Retirements		(22)
Debt Assumed		500
Reclassifications		(637)
Long-term debt, ending balance		16,055	$ 15,896	16,055
Weighted average interest rate	[1]		9.15%
Senior Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, beginning balance		659
Payments and Retirements		(45)
New Borrowings		1,625
Reclassifications		637
Long-term debt, ending balance		659	$ 2,217	659
Weighted average interest rate	[1]		3.63%
Secured Subsidiary Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Assumed		100
Long-term debt, ending balance			$ 100
Weighted average interest rate	[1]		8.50%
Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, beginning balance		23
Payments and Retirements		(2)
Long-term debt, ending balance		23	$ 21	23
Weighted average interest rate	[1]		4.11%
Rural Utilities Service Loan Contracts [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, beginning balance		8
Long-term debt, ending balance		$ 8	$ 8	$ 8
Weighted average interest rate	[1]		6.15%
[1]	Interest rate includes amortization of debt issuance costs and debt premiums or discounts. The interest rates at June 30, 2016 represent a weighted average of multiple issuances.

Long-Term Debt (Senior Unsecure

Long-Term Debt (Senior Unsecured Debt) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Outstanding		$ 18,242		$ 16,086
Senior Notes and Debentures [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Outstanding		15,146		15,146
Senior Notes and Debentures [Member] | Senior Note Due 4/15/2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Outstanding		$ 607		$ 607
Interest Rate		8.25%		8.25%
Debt instrument, maturity date		Apr. 15, 2017
Senior Notes and Debentures [Member] | Senior Note Due 10/1/2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Outstanding		$ 583		$ 583
Interest Rate		8.125%		8.125%
Debt instrument, maturity date		Oct. 1, 2018
Senior Notes and Debentures [Member] | Senior Note Due 3/15/2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Outstanding		$ 434		$ 434
Interest Rate		7.125%		7.125%
Debt instrument, maturity date		Mar. 15, 2019
Senior Notes and Debentures [Member] | Senior Note Due 4/15/2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Outstanding		$ 1,022		$ 1,022
Interest Rate		8.50%		8.50%
Debt instrument, maturity date		Apr. 15, 2020
Senior Notes and Debentures [Member] | Senior Note Due 9/15/2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Outstanding		$ 1,000		$ 1,000
Interest Rate		8.875%		8.875%
Debt instrument, maturity date		Sep. 15, 2020
Senior Notes and Debentures [Member] | Senior Note Due 7/1/2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Outstanding		$ 500		$ 500
Interest Rate		9.25%		9.25%
Debt instrument, maturity date		Jul. 1, 2021
Senior Notes and Debentures [Member] | Senior Note Due 9/15/2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Outstanding		$ 775		$ 775
Interest Rate		6.25%		6.25%
Debt instrument, maturity date		Sep. 15, 2021
Senior Notes and Debentures [Member] | Senior Note Due 4/15/2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Outstanding		$ 500		$ 500
Interest Rate		8.75%		8.75%
Debt instrument, maturity date		Apr. 15, 2022
Senior Notes and Debentures [Member] | Senior Note Due 9/15/2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Outstanding		$ 2,000		$ 2,000
Interest Rate		10.50%		10.50%
Debt instrument, maturity date		Sep. 15, 2022
Senior Notes and Debentures [Member] | Senior Note Due 1/15/2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Outstanding		$ 850		$ 850
Interest Rate		7.125%		7.125%
Debt instrument, maturity date		Jan. 15, 2023
Senior Notes and Debentures [Member] | Senior Note Due 4/15/2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Outstanding		$ 750		$ 750
Interest Rate		7.625%		7.625%
Debt instrument, maturity date		Apr. 15, 2024
Senior Notes and Debentures [Member] | Senior Note Due 1/15/2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Outstanding		$ 775		$ 775
Interest Rate		6.875%		6.875%
Debt instrument, maturity date		Jan. 15, 2025
Senior Notes and Debentures [Member] | Senior Note Due 9/15/2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Outstanding		$ 3,600		$ 3,600
Interest Rate		11.00%		11.00%
Debt instrument, maturity date		Sep. 15, 2025
