WINDSTREAM HOLDINGS, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Cash Provided from Operating Activities:
Net loss	$ (3,157,800,000)	$ (723,000,000.0)	$ (2,116,600,000)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided from operations:
Depreciation and amortization	1,068,200,000	1,526,700,000	1,470,000,000.0
Goodwill impairment	2,712,300,000	0	1,840,800,000
Provision for doubtful accounts	65,200,000	37,700,000	45,800,000
Share-based compensation expense	2,700,000	11,300,000	55,400,000
Non-cash reorganization items, net	48,700,000	0	0
Deferred income taxes	(319,600,000)	441,200,000	(412,700,000)
Gain on sale of Consumer CLEC business	0	(145,400,000)	0
Net (gain) loss on early extinguishment of debt	0	(190,300,000)	56,400,000
DIP Facility issuance costs expensed	24,400,000	0	0
Other, net	8,700,000	29,000,000.0	38,700,000
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net
Accounts receivable	(33,100,000)	(47,000,000.0)	17,700,000
Prepaid expenses and other	(55,100,000)	46,800,000	2,100,000
Accounts payable	172,800,000	5,200,000	43,300,000
Accrued taxes	3,400,000	(9,400,000)	(200,000)
Accrued interest	(11,600,000)	(8,600,000)	(16,300,000)
Other current liabilities	48,600,000	35,100,000	4,800,000
Other liabilities	(42,800,000)	(2,200,000)	(25,700,000)
Other, net	1,200,000	(6,000,000.0)	28,900,000
Net cash provided from operating activities	533,800,000	1,013,100,000	974,600,000
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(878,500,000)	(820,200,000)	(908,600,000)
Proceeds from sale of Consumer CLEC business	0	320,900,000	0
Payments to Acquire Intangible Assets	(26,600,000)	0	0
Other, net	1,700,000	(8,000,000.0)	(16,300,000)
Net cash used in investing activities	(903,400,000)	(554,200,000)	(983,200,000)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Dividends paid to shareholders	0	0	(64,400,000)
Proceeds from issuance of stock	0	12,200,000	9,600,000
Repayments of debt and swaps	(372,400,000)	(747,200,000)	(2,301,800,000)
Proceeds of debt issuance	655,000,000.0	816,000,000.0	2,614,600,000
Debt issuance costs	(24,400,000)	(23,500,000)	(27,100,000)
Proceeds from fiber transaction	0	45,800,000	0
Stock repurchases	0	0	(19,000,000.0)
Payments under long-term lease obligations	0	(188,800,000)	(168,700,000)
Payments under finance and capital lease obligations	(49,300,000)	(53,600,000)	(39,000,000.0)
Other, net	(700,000)	(2,200,000)	(11,300,000)
Net cash provided from (used in) financing activities	208,200,000	(141,300,000)	(7,100,000)
(Decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(161,400,000)	317,600,000	(15,700,000)
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash:
Beginning of period	361,000,000.0	43,400,000	59,100,000
End of period	199,600,000	361,000,000.0	43,400,000
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures:
Interest paid, net of interest capitalized	349,900,000	886,100,000	855,300,000
Income taxes (refunded) paid, net	(8,500,000)	(15,100,000)	1,700,000
Reorganization items paid, net	146,100,000	0	0
Broadview measurement period
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment			(34,500,000)
Acquisition of Broadview, net of cash acquired	0	0	63,300,000
Acquisitions of MASS and ATC, net of cash acquired	0	0	63,300,000
EarthLink
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment		(37,600,000)
Cash acquired from EarthLink	0	0	5,000,000.0
MASS and ATC
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Acquisition of Broadview, net of cash acquired	0	46,900,000	0
Acquisitions of MASS and ATC, net of cash acquired	$ 0	$ 46,900,000	$ 0