Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Consolidated Statements Of Operations [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 1,185,278	$ 1,252,469	$ 3,581,207	$ 3,779,300
Operating expenses:
Network access expenses	103,955	102,051	320,467	333,053
Other operating expenses	549,141	572,348	1,624,655	1,663,842
Depreciation and amortization	285,701	298,416	887,225	962,763
Pension settlement costs	40,309		40,309
Integration costs		4,458		68,204
Total operating expenses	979,106	977,273	2,872,656	3,027,862
Gain on sale of Mohave partnership interest			14,601
Operating income	206,172	275,196	723,152	751,438
Investment income	382	323	3,675	12,417
Losses on early extinguishment of debt		(245)	(159,780)	(71,063)
Other income, net	1,142	4,279	5,459	6,577
Interest expense	163,835	172,188	501,802	509,104
Income before income taxes	43,861	107,365	70,704	190,265
Income tax expense	8,461	35,739	22,981	66,150
Net income	35,400	71,626	47,723	124,115
Less: Income attributable to the noncontrolling interest in a partnership		4,626	2,643	12,358
Net income attributable to common shareholders of Frontier	$ 35,400	$ 67,000	$ 45,080	$ 111,757
Basic and diluted net income per common share attributable to common shareholders of Frontier (in dollars per share)	$ 0.04	$ 0.07	$ 0.04	$ 0.11