Senior Notes and Debentures [Member] | Debenture Due 11/1/2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Outstanding		$ 138		$ 138
Interest Rate		7.00%		7.00%
Debt instrument, maturity date		Nov. 1, 2025
Senior Notes and Debentures [Member] | Debenture Due 8/15/2026 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Outstanding		$ 2		$ 2
Interest Rate		6.80%		6.80%
Debt instrument, maturity date		Aug. 15, 2026
Senior Notes and Debentures [Member] | Senior Note Due 1/15/2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Outstanding		$ 346		$ 346
Interest Rate		7.875%		7.875%
Debt instrument, maturity date		Jan. 15, 2027
Senior Notes and Debentures [Member] | Senior Note Due 8/15/2031 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Outstanding		$ 945		$ 945
Interest Rate		9.00%		9.00%
Debt instrument, maturity date		Aug. 15, 2031
Senior Notes and Debentures [Member] | Debenture Due 10/1/2034 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Outstanding		$ 1		$ 1
Interest Rate		7.68%		7.68%
Debt instrument, maturity date		Oct. 1, 2034
Senior Notes and Debentures [Member] | Debenture Due 7/1/2035 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Outstanding		$ 125		$ 125
Interest Rate		7.45%		7.45%
Debt instrument, maturity date		Jul. 1, 2035
Senior Notes and Debentures [Member] | Debenture Due 10/1/2046 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Outstanding		$ 193		$ 193
Interest Rate		7.05%		7.05%
Debt instrument, maturity date		Oct. 1, 2046
Senior Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Outstanding		$ 2,217		$ 659
Senior Secured Debt [Member] | Senior Debt Due 10/14/2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Outstanding	[1]	$ 316		$ 344
Interest Rate	[1]	3.845%		2.805%
Debt instrument, maturity date	[1]	Oct. 14, 2016
Senior Secured Debt [Member] | Senior Debt Due 10/24/2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Outstanding	[2]	$ 296		$ 315
Interest Rate	[2]	3.845%		3.805%
Debt instrument, maturity date	[2]	Oct. 24, 2019
Senior Secured Debt [Member] | Senior Debt Due 3/31/2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Outstanding	[3]	$ 1,605
Interest Rate	[3]	2.97%
Debt instrument, maturity date	[3]	Mar. 31, 2021
Senior And Subsidiary Unsecured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Outstanding		$ 15,896		$ 16,055
Subsidiary Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Outstanding		850		250
Subsidiary Debt [Member] | Subsidiary Senior Note Due 5/15/2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Outstanding		$ 200
Interest Rate		6.75%
Debt instrument, maturity date		May 15, 2027
Subsidiary Debt [Member] | Subsidiary Senior Note Due 2/1/2028 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Outstanding		$ 300
Interest Rate		6.86%
Debt instrument, maturity date		Feb. 1, 2028
Subsidiary Debt [Member] | Subsidiary Senior Note Due 2/15/2028 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Outstanding		$ 200		$ 200
Interest Rate		6.73%		6.73%
Debt instrument, maturity date		Feb. 15, 2028
Subsidiary Debt [Member] | Subsidiary Senior Note Due 10/15/2029 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Outstanding		$ 50		$ 50
Interest Rate		8.40%		8.40%
Debt instrument, maturity date		Oct. 15, 2029
Subsidiary Debt [Member] | Subsidiary Senior Note Due 11/15/2031 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Outstanding		$ 100
Interest Rate		8.50%
Debt instrument, maturity date		Nov. 15, 2031
Senior Secured Debt, Senior Unsecured Debt And Subsidiary Debentures [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Outstanding		$ 18,213		$ 16,055
Weighted average interest rate		8.214%	[4]	8.74%	[5]
[1]	Represents borrowings under the 2011 CoBank Credit Agreement, as defined below, that are secured as of April 1, 2016.
[2]	Represents borrowings under the 2014 CoBank Credit Agreement, as defined below, that are secured as of April 1, 2016.
[3]	Represents borrowings under the 2015 Credit Agreement, as defined below.
[4]	Interest rate represents a weighted average of the stated interest rates of multiple issuances.
[5]	Interest rate represents a weighted average of the stated interest rates of multiple issuances.

