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

Subsequent Events:

Spin-off of Certain Network and Real Estate Assets - On April 24, 2015, we completed the spin-off of certain telecommunications network assets, including our fiber and copper networks and other real estate, into an independent, publicly traded REIT. The spin-off also included substantially all of our consumer competitive local exchange carrier (“CLEC”) business, which will continue to be operated by the REIT. Pursuant to the plan of distribution and immediately prior to the effective time of the spin-off, we contributed the network assets and the consumer CLEC business to Communications Sales & Leasing, Inc. (“CS&L”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Windstream, in exchange for: (i) the issuance to Windstream of CS&L common stock of which 80.4 percent of the shares were distributed on a pro rata basis to Windstream’s stockholders, (ii) cash payment to Windstream in the amount of $1.035 billion and (iii) the distribution by CS&L to Windstream of approximately $2.5 billion of CS&L debt securities. After giving effect to the interest in the REIT retained by Windstream, each Windstream Holdings shareholder received one share of CS&L for every five shares of Windstream Holdings common stock held as of the record date of April 10, 2015 in the form of a tax-free dividend. An ex-date of April 27, 2015 was established by NASDAQ, and all trades through the close of business on April 24, 2015 carry the right to receive the distribution. No fractional shares were distributed in connection with the spin-off, with a cash payment being made in lieu of any fractional shares. In connection with the distribution, CS&L borrowed approximately $2.14 billion through a new senior credit agreement. CS&L also issued debt securities in the private placement market to fund the cash payment and to issue its debt securities to Windstream, consisting of $1,110.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8.25 percent senior notes due April 15, 2023 and $400.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.00 percent senior secured notes due October 15, 2023. The CS&L unsecured notes and the borrowings under CS&L’s new senior credit agreement were issued at a discount, and accordingly, at the date of distribution, CS&L issued to Windstream approximately $2.5 billion of its debt securities consisting of $970.2 million in term loans, $400.0 million in secured and $1,077.3 million in unsecured notes (the “CS&L Securities”).

In connection with the spin-off transaction, Windstream entered into an exchange agreement (the “Exchange Agreement”), with J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc. (together, the “Investment Banks”), and CS&L. Pursuant to the terms of the Exchange Agreement, Windstream agreed to transfer the CS&L Securities and cash to the Investment Banks, in exchange for the transfer by the Investment Banks to Windstream of certain debt securities of Windstream Services consisting of $1.7 billion aggregate principal amount of borrowings outstanding under Tranches A3, A4 and B4 of Windstream Services’ senior credit facility and $752.2 million aggregate principal amount of borrowings outstanding under the revolving line of credit held by the Investment Banks. On April 24, 2015, following the completion of the spin-off transaction, Windstream and the Investment Banks completed the exchange of debt securities pursuant to the terms of the Exchange Agreement. As part of the Exchange Agreement with the Investment Banks, Windstream incurred approximately $35.4 million of costs related to the exchange of the Windstream Services’ debt securities.

The debt-for-debt exchange was accounted for under the extinguishment method of accounting and, as a result, Windstream Services recognized a loss due to the extinguishment of the aforementioned debt obligations of $21.5 million. In conjunction with the retirement of debt, Windstream Services terminated seven of its ten interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges of the variable cash flows paid on its senior secured credit facility. Windstream Services paid $22.7 million to terminate the interest rate swaps.

As of the spin-off date, excluding restricted shares held by Windstream employees and directors, Windstream retained a passive ownership interest in approximately 19.6 percent of the common stock of CS&L. Windstream intends to use all of its shares of CS&L opportunistically during a twelve month period following the spin-off, subject to market conditions, to retire additional Windstream Services debt.

The number of Windstream Holdings’ common shares outstanding did not change as a result of the spin-off. For employees and directors remaining with Windstream, restricted stock awarded pursuant to Windstream’s equity incentive plans and held by employees and directors at the time of the distribution continue to represent the right to receive shares of Windstream Holdings’ common stock. In addition, the holders of these restricted shares received restricted shares of CS&L common stock equivalent to the number of shares of CS&L common stock that was received with respect to each share of unrestricted Windstream Holdings’ common stock at the time of the distribution. The existing Windstream Holdings’ restricted stock and newly issued CS&L restricted stock will remain subject to vesting and other terms and conditions as prescribed by Windstream’s equity incentive plans. The number of Windstream Holdings’ shares underlying any outstanding stock options and the related per share exercise price were adjusted to maintain both the aggregate fair market value of stock underlying the stock options and the relationship between the per share exercise price and the related per share market value, pursuant to the terms of the applicable Windstream Holdings’ equity incentive plans and taking into account the change in the market value of Windstream Holdings’ common stock as a result of the distribution.

