CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 1,258,777	$ 1,322,255	$ 2,526,831	$ 2,668,952
Operating expenses:
Network access expenses	115,433	126,629	231,002	277,913
Other operating expenses	539,911	578,096	1,091,494	1,158,436
Depreciation and amortization	307,047	358,986	664,347	710,243
Integration costs	28,602	20,264	63,746	33,487
Total operating expenses	990,993	1,083,975	2,050,589	2,180,079
Operating income	267,784	238,280	476,242	488,873
Investment income	9,991	175	12,094	3,290
Losses on early extinguishment of debt	(70,818)	0	(70,818)	0
Other income (loss), net	(1,187)	(557)	2,298	5,913
Interest expense	172,054	166,864	336,916	334,279
Income before income taxes	33,716	71,034	82,900	163,797
Income tax expense	11,717	37,190	30,411	73,757
Net income	21,999	33,844	52,489	90,040
Less: Income attributable to the noncontrolling interest in a partnership	4,010	1,583	7,732	3,068
Net income attributable to common shareholders of Frontier	$ 17,989	$ 32,261	$ 44,757	$ 86,972
Basic and diluted net income per common share attributable to common shareholders of Frontier (in dollars per share)	$ 0.02	$ 0.03	$ 0.04	$ 0.09