Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:
Net income	$ 76,954	$ 12,323
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	554,870	601,524
Losses on early extinguishment of debt		159,780
Pension/OPEB costs	(417)	8,608
Stock based compensation expense	11,892	8,927
Gain on sale of Mohave partnership interest		(14,601)
Other non-cash adjustments	19,567	5,568
Deferred income taxes	(66,493)	(19,148)
Change in accounts receivable	15,278	43,202
Change in accounts payable and other liabilities	(34,881)	(75,159)
Change in prepaid expenses, income taxes and other current assets	64,349	(50,317)
Net cash provided by operating activities	641,119	680,707
Cash flows provided from (used by) investing activities:
Capital expenditures - Business operations	(260,595)	(326,522)
Capital expenditures - Integration activities	(41,575)
Network expansion funded by Connect America Fund	(24,568)	(9,233)
Grant funds received for network expansion from Connect America Fund	3,748	5,998
Proceeds on sale of Mohave partnership interest		17,755
Cash transferred from escrow	8,211	21,790
Other assets purchased and distributions received, net	21,986	1,721
Net cash used by investing activities	(292,793)	(288,491)
Cash flows provided from (used by) financing activities:
Long-term debt borrowings	10,801	750,000
Financing costs paid	(6,140)	(19,360)
Long-term debt payments	(229,626)	(1,534,074)
Premium paid to retire debt		(159,429)
Dividends paid	(200,437)	(199,866)
Other financing activities	(1,266)	(7,389)
Net cash used by financing activities	(426,668)	(1,170,118)
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(78,342)	(777,902)
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1,	880,039	1,326,532
Cash and cash equivalents at June 30,	801,697	548,630
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest	319,326	348,459
Income taxes, net	$ 14,408	$ 83,462