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Merger, Integration and Restructuring Charges: (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Feb. 21, 2014 position	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Apr. 26, 2015
Restructuring Integration and Merger Cost [Abstract]
Information technology conversion costs		$ 3.5win_ComputerSystemAndConversionCosts	$ 7.1win_ComputerSystemAndConversionCosts
Consulting and other costs		10.6win_SignageAndOtherRebrandingCosts	0.8win_SignageAndOtherRebrandingCosts
Total merger and integration costs		14.1win_MergerAndIntegrationCosts	7.9win_MergerAndIntegrationCosts
Restructuring charges		7.0us-gaap_RestructuringCharges	12.4us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
Total merger, integration and restructuring charges		21.1win_MergerIntegrationAndRestructuring	20.3win_MergerIntegrationAndRestructuring
Restructuring Integration and Merger Cost [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period		11.2
Merger, integration and restructuring charges		21.1
Cash outlays during the period		(19.8)win_CashOutlaysDuringPeriod
Balance, end of period		12.5
Restructuring and Related Cost, Number of Positions Eliminated	400
Merger, Integration and Restructuring Cost, Cost Incurred to Date, Net of Tax		13.0	14.0
Workforce Reduction [Domain]
Restructuring Integration and Merger Cost [Roll Forward]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date		3.3
Other Restructuring [Member]
Restructuring Integration and Merger Cost [Roll Forward]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date		3.1
Voluntary Separation Initiative [Member]
Restructuring Integration and Merger Cost [Roll Forward]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Number of Positions Eliminated	175
Restructuring Announcement [Member]
Restructuring Integration and Merger Cost [Roll Forward]
Balance, end of period		1.2
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date	12.1
Other integration [Member]
Restructuring Integration and Merger Cost [Roll Forward]
Balance, end of period		$ 11.3
Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation and Reverse Stock Split \| Windstream Holdings, Inc.
Restructuring Integration and Merger Cost [Roll Forward]
Share conversion factor - post stock split				1
Share conversion factor - pre stock split				6