13. Subsequent Events, Continued:

Amendment to Senior Secured Credit Facility - In connection with the spin-off, on April 24, 2015, Windstream Services amended its senior secured credit facility to extend the maturity of its revolving credit facility to April 20, 2020. Otherwise, the borrowing capacity under the amended revolving credit agreement was unchanged and provides for borrowings up to an aggregate principal amount of $1,250.0 million.

Redemption of Long-Term Debt - On April 24, 2015, Windstream Services called for redemption on May 27, 2015, all of its $400.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8.125 percent senior unsecured notes due September 1, 2018 (the “2018 Notes”), at a redemption price payable in cash equal to$1,040.63 per $1,000 principal amount of the notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to the redemption date. A notice of redemption was sent to all currently registered holders of the 2018 Notes by the trustee under the indenture governing the notes. Also on April 24, 2015, PAETEC Holding, LLC, a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Windstream Services, called for redemption on May 27, 2015, all $450.0 million of the outstanding aggregate principal amount of 9.875 percent notes due 2018 (the “PAETEC 2018 Notes”), at a redemption price payable in cash equal to $1,049.38 per $1,000 principal amount of the notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to the redemption date. A notice of redemption was sent to all currently registered holders of the 2018 PAETEC Notes. Windstream expects to use a portion of the $1.035 billion cash payment received from CS&L to redeem these two debt obligations.

Master Lease Agreement - On April 24, 2015, Windstream Holdings entered into a long-term triple-net master lease with CS&L to lease back the telecommunications network assets. Under terms of the master lease, Windstream Holdings has the exclusive right to use the telecommunications network assets for an initial term of 15 years with up to four, five-year renewal options. CS&L has the right, but not the obligation, upon Windstream’ s request, to fund capital expenditures of Windstream in an aggregate amount of up to $250.0 million for a maximum period of five years. If CS&L exercises this right, the lease payments under the master lease will be adjusted at a rate of 8.125 percent of the capital expenditures funded by CS&L during the first two years and at a floating rate based on CS&L’s cost of capital thereafter. Additionally, if CS&L agrees to fund the entire $250.0 million, the initial term of the master lease will be increased from 15 years to 20 years and the number of renewal terms will be reduced from four renewal terms of five years each to three renewal terms of five years each. Windstream Holdings is required to pay all property taxes, insurance, and repair or maintenance costs associated with the leased property. The master lease provides for an annual rent of $650.0 million paid in equal monthly installments in advance and is fixed for the first three years. The effective interest rate on the long-term lease obligation is 10.15 percent. Thereafter, rent will increase on an annual basis at a base rent escalator of 0.5 percent. Future lease payments due under the agreement reset to fair market rental rates upon Windstream Holdings’ execution of the renewal options. Due to various forms of continuing involvement, including Windstream Services or its subsidiaries, remaining the legal counterparty to the various easements, permits and pole attachments related to the telecommunications network assets, we will account for the transaction as a failed sale-leaseback for financial reporting purposes. As a result, the net book value of the network assets transferred to CS&L will continue to be reported in our consolidated balance sheet and will be fully depreciated over the initial lease term of 15 years. We will record a long-term lease obligation of approximately $5.1 billion equal to the sum of the minimum future annual lease payments over the 15-year lease term discounted to the present value based on Windstream Services’ incremental borrowing rate. As annual lease payments are made, a portion of the payment will decrease the long-term lease obligation with the balance of the payment charged to interest expense using the effective interest method.

Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation and Reverse Stock Split - On April 24, 2015, Windstream Holdings filed a certificate of amendment to its restated certificate of incorporation with the secretary of state of the State of Delaware. The certificate of amendment effected the previously approved reverse stock split of Windstream Holdings outstanding common stock at a ratio of one-for-six (the “reverse stock split”). As a result of the reverse stock split, effective April 26, 2015, Windstream Holdings’ authorized share capital was reduced to 200,000,000 shares, consisting of 33,333,333 shares of preferred stock, par value $.0001 per share, and 166,666,667 shares of common stock, par value $.0001 per share. At the time of the reverse stock split, the number of issued and outstanding shares of common stock of Windstream Holdings was reduced to approximately 100,900,000 shares. Following the completion of the reverse stock split, Windstream expects to pay an annual dividend of $.60 per share.

Pre-Spin-off/Pre-Reverse Stock Split Pro Rata Dividend - On April 24, 2015, we made a cash distribution of $.0659 per share to our stockholders of record on April 10, 2015, which was equivalent to a pro-rated $.25 per share quarterly dividend.

Initial Post Spin-off Dividend - On May 5, 2015, we declared a cash dividend of $.1104 per share on our common stock, which is equivalent of a prorated per share quarterly dividend for the period beginning April 25, 2015 and ending June 30, 2015, which is payable on July 15, 2015 to shareholders of record on June 30, 2015.