Long-Term Debt (Debt Maturities

Long-Term Debt (Debt Maturities By Year) (Details) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)
Long-Term Debt [Abstract]
Principal Payments 2016 (remaining six months)	$ 376
Principal Payments 2017	727
Principal Payments 2018	701
Principal Payments 2019	787
Principal Payments 2020	2,185
Principal Payments 2021	2,373
Principal Payments Thereafter	$ 11,093

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Detai

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current	$ 20		$ 50
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Adjustment of deferred tax balances	$ 17	$ 15

Income Taxes (Reconciliation Of

Income Taxes (Reconciliation Of Provision For Income Taxes) (Details)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Consolidated tax provision at federal statutory rate (in hundredths)	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State income tax provisions, net of federal income tax benefit (in hundredths)	6.00%	0.40%	4.30%	1.60%
Tax reserve adjustment (in hundredths)	(4.90%)	(0.10%)	(1.20%)	(0.50%)
Changes in certain deferred tax balances (in hundredths)	22.10%	23.20%	4.40%	10.30%
Federal research and development tax credit (in hundreths)	5.20%		1.10%
All other, net (in hundredths)	0.90%	(0.70%)	0.20%	(0.10%)
Effective tax rate (in hundredths)	64.30%	57.80%	43.80%	46.30%

Net Loss Per Share (Narrative)

Net Loss Per Share (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	19,250,000	19,250,000	19,250,000	19,250,000
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)	40,000	73,000	40,000	73,000
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)			1,632,500	1,238,000
Expense recognized during the period			$ 1	$ (1)

Net Loss Per Share (Calculation

Net Loss Per Share (Calculation Of Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Net Loss Per Share [Abstract]
Net loss attributable to Frontier common shareholders, Basic	$ (80)	$ (28)	$ (320)	$ (79)
Less: Dividends paid on unvested restricted stock awards	(1)		(2)	(1)
Total basic and diluted net loss attributable to Frontier common shareholders	$ (81)	$ (28)	$ (322)	$ (80)
Total weighted average shares and unvested restricted stock awards outstanding - basic (in shares)	1,172,973	1,044,531	1,171,560	1,026,278
Less: Weighted average unvested restricted stock awards (in shares)	(8,711)	(7,124)	(7,477)	(7,302)
Total weighted average shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	1,164,262	1,037,407	1,164,083	1,018,976
Basic net loss per share attributable to Frontier common shareholders	$ (0.07)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.28)	$ (0.08)
Total weighted average shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	1,164,262	1,037,407	1,164,083	1,018,976
Diluted net loss per share attributable to Frontier common shareholders	$ (0.07)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.28)	$ (0.08)

Stock Plans (Narrative) (Detail

Stock Plans (Narrative) (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)ShareBasedCompensationPlan$ / sharesshares	Jun. 30, 2015USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)$ / shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of stock-based compensation plan under which grants were made | ShareBasedCompensationPlan	6
Number of stock-based compensation plan under which grants were not made | ShareBasedCompensationPlan	4
Shares authorized for grant under the plans (in shares) | shares	22,541,000
Shares available for grant under the plan (in shares) | shares	6,995,000
Performance Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expense recognized during the period	$ 3	$ 4
Shares granted (in shares) | shares	1,669,000
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expense recognized during the period	$ 10	$ 9
Shares granted (in shares) | shares	5,563,000	2,763,000
Restricted Stock
Restricted stock granted	$ 27	$ 14
Restricted stock vested	18	16
Fair value of unvested restricted stock	$ 44	$ 35	$ 33
Restriced stock, grant date fair value per share | $ / shares	$ 5.24	$ 7.98	$ 5.93
Remaining unrecognized compensation cost associated with unvested restricted stock awards	$ 38
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]	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of period (in shares)	2,525,000
Shares granted (in shares)	1,669,000
Shares earned (in shares)	(887,000)
Shares forfeited (in shares)
Balance at end of period (in shares)	3,307,000

Stock Plans (Restricted Shares

Stock Plans (Restricted Shares Outstanding) (Details) - Restricted Stock [Member] - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of period (in shares)	7,048,000
Shares granted (in shares)	5,563,000	2,763,000
Shares earned (in shares)	(3,662,000)
Shares forfeited (in shares)	(31,000)
Balance at end of period (in shares)	8,918,000
Balance at beginning of period (in dollars per shares)	$ 5.93
Restricted stock granted (in dollars per shares)	4.39
Restricted stock vested (in dollars per shares)	5.26
Restricted stock forfeited (in dollars per shares)	6.10
Balance at end of period (in dollars per shares)	$ 5.24	$ 7.98
Balance at beginning of period	$ 33
Restricted stock granted	27	$ 14
Restricted stock vested	18	16
Balance at end of period	$ 44	$ 35

Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Ac

Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance			$ 5,614
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	$ 5	$ 5	11	$ 8
Balance	5,062		5,062
Defined Benefit Plans [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance			(584)	(532)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, before tax			21	13
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss), before tax			21	13
Balance	(563)	(519)	(563)	(519)
Defined Benefit Plans [Member] | Postretirement Costs [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance			20	(119)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, before tax			(4)	3
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss), before tax			(4)	3
Balance	16	(116)	16	(116)
Defined Benefit Plans [Member] | Deferred Taxes On Pension And OPEB Costs [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance			211	247
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, tax				(2)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, tax			(6)	(6)
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss), tax			(6)	(8)
Balance	205	239	205	239
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance			(353)	(404)
Other Comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications, Net of Tax				(2)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax			11	10
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax			11	8
Balance	$ (342)	$ (396)	$ (342)	$ (396)

Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Re

Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Reclassification Out of AOCI) (Details) - Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Pension Benefits [Member] | Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment, Net Gain (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, before tax	[1],[2]	$ (10)	$ (6)	$ (21)	$ (13)
Pension Benefits [Member] | Amortization Of Defined Benefit Cost Items [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, tax	[1],[2]	4	2	8	5
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax	[1],[2]	(6)	(4)	(13)	(8)
Postretirement Costs [Member] | Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment, Net Prior Service Attributable to Parent [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, before tax	[1],[2]	3	1	5	2
Postretirement Costs [Member] | Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment, Net Gain (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, before tax	[1],[2]	(1)	(2)	(1)	(5)
Postretirement Costs [Member] | Amortization Of Defined Benefit Cost Items [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, before tax	[1],[2]	2	(1)	4	(3)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, tax	[1],[2]	(1)		(2)	1
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax	[1],[2]	$ 1	$ (1)	$ 2	$ (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 13 - Retirement Plans for additional details).

Retirement Plans (Narrative) (D

Retirement Plans (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
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		$ 12	$ 10
Defined benefit plan, cash contributions by employer		10
Plan assets	$ 2,628	2,628		$ 1,572
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets, Period Increase (Decrease)		$ 1,056
Percentage of increase in pension plan		67.00%
Positive investment returns		$ 138
Benefit payments		60
Minimum [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Current Fiscal Year		10
Maximum [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Current Fiscal Year		15
Verizon Transaction [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Plan assets related to acquisition		968
Plan assets, excluding receivable		868
Plan assets receivable	$ 100	100
Percent of assets transferred	90.00%
Pension Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, cash contributions by employer		$ 10

Retirement Plans (Net Periodic

Retirement Plans (Net Periodic Benefit Cost) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Pension Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Service cost	$ 34	$ 14	$ 47	$ 27
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	42	22	65	44
Expected return on plan assets	(65)	(32)	(92)	(64)
Amortization of unrecognized loss	11	6	21	13
Net periodic benefit cost	22	10	41	20
Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions (OPEB) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Service cost	5	4	8	9
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	10	8	17	15
Amortization of prior service cost/(credit)	(2)	(1)	(5)	(2)
Amortization of unrecognized loss		2	1	5
Net periodic benefit cost	$ 13	$ 13	$ 21	$ 27

Commitments And Contingencies (

Commitments And Contingencies (Narrative) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)
Regulatory Commitments [Abstract]
Number of households to be serviced under regulatory funded programs	774,000
Number of States in our Territory	29
Loss Contingency [Abstract]
Possible penalty		$ 100,000
Letter of Credit [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Line of credit, amount outstanding	$ 50,000,000	$ 125,000,000
CAF II [ Member]
Regulatory Commitments [Abstract]
Annual support offered by the Federal Communications Commission	332,000,000
Verizon Transaction [Member] | CAF II [ Member]
Regulatory Commitments [Abstract]
Annual support offered by the Federal Communications Commission	$ 49,